Evidence of meeting #28 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was post.
11:05 a.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network Canada
I will speak very briefly to you about some of the obstacles with these kinds of forms. Richard is right; when there is a dual set of assessors, it gets—
11:05 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Canada Post and the organizations will have to work out something that works, because right now, obviously, it doesn't.
11:05 a.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network Canada
No, but there are practical considerations. I have the “one person, one fare” program. I have been established on it for many years, with an airline. When I got the form and got it filled out—
11:10 a.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network Canada
It is, practically, what can happen. I have had the form for many years. I flew four times this summer. Then, I go to get it—
11:10 a.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network Canada
No, I am not asking you to address it.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
I am going to interrupt because I don't have time.
What I am saying is this. If once a week will work—if Canada Post does proper consultation with various access groups—then maybe that is a solution to that area.
11:10 a.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network Canada
One weakness is that if people are getting paid by cheque and it is the end of the month—they are making rent—it may not work.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
That is a good point.
Actually, I was going to get you—
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
Do you consider mail delivery the same thing as parcel delivery?
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
I don't work for Canada Post, so I don't consider anything—
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
It is just a question in terms of—
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
I don't know enough about the weekly service for handicapped or for inaccessible.
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
I am just questioning—
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Mr. Ratnani, I will just interject for a moment. What I hear consistently from both Canada Post and all the other stakeholders who have come before us is that while it may be a viable option to have alternate-day delivery for mail, for parcels, undoubtedly, it has to be daily.
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
Thank you for the answer.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
My next question is actually for you, so thanks for chiming in.
Canada Post just went through negotiations. If they hadn't signed, what was your backup plan, which company? Would you just switch over to UPS? Is that a viable alternative? I am just curious.
By the way, before you answer, I want to say that you guys have a great online presence. You guys did a fantastic job. Well done.
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
Thank you. I will take those compliments with me.
I would say that it is always the same players. It is the FedExes and the UPSes of this world. DHL is a very well-known player, but now it is becoming more aggressive. Now you are seeing an entry of other local carriers now entering here from the U.S., such as LaserShip—smaller companies that actually want to compete and gain business here. We have a network of different providers across North America.
11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
How are they price-wise compared to what you're currently using with Canada Post?
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
In the U.S. it's very competitive.
11:10 a.m.
Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder, Frank + Oak
In Canada, actually, Canada Post does have better service coverage because you can pick it up in the local post office. In certain service levels it is more competitive with Canada Post. In other service levels, actually other carriers are competitive, meaning it's usually between either the regular shipping or the express service, if things go by air. So it's becoming more and more competitive.