Madam Chair, today I am here to address the committee of the whole regarding the Government of Canada's proposed legislation, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services.
Before I start, I would like to sincerely thank my parliamentary secretary, my colleagues and all of our staff for their exemplary efforts. I am once again reminded of how strong a team we are on this side of the House.
This extraordinary bill has been introduced in the House as a result of an unresolved labour dispute between Canada Post and more than 50,000 employees of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers urban operations unit. Now that the work stoppage has continued, regular postal service has ceased. Canadians are turning to Parliament for a solution. That is what I am here to talk about today.
Context is important so that the extraordinary measures in the bill can be better understood. Let me start with three important points.
First, a reliable postal service without interruption is an important part of what keeps our economy running smoothly.
Second, when that service is interrupted, or when the reliability of that service is put into doubt, it does more than just create an inconvenience. Costs are incurred, and they are paid by Canadian families and Canadian businesses.
Third, many months have passed since this labour dispute began and there is no end in sight at which the parties can reach a settlement on their own.
Given these facts, Parliament has an obligation to act and to do so in the best interest of the Canadian economy.