As I just mentioned, the idea is to focus more on post offices located in suburban areas than those in truly remote or rural communities.
With regard to jobs, it will mainly be Canada Post that will be responsible for operationalizing the transformation of its activities. We will have more information in the recovery plan, but based on the figures I have seen, there are still many postal workers who, as in the example you mentioned, will be retiring in the next few years. I am therefore convinced that part of this transformation will be achieved through attrition.
With regard to consultations, many reports have been produced, and this committee has done some work. There was also Mr. Kaplan’s report, which is quite substantial and takes note of all these other documents. Furthermore, the recommendations submitted by Mr. Kaplan at the end of his investigation will help to begin the transformation.
In my opinion, given that Canada Post is losing $10 million a day and has just had its worst quarter ever, it is not feasible to tolerate the status quo for much longer. I know that we have even discussed the situation, because you intervened in the middle of a labour dispute. However, the labour dispute has now been going on for 21 months. Waiting was not an option for me. The transformation must begin, and negotiations between the parties must take place in light of Canada Post’s financial reality.