Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not rise to support Bill C-203 presented by the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.
The largest number of rural post office closures in Canada, as the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell well knows, happened in my riding of Victoria-Haliburton. That is a big number to have happen in one riding. I have seen enough of the senior citizens, handicapped and disadvantaged Canadians who are suffering for a very basic service, to receive and send mail. It seems so basic.
The postmaster of the little Britain community centre is a man of great spirit who has great sense of community. The post office in Bethany is in a gas station. Lindsay has a sub-post office in a drugstore. Minden and Fenelon Falls were on the chopping block.
When I went to Sunderland I could not read the sign for the post office, it was so dilapidated. It looked like they were waiting for the disaster to happen. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Postmaster, I would like you to get your signs painted. Tell the public that the government will not close any more rural post offices.
I would also be remiss if I did not mention that I presented a petition earlier today, which I fully support, allowing senior citizens in a large complex to mail a letter. Why Canada Post can send a truckload of mail to a large complex, drop it off, but not pick any up at the very same location is beyond belief.
I support this bill by the member for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. I look forward to the strengthening of rural Canada and the strengthening of the rural post office service.