Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Welcome back. Happy new year to you.
And thank you, gentlemen, for coming before us.
You probably already know that the bill in its initial form went through the House fairly quickly. That's why it's before the committee. You've probably done your homework and found that members of all parties of Parliament felt this was a piece of legislation that deserved immediate study. I don't know whether it will pass in the House, but all indications suggest that members at least recognize the economic impact of the ports.
Those of us on this side of the table, in the Liberal Party, were pleased to give initial support, and we're looking to see what you have to say about the advantages of the legislation. Obviously we're anxious to ensure the legislation meets the needs, not only of the port authorities themselves but also of the economies they sustain.
I'm anxious to hear your perception of the relationship your port authorities have with their host municipalities. You briefly alluded to the three ports in the lower British Columbia mainland, i.e., Vancouver, Delta, and Richmond, and I am wondering whether you have any insights into how some of the other ports in Canada relate to the municipalities that would help us get a better understanding of the economic impact of this bill.