Government Operations committee  I was working while it was going on out of Yellowknife. I don't quite know the logistics, but basically it's subsidized by the federal government; I've heard $60 million a year is what possibly it is. Under the previous Harper government, it was changed. He went to nutrition north Canada.

Government Operations committee  In Yellowknife there is the corporate outlet and across the street, as Mr. O'Reilly said, is the Shoppers Drug Mart, which is the retail, the franchised outlet.

Government Operations committee  They don't have a choice. Canada Post made it that they don't have a choice. As you've probably heard across the country, the parcels are up, so Canada Post has given a contract to Shoppers Drug Mart for the parcel pick-ups, which is a very small place.

Government Operations committee  What do you mean by “other?” I don't understand the question.

Government Operations committee  That I don't have the answer to, but as far as the employees go, don't cut the employees. Don't mainstream them because that is not going to work. We break down. We're human, so don't keep cutting us and cutting us. Let us grow and everybody else benefits. The community benefits by the employment all around.

Government Operations committee  Profit, yes, they make a profit. Yes, they are business people, and they know how to run the business. I don't want to turn this into the union against the corporation, but basically use our ideas. Yes, times have changed. We've gone to the digital age. Letter mail is down and parcels are up.

Government Operations committee  It's different for us, because right now Purolator doesn't serve us here in the north. Purolator stops in Yellowknife, so that's not going to work. FedEx stops in Edmonton, so that's not going to work. It's us, as Canada Post employees, who do it all.

Government Operations committee  Good morning. I'm Lynda Lefrancois. I am the president of the Yellowknife local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. I've worked for Canada Post for almost 22 years. I've seen many changes over the last 22 years. The union is not opposed to change and growth. What we question is Canada Post's focus on profit at the expense of providing service to the people of Canada.