Government Operations committee  We're in the phase of adapting to market conditions. What that means for us is that we will adapt to any curve balls that are thrown at us, but in terms of service delivery—in terms of the sorting, for example—we need faster service to our clientele. That is something that would help our business.

Government Operations committee  Could I make a quick comment? One of the things we're looking to do is expand our business, and Canada Post is an essential part of that plan. I should have emphasized that in my briefing notes. We're looking to go outside the region of northwestern Ontario in terms of our products.

Government Operations committee  One thing I do have to make a point of mentioning, as Mary did before, is the local communities. In Ignace they lost a CIBC. In Balmertown, which is by Red Lake, the CIBC closed in early 2000. Basically what's happening with these communities is that the labour force is shrinking and shrinking and shrinking.

Government Operations committee  In terms of Canada Post, I'm aware of its history in terms of how the business model has changed over the last 20 years, especially with my business directly. I'm in commercial printing, and the market share really has shrunk. We're in the same boat as Canada Post. In terms of our business relationship with Canada Post, we find that the quality of service is exceptional.

Government Operations committee  I would prefer, in terms of Canada Post, that the union and the corporation resolve their issues. I don't know what the Government of Canada can do in terms of either legislation or something else that it doesn't put me in a position where I have to make that choice.

Government Operations committee  I just want to add, in terms of the sorting, that we as a business have noticed that everything goes to Thunder Bay, and that has slowed down the delivery and receiving of mail within the region. For instance, I have an office in Red Lake where people send us stuff. It's a little more expensive to send things by air, but we have to use that option now because it will just take a little too long if we just throw it in the mail.

Government Operations committee  In terms of delivering our product to our customers, there are other means besides FedEx and Purolator. There are, we'll say, airways, for example, that deliver to a lot of the first nations up north. It may require us to do a bit more work, but once we have that established, we will continue to use those means.

Government Operations committee  I don't go there to have a cup of coffee.

Government Operations committee  We do want to continue our business with Canada Post. It's part of Canada. It's one of the fabrics of our society, and we will continue to support that. What I'm saying is that if I'm put in a position that's going to jeopardize my operations or my business, I'm not going to utilize the services.

Government Operations committee  Yes.

Government Operations committee  No, I haven't. If that were the case, it would have been brought to my attention immediately, but there hasn't been a circumstance yet where that has happened. Previous to this life here with Norwest Printing, I was involved with another community newspaper, and nothing like that was ever brought to my attention there either.

Government Operations committee  We heard through the media that there was no correspondence directly from Canada Post.

Government Operations committee  We haven't received a survey.

Government Operations committee  More specifically, I also have to let everybody know that before the strike, we had to get our invoices out. What we started doing was contacting individuals through email and fax, and unfortunately, that is the business Canada Post has lost forever. You're not going to get that business again, because we don't have to pay for stamps.

Government Operations committee  I have to let you know that Canada Post has cost me a lot of sleep over the past summer. The reason for that is that my business, Norwest Printing and Publishing Group, relies heavily on Canada Post. When there was talk of a strike and the dates kept being extended, that forced my business to find other means of getting our invoices and our product to our customers.