Government Operations Committee on June 22nd, 2006

[Moya Greene]

As you probably know, Ms. Nash, we have one of the largest fleets in Canada. Obviously, we don't replace our fleet every year; we let the vehicles go their natural life and then we replace a certain percentage of them periodically. Now, in the RFPs--to replace whatever percentage we are replacing--we are insisting on far greater fuel and energy efficiency. I think that's probably one of the most important things that Canada Post can do to reduce greenhouse gases.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Is there any move to have more hybrid vehicles or to explore alternative fuel sources. What kind of specific measure have you taken?

[Moya Greene]

We look at hybrid vehicles all the time. Right now, at the state of development of hybrid vehicles, we don't have vehicles of the right size and the right configuration for the delivery of mail. But we're paying attention to that, because that's a developing market. Every year there's something new in that market. We're paying very close attention to that.

When we can get vehicles with the right stability and the right size and weight configurations for our needs, we will certainly be moving in that direction.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Given the size of the operation of Canada Post and the success of the operation, with a real desire on the part of the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it would be an important procurement initiative for our government to stimulate the production of these kinds of vehicles, given their wide usage in Canada Post.

[Moya Greene]

Well, the government, of course, can manage its procurement as it sees fit. Canada Post is a commercial crown corporation, and our procurement is managed under a very rigorous CITT, NAFTA-supervised process.

All I can say to you is that I think we have probably one of the most successful procurement processes in Canada. Unlike anybody else I've ever heard of, we have not had a successful CITT challenge yet. When we do procure, the manufacturers' specifications and the possibilities from manufacturers are completely researched. We have in our company fleet experts, as you can well imagine, given the—

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

If the federal government wanted to stimulate investment in high-efficiency vehicles--the type that Canada Post needs--it would be a smart move to generate sales within Canada for Canada Post.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Thank you very much, Madam Nash.

We'll have one very short, last question from Mr. Bonin.

Before we end the meeting, I wish you all a good summer, and we will meet again, probably on September 19.

Monsieur Bonin.

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

There we go.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I will keep it short.

I have a few issues, but I'll stick to this one, because of my thought that your operation is very centralized in your office; there are no decisions made locally. That explains why Mr. Warkentin asked you to investigate a situation in a small rural post office, because you're sitting alone at the table. It's the first time in 13 years that I have had a person of your position come without senior officials.

In answering my earlier question, you offered an apology to me for the situation in my riding. I didn't suffer because of it. My mail came to my home, because I live in a different area. So I would ask if you would send an apology, in writing, to the 220 families, instead of apologizing to me. It would make them very happy to receive an apology from the chief executive officer.

[Moya Greene]

I would be happy to do that. I want you to know that apologies on behalf of the company have already been sent, but I would be very happy to send a personal apology.

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Thank you very much.

Thank you for appearing before the committee. And have a great summer.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Do we have an agenda item?

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Yes, we're doing our study on the accrual business.

[Mike Wallace, Conservative, Burlington, ON]

Oh, it's on accrual accounting. All right. I can't wait to get back!

[The Chair, Liberal, Diane Marleau]

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.