REGINA – They may be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, but both the Saskatchewan government and the federal Opposition NDP are on the same page when it comes to tougher grain laws.
They want to see the proposed bill changed to require the railways to move 13,000 grain cars per week and for fines of $250,000 per day if they fail to meet targets.
“The legislation does not go far enough to address the current backlog of grain movement and ensure an efficient supply change in the future,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart in a release.
Under the proposed legislation, railways would be required to double volume to 11,000 cars each week or face daily fines of up to $100,000.
“We’ve heard from the Prairie provinces and from stakeholders across the supply chain that this bill doesn’t go far enough in addressing the grain backlog and providing fair rail service,” said Malcolm Allen, the NDP agriculture critic, in a separate release.
“We need a bill that gets the job done for farmers, and that’s what our amendments set out to do. We hope the Conservatives will work with us to make the bill stronger.”
The NDP also want farmers compensated from any penalties collected while Stewart wants the August 2016 sunset clause removed.
Both parties also want the legislation to ensure grain is moving along all trade corridors.
The House of Commons agriculture committee will meet Monday afternoon to being voting on amendments.
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