CN Rail has applied to the
Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to delist 53 producer car
loading sites on the prairies.
This includes 24 locations in Saskatchewan, 20 in Alberta and 9 in
Manitoba. (Here is a list of the locations in our province: Dundurn,
Bladworth, Harris, Biggar, Scott, Brock, Kindersley, Flaxcombe,
Alsask, Tisdale, Quill Lake, Wadena, Invermay, Buchanan, Sturgis,
Yorkton, Kelso, Leney, Lashburn, Langbank, Odessa, Vibank and
Atwater)
The application was made in early July. The 60 day comment period
expires on Sunday. CN spokesperson Kelli Svendsen says approximately
three-quarters of the sites have not been used at all over the past
few years. The remaining 25 percent have seen less than five cars
over a two year period.
The National Farmers Union wants the federal government to keep the
53 sites open and change the regulations to provide more protection
for producer car loading locations. NFU Executive Secretary Terry
Pugh says the sites do not cost the railways any money, even though
CN counters there are inspection expenses to make sure the locations
are safe and accessible.
The Wheat Board is also urging CN to re-consider its decision . . .
saying farmers doing their own loading can reduce grain handling
costs by $800 to $1200 per car.
If the Canadian Transportation Agency approves CN Rail's request . .
. the company will have 120 producer car loading sites remaining in
western Canada.
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