The technology is not always easy. We may take it for granted. It is somewhat surprising that a lot of people of a certain age use a tablet. I know grandmothers who use a tablet to communicate easily with their children and grandchildren. However, this may not necessarily be the case for online banking or much more specific technology such as how to fill out a form on the Web, among other things. They are used to Facebook and some use Twitter, but using more advanced technology may not be as easy.
As I mentioned earlier, the baby boomers who have been in the system since 2011 are much better prepared to use technology. In New Brunswick, poverty is still a reality among seniors. They don't have the means to purchase equipment and pay for an Internet subscription. They can go to public libraries or other public places, but they have to find a way to get there. In rural areas in New Brunswick, a lot of seniors live alone. Their children moved elsewhere for work. They have fewer family members. They have to depend on their neighbours or other people for help, to drive them to the doctor or that sort of thing.
I know that the socio-economic agency that has existed in New Brunswick for a few years is quite interested in the issue of transportation in rural areas. In cities, transportation is not necessarily easier, but there are more possibilities, which is not the case in rural areas.
In New Brunswick, close to 60% of the population lives in rural areas. The little post office that used to be there and has disappeared in some places is a loss for those people. Some have even lost their church, their credit union, their school, and now they're losing their postal service. These are not necessarily tragic losses for these people, but this is nevertheless the loss of an important traditional service.