Canada Post owns Purolator: the Crown corporation holds about 91%, Rainmaker Investments about 7% and other shareholders 2%, according to Purolator. Canada Post describes Purolator Holdings Ltd. as its non-wholly owned subsidiary. Purolator still runs its own network, its own accounts and its own tracking.
Purolator's shareholders
| Shareholder | Share published by Purolator |
|---|---|
| Canada Post Corporation | About 91% |
| Rainmaker Investments | About 7% |
| Other | About 2% |
Canada Post confirms the link in its own results: for the first quarter of 2025, it presents its group as the Canada Post segment and its non-wholly owned subsidiary, Purolator Holdings Ltd. After selling its other subsidiaries in 2024, Purolator is the only subsidiary Canada Post has left, according to its 2024 annual report.
How Canada Post became the owner
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 5, 1960 | Operations begin as Trans Canadian Couriers Ltd., a subsidiary of a US company (American Courier Corp.) |
| Late 1980s | Onex Corporation and other investors buy the Canadian operations: the company becomes Canadian-owned |
| 1990s | Canada Post buys a 75% interest, then buys more shares from Onex and reaches 95.81% |
| Today | Canada Post about 91%, Rainmaker Investments about 7%, other 2% |
| January 31, 2025 | Purolator Holdings Ltd. acquires 100% of Livingston International, a customs broker |
Neither Purolator nor Canada Post explains on its website how Canada Post's stake went from 95.81% to about 91%, so we do not offer a reason.
What ownership changes for your parcel
Day to day, very little. Purolator says it delivers to 100% of Canadian postal codes with its own network. A Purolator parcel has a Purolator tracking number, a Purolator account and a Purolator invoice; a rate negotiated with Canada Post does not apply to it.
To find out whether Canada Post hands parcels to Purolator, read our dedicated article. To compare the two carriers’ services, guarantees and coverage, read our Purolator vs Canada Post guide.
What to check before you ship
- The carrier named on the label: that is the one moving the parcel, and its website is where to track it.
- The account used: a Canada Post account and a Purolator account are separate, with separate rates and terms.
- The service picked: compare both carriers’ services on the same route rather than assuming they are equivalent because they share an owner.
- An international or cross-border shipment: since 2025, Purolator also owns the customs broker Livingston International.
Official sources