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P.A. mayor looks to back province in push for grain rail backlog solution

Mar 19, 2018 | 9:57 AM

A shortage of rail cars has left millions of tonnes of grain shipments trapped in Western Canada, and all levels of government are pushing for action on a problem they say is undermining Canada’s reputation as a reliable exporter and dealing a blow to producers’ pocketbooks.

Speaking to the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention Friday, Premier Scott Moe said this was the second time in four years the province has been in this position and it is time for long-term solutions.

“We cannot be reliving this, this often. It’s too damaging to our economy,” Moe said. ”It is like reliving Groundhog Day each and every year.”

Moe said producers harvested the third-largest crop in the province’s history and now many are struggling to pay the bills as planting season is just around the corner.

Canada’s two major rail lines, Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN), have said the larger than expected crop and extreme winter weather has played a part in plaguing the railway. They have apologized for the incidents and are working to add more cars, locomotives and crews to clear the backlog.

Proposed legislation, Bill C-49, that would grant government the tools to compel railways to move grain or face financial penalties has been stalled in the Senate since the fall. It is part of a larger air passenger bill of rights under scrutiny.

While attending SARM, Mayor Greg Dionne said he spoke with a number of producers and plans to bring forward a motion at council to pen a letter of support to the province in their talks with the federal government to find a long-term solution. He wants to encourage all municipalities to do the same.

“As cities, we are suffering because they can’t sell and move their grain to market so they are not spending money,” he said. “For the province of Saskatchewan, we have contracts with 130 countries to supply them wheat and canola and barley. We have to show these countries we are a stable market to deal with and we can deliver.”

Dionne said he would support a move to fine and hold railways accountable for not moving one of the province’s key commodities.

Action on rural crime

At SARM, countless calls from RMs to address rural crime also surfaced. Both Moe and Justice Minister Don Morgan floated the potential for exploring a regional policing model for certain areas. Dionne said he believes this could be one of the answers. 

“Lots of the delegates at SARM agree with the position where if you are lucky enough to be by a city that has their own municipal police force, then let’s start looking at those police forces going into the rural area,” he said.

A funding model similar to that of the RCMP could be considered, he said, noting the RMs could help chip in for one or two officers to step up patrols in rural areas.

“At the end of the day, the RCMP has not been delivering,” he added.

— With files from The Canadian Press, CJME

 

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr