Railways

Strengthening the Canada Grain Act and the CGC is critical to farmers’ future

"Changes in the grain handling system since the last major review of the Act have resulted in gaps where CGC lacks the authority to fully safeguard farmers’ interests. The need for a strong regulator has not gone away,” said NFU 2nd VP Stewart Wells. The Act is the solid foundation of our grain economy, our farmers’ livelihoods and our domestic and international customers’ confidence. The NFU is pleased to offer recommendations for making the CGA and the CGC even stronger Read more

Will Canada’s grain farmers be collateral damage in the rush to pass Bill C-4?

Bill C-4 included a series of omnibus style amendments to the Canada Grain Act that affect the Canadian Grain Commission which were not negotiated in CUSMA and have nothing to do with implementing the trade deal. Read more

Bill C-4 makes unnecessary and harmful amendments to Canada Grain Act

Bill C-4, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, amended certain existing laws to bring them into conformity with Canada’s obligations under the CUSMA Agreement. A review of witness statements shows Read more

National Farmers Union supports safe working conditions for railway workers

(Saskatoon) — The National Farmers Union (NFU) calls upon CN Rail to get back to the bargaining table and negotiate an agreement in good faith that will ensure railway workers Read more

NFU promotes positive ideas to improve grain handling and transportation for farmers

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is announcing ideas for positive change in the grain handling and transportation sector that, if enacted, will benefit farmers. Read more

NFU Brief to Senate Transport Committee on Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act

The NFU brief focuses on the need for Bill C-49 to be amended to remove its changes to the Common Carrier obligation in the Canada Transportation Act; retain the definition of government hopper cars in the Canada Transportation Act, and other measures. Read more

NFU Brief on Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act

The NFU brief focuses on the need for Bill C-49 to be amended to remove its changes to the Common Carrier obligation in the Canada Transportation Act; retain the definition of government hopper cars in the Canada Transportation Act; add the obligation for a full costing review under the Maximum Revenue Entitlement in the Canada Transportation Act; retain the 15% maximum for any individual’s share ownership of CN Rail under the CN Commercialization Act; amend the Canada Transportation Act to reinstate the ability of a group of farmers to petition to have new producer car loading sites established; and amend Section 5 of the Canada Transportation Act to update Canada’s national transportation policy. It also notes that the reciprocal penalties provisions Bill C-49 introduces are unlikely to benefit farmers. We also call for the establishment of an independent Producer Car Reciever, which would provide a check on the power of the grain companies and the railways Read more

Mémoire présenté au le projet de loi C-49

Loi apportant des modifications à la Loi sur les transports au Canada

Le mémoire du UNF met l'accent sur la nécessité de modifier le projet de loi C-49 afin de supprimer ses modifications à l'obligation du transporteur public dans la Loi sur les transports au Canada; conserver la définition des wagons-trémies du gouvernement dans la Loi sur les transports au Canada; ajouter l'obligation de procéder à un examen complet des coûts en vertu du droit aux revenus maximaux prévu dans la Loi sur les transports au Canada; retenir le maximum de 15% pour l'actionnariat de CN Rail en vertu de la Loi sur la commercialisation du CN; modifier la Loi sur les transports au Canada afin de rétablir la capacité d'un groupe d'agriculteurs de demander l'établissement de nouveaux sites de chargement de wagons de producteurs; et modifier l'article 5 de la Loi sur les transports au Canada pour mettre à jour la politique nationale du transport du Canada. Il note également que les dispositions sur les sanctions réciproques prévues dans le projet de loi C-49 ne profiteront probablement pas aux agriculteurs. Nous demandons également la création d'un receveur des wagons du producteur indépendant, qui permettrait de vérifier le pouvoir des compagnies céréalières et des chemins de fer. Read more

OmniTRAX Inaction Cuts Off Churchill Indefinitely

Saskatoon, SK—The Hudson Bay rail line to Churchill has been shut since late May due to flooding that damaged the tracks. It has been over two weeks since the photos were released and caused Churchill mayor Mike Spence to call for "immediate action to repair the railway." What is OmniTRAX doing? Read more

Submission on the Future of Transportation in Canada and the CTA Review Report

PDF Version <strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</spanNational Farmers Union Submission to Transport Canada consultation on </strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</span<strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</spanthe Future of Transportation in Canada </strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</span<strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</spanand the <em<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</spanCanada Transportation Act</em<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</span Review Report</strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</span <strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</spanSeptember 14, 2016</strong<span class="fa-solid fa-angles-right"</span The National Farmers Union (NFU) would like to thank Minister Garneau and Transport Canada for the opportunity to provide input on the future of transportation in Canada. Read more