Agriculture committee  To pick up from there, Transport Canada told us the reason we weren't able to get these amendments in the past is that as a shipping community, we were never able to agree on what sorts of changes we needed. Earlier this year, they said if we could reach consensus as a group of shippers in Canada they would seriously consider and, in fact, make the amendments we requested, using Bill C-44 as a starting point--the old Bill C-44.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much for inviting the WGEA's views on grain transportation. The WGEA is an association of eight farmer-owned public and private grain-handling companies operating in Canada that collectively handle in excess of 90% of western Canada's bulk grain exports. Our members account for about 20% of rail revenues and over $1 billion in total rail freight bills.

Agriculture committee  I can comment on that. Just to clarify, first of all, the report envisions that the CGC is still going to have oversight and it's still going to set the standards for what service is going to be provided. The other point to note is with the removal of mandatory inward weighing and inspection there should be theoretically less demand for their services, so there would be less requirement for it.

Agriculture committee  From the WGA's perspective, we view these as being independent. We would like to proceed with changes to the Canada Grain Act, independent of any changes that may be coming forward on the Canadian Wheat Board. We don't really see a strong connection. These are the charges that need to be made, regardless of what happens to the Canadian Wheat Board.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have to say right at the beginning that Cam and I feel a little inappropriately dressed, based on the comments earlier about the grain companies being Mother Theresa in drag, so next time we are invited before the committee we'll make sure we dress appropriately.

Agriculture committee  If I may add to that, one of the things that COMPAS didn't speak to is the more fundamental question regarding governance and mandate. We all know that major change happens when you can take a good solid look at the mandate and the governance structure of an organization. This problem we're talking about, CGC level of service at the ports, is just symptomatic of deeper problems that aren't CGC's fault.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, for inviting the Western Grain Elevator Association to speak to you about issues of importance to our industry. As you mentioned, I'm Wade Sobkowich, and I'm executive director of the WGEA. To my right is John Heinbecker. John is vice-president of Parrish and Heinbecker, a 100-year-old, family-owned and family-operated Canadian grain company.