Canadian Heritage committee  We have no politicians on our committee—sorry—by design. They're Canadian citizens with expertise in history, for example, or design. There's a woman who's a professor with expertise in women's issues and aboriginal issues, for example. That's the process. It's very robust. It'

Canadian Heritage committee  No, certainly not in the period since 1969. As I said, we do get requests and we always respond to them and thank people for the request. Ultimately when we issue our stamp program, we actually write to every single person, giving them a copy of this and letting them know how thi

Canadian Heritage committee  Well, stated frankly, that is my concern: that this could become a backdoor method for people to get stamps issued and I just wonder if that's really the wisest use of the time of parliamentarians time or the best way to go about it.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. In fact, frankly, if it changed in the way you're describing, I would not be all that interested in being chairman of the stamp advisory committee, because to me that would be such a radical change that it would render the stamp advisory committee somewhat meaningless

Canadian Heritage committee  Sure. We get about 500 to 600 requests per year. I see all of them and the staff sees all of them. We list all of them for the committee members, so they see everything. Some of the requests, though, are either inappropriate or just don't make a lot of sense to pursue. Two year

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. That would conform much more closely to the way the committee operates and receives information. I think that would be a very positive amendment from our perspective. I'm not a legislator—that's your job—but I can tell you as someone who would be on the receiving end

Canadian Heritage committee  Sure. The committee meets three or four times a year; typically, it's three times a year. Staff work is done in advance of that. Every single suggestion made to the committee is presented to the committee and research typically is done from a historic standpoint, particularly aro

Canadian Heritage committee  I'm aware of that request.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. I have to tell you that I'm personally aware of your request, as I am of all of them, but that is one that has moved to the stage.... Our proceedings are supposed to be kept somewhat under wraps, but I will tell you that it has moved to the second stage. The individua

Canadian Heritage committee  One of the other things I would point out is that there seems to be a sense that this would not have economic impact on Canada Post. Producing a stamp actually does cost money. It's anywhere from $130,000 to $200,000 to produce a stamp.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. They'd write a letter directly to me as the chairman of the committee, as many other groups do, and the staff would take it under advisement, do research, and make a recommendation to the committee. Then it would move from there.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'm saying I would seek legal advice as to what I should do. I find the precedent of legislated issuance of stamps unusual. I'm not aware of whether that would happen in many jurisdictions.

Canadian Heritage committee  That would not be my—

Canadian Heritage committee  —decision. That would be a decision taken—

Canadian Heritage committee  —by management and our board. Again, it's an unprecedented request.