May 5, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada & Transport Canada
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Transport Minister Lisa Raitt today announced that the Government's Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act (Bill C-30) passed third reading in the House of Commons and has been referred to the Senate.
This legislation aims to put into law clear and achievable measures to support a world-class logistics system that gets Canada's agricultural products, and other commodities, to market in a predictable and timely way.
Specifically, through Bill C-30, the Government of Canada is taking immediate, concrete action to get grain moving faster through legislation and regulations designed to:
- Increase supply chain transparency;
- Strengthen contracts between producers and shippers;
- Better balance accountability in agreements and contracts between shippers and railways; and,
- Help ensure the entire grain handling and transportation system is working efficiently and at top capacity.
Based on the feedback heard at Parliamentary committee, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food passed an amendment to Bill C-30 which would also create the authority for the Canadian Transportation Agency to order a railway to compensate shippers for expenses incurred as a result of a railway's failure to fulfill its service obligations.
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Ashley Kelahear
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
613-991-0700
