I have had conversations with most members of the committee, and I think they are in agreement with the motion. You'll all recall on October 22 the attendance of a number of farmers from out west, together with members from Canadian National, who appeared before the board to answer questions about the notice given by Canadian National in anticipation of, one, closing 53 designated producer car loading sites in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and two, removing the shunt lines providing services to those sites.
I recall some of the answers that were given in response to our questions. I've rarely seen an occasion when the opinion of this committee coalesced around a single issue—closing these shunt lines and the producer car loading sites. CN showed a reprehensible contempt for public responsibility when they said their only job was to move cars. We had to remind them that their job is to provide services to the farmers of western Canada.
I think they likened their work out there to having a doughnut shop. If they weren't selling doughnuts, they'd have to close it down. We heard from the farmers that those loading sites were crucial to their work. They said they needed more time, and they made suggestions of various amounts of time that would be more appropriate.
They've been attempting to meet with CN. We know that the cost of keeping these lines open is minimal. Costs would be absorbed elsewhere in the system and would result in no loss of revenue.
We don't want to see reliance on local roads. At a time when all of us recognize the need to use the railway as opposed to the roadways, I think it's advisable that our government immediately take such steps as may be required—in the way of inquiries, or amendments to legislation or regulations—to prevent the delisting and subsequent closure of these lines. I go on to say that this should be done “for such period of time that the Government of Canada in its opinion and in consultation with the stakeholders determines is advisable and in the best interests of all concerned.”
I'm not wanting to tie their hands. I'm wanting them to investigate and use their discretion in looking at this, provided that it's in consultation with all the stakeholders. I would hope that everyone would see the merit of this motion and support it.