It is a community network—
Evidence of meeting #39 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 services.
Evidence of meeting #39 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 services.
11:10 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
It is a community network—
11:10 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
— made up of various community organizations that work together to improve the health of people in the Bathurst region.
11:10 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
There is a community health network that covers the whole region of Chaleur, New Brunswick, but our network focuses exclusively—
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
I have to interrupt you because I just have seven minutes to ask you some questions and get a few answers.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
We are also very concerned about the quality of service for seniors, especially those who have mobility issues or are disabled. There are, however, different levels of service. There are people like you—you gave your own situation as an example earlier—who have never or almost never had home delivery. That does not really seem to bother you.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Would you move from your current location to get home delivery? Would that be an important factor?
11:10 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
No.
We lived in Janeville for 21 years and there was no home delivery. When we moved to Bridge Street, in Bathurst, we were asked what we wanted. We were used to a community box. As well, we have two vehicles, my spouse and I, and we go out regularly. Not everyone has that choice.
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Do you ask someone else to pick up your mail from time to time while you are on vacation or if you have to leave town, for instance?
11:10 a.m.
Liberal
11:10 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
The mail stays in the box.
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
We have also heard that it is difficult for seniors who do not have a car, not only because they do not have home delivery but also because they have to go out for certain other services. How do they manage? Does someone help them or is there a community service?
11:15 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
There is no community service here and it is very difficult for those people. If they have family nearby, they can help out. For my mother for example, we could go get her mail. Some neighbours are also very generous with their time. For the vast majority of people without a car, though, it is a major concern. It is also a concern for people who do not have the physical mobility to get out. Moreover, the boxes are not always installed in easily accessible locations.
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Mr. Bélanger, you can reply also.
Are you aware of a service for people with reduced mobility? In order to get back the home mail delivery service these people have lost, however, they have to show a doctor's note saying they have reduced mobility. Did you know that?
11:15 a.m.
Director General , Association acadienne et francophone des aînées et aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick
I did not know that Canada Post offers that service. In any case, all of these services for people with reduced mobility are offered in New Brunswick by non-profit organizations. There is no provincial agency as such. In urban centres where there is public transit, they can have access—
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
Ramez Ayoub Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
What I am saying is that a person with reduced mobility can make a special request to Canada Post for home delivery even if they have lost it. The service is available and it is not related to public transit.
11:15 a.m.
Director General , Association acadienne et francophone des aînées et aînés du Nouveau-Brunswick
I did not know that. There are so many details about so many things. It is not always easy to keep track.
11:15 a.m.
Liberal
11:15 a.m.
President, Réseau communauté en santé Bathurst
People often do not know about that service or how to request it. As you know, the literacy rate in the region is very low and people do not know how to access this service. Moreover, making calls to get information is very frustrating!