Thank you, everyone.
My understanding is that Mr. Peddle is not here but, hopefully, will be arriving shortly. We will get going. I like to ensure that all our meetings start on time and end on time.
My name is Tom Lukiwski. I'm the chair of the government operations and estimates committee, which is travelling across Canada talking and consulting with Canadians, organizations, individuals, those affected by Canada Post, and those who use Canada Post about how they want to see the future of Canada Post unfold.
The minister has engaged in a very extensive consultation process. Phase one was the establishment of a task force charged with the responsibility of examining the long-term financial viability of Canada Post. The task force has completed its report. That report has been tabled. This committee has had a chance to examine that report.
Now we're in phase two, where we are talking to Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and getting their views on what they would like to see as far as what Canada Post's future may hold. That's why we're here today.
The process we will follow today is fairly simple. We'll ask all of our panellists to give a brief five-minute or less opening statement. Following that, we will have questions and answers sessions with our committee members. Hopefully, the session will wrap up in about an hour.
The first speaker on the list is His Worship Mayor Pender.
Mayor Pender, you have five minutes or less, please.