Premier blasts ‘mind-boggling’ rail backlog of grain shipments

Premier Scott Moe says it’s mind-boggling grain shipments have been delayed again by rail backlogs this year.

Moe told the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities on Friday that this is the second time in four years that grain shipments have been delayed.

“Our reputation, Saskatchewan’s reputation and Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of commodities, as a trustworthy business partner is being damaged,” Moe told delegates.

The Ag Transport Coalition says Canadian National and Canadian Pacific combined provided 45 per cent of rail cars ordered the week of Feb. 25 — up from 38 per cent ordered by grain shippers during theweekofFeb.12.

Grain producers harvested the third-largest crop in the province’s history last fall, Moe said. “Now, many of them are struggling to pay their bills because their grain isn’t moving.”

Railways say they have faced challenges due to a larger-thanexpected grain crop and extreme winter weather.

They are being pressured by federal ministers to clear the backlog.

Legislation that would improve public reporting by railways and allowforfinancialpenaltiesifthey fail to deliver rail cars on time has been stalled in the Senate since the fall. CN has dumped its president, has apologized for the backlog and says it is mobilizing more train cars to clear the backlog. Canadian Pacific has said it is adding crews and locomotives.

Moesaidhebroughtuptheissue during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week and urged him to pass an order-incouncil that would mandate rail deliveries.