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. We receive the majority of our revenue through Canada Post in terms of our invoices and cheques and so forth being mailed. We rely heavily on Canada Post because that's one of the only methods we have in Dryden to accurately service our customers.
I don't want to say we're indifferent. What I'm here to say, basically, is that if the union and the corporation cannot resolve their issues within the next year or so, we will find means other than Canada Post. We employ 40 full-time and part-time employees right now, and since we are a new business—we just celebrated our first year—we don't have the same resources as other businesses that are more established. We have to react a lot quicker. I must stress this: we will find means other than Canada Post to service our customers if they are unable to resolve these issues between the union and the corporation.
For example, in terms of the notes I provided to you, right now I own three community newspapers: one in Dryden, one in Red Lake, and one for our first nations within the region. I own a commercial printing company as well as road signage. We do the regional phone book for Kenora, Dryden, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, as well as the in-flight magazine for Wasaya. Out of that, 80% to 100% of our invoices come through Canada Post. With regard to the delivery of the newspapers, we spend on average $5,000 a week, and our mail-out for the commercial printing is about $100 to $200 per parcel. We do a lot of business with Canada Post.
I would say that Canada Post has about 90% of my business. It's very important that Canada Post resolve these issues sooner rather than later, because I cannot jeopardize that business. What that means is that if I lose my business, since we employ 40 individuals with my company, that's 40 individuals who are out of work. My colleague here from Kenora has stated that this region does need jobs in the area.
I'm here to basically say, please resolve your issues. People like me are getting caught in this fight, and I don't like being in this position.