Gentlemen, first of all, thank you for coming up here.
No, it is not a small issue, as one of you alluded to. I think this is reflected in the fact the chair of our committee called you so quickly to come up and give testimony on the issue, notwithstanding the fact that there is now no immediate movement to close these lines.
However, should it happen, we have to be prepared. I'm curious to understand this, and as I do not farm, you will have to teach me some things here.
You spoke of the Canada Grain Act and the Canada Transportation Act, and you've delineated the jurisdiction of each to a certain extent. But it sounds to me that CN can make application, and I'm not certain whether they have to establish something and gain permission to close the these producer cars down, or whether or not they just have to give notification and it automatically happens on proper notice. Regardless of either, I'd like to know what you think the government could do, what measures could be introduced either in legislation or regulations that would prevent the arbitrary closure of these producer car loading sites. In other words, must they establish that there are certain losses, or that there is no need, or some such thing, before they're actually permitted to close them? And should they close them, can you talk to us about what might be done to mitigate the effect of a closure?
So there are two questions.
Mr. Marit, and Mr. Smolik, as both of you seem to have hit on this issue in some way, either of you can answer.