International Trade committee  It certainly is. I take Mr. Bourque's recommendation that we try to come up with something voluntary, and that's certainly our intent. Because there is no direct relationship between terminals and trucking companies, creating that relationship within the context of a supply chain is what we are trying to achieve.

International Trade committee  To the extent that we can encourage incremental growth in order to deal with increased volume, going ahead with Japan makes sense.

International Trade committee  I think that's part of the solution. I've been trying to figure out how to increase double-ended moves for container trucks, how to improve efficiency through long combination vehicles. There is a whole series of things that can be done that would improve traffic movement in the Lower Mainland.

International Trade committee  At this point there are no performance standards that are applicable to marine container terminals, and there doesn't appear to be a way for Port Metro Vancouver, the landlord of those marine container terminals, to require performance standards. If we're able to improve truck productivity, one way to do that would be to require terminals to provide service within given timeframes, and if those timeframes aren't met there would be penalties associated with that.

International Trade committee  If we're able to spread truck movement, particularly to non-peak hours—afternoons, evenings, nights—that will certainly help with congestion. At the same time—and I know you know this, Mr. Sandhu—we are in discussions with TransLink and with other government agencies to help incent individuals to use public transit, and to encourage the use of HOV lanes.

International Trade committee  Good afternoon. I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to appear today. As you know, I am Louise Yako. I am the president and chief executive officer of the British Columbia Trucking Association. Our association represents about 1,200 fleets offering a variety of freight transportation services.

International Trade committee  I can, thank you.