Farm group claims transportation bill will fail farmers
A spokesperson for the National Farmers Union (NFU) said a revamped transportation bill currently before the Senate does very little to help farmers.
Cam Goff, second vice-president of the NFU, said his organization has a few concerns with Bill C-49. Goff expressed concerns about a proposal to change the metrics used to determine whether Canadian National (CN) or Canadian Pacific have provided adequate service. Goff said the current wording is clear that the railways have to supply a car to a destination, load it, and take it to its final destination in a timely manner.
“The new bill adds in quite a few other variables, which to our mind actually gives the railways even more wiggle room,” he said.
If a railway does not have enough locomotives or cars, for example, Goff said that railway could simply say they were unable to provide adequate service under the changes proposed in C-49. Goff said he’s concerned that if the bill passes, railways may default on certain obligations and receive lower penalties simply to save money for their shareholders.