If the grain industry and farmers can’t agree on grain transportation reform, the federal government will use its own judgment on the issue.
But transport minister David Collenette told an industry meeting here last week that he thinks Arthur Kroeger will be successful at forging an agreement, noting that groups opposed to the Estey report showed up at the meeting to discuss how it can be implemented.
Kroeger was appointed last week to lead three months of industry consultation aimed at forging a consensus on the contentious issue.
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The minister said he plans to give the transportation reforms a full airing in Parliament, and have them in place for the crop year that begins Aug 1, 2000.
But first, he said, Kroeger’s work must result in a “workable package” adhering to the basic principles of the Estey report.
“There’s nothing guaranteed in life and certainly nothing guaranteed in this process,” said Collenette.
Ted Allen, president of United Grain Growers, told Collenette he should “exhibit some political courage on this file by doing the right thing for Western Canada” if industry leaders don’t reach a consensus.
“Obviously, we’re not going to get unanimity on this one,” said Allen.
Fred Tait of the National Farmers’ Union asked Collenette whether he would put the matter to a vote for farmers if consensus isn’t reached.
Collenette indicated the federal government would move forward on the Estey report, hopefully with the industry’s consensus.
“Frankly, we have to decide whether we can carry the majority of people with us on a new system,” said Collenette.
Greg Rockafellow of the Prairie Farm Commodity Coalition called for farmers and industry leaders to be “more forward-thinking and positive” so a consensus is reached.
Marvin Schauf of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool also called for “less adversarial relations” during the next few months.
If farmers and industry leaders had any concerns about Kroeger’s history in grain transportation issues, they didn’t air them at a public roundtable discussion.
Terry Boehm of Flax Growers of Western Canada expressed more concern than most, saying he was “less than enthused” about the process, and called the timing of consultations “inconsiderate” to farmers, given the demands of seeding and field work over the next few months.
Collenette apologized for the timing of the review, but said it’s important for the government to act now on the issue.
Judy Bradley, Saskatchewan’s transportation minister, said no other issue is as important to her province than the results of Kroeger’s work.
She said farmers must have a strong voice during the process.
Sinclair Harrison, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said the province should have “ample representation” during Kroeger’s process since it has the most miles of branchlines and roads, and produces the most grain.
“If this process is going to proceed, we have to see it as being balanced throughout the process,” said Harrison.
Lee Morrison, the Reform party critic for transport, stressed Kroeger must address the transportation system from the farmgate to ports, and include issues like roads and branch-line abandonment.
Wayne Motheral, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said he thinks roads should be a major focus of Kroeger’s review.
Otherwise, a commercial system that passes on savings to producers will result in farmers spending the savings on higher property taxes to fix roads, said Motheral.
Paul Tellier, president of CN Rail, congratulated Collenette on his choice of Kroeger.
Tellier said he’s pleased the government has decided to move forward on the recommendations in the Estey report, but he hopes Kroeger won’t try to go over the same ground as Estey during his year-long consultations on transportation reform.
Rick Sallee, vice-president of CP Rail, said no one involved with grain transportation is pleased with every recommendation in the Estey report.
Sallee said industry players have to step back from their individual concerns to consider what’s best for the whole system.
