This week’s report from the Ag Transport Coalition is raising some concern on Parliament Hill.
A report out by the Ag Transport Coalition highlighted recent problems with the supply of railcars, and Regina-Wascana Liberal MP Ralph Goodale raised the issue in the House of Commons on Tuesday, questioning Transportation Minister Lisa Raitt.
"A group of agricultural shippers released a report... showing that the railways were again some 12,000 cars behind in meeting orders to ship grain, and there is still no equity among corridors," he said. "North-south shipments, especially, are suffering, and that particularly hurts Saskatchewan."
Raitt told Goodale that she's aware of the report.
"We want to make sure that all corridors are being served in Canada, so we're going to continue to increase the transparency in the Canadian logistics system," she said. "We have accelerated the review of the Canadian Transportation Act. There is a panel in place that's taking a look at what our transportation needs are going to be in the next 20 to 30 years. I'm confident that they'll get to the right answer."
Raitt also encourages anyone in the logistics chain, whether they are in agriculture, lumber or mining, to participate in that review.
The Ag Transport Coalition released a report this week showing the grain industry is dealing with deteriorating rail service and an 11% shortfall in the supply of railway cars that were ordered in the first five months of the crop year. The report also said the shortfall has continued to grow each week.
Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, said he's concerned that the demand for railway cars is exceeding the supply.