Government Operations committee  I think that in the short term, until a solution is identified for how we get to a more sustainable Canada Post model, it is a service that the business community needs. That was apparent in the report. We heard that loud and clear. Whether it's an online retailer, a catalogue retailer, or just general invoice, payment, and receipt letter mail, the business community does need the Canada Post service.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely. Yes, we do invoicing for our membership dues as well as other non-dues fees. A number of our members do require that. In fact, we find that larger corporations actually want no more letter mail invoices.

Government Operations committee  Although we represent what would be identified as an urban area, we have a lot of members in rural areas. Canada is a very rural nation. I think to respond to that question we would need to understand what the implications are for delivering to rural areas, and if it would exclude certain individuals from being on our distribution list.

Government Operations committee  Particularly online retailers?

Government Operations committee  I don't have specific statistics on competition for online retailers. I know that one of our members, John Barrett of Vesey's Seeds, will be speaking a little more about his experience. Similar to what Katharine has said, we have heard a little from our membership about some delays with the changes in operations of sorting off-island.

Government Operations committee  My general observations from the membership—and again it would just be anecdotal because we certainly haven't conducted the consultation that the task force has—is that the implementation of the community mailboxes had very little impact on the business community. It was very much a residential concern.

Government Operations committee  Perfect, thank you so much. Good morning, co-chairs, ladies and gentlemen, and honourable members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. Thank you for the opportunity to speak as a witness on the topic of Canada Post, an issue of significant concern for small and medium-sized businesses across the country, including many members of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.