Political wrangling over Bill C-49 continues in Ottawa as the bill still has not gained full approval from the House of Commons and the Senate.
After Transport Minister Marc Garneau accepted some earlier Senate amendments and rejected others, the Senate once again debated the bill last week.
It returned the legislation to the Commons May 11 with two amendments to include long-haul interswitching in the Maritimes and final offer arbitration for freight rates.
After debate, a Liberal motion to reject those amendments was defeated during an oral vote and a recorded vote is set for May 22. The House is not sitting next week.
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After that, the Senate has to accept or reject the outcome, which will determine whether the bill goes for royal assent or goes back to the House.
Farm organizations have said there has been enough debate and it’s time to pass the bill.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture sent a letter to MPs May 10 urging the bill be passed as soon as possible.
Grain Growers of Canada president Jeff Nielsen said farmers are disappointed the bill still hasn’t passed.
