Reading Time: 3 minutes A new rail transport bill is on the horizon, but it’s still too soon to say whether that will bring about meaningful change for Canadian farmers. “We’ll see what comes out in the new rail bill — how far they’re willing to go on this,” said Steve Pratte, manager of policy development for the Canadian […] Read more
Is a grain transportation remedy finally on its way?
A new rail bill is due this spring. Will Ottawa find a fix for long-standing issues or will it be more of the same old?
Prince Rupert needs to be part of rail transport revamp
Expanding the northern B.C. port should be a key part of $10.1-billion plan to improve transportation
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Port of Prince Rupert should be a major beneficiary of Ottawa’s $10.1-billion pledge to revamp transportation routes to international markets, says one of the world’s biggest pulse exporters. “Prince Rupert is a major opportunity — when we look at Pacific gateway access, we need a balanced approach between Vancouver and the Port of Prince […] Read more
Grains sector continues to welcome transport legislation
CNSC – Accolades from producer groups and others in the grain industry continue to roll in for the federal government’s upcoming transportation legislation. The planned measures were outlined this week by Marc Garneau, the federal transportation minister, in a speech in Montreal. The new legislation will allow reciprocal penalties in service level agreements between railway […] Read more
Wheat commission wants rail transport changes
The farm group says reciprocal penalties, a revenue cap, and more interswitching are needed to level the playing field in grain transportation
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission is calling on Ottawa to make reciprocal penalties part of any changes to the Canada Transportation Act. In a submission to Transport Minister Marc Garneau, the commission urges the government to implement a model that would provide shippers the ability to negotiate penalties and contract terms equal to those that are […] Read more
CP offers assurances for 2016-17 grain handle
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) says it’s ready and willing to move a bumper Prairie crop in 2016-17. “Operationally, CP is eager and prepared to move grain this coming crop year,” company CEO Hunter Harrison said in a letter to federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. The letter, dated Tuesday, was also circulated to Prairie transportation and […] Read more
Debate: Sask. ag leaders seek rail response
If there’s one thing all Saskatchewan’s political parties can agree on, it’s that the current rail system isn’t working for grain producers — but there’s less consensus on the solutions. Transportation is the single most important issue facing grain growers in Saskatchewan right now, said Cathy Sproule, the provincial New Democrats’ ag critic, during an […] Read more
Alberta Wheat chair says rail review misses the mark
Kevin Auch says lifting the revenue cap would be a mistake and reciprocal penalties are needed
Reading Time: 3 minutes A panel that spent a year and a half reviewing the Canadian Transportation Act got its key recommendations wrong. That’s the reaction from farmers, including Alberta Wheat Commission chair Kevin Auch. “We need to have some measure of a level playing field in the whole rail transportation thing,” said Auch, who farms near Carmangay. “We’re […] Read more
Cereals North America: Communication key to improved grain transportation
Winnipeg | CNS Canada –– Canada’s grain transportation system is running relatively smoothly for the time being, but there is still plenty of room for improvement — and better communication between participants is seen as a way to alleviate future bottlenecks. The 2013-14 crop year, with its logistical challenges and, eventually, federal government intervention, are […] Read more
Group calls for sweeping changes to curb railways’ ‘monopolistic behaviour’
Crops Logistics Working Group wants penalties for not delivering rail cars and meaningful sharing of data
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ongoing assessment and better protection for small shippers are two ways to fix the grain transportation system. Those are two of eight recommendations made by the Crop Logistics Working Group as part of a review of the Canada Transportation Act. More on the Alberta Farmer: Eight fixes for an ailing grain shipping system The working group […] Read more
CLWG Submission to the CTA
Reading Time: < 1 minute On February 19, 2015, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced a renewed mandate for the Crop Logistics Working Group (CLWG). The CLWG brings together agriculture sector experts to provide advice on how to improve the grain handling and transportation system. The CLWG is chaired by Mr. Murdoch MacKay, and includes representation […] Read more
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