Transport Committee on Feb. 15th, 2011

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

I am entirely in favour of that proposal. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my colleague from Western Arctic for raising this point.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Trost.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I've just got a few questions for my colleague, Mr. Bevington, and then, depending on his response, I may have some more comments.

I'm a little curious about whether he's planning to expand this to a broader study or what particularly he is looking for in this report. Are there specific elements? Does he plan to expand on it with further witnesses or testimony? We are getting quite a few studies through here. I'm trying to ascertain where he wants to go on this. If Mr. Bevington could give a bit more detail, it would be appreciated.

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

The study really looks at what Canada Post's obligations are as a public corporation, so what it does, the universal service objectives.... We'll get a look at what the thinking is about postal service in this country, whether there's any sense about where you draw the line in terms of the opening or closing of post offices in communities and what actually does our public corporation think of its role as the Canadian postal service.

That I think is what the objective is here. Once you see that, then certainly it may bring up questions to people about how they view that role and whether they think that's correct or whether they think that's not correct. What it does is give us the information to see where Canada Post is going.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

One more question, and then I'll go to Mr. Byrne.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Just following up on that, what Mr. Bevington is looking for is a sense of where Canada Post sees its sense of mission and purpose. From there, we would go on to check the broader community's view on what Canada Post has said. Is that a pretty accurate summary?

[Dennis Bevington, NDP, Western Arctic, NT]

That could be the direction that comes out of this. I wouldn't want to prejudge it, but I would want to see the report and then be able to make some kind of judgment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Byrne.

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The motion does not call on any analysis or a study reference by the committee. It requests that the committee, I assume, report through you, Mr. Chair, to the minister responsible for the Canada Post Corporation to simply supply documents to the committee. It seems like a pretty straightforward and reasonable request. I think we would be supporting that request.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Jean.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

First of all, I just want to remind everybody that this is the Prime Minister who put a moratorium on closing the rural post offices. Secondly, I think he's the first Prime Minister in the history of the country who's given a directive to Canada Post in relation to rural mail. I do want to remind members of that.

I did some research on this for Mr. Bevington just before committee, and I understand that at this stage the document is only in English. So we will certainly need to have it translated. I understand as well that there may be some ATIP considerations in relation to the contents of the report itself that will have to be removed.

Other than that, I don't see a problem with it. I think it's a good suggestion, and it will certainly help us move forward, especially when issues come up with Canada Post from time to time, which I think they will. This government has been very clear on its position with Canada Post in standing up for rural mail delivery, and I think that will not change.

I certainly think it is a good idea from Mr. Bevington, and I'm glad to hear about it. If he wants to work on the scope of this particular issue and where the study goes from here, I'm happy to work on that one on one behind the scenes as well.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

There seems to be consensus around the table. If there are no further comments, I'll ask for a vote on that.

Mr. Jean.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I'm wondering if after the service review has been done, or after we've seen the service review, we could then be in a position to hold an extra meeting or two to have Canada Post come in and answer questions in relation to that. I think it might be helpful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Trost, do you have another comment?

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Just a question following up on what Mr. Jean says.

Would we be getting the release of the report in just the English version, or would be waiting until translation is done for the French version?

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

We would wait until the translation is done.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

And then with the ATIP things, I assume that would automatically be excluded from the report.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

It's my opinion that that would all have to be completed before it would be presented to committee. I think what we will do as a committee, depending on how the vote goes, is encourage them to do it sooner rather than later.

[Bradley Trost, Conservative, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Forthwith.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Forthwith.

Mr. McCallum.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

I was just wondering what ATIP things he was referring to.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I was told by the department there might be some ATIP issues within it. I was also told that it might take a few weeks to translate it. I understand that might be the issue.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

I don't understand the point about ATIP.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I don't either, to be honest, Mr. McCallum. I can find out more information from the department. It's always good to have a birdie on your shoulder. Just give me one second and I'll read it.

Just due to the access to information and privacy acts, some information might be restricted.

I'm not sure, Mr. McCallum. I certainly would be happy to find out more information from the department in relation to this. My understanding as well is that Canada Post has not got a copy of this yet, so there are other considerations. But I think it's a good thing for members to see and a good thing for the committee to look at and study. I certainly do.

Any other questions, Mr. McCallum?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

That's it. Thank you.