Well, in the Maritimes it's “Mackaye”, and it's really about the Maritimes and Atlantic Canada that I want to talk. I thought I would remind you that perhaps 200 years ago your family changed your name, but the roots of CN and CP are in our region.
One of the concerns I have, to be blunt, is that there is a focus, if you will, on the west and on central Canada, and the capacity issues of the region in Atlantic Canada are very much being driven by the perceived lack of competition and the lack of reinvestment, real or perceived, of both of the major railways in our region. The previous Liberal government started, as my colleague Mr. Bell mentioned, on these gateway initiatives and the current government has accepted that principle, and I think it's the right principle. The Atlantic gateway is something that is now on the horizon, and I want to give you the opportunity to assure me and the public and this committee that in all of this fervour to look at changes that are occurring, Atlantic Canada is not going to be forgotten.
No one is arguing against deregulation, but what I think I would like to hear from you, sir, and from the two companies you have as member groups, is a commitment that there will be a renewed focus on an Atlantic strategy for competition. I'm hearing from a lot of shippers that are very concerned. They too are afraid to speak out. It's like the banks. We're now at four or five banks. If one shipper doesn't go with CP, then CN is his only option, and CP is his only option to CN.
On the terminal operators in ports, I represent the city of Saint John, which is the deepest seawater port in the world, a very large port in Atlantic Canada. The national government here in Ottawa is looking at a gateway strategy that's going to reinvest. I'd like to hear from you about CN and CP's plans. I'd like to hear--not today--that you're going to look at an Atlantic strategy, a maritime strategy, and I'd also like to hear that you're interested in reinvesting in the region. Thank you.