In the absence of postal services, they have found alternatives, and often permanent ones. That is what has been done by over a million recipients of our various social program benefits who have chosen direct deposit in the last few months. Those postal revenues are lost forever. To prevent such conflicts in the future, mentalities must definitely be changed and more efficient mechanisms developed to manage labour relations at Canada Post. That is why, in the next few months, I intend to undertake serious research to find instruments better suited to the realities and imperatives of the Canadian postal system.
Some progress is already obvious.
For the first time in history, Canada Post completely suspended its operations and did not use replacement workers. This is a first step in the right direction. Many others will be needed. In the meantime, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation for the speedy resumption of postal services, which will greatly help our small businesses, our charities, and all Canadians.