VANCOUVER, BC,
March 21, 2011
(CNW) -
The Western Canadian Shippers' Coalition (WCSC) expressed cautious optimism today about the steps announced by the Government of Canada in response to the final report of the Rail Freight Service Review Panel.
"We were pleasantly surprised by the announcement that legislation would be introduced in the House of Commons to establish shippers' rights to service agreements with the railways," said WCSC Chairman Ian May. "Given the finding of the Review Panel that railway market power is at the root of service problems faced by our members we have long believed that legislation is necessary to properly re-balance the market place," added May.
WCSC members are western-based commodity shippers whose business operations are often located in remote communities, leaving railways as the only realistic transportation option to get their goods to markets in Canada, the United States and around the world. In most cases, they are captive to one railway and, as a consequence, have faced monopoly-like behaviour from their rail service provider.
"Although we believe that more far-reaching legislation will ultimately be necessary to achieve the right balance in the market, we are pleased with the opportunity to work with the government in its efforts to promote a commercial response to poor rail service with the support of a bill giving shippers the right to a service agreement," asserted May.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Minister of State (Transport) Merrifield for his determination since the rail service review was launched in 2008 to address the rail service deficiencies that have been plaguing shippers for many years," said May.
Western Canadian Shippers' Coalition:
