After years of work and consultation, the federal government yesterday announced the Fair Rail Freight Service Act bill which includes an arbitration process when negotiations breakdown between shippers and rail companies and hefty fines levied against railways should they violate agreements. The amendment to the Transportation Act is an important milestone in balancing the commercial relationship between the railways and the 43,000 farmers who ship their canola overland by rail, says the Canadian Canola Growers Association.
For the full government press release, click here.
In this episode of the Canola School, Rick White, general manager of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, outlines what is included in the amendment and, more importantly, if the amendment will be in place for next fall’s harvest and shipping season. White also discusses why rail service legislation is so crucial to the Western Canadian canola industry.
If you cannot see the embedded video, click here.