Saskatchewan Conservative MP David Anderson says a re-elected federal Conservative government will introduce legislation this autumn to force better railway freight performance.
Before the government fell in a late March non-confidence vote, the Conservatives had said they would follow the report of the Rail Freight Service Review with legislated remedies.
During a radio debate among Saskatchewan federal election candidates, Anderson said the Conservatives plan to act quickly.
“Most farmers were surprised that we have committed to bring in this fall a mandatory way to deal with some of the service problems that have developed over the years,” he said April 21 in a radio debate sponsored by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan. “We think this is a good first step.”
Anderson, who is parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Gerry Ritz on Canadian Wheat Board issues, said the plan had been to move this autumn with legislation.
“I hope this unnecessary election doesn’t delay that.”
Liberal representative Duane Filson, opposing Anderson in the southwestern Saskatchewan riding of Cypress Hills-Grasslands, supported the commitment to legislate remedies for rail service complaints. He said the Liberals also support a review of freight rates, arguing that grain farmers are paying thousands of dollars annually in excess freight charges.
The Conservatives have been cool to the demand for a freight costing review, arguing that shippers want better service in marketing their crops. The cost of getting goods to market is less of an issue If they can get a better price in expanded markets.
Larissa Shasko, leader of the Saskatchewan Green Party and federal candidate in the Palliser riding, said the Green party opposes using edible grain crops to make biofuel production.
“We will ensure that we are not worsening the global food crisis by growing grain and turning it directly into biofuels,” she said. “We support biofuels from agriculture and forestry waste products.”
In response to a farmer question about the inadequacy of existing farm programs, Filson said he supports the idea of per acre payments rather than existing programs.
Many farmers do not consider crop insurance a good investment and yet receive no support when they have a crop failure, the grain farmer said.
A per acre payment would help young farmers and cover established farmers not covered in the event of disaster.
“They deserve some consideration,” he said.
New Democrat representative Fred Clipsham, party candidate in Regina-Qu’Appelle, promoted the party’s commitment to a national food policy that focuses on local production, farmers’ markets, increased investment in food safety and increased restrictions on genetically modified varieties.
