Government Operations committee  The technological infrastructure in the remote or rural regions does not permit high-speed Internet access, which vastly limits e-business opportunities for people in those regions who do not have Internet access or who only have access to a limited Internet network. However, the Government of Quebec—and, I hope, that of Canada, as well, but I know less about that—is currently working on a digital strategy.

Government Operations committee  I see. That partly answers the question. The second part of your question concerned what Canada Post could offer citizens in remote regions. Is that correct ?

Government Operations committee  All right. Businesses in the more remote regions of Quebec and Canada are often businesses that operate in business between businesses, what is called business to business, or B to B , and very little in the retail sector,business to consumer , or B to C . The need for those businesses to deliver parcels to consumers is thus less significant.

Government Operations committee  That will be very difficult. Going back to the fact that Canada Post is a traditional business, a leadership issue arises when you switch to digital: individual leadership and organizational leadership. Canada Post must look inward and determine from an individual leadership standpoint whether each of its individuals is prepared to face the digital shift.

Government Operations committee  If we look at what is going on in retail, the amount of floor space in stores is only declining in order to generate economies of scale, and services are increasing as a result so that the number of square feet can be reduced. I do not understand why Canada Post would not do the same thing.

Government Operations committee  All right.

Government Operations committee  There are two parts to your question. No, Canada Post is not a dinosaur.

Government Operations committee  When I spoke about Relais Colis, that is what I was referring to.

Government Operations committee  A fourth revolution is under way. If Canada Post does not join that revolution, it will die. It is that simple. Or else citizens will subsidize it with their taxes, but that is not the objective. If we do not want Canada Post to disappear, it must join the fourth revolution, which simply means it must adapt to today's consumer reality, which is digital.

Government Operations committee  Canada Post is basically a large conventional business. Consequently, it may not be easy to make it evolve. It must engage in a digital strategy exercise. It must digitize its current strategy, which constitutes its DNA, as well as its direction, vision, mission, and so on. By proceeding with that digitization, you will see where its weaknesses lie, what aspects Canada Post must address on a priority basis in order to become an innovative business.

Government Operations committee  That is why I emphasized and said that Canada Post should adopt a culture of innovation or a digital culture. One of the projects we are currently working on—I do not know where it stands—is in association with Canada Post and the Government of Quebec. We are creating, in a free zone, a distribution centre for all online orders.

Government Operations committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Tremblay-Pepin's presentation was very good. I am sorry but I must admit I am not as well-prepared as he is. I have not even read the report because I did not receive it. I did not know why I was here until two or three minutes ago, but I am beginning to understand.