TABER, Alta. – It should be “sleepy R,” not CPR, quipped one farmer at the Canadian Wheat Board farmer forum in Taber March 15.
It was a comment on Canadian Pacific Railway’s poor record in supplying grain cars to ship prairie grain to port position.
CWB director Stewart Wells produced statistics of the railway’s car delivery record that showed a marked difference between cars requested and cars received.
CPR has delivered less than 30 percent of required cars since Aug. 1, and its movement of CWB grain is down 25 percent from last year at this time.
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“CN (Canadian National Railway) has been doing a better job but CP this year, for a variety of reasons, most of which we don’t understand, has really sort of fallen down on the job of getting grain off the Prairies,” said Wells.
He referred to a recent news release from the Western Grain Elevators Association in which the association advocated legislation to ensure railways provide adequate service.
“That’s a really strong statement coming from the elevators association,” said Wells.
“They’re telling the federal government that there has to be legislation.”
CPR has said a sharp increase in grain shipping demand took it by surprise and it is working to deal with the situation.
In a later interview, Wells said the wheat board could take the railway to court, as it did in 1996 when it won an out of court settlement, but a shorter term fix is needed.
“Wheat board senior management are meeting and talking to CP on a regular basis. There’s been a lot of pressure applied … from senior management at the wheat board to try to work with the railways, especially CP, to get this grain moving,” said Wells.
“So far, the results haven’t been good.”
The situation will likely worsen once the spring thaw is fully underway and road bans are implemented, limiting farmers’ ability to deliver, Wells added.
