Canadian bean shippers seek extension of rail legislation

Pulse Canada has asked the Canadian government to postpone the sunset provisions of the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, which will take effect Aug. 1.    Pulse Canada, a trade group that represents growers, traders and processors of peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas, has asked the Canadian government to postpone the sunset provisions of the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act, which will take effect Aug. 1.
   Specifically, the group noted the extended inter-switching provisions in the legislation have begun to have a positive impact on the industry.
   “Some companies are noting lower prices on certain routings and in cases where railways have lost business due to competition, they are actively campaigning to get it back by offering rate reductions and improved levels of service,” Pulse Canada CEO Gordon Bacon said in a statement.
   Pulse Canada said its shipper members have only recently started to consider the operations benefits inter-switching by rail.
   “It’s important to note that the measure of success of extended inter-switching is not in how many times it is used but rather its effectiveness in creating competitive forces,” Bacon said. “There’s a lot of emphasis being placed on need for evidence that shippers have used the provision, but we need to move beyond that measure. When the desired outcome is a change in behavior, success will mean the use of this provision is the exception to the rule.”
   Renewal of the provisions in what was introduced as Bill C-30 will require a motion in Canada’s House that postpones the sunset clauses of the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act.
   “Postponing the sunset provisions also provides time for government and industry to review, assess and enter a constructive dialogue on potential revisions to the Canada Transportation Act (CTA). Pulse Canada has completed an assessment of the Canada Transportation Act Review Report by the Hon. David Emerson and is sharing its views with government and industry this week,” the trade group said.