Grain producers in Alberta and across Canada are voicing relief at the passing in the Senate of the Transportation Modernization Act last week.
Producers had suggested a number of amendments that were included in the passed legislation, which includes a number of measures such as reciprocal penalties.
“It’s clear the Senate heard farmers’ voices and did its job and provided sober second thought,” said Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) president Jeff Nielsen, who lives outside Olds.
“With the proposed improvements, Bill C-49 will provide meaningful tools that the shippers need to hold railways to account, increase competition and bring better rail service to the grain industry.”
The amendments suggested by producers made the legislation better for all parties, he said.
“Recognizing that this is a unique opportunity to fix the power imbalance between grain shippers and the railways, grain farmers put forward three amendments to make C-49 a more balanced bill,” he said.
“The Senate Committee agreed that Bill C-49 as originally drafted left too much power in the hands of the railways and adopted the amendments to make C-49 stronger.”
Producers in many regions had seen significant delays in rail car fulfillments.
The GGC represents more than 50,000 producers across Canada.
The Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) and the Alberta Barley Commission (ABC) also applauded passage of the bill.
“The passing of Bill C-49 in the Senate is a major step forward for Canadian grain farmers,” said AWC chairman Kevin Bender. “The legislation likely won’t fix the current backlog that farmers have experienced in several areas this year, but we are extremely pleased to have mechanisms in place that will help avoid this issue in the future.”
Jason Lenz, ABC chairman added: “Farmers rely almost entirely on freight rail transportation to move our products to our international customers and this legislation ultimately strengthens Canada’s position as a major grain exporter.”
Stakeholders are calling on MPs to pass the new legislation without undue delay.
