No. H091/03For release - August 28, 2003
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette, along with Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, and Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, today announced the extension of the contract with Quorum Corporation for two more years to monitor and assess the overall efficiency of Canada's grain handling and transportation system (GHTS).
"Monitoring of the grain handling and transportation system provides information which will be helpful in making future policy decisions," said Mr. Collenette. "This independent monitoring company will continue to provide us with data and analysis in an impartial and professional manner."
Quorum was selected in June 2001 as the grain monitor through a competitive bidding process. Its contract covers reporting on three crop years, 2000-2001 to 2002-2003 inclusive. Today's announcement extends the initial contract period to cover crop years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005.
"Quorum Corporation has provided the government with informative reports which we can use to formulate improvements to Canada's grain handling and transportation system," said Mr. Goodale. "Drought has reduced grain production in each of the last two years, so it will be important to see how the system responds to more normal volumes over the next two years."
"Prairie grain farmers have expressed appreciation for Quorum's independence in monitoring the overall efficiency of the grain handling and transportation system," said Mr. Vanclief. "Producers are particularly interested in seeing how changes in the system affect their individual operations."
The Government of Canada's reforms to the GHTS, announced in May 2000, included a commitment to provide for an independent, third-party monitoring program. In June 2001, Quorum Corporation was hired to provide quarterly and annual reports to track overall changes in the structure of the grain handling and transportation industry, the effectiveness of Canadian Wheat Board tendering, commercial relations, the efficiency and reliability of the system, short-term operational performance and producer impacts. Freight and handling rates are also monitored at selected grain delivery points.
The information provided by the independent grain monitor will be used to identify any problems or opportunities to improve the GHTS.
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Contact:
Amy ButcherPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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