International Trade committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to speak today. We're here to speak to you about some initial concerns we have with the agreement and the potential impact on domestic short sea shipping. While we believe that CETA is good for Canada, aspects of its implementation have

International Trade committee  Thank you for the question. You're partially correct. The reality is that within that same coasting regime there is the ability to apply for a licence to move that cargo on a temporary basis. I think the essence of the issue as it could unfold is how that regime would be impleme

International Trade committee  If you give that example specifically, from the port of Halifax to the port of Montreal, it is quite low. I'm speculating it's less than 10%.

International Trade committee  Yes. In fact, our members are not specifically working that trade at the moment, but that's not to say it won't be a future opportunity.

International Trade committee  Do you mean from Canadian port to Canadian port? It would be over 95%. It's quite high.

International Trade committee  Yes.

International Trade committee  It's difficult to put a solid number on it. We employ approximately 3,000 to 5,000 professional mariners and supporting staff, so it would be some of those. I would not expect, if it were confined to only that type of service, a very limited aspect, it would be very small. I gu

International Trade committee  I have the same information you do, so yes, but I'm not sure if there's anything else that's being—

International Trade committee  That's my estimation. In fact it's not the case for our members specifically at the moment, but I am aware of other Canadian-registered companies that are doing feeder services in the Maritimes.

International Trade committee  There isn't specifically from our members, but there is concern within the marine industry that this type of service will impact other business models. It's not so much the revenue that's generated from it; it's actually the logistics of planning future movements, and that's the

International Trade committee  At this stage, we don't see an obvious opportunity, because a lot of what we do is hauling cargoes out of North America. They go to a Canadian port and they're shipped externally, globally by many foreign ships. We provide that service to get it out to the coasts.

International Trade committee  That's correct.

International Trade committee  The fleet consists of five companies delivering cargo.

International Trade committee  I would suggest that it doesn't necessarily have to be disruptive. It's not the fact that the concept is included in the agreement; it's more likely the details of the implementation. It's important to look at other models, where other countries have faced similar changes. I th

International Trade committee  My understanding of the industry would tell me that the cost and complexity of operating into the Great Lakes, for example, is significant. That's why companies like the ones you've described have been successful, because they've had the right policies, regulatory frameworks, and