Thank you, Mr. Chair and gentlemen.
This legislation doesn't come as a surprise to you. This is about the third or fourth version of this bill that's been floated. It just happens that I think we're at a point now where we're almost ready to adopt this legislation.
I bring a west coast perspective to this, as does Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell, of course, is from north Vancouver, which does have a very busy waterfront.
I'm a native of Vancouver. I now live in Abbotsford, but I also live in a community that is the number one agricultural community in B.C. It has the largest farm gate revenues in the province. Again, it's critically dependent on rail service.
I am assuming most of you have had a chance to review the report that was prepared by Seaport Consultants. It was commissioned by the B.C. Wharf Operators' Association and a number of other organizations. It's the 2005 Study of Rail Service and Capacity Issues in the Lower Mainland.