Farmers and grain shippers aren’t alone in supporting Ottawa’s plan to improve rail service. The forest, fertilizer and mining industries do too. In fact, having such a wide coalition presenting the same message probably played a big role in the course the federal government says it’s going to follow, said Blair Rutter, policy manager with the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
Avrim Lazar, president and CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, agrees. “From our perspective, the government has gotten it right by taking these steps and the result will be more reliable and efficient rail service,” he said in a release.
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“The federal government has taken an important step towards balancing the commercial relationships between railways and their freight customers,” Roger Larson, president of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute said in a release.
The Canadian Industr ial Transportation Association (CITA) also endorsed Ottawa’s plan. “Shippers commend the government for announcing this action that will benefit Canadian industry, railways, and the broader Canadian economy,” CITA president Bob Ballantyne said in a release. [email protected]
