Government Operations committee  It will be difficult to determine the types of needs. It is often very difficult to obtain medical or social evaluations in other areas. We already request them from many people for many purposes, and now mail will be added to that list. What concerns us is that, in addition to requiring a certificate, Canada Post could cite all kinds of grounds for not allowing it.

Government Operations committee  They say the postal organizations in certain countries offer other services to the public, such as the delivery of pharmaceutical products. Some pharmacies and grocery stores, for example, must deliver their products to their customers. Other services might enable Canada Post to enter into agreements that would help it balance its budget.

Government Operations committee  As far as we are concerned, first, it would be unacceptable to have to pay more for a service because you have functional limitations. It is a recognized principle that a limitation should mean you pay as little as possible. Second, the vast majority of people we represent live below the poverty line, and, to be able to obtain tax credits, first, you unfortunately have to pay taxes.

Government Operations committee  First, I would like to tell you that, according to Statistics Canada—we are not the ones saying this—one in three Canadians suffers from limitations. Not all those limitations are serious, but when it is -20 degrees celsius and the ground is covered with ice, that 33% represents a lot of people.

Government Operations committee  That is what I hear too. Once a week is not much, but it is better than nothing. The problem that arises is to determine how those people who are entitled to this service will recognized. I explained in my presentation that a doctor's certificate would be necessary, but that you would have to pay the doctor to obtain the certificate.

Government Operations committee  With respect to safety, persons with visual or motor disabilities who go to pick up their mail experience stress. They do not really know whether or how they will get there. Someone may follow them and try to see what they have received. They may have received mail that seems more attractive to ill-intentioned individuals.

Government Operations committee  We are suggesting that as an alternative solution. We currently receive mail every day, but we could get it a little less frequently, provided the schedule was regular. It could be Tuesdays and Thursdays, for example. The schedule would always be the same. We have not conducted any studies on the subject, but we are proposing that as an alternative to complete elimination of the service.

Government Operations committee  Good morning. On behalf of the Confédération des organismes des personnes handicapées, I want to thank you for welcoming me here today. At the outset, I would like to express my support for the remarks by the two individuals who spoke before me. In the community of persons with limitations, there are of course many seniors and women.