Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I may split my time with Mr. Warkentin if I run out of questions.
To start, I have some comments. Most of my questions would go to the policy people, actually, but those aren't for you.
I'll go back a bit just so the committee really understands the significance of the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act. When that came in, there were more issues than just the significant issues around getting grain from the farms, from those that had specific grains. Some grains would move, but specific ones that were sold couldn't get moved. As a committee, we also wanted to make sure that this was not just about farmers tramping on top of other shippers, because we had also forestry, mining, minerals, energy, and the fertilizer industry.
In terms of the grain farmers act, it was brought in with the co-operation of and full consultation with other shippers. It was interesting, and obviously we learned a number of things, one being that it wasn't just about grain. This act came forward with a lot of discussion, particularly at the agriculture committee, about how we were going to improve the Grain Act.
When I look at the sunset clauses from that time that are set out here, I see that they're almost here right now. July isn't very far away. It seems like it's a long way when it's -20°, but it's not very far away in terms of how acts and legislation take place. If we were to let that sunset.... I caution our committee on this, and I submit to the government that this cannot happen. These sunsets cannot be left out there and not be acted upon. It will take us back to where we were before the grain farmers act. The reason it had some timing in it is that the Transportation Act review was needed, and it was agreed on by the committee that we needed that to take us to this point.
I'm looking at a question that I might ask you, though. Those were my comments. I know that all of us, just from the comments that have been made around the table, know the significance of making this protection be put back in place. Many of us have listened to many of the producers who are raising four or five major issues with the report, and I think this committee needs to be able to come alongside and reinforce the support that they are talking to us about.
One of the things—and it's likely just because I don't understand all of it—is that one of the recommendations is to redefine “producer car shippers” as just “shippers”. I'm wondering what that means in terms of the change in rights that would come with taking away “producer car shippers” and making those rights the same rights that “shippers” have. Help me with that.