We're price-takers in a global market. We're far from port. Every time there's a disruption, it comes out of our bottom line. If we don't find ways to be innovative, we're faced with diminished returns, which eventually lead to losses. Data collected during that period showed that $5.3 million was saved by grain companies that used the extended interswitching regulations.
For example, for a routing from Lethbridge to Stockton, California, using a CP routing, we pay by ton-mile. Through Vancouver would require a routing distance of approximately 2,790 kilometres. A BNSF routing would be approximately 2,145 kilometres, a reduction of 23% in route miles. It's not rocket science. It's there, and it's real. That's a 23% gain. That's just one example.
Even when something doesn't move by another carrier, the threat of it moving by another carrier lowers the price. We have to find ways to be innovative in order to remain competitive.