I had 2 firearms shipped to me from 2 different retailers within the last 2 months. Both were shipped via Canada Post and both arrived late (sat in the CP sorting facilities for days). I tracked them online and picked them up at the postal outlets without the delivery notice, no problem as long as u bring ur I.D. (notices showed up in the mail 1-2 days later).
I spoken with the mail man of my area last week and he told me that anything with 'Signature required or Card for Pick up or adult home required' gets shipped directly to the postal outlet for pick up and he delivers the Notice for pick up a day or 2 later (knock and drop is the new CP policy), so if the parcel requires a signature then it's a pick up for sure. Also in Vancouver, Purolator (owned by CP) handles all the deliveries from the CP facility the postal outlets and that is the reason the notice gets delayed for a day or 2.