Government Operations committee  In my opinion, based on the population that we serve, we see it as both. We see it as an opportunity for growth in innovative ways, such as was mentioned with postal banking, for the same reasons as my colleague from the credit union has suggested, but we also see it as a primary service.

Government Operations committee  Of course, it would be—

Government Operations committee  Of course it would be beneficial, because currently the people we serve with our agency are on income support programs with the provincial government.

Government Operations committee  Yes, absolutely. They've already had to prove their disability or their chronic illness or the prolonged and enduring circumstances around their disability. That documentation already exists. That format, template, and framework already exists with our provincial government. It's not ideal.

Government Operations committee  In terms of an acceptable daily mail delivery, with the potential changes to postal delivery I think that there needs to be more dialogue as to what is acceptable for people with disabilities. For us, I would say mail delivery reduced during the week to a three-day service is acceptable if we're looking at cutting back from five days.

Government Operations committee  I don't have that statistic. However, I can comment that people with disabilities who live in urban communities most often do live independently. Some do live in group home environments and some live in apartment units, so they currently receive door-to-door service. In rural municipalities or communities, most often people live independently within their own home, and as Holly mentioned previously, that same premise affects people with disabilities in smaller communities that have a post office where someone goes to pick up their mail.

Government Operations committee  Absolutely. I think that opens discussion for all types of potential to create a more inclusive community, and to create a community where people have opportunities to contribute in ways whereby they feel they belong to that community. I live in a small community. I know who my neighbours are and I know the people I assist when needed.

Government Operations committee  There is already a community support network there. We just have to get the right hand talking with the left hand and create those opportunities for dialogue, for potential partnerships, within regions and within municipalities.

Government Operations committee  I would have to agree with my co-presenter here, Holly. Often people are isolated, as Holly mentioned, not only because of being an elder or a senior in our community, but because they have a disability that does not enable them to be as engaged in the community as they would like to be.

Government Operations committee  As I mentioned in my introduction, we have recently been engaged in consultations with the Government of Canada on what accessibility inclusion looks like, primarily for the disability community and persons with disabilities. We have a significant concern when it comes to accessibility.

Government Operations committee  Thank you. I'd like to thank the committee for this opportunity on behalf of the people with disabilities in this province for being consulted about the importance of the current postal service and the impact the potential changes have on Canada Post. Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities is a community-based organization that promotes inclusion and addresses concerns affecting the lives of persons with disabilities.