Evidence of meeting #19 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was employees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Vice-President, Operations Integration, Canada Post Corporation
That's a good question, thank you. We have a processing centre in Quebec City. In the current situation and given the volume of packages we handle, I think it would have been difficult for us to do better.
Bloc
Julie Vignola Bloc Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Even with additional centres, it would have been difficult to do better?
Conservative
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I really feel compelled to begin my time by stating my deep disappointment that Amazon was unable to find time to join us in this committee.
We know certainly the consternation around the contract, how it was communicated, how it evolved and some of the gaps in the answers we received in previous committee meetings.
I have to share with you that during this pandemic I've had an opportunity to look into our standing orders. Quite frankly, under Standing Order 113(5) and 113(6), I'm reminded that standing committees have the power to send for persons, with no limitations noted in the applicable standing orders of Standing Order 108.
I share that because as we go into the summer months I feel that we ought to have really strongly urged Amazon to find time to be here. I'm very disappointed, if not a bit upset, that they couldn't make time, given their relationship with this government.
I'll begin with my questions to Canada Post.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Mr. Green, I'm sorry and I won't dock you any time for this, but our interpreters have just informed me that they're having quite a bit of difficulty hearing you. The audio level is quite low. Could you perhaps speak a little louder or closer to your microphone, please?
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I'm happy to do so. I will state, though, that it feels a little as though it's a person-to-person thing. I've been on a technical briefing before, I logged on 15 minutes early, and I have a studio-quality microphone.
I'll speak louder, but I don't want Canada Post to feel as though I'm yelling at them, because I am a bit fired up over Amazon.
Canada Post, if it sounds as though I'm yelling, it's not at you; I'm really just upset at Amazon and I've been told that you can't hear me.
Mr. Lukiwski, how is that? Is it okay?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
It sounds better to me. I'm just worried about our interpreters. If they give me another intervention, I'll get back to you, but please, go ahead.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I will also note that their fatigue in the work they do is very challenging and very difficult. I do want to acknowledge that.
On April 24, 2020, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement told the committee that Amazon Canada was selected to distribute medical supplies because it responded to PSPC's call to action. In response to a question from a committee member, she further explained that the federal government selected Amazon Canada because, unlike Canada Post, it has an online platform through which provinces and territories can place orders for medical equipment and supplies.
I think we heard earlier in this committee Mr. Jowhari suggest that Canada Post brought on Amazon. We know that not to be true.
Did Canada Post and Purolator respond to this call to action independent of Amazon?
Vice-President, Operations Integration, Canada Post Corporation
That's a good question.
It wasn't independent of Amazon. From the start—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Colleagues, I apologize once again for the interruption. I'm going to have to suspend the meeting for a few moments.
Mr. Green, for some reason, and I don't think it's coming from you personally, our interpreters can't pick up any of the sound.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Do you know what it could be? Because I've been having troubles with translation, I'll go to the floor sound. I found that with interpretation on the English channel, it sometimes muted the settings.
How is that? Is that better for them?
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, sorry to interrupt.
Mr. Green, unfortunately they're indicating to me that it is not.
Mr. Chair, might I suggest that we proceed to the next questioner, one of our technicians can call Mr. Green, and then you can return to Mr. Green to give him his time afterwards? Would that be permissible?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
It works for me.
Mr. Green, if that's agreeable to you, we'll see if we can get the technical difficulties sorted out. You will not be docked any time. We will certainly get back to you to give you your full speaking slot. How's that?
Liberal
Majid Jowhari Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I just want to clarify that I did not, in my statement, make any indication that Canada Post brought Purolator on. With the three of them working together, I wanted to understand the nature of the collaboration. That's all.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
It's not a true point of order, but thanks for your clarification.
We'll now go to a four-minute round and get back to Mr. Green as quickly as possible.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
As a point of order, I've changed my headset. Because I'm fourth party here, I don't want to get squeezed out. I want to make sure that I have time to ask these questions.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Lukiwski
Certainly.
Interpreters, are you able to hear Mr. Green better now?
The Clerk
Mr. Chair, I'm hearing interpretation now.
Mr. Green, could you continue using your headset? The interpreters are indicating that the sound is better. Thank you.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
On April 24, 2020, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement told the committee that Amazon Canada was selected. You heard the preamble. Did Canada Post and Purolator respond to this call of action independently of Amazon?
Vice-President, Operations Integration, Canada Post Corporation
No, we did not. The call came at the same time. We all joined the working sessions together and worked together to provide the solution to the government.
I should clarify our relationship in that arrangement. We are already service providers to Amazon for the distribution of packages, so the last-mile delivery that we do on behalf of the government for this personal protective equipment is guided by the Amazon system; therefore, we bill Amazon for the services. However, the solution design was done with the three parties together throughout.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Do you not have the capabilities to provide these services absent of Amazon?
Vice-President, Operations Integration, Canada Post Corporation
We don't. One of the requirements at the beginning of the process was that PHAC wanted to be able to distribute to not just 14 health organizations, but to 3,400—I think it's 3,400 or so—hospitals and all types of health organizations and be able to put those orders through a system. We have very good systems to accept boxes, and Purolator to accept pallets, but we do not have a system to manage orders for 3,400 addresses; Amazon does.