Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you all for coming. This has been a long series of meetings that we've had across the country. I just want to take the opportunity to discuss a little with the CUPW representatives about some of the things I've heard. I have a couple of questions. It's a bit of a surreal conversation, because I've had this conversation over many meetings over the course of three weeks. I'm always part of it, but it's always a different person on the other side.
I just want to let you know that we have heard a lot of what you've said. We are very concerned about protecting middle-class jobs. We have concerns that with the amount of money that workers earn in the postal system now, it's difficult for them to afford a middle-class lifestyle on those salaries. The benefits are still good, but they're not as good as they were. We recognize that it's posing a very difficult situation for postal workers and their families.
We've talked about a few things, and I've learned a lot. On the Universal Postal Union, my understanding is that the China situation will soon be resolved and that they will be affected by new rates in 2018, largely pushed by the Americans. I'm not sure how that affects international rates from other countries. Certainly the Dominican Republic, for instance, is not going to be considered a developed country.
My first question is for Mr. Bennett.
Would Canada Post and the union be okay with having the Government of Canada consider these lower rates for international mail received from developing countries being officially recognized as official development assistance, and then maybe the Government of Canada could pay some type of subsidy to Canada Post in recognition of the fact that the Government of Canada is really sponsoring and supporting the mail service of a developing country?