Saskatchewan’s opposition NDP Jan. 28 called on government to enable joint running rights to help get grain moving.
In a news release, deputy leader Trent Wotherspoon said producers did their part to produce a large crop and government should hold up its end of the bargain and take steps to solve the current transportation backlog.
“The provincial government needs to take action, and a first step would be to immediately call on the federal government to enable joint running rights for rail,” he said. “Additionally, Saskatchewan should urge the federal government to put more pressure on the rail companies and to implement and enforce rail performance standards including penalties when railways don’t perform.”
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Provincial agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said the province has been meeting with various industry players. He said no one can enforce joint running rights because the railways are private companies that can operate as they see fit.
However, he did note the railways are behind the eight ball.
“I don’t know if they’re exactly sure what they need to do to remedy the situation at this point ,but we’re doing what we can to hold their feet to the fire at this point,” he said.
Crops get bigger every year and compete for rail capacity with potash and, increasingly, oil.
“This is a bit of a preview of what can happen when we don’t have enough capacity,” he said.
