I'll start by saying that the Port of Churchill is the only deepwater port in the Arctic. It's very strategically placed. Considering all the activity that is now going on in the north, it is very important for security reasons. We have the Coast Guard up there all the time and it's becoming more and more visible. Basically we feel that there should be a Coast Guard base in the Port of Churchill.
Also, DND at one time, as another speaker mentioned, was up there. When you're talking about the sovereignty of the north, the Port of Churchill is critical to that.
As I said earlier in my talk, people are having to go to other towns, and that one little rail line that OmniTRAX is using to hold us hostage is critical. They've cut freight down to once a week. Their shelves are empty of food. That is not acceptable in Canada. It does have an impact. That train also supplies other northern communities with their food, as Marianne mentioned, with snowmobiles, and with things for all aspects of living. That is so important. That is the critical part.
Other witnesses talked about grain and canola. Where are they going to ship that? The port is critical to shipping that. Their shipments go all over Europe to take that commodity there.
I will now turn it over to my sister.