Agriculture committee  Sure. When we talk to the manufacturers of the engines, most of them, if not all, are now approved up to a 5% blend of biodiesel or renewable content, and 80% of the engines, especially the heavy-duty engines, are now being approved up to 20% inclusion. We're definitely seeing

Agriculture committee  At the moment, some of the answers to those questions are unclear. We hope to get some better clarity on what the potential is when we see the regulations for the CFS—released before Christmas, we think, or we hope. Certainly, as a canola industry, we are more than prepared to me

Agriculture committee  I think you covered it well, Jim. We do see the opportunities with the clean fuel standard as a way to grow a market right in our backyard. We really feel that does mitigate some of the risks we do sometimes see on the global marketplace.

Agriculture committee  I think you're touching on all the key points there, Jim. I'll just add that fluidity is absolutely critical, but so is competition. We need to make sure we operate as shippers in a competitive rail environment. This past year, the railways have done a very good job in terms of

Agriculture committee  Sure. Just principally speaking, as a canola industry, we're obviously very supportive of open borders in trade. The trade relationship in biofuels, especially with the U.S., certainly does go both ways. However, to your specific question with regard to one recommendation we cou

Transport committee  I'll do my best to maybe indirectly answer the question. When in 2013-14 we had a service meltdown when it came to rail performance, we as oilseed processors were forced to use trucks. We would usually prefer to use the rail. We needed to do that to service our customers, but th

Transport committee  That's a good question. Again, I mentioned in my response to a previous question that oilseed processors in particular have been using the interswitch quite extensively under the extended interswitch provision. If that were to be something that would be put forth, we'd certainl

Transport committee  I'll echo Wade's comments. It really is a package deal. We did work in partnership to whittle down to those four the 80 amendments that we first identified. If we don't get the amendment on rates but we do get something in terms of nearest interchange, it still wouldn't work. We

Transport committee  I'll start with that. That's a good question. Really, for Bill C-49 to work for processors in particular it's the long-haul interswitch. Out of all the grain shippers in western Canada, processors were probably the biggest utilizers of the extended interswitch. Again, similar

Transport committee  Yes, that's right. It's not necessarily a question of more robust margins all the time. It's being able to grow and to sell more, maybe if not the same margin, to continue to produce more and add more value throughout.

Transport committee  Not to my knowledge.

Transport committee  I can take that one. I think that's a good question and a very good point. We're also a little bit miffed in terms of why soybeans and soy products weren't included in schedule II. To your point about an opportunity for a regular review of that schedule, I think that's a fair pr

Transport committee  Thank you very much. Madame Chair and members of the committee, on behalf of the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, or COPA, I would like to extend our thanks to the committee for the opportunity to contribute to this important study of Bill C-49. COPA works in partnersh

International Trade committee  I don't know if I have that much more to add. In my experience in visiting some of the facilities we have, and our members operate, there certainly are many different components that go into the construction of a processing facility. As you pointed out, some of that material and

International Trade committee  From the oilseed processing perspective, trade agreements are absolutely critical in terms of expanding the process in Canada and adding more value in Canada, exactly as you say. I know Canada has traditionally been hewers of wood and drawers of water, and the processors are a go