BACKLOG A PRIORITY

Re: Grain crisis calls for more than words (SP, Feb. 8). It’s unfortunate Bruce Johnstone didn’t do more research before criticizing Premier Brad Wall’s handling of the grain transportation issue.

It simply isn’t true that Premier Wall was motivated to speak out only when the Teamsters Union threatened strike action against CN last week. Johnstone would have found a Jan. 23 story in his own newspaper that reported on Premier Wall calling on all those involved in grain shipping to do everything possible to address the backlog.

On Feb. 5, the premier began his keynote address to an agricultural trade summit in Saskatoon with comments on the grain transportation backlog. He has discussed the issue in media interviews. Last fall he raised the issue of efficient grain transportation with the prime minister.

This issue has been a priority for our government for months. I raised it in a letter in November with the federal government, railways, grain handlers, and port facilities, and followed up with the railways as recently as last week. I have also talked to many producers and industry groups about it. Highways Minister Don McMorris met in October with senior CP Rail officials in Vancouver.

The premier appointed a delegation of cabinet ministers and MLAs this week to meet with grain companies and examine solutions. He wants all avenues explored to ensure that stakeholders in the supply chain are held to account.

Our government is focused on solving the immediate problem and working with stakeholders to develop a long-term solution. The concerns of producers and industry associations will be at the forefront of all discussions. Lyle Stewart Minister of Agriculture