Government Operations committee  Since this is Mr. Ricoul's area of specialization, I do not have much to add apart from the fact that, yes, of course, 15% may look like a small part of the Canadian population. However, it is a significant part. Remember, first of all, that Canada Post's mandate is universal, that is to say that it covers all of Canada.

Government Operations committee  It seems obvious to me that Canada Post can adapt to the situation. The workforce is skilled. It is a workforce that has been in place for a long time and that likes its employer. It seems to me something can be done with that workforce.

Government Operations committee  Do you really think many businesses will want to deliver the mail? Letter mail delivery service is still provided because it is a public service. However, the service is collapsing. Here is what would happen if the market were opened up to competition. All around the world, in Europe, for example, businesses make their money by distributing promotional and advertising mail at very low prices.

Government Operations committee  I entirely agree with you. A moratorium has been issued to keep post offices open in the rural regions, which is a good idea. The services and business hours of those offices have been gradually reduced because they were not cost-effective. They are now staffed by a single person from 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m., which are normal business hours, so they will cost less.

Government Operations committee  I think the answers I gave earlier will lead you in a way to reward the one I will suggest to you now. I think Canada Post can enter into agreements with various levels of government in Canada to provide other services than those it currently offers. Yes, the government should fund Canada Post in that case, but it would be to provide services that are not provided elsewhere.

Government Operations committee  In areas where there are community mailboxes, letter carriers nevertheless come very close to people's homes. What you are asking me is whether community mailboxes are a good option. I would say that depends on the circumstances. In the suburbs, where, in any case, everyone has a car and there is space for a community mailbox, they can work very well.

Government Operations committee  I was surprised too. It is quite common to average the last five years, but, yes, you are right to say this is an exceptional situation. It is different from all previous years in that respect. I would remind you that Canada Post has been profitable in virtually every year of its existence, except in recent years.

Government Operations committee  I wouldn't put Canada Post and Purolator on the same level, and even less so for a pension plan system. It's not the same. I would tell you, though, that you don't have the same obligation from FedEx as from Canada Post. You do not ask FedEx to be the universal postal service in Canada.

Government Operations committee  I am not seeing that, in a situation of major surplus in Postes Canada, when you do the turnaround, Postes Canada will go better. Maybe then you can put back some rules regarding that. If you want it to survive, give it a chance on something that it doesn't need now.

Government Operations committee  Exactly, ma'am.

Government Operations committee  There would also be the very simple option of not requiring Canada Post to dispose of necessary assets in order to cover its pension liability immediately if it had to close its doors. That is the requirement you are setting now. However, you should not impose that requirement, which jeopardizes the corporation's ability to achieve its quarterly financial targets.

Government Operations committee  The pension plan is currently in a position to pay those employees who retire. That is the first point that should be emphasized. In that respect, everything is fine for the moment. However, it would not be able to pay all its retirees if it had to shut down today. Consequently, I am telling you you should stop imposing this obligation on the corporation since you do not intend to shut it down.

Government Operations committee  I am glad you raised that question. I must say at the outset that this is not one of my research areas. However, I have read around the question in other cases. I will give you my thoughts, but they are thoughts that I am sure you will be able to improve upon. I think seniors are an interesting question because we have an aging population and because we are in a situation where access to resources for the care of seniors is increasingly difficult to achieve.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to thank all the committee members for having me here today. I spent my weekend reading the task force's report with considerable interest. I will focus on that document, and not on my previous work on Canada Post, because what we are interested in are the proposals it contains.