I want to ask the witnesses to comment on a report that came out last week. I think Mr. Teed was answering it in some of his comments. The report was released by a group of four organizations: the Council of Canadians, the Ecology Action Centre, Environmental Defence, and Equiterre. It is suggesting that the energy pipeline wouldn't be the “boon” to Atlantic Canada that eastern Canadian refineries and supporters claim, because a substantial portion would be shipped offshore.
Now, clearly, for the companies that Ms. Bak referred to as the “asset managers”, the producers in western Canada, getting to tidewater is important. It's important in terms of getting world prices for Canadian energy. I'd like your comments.
It was interesting that these groups, instead of choosing at this point to go on the environmental issues, tried to go on attacking the economic aspects of the energy east pipeline. Would you like to comment on this question about whether or not the benefits will materialize because of the question of how much goes to export markets? How important is this project to refineries, if you can tell us, not just in New Brunswick but also in Quebec?
I think you talked somewhat about the investments in terms of upgrades and upgrading at the refinery in Saint John. What about storage facilities? I guess you talked about bulk storage, but there are the shipping facilities and so forth.