Point of Privilege Resolution No. 11-02M

WHEREAS, the Federal Government amended The Canada Transportation Act as of a few years ago in response to the Estey Commission recommendations that provisions be made for the joint use of rail lines as a means of increasing competition in the grain transportation industry; and

WHEREAS, in the fall on 2002, the Canadian Transportation Agency ruled against Ferroeques Railway Company's application for joint running rights on a Canadian National line to Prince Rupert;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we encourage the Federal Government to review the Canada Transportation Act to make such amendments as are required to ensure that short line operators can acquire joint running rights on CN and CP mainlines for the transportation of grain to export position.

Response from Andrew Brooke, Special Assistant to Hon. David Collenette, Minister of Transport:
 

Transport Canada will soon be releasing a transportation policy paper, which will provide a framework for guiding the actions of the federal government in transportation over the next decade and beyond. The focus is on developing a more efficient, better-integrated and sustainable transportation system.