Government Operations Committee on Sept. 29th, 2016

[Brad Pareis]

There has been a significant increase in parcels. While we have noticed a decrease in the letter mail volumes—and that's unavoidable, considering the way people are choosing to communicate—we have seen a corresponding increase in parcels. It has now become a significant portion of the mail. People, especially in small communities such as this one, have fewer shopping options and fewer ways of getting the goods and services they want. Online shopping and then parcel delivery are used by a large percentage of the population.

Parcel delivery is, to a degree, replacing what used to be pretty much dominated by letter mail.

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Since the demand for parcel delivery has risen, the unions have shown some openness in terms of opening hours, so the service can be offered on Saturday or Sunday, for example.

Would that be useful for the Dryden region?

[Brad Pareis]

I think it would be extremely helpful. As a union and as workers, we've been open to providing services on Saturday through our wickets. We would have no problem at all to increase delivery hours, change delivery hours, or offer delivery on Saturdays, if necessary.

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you.

I have a question for you, Mr. Parkes.

Why is it that seniors in your region want to go out, while seniors in other regions do not want to go out and want to get their mail at home? Why do you think it is that in your community, people are not bothered by having to go out? You seem to be used to it.

[Garry Parkes]

I guess it's the inconvenience and the cost. We have a lot of people whose age makes it difficult for them to do anything like that. As I said, it's the added problems that we see somewhere down the line; as you get older, you realize these things. Saying that we need it and we don't want to lose it won't take any hardships away.

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I would like to come back to the case of people with mobility problems. What does Canada Post do in Dryden other than home delivery in places where there is none? Are there situations where you deliver the mail differently from what is usually done for people with mobility problems? Is there a different service?

[Brad Pareis]

I am aware of one case—I believe it was a grandfather case—where there was an individual who was known to be disabled, and his area was delivered into CMBs. The person with the truck would deliver to that person's door—I believe it was twice a week—and that was an informal arrangement. As far as the rules go, I think that's not particularly allowed. I hope I'm not getting anyone in trouble.

[Ramez Ayoub, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

In conclusion, I want to thank you for your answers and for being here. The chair will want to thank you also.

I am very pleased to have been in Dryden and to see what goes on here.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Thank you very much.

Gentlemen, I'll extend the same offer to you that I have to all of our other panellists. Should there be additional information that you wish to bring to the attention of this committee, please feel free to do so. You can direct your submissions to our clerk, and you can be assured that all of your suggestions and ideas will be ultimately incorporated into our final report.

I want to thank you both for being here. Both presentations were excellent. Mr. Parkes, you did great. Mr. Pareis, once again, thank you for being so succinct.

The meeting is adjourned.