Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his kind words.
Certainly the concern about the grain shipments from the prairies is a very important part of the Transport Canada portfolio.
However, a number of factors come into play when considering grain exports. Weather is one of the more difficult ones at this time of year.
We are lucky to have virtually unprecedented prices for Canadian grain overseas and we will do everything we can within the transport system to make sure that deliveries are made as effectively as possible so we can take advantage of that market.
The work that has been done to make sure we have a more competitive transportation system is very much key and central to having a system in place year by year which will be able to deliver our products to markets effectively wherever they may be overseas.
I can assure him I look forward to working with him to make sure those goals are achieved.