The grain industry is welcoming the Transport Minister of Canada's announcement made last Friday, April 27.

Minister Marc Garneau has decided to accept the three amendments made to the Bill C-49 recommended by Canada's grain sector.

The Bill passed the Senate at the end of March with a total of 19 amendments, and is currently in the House of Commons.

The three amendments effecting the grain industry are changes to long-haul interswitching to make it available for more shippers, the inclusion of soybeans and related products in the Maximum Revenue Entitlement, and to allow the Canadian Transportation Industry to start an investigation without first receiving a formal complaint.

Although Minister Garneau accepted the grain industry's amendments to Bill C-49, he disagreed with a number of the Senate's other amendments in regards to airline travel and passenger rights.

The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions say, Minister Garneau tabling a motion in the House of Commons to make several amendments shows there's a good chance the Bill could be debated as early as next week.

After the Bill is debated in the House of Commons, it will have to go back to the Senate again before it can be passed.

The grain sector is urging the Government to pass Bill C-49 as quickly as possible.

“We need to the legislation in place to ensure hard working middle class farmers don't have to suffer through another grain shipping season with terrible service," said Grain Growers of Canada President, Jeff Neilsen. "Accepting these amendments demonstrates that Minister MacAulay and Garnaeu are working for the rural economy."

Nielsen stresses, the legislation is key to long term success in the grain industry.

 

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