Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for joining us this afternoon. I would, however, like to say that I'd prefer to have fewer witnesses at our next meetings. That way, we would have more time to benefit from each witness's expertise. I would greatly appreciate that.
Since I have just five minutes, my questions will be for the Forest Products Association of Canada representatives. Hopefully, I will be able to get a better sense of the problems that shippers in my riding face.
If Bill C-52 were to come into force in the near future, what would it mean for you? Clearly, you couldn't take advantage of the measures set out in the bill with respect to existing contracts.
Does that mean that, for your association, the measures would apply in a year or two?
When the minister appeared before the committee, he told us that the reason current contracts did not qualify was to respect the confidentiality of businesses in relation to railway companies.
Do you share that opinion, or on the contrary, do you think it would be possible to apply the rules set out under Bill C-52 to current contracts?