CN moved a record volume of grain in the crop year that just ended, while CPKC moved the most since 2021-22. But the WGEA said it wasn’t moved at the right time.
Tag Archives interswitching
Grain movement booms; timeliness a concern
CN sets record and CPKC has big year, but shippers say weekly rail car order fulfilment was disappointing
Grain movement about more than just shareholder profit
Rail transportation problems have always been a concern, but they are about to become more vexing as Canada attempts to find alternatives to replace the unreliable U.S. market.
Interswitiching pilot expiry concerns industry
Grain Growers of Canada worries there will be little opportunity to extend it now that Parliament has been prorogued
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s extended interswitching pilot is running out of track, and Grain Growers of Canada worries that letting the program expire will create significant disruption for the smooth flow of grain. The program, which opens up rival rail routes for shippers under certain conditions, has been in place since 2023 and is set […] Read more
Farmers demand improved rail policy
Nov. 7, 1885, was an historic day in Canada’s economic development with the momentous completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, marked by the driving of the last spike. This pivotal event not only symbolized the physical unification of the country but also ignited a tradition of profitable railways lobbying for governmental support that has persisted […] Read more
Demands continue to reform interswitching
Prairie grain shippers insist extended interswitching should be made permanent so all Prairie regions are accommodated
REGINA — Grain companies last week added their voice to the call for extended interswitching. Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the Western Grain Elevator Association, said the practice is an example of low-hanging fruit that would provide rail rate and service competition for shippers. He said it’s one of the only tools shippers have to […] Read more
APAS takes stock of ’23; looks ahead
REGINA — Tisdale farmer Ian Boxall was re-elected president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan at the organization’s annual meeting earlier this month. Vice-president Bill Prybylski of Willowbrook and Bev Pirio of Radville were also re-elected. Two board members, Donovan Block in District 5 and Wanda Reid in District 1, stepped down. Christopher Procyk […] Read more
Ottawa consults on rail freight sector
Federal consultations on the rail freight sector have begun with industry players. Transport Canada is holding roundtable meetings with various stakeholders as a result of the National Supply Chain Task Force report released a year ago. That report made a number of recommendations with varying time frames for action. These included establishing a supply chain […] Read more
Interswitching pilot program welcomed
The interswitching 18-month pilot program will extend the distance from a grain elevator in which shippers can seek a competing rail provider service from 30 kilometres to 160 km.
Rail interswitch plan needs investment
Neither the railways nor grain shippers are happy with the federal proposal to temporarily expand the availability of regulated interswitching between Canada’s two national railways — but for different reasons. The Railway Association of Canada says extending the statutory zone in which a carrier must pick up a shipper’s cars and deliver them to a […] Read more
Grain shippers call for expansion of interswitching pilot
Coalition argues that the 18-month initiative planned by Ottawa needs to be broader and last for a longer period of time
A campaign called Flip the Switch has launched at interswitching.ca to encourage producers and shippers to contact their members of Parliament to voice their support.
