Thank you, Chair.
I think I would respond to that by saying that this legislation requires the rail companies to move 1 million metric tons of grain a week. It is an ambitious but achievable target. It is ambitious.
We had many witnesses come in front of committee. We had the Freight Management Association. We had the Mining Association of Canada. We had the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. We had the Western Barley Growers Association. They came here and they said things like this: “My concern is that the difference in cars will come at the expense of other commodities.”
Our government is focused on the economy. The grain sector is a vital part of the economy, hence this legislation, but it cannot be at the jeopardy of all other products that move by rail. I think I listed at least four witnesses who were in front of committee just last week saying that they were even worried at 1 million metric tons, and you're increasing that by almost 20%.
I don't think it's a good amendment at all. I think there is already pressure on the rail companies. We see it, Chair, in terms of the goals that have been set for them, at $100,000 a day if they are unable to meet those targets. We have the amendment we just passed regarding service-level agreements and what the impact would be on them if they were to breach service-level agreements.
I think this would actually jeopardize other...and I'm sure it's not appreciated by other sectors of the economy that move product by rail.