Evidence of meeting #9 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was business.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Deepak Chopra  President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post
David Stewart-Patterson  Vice-President, Public Policy, Conference Board of Canada
Denis Lemelin  National President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers
John Anderson  Research Associate, National Office, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Robert Campbell  President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Allison University, As an Individual
Bob Brown  Member, Transportation Committee, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Roy Hanes  Member, Social Policy Committee, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Benjamin Dachis  Senior Policy Analyst, C.D. Howe Institute
Daniel Kelly  President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

I think we have provided a summary of the data we collected.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Is that a no or a yes?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

We have provided enough analysis on the—

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Then it's a no. That's unfortunate, because I think you should be providing all the data to this committee. I am asking you formally, sir, to do that.

I want to go on to another question, sir. On page 20 of your five-point plan, it says, “Why this change is necessary”:

What Canadians expect from the postal system is changing dramatically. That requires equally dramatic change in the size, structure and direction of Canada Post. Future success will require a leaner workforce.

How many vice-presidents do you have in your organization, sir?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

We have a total of 22—

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

It's not 23?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

—presidents and vice-presidents.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Will there be any changes there?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

Absolutely.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

How many will there be?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

There will be the exact same proportion by which we adjust our workforce.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

By how many will you be reducing?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

It will be by the same percentage as the percentage of the workforce.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Why, when there was such a downturn in revenues last year, was it considered appropriate and acceptable to give bonuses to you and to others?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

We do not have a bonus plan that is driven by an entitlement of automatic—

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Did you receive a bonus last year—yes or no?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

My information is all publicly available.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

So did you or not? This is a very simple question.

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

My information is publicly available on the—

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Did you receive a bonus last year?

1:50 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Head Office, Canada Post

Deepak Chopra

My information is publicly available on the—

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

You did, sir. It was 33% of your salary.

I can tell you, sir, Theresa Reid is on a fixed income. She does not receive extra and she is actually barely getting by.

What I'm trying to convey to you, sir, is that this isn't about having a ParticipAction program in Brampton. It's not about giving extra keys to people; this is about really consulting.

We are in the business of representing citizens. I have people from anti-poverty groups in my riding who don't know what to do because you know what, they are clients of Debra Dynes Family House. I can take you to that social housing complex, and you will see a woman there who's working her tail off to help marginalized people. She wrote me a very long detailed note that I will be giving to you, sir, and I want you to come with me and talk to her and explain to them how, when they don't have access to technology in their homes, this is going to help them.

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Larry Miller

You're out of time, Mr. Dewar.

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

I don't think you're doing your job. With respect, I don't think you deserve a bonus.

1:50 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Larry Miller

Mr. Dewar, you are out of time.