Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt announced Monday, May 5, 2014, that the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act (Bill C-30) passed third reading in the House of Commons and has been referred to the Senate.
This legislation aims to put into law measures for Canada’s logistics system to move agricultural products, and other commodities, to market in a predictable and timely way, according to a press release.
Specifically, through Bill C-30, the Government of Canada aims to get grain moving faster through legislation and regulations designed to:
- Increase supply chain transparency;
- Strengthen contracts between producers and shippers;
- Better balance accountability in agreements and contracts between shippers and railways; and,
- Help ensure the entire grain handling and transportation system is working efficiently and at top capacity.
Based on the feedback heard at Parliamentary committee late last week (where the amendment was called “out of order”), the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food passed an amendment to Bill C-30 which would also create the authority for the Canadian Transportation Agency to order a railway to compensate shippers for expenses incurred as a result of a railway’s failure to fulfill its service obligations.
Click here to hear Gerry Ritz’ thoughts on the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act.
