In the legislation as it currently stands, there is one option that works very well for shippers when they have a problem with base freight rates and that is final offer arbitration. Under the current act, that is the only method that has proven effective for us, but it is very costly. It can cost a million dollars per case. So there must be a major problem with base freight rates for us to turn to final offer arbitration.
What we are seeking through Bill C-8 is to cover other aspects that have arisen, incidental tariffs and service, because for these two services and the related tariffs, shippers have no recourse when a problem arises. That is the fundamental problem. The companies have the option of offering these services, setting the prices they want, but the shippers, on their side, have no power, because they must absolutely use CN or CP. So the power always remains in the hands of the railway companies. So there is an imbalance. There is a slight imbalance in the base freight rates, because at least we have final offer arbitration, but as regards the other aspects, there is no balance in the legislation as it currently stands.