Action, not words

I write in response to provincial Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart’s dismissive and short-sighted approach to dealing with the interests of producers and their struggle to get their record crop out of the bins and to market (“Stewart dismisses NDP’s rail idea as ‘very simplistic’”, Jan. 29 Leader-Post.)

Grain transportation is in crisis in this province. However, this government has only identified problems instead of offering solutions.

The NDP has put forward solutions, including calling for the provincial and federal government to explore joint running rights for rail lines, otherwise known as open access. This would allow other rail companies and short lines to be part of the solution to move grain to market.

We’ve also called for performance standards for rail companies with enforceability. These solutions would require the government to stand up for producers, not simply side with the big rail companies. Instead, Stewart quickly disregarded the call to action and potential solutions Saskatchewan producers need to get their crop to market.

The idea that joint running rights can help producers is supported by many agricultural groups in Western Canada, including the Keystone Agricultural Producers in Manitoba and Alberta Federation of Agriculture. At home, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has long been pressing to see producers get open access to rail lines.

This government needs to do a better job on behalf of the producers who are doing their part to drive the economy in this province. Trent Wotherspoon, Regina Wotherspoon is deputy leader of the Saskatchewan NDP.