Transport committee  If I can comment on that, I'd say that's a very interesting question. More data sharing is crucial to painting a comprehensive picture of the supply chain. We know a lot of work has already been done on containers. Container standardization lends itself to data sharing, but it's important to remember that containers account for just 20% of all goods transported by ship.

Transport committee  Thank you. That's right, there really isn't anything in the act that supports our efforts to ensure growth. As we've heard repeatedly, there's a burden there, and many impediments in the act. People might talk about the idea of inland ports and the fact that it's possible to go out, but, as I said, that's an experiment we can already do.

Transport committee  I can add to Mr. Hamilton's answer. Bill C‑33 introduces greater uncertainty about our borrowing capacity. In dealings with financial institutions and business partners, the last thing anyone wants is uncertainty, so this bill does not create conditions conducive to getting projects done.

Transport committee  I would like to comment on that. Like most ports, the Port of Trois-Rivières is an urban port that's sandwiched between the city and the river. Opportunities for growth on our properties and in the vicinity are very limited. We're doing it, but it's very hard, and we have to be able to go further.

Transport committee  Ian?

Transport committee  I can add to that. Mr. Hamilton's example is interesting. It shows what can be done within the existing legislative provisions. Essentially, the provisions allow for two extreme scenarios. One, we each work on our own things separately and compete with one another; or, two, we amalgamate.

Transport committee  I think my colleague, Mr. Hamilton, did a great job of summing up our position on that. We have the same question for the same reasons. We have big plans, all kinds of exciting plans that would cost much more than our borrowing limit. We've been turning traffic away for years now.

Transport committee  There's no additional work for us. If we're okay with using internal financial statements and we can adapt to the required format, we don't really have to do any extra work. We're certainly prepared to share more information. We're already providing what we've been asked for, but if the information we're sharing is incomplete or insufficient, if Transport Canada wants more information, we're certainly open to providing that as long as it doesn't mean any extra work for us.

Transport committee  Yes, that opens things up to confusion about roles. I completely agree with the first part of what you said. The first priority of the board as a whole and each board member individually should be the good of the organization they work for. That's what we should expect from the chair and all the other members.

Transport committee  I'll answer your question in two parts, if that's okay. First, we already send information about our financial situation to Transport Canada every quarter. We can see how that might not be enough, and we're ready to offer more. We produce our own quarterly financial statements.

Transport committee  That's an interesting, if speculative, question. Certainly my colleagues and I have already expressed that concern, as have others. Mr. Gooch touched on that when he talked about confusion around roles. Obviously the board chair plays a key role in ensuring proper operation of the board, but also in fulfilling its mission, which is to ensure good governance of the organization.

Transport committee  Good evening everyone, and thank you for this opportunity to speak to you on behalf of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority. The Port of Trois-Rivières specializes in solid and liquid bulk and general cargo. Strategically located midway between Montreal and Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River, it serves the needs of many key sectors of the Canadian economy, including manufacturing, agri-food, mining and energy.