Excuse me.
Mr. Julian.
Evidence of meeting #6 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was mail.
Evidence of meeting #6 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was mail.
1:15 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
That is 45% of the mail.
1:15 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to come back to the issue of postal sorting stations in Quebec. Public reaction was very strong, and that is very clear. We are all familiar with Quebec's geography. It makes no sense to close these postal sorting stations without consulting the public. This is being done in the same way as the more low-profile closures—but closures nonetheless—of rural post offices.
Is the corporation planning to close other sorting stations and rural post offices? Is this something that is being done, or being planned? Is there a moratorium on the closure of rural post offices and postal sorting stations in Quebec, so that they stay open?
1:15 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
There is no plan, but I will not say there will be no moratorium. If those three criteria are there in the future, and if I can use Canada Post enterprises more effectively without reducing service and without penalizing any employees, I would be very irresponsible not to do so.
With respect to consultation, I'm well aware that the mail delivery system is a source of inconvenience for a number of people. I am consulting on the issue at present.
Regarding plans...
1:15 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
The people affected. One month after I arrived at Canada Post, I had the pleasure of implementing a communication plan targeting people who would be affected by change, whether it be change to rural services or to delivery.
However, when it comes to postal sorting stations the situation is rather different. It's not a service issue. Service is an issue that concerns the delivery side, by and large. In this case, I will be consulting people. But why should we consult people at the stations if no employees, be it permanent or part-time employees, are affected, and there is no resulting service reduction?
I would say that in this instance client relations are not an issue. Rather, it is up to Canada Post to find the best way of conducting its affairs, while making sure that the postal system does not yet again become a burden to taxpayers.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Are you actually telling us that the public was not consulted, and that over the coming weeks other postal sorting stations might be closed?
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
With all due respect, Mr. Julian, I would point out that we gave Quebeckers two and a half years' notice. We are not talking about weeks here. Transferring mail takes a great deal of time operationally. In addition, we will be taking potential retirement numbers into account.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
I did talk about the announcement of a further closure. If I understand correctly, you will in no way reconsider the decision to close the Quebec City postal sorting station.
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
No. That is a good decision.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
As Ms. Gagnon has just pointed out, it is quite clear that public reaction doesn't reflect this at all. The frustration in eastern Quebec is considerable. Obviously, the public does not agree with you.
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
I know that this is a political issue, and not a business issue—
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Please allow me to finish.
In this instance, would you at least consider consulting people in Quebec City so that they can give their views? Then, if you maintain your decision, you will have to provide local residents with some explanation.
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
No. This is a good decision, and I am not going to question it. Any CEO would act in a similarly responsible fashion to assure the future of the corporation and to ensure that the corporation does not become a burden to taxpayers.
That has nothing to do with service, since service quality remains high, nor does it have anything to do with delivery, which remains unchanged. I know that this has become a political issue, rather than a business issue. But the point here is to manage Canada Post properly.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
I will come to another subject, because I think there's only a minute or so left.
This is a crown corporation, with public input. Are there any plans or have there been any discussions whatsoever about privatizing Canada Post with this new government?
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
And there are no plans to do so? Can you give us assurance today--
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
Privatization is up to the shareholder, Mr. Julian. I'm not the shareholder. I am the chief executive officer of Canada Post.
If the shareholder of Canada Post, which is the Government of Canada, represented by the government of the day, chooses to exercise its rights in relation to its interest in Canada Post, that is the shareholder's decision. That is not my decision.
1:20 p.m.
NDP
1:20 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
There isn't any proposal or any study going on to that effect?
1:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Post Corporation
There is no study going on to that effect.
