The member from Reform indicates in P.E.I. I have found the people from the prairies continue to come to some of us who did live out there for a while because they cannot get the kind of response they want through the Reform and they naturally have to come to the Liberals in other areas of the country.
I bring these points up partly because of my past experience in this area and my identification of transportation as extremely important to the development of agriculture and the development of this country.
During extensive hearings last spring the subcommittee on grain transportation which I chair, in reviewing the impact on agriculture of changes to the WGTA, ARFAA, MRFA and feed freight assistance, we heard a lot that relates to some of the Canadian transportation act points. We are currently awaiting a response from the government on some 14 recommendations.
The minister was able to highlight the positive aspects of the legislation. I will try to highlight those aspects of the legislation which may-and I underline may-require adjusting and amendment.
In April, Transport Canada briefed the provinces on the impending transport legislation. The four objectives outlined at that time were: one, allow the railways to dispose of surplus trackage by offering lines for sale to short line railways prior to initiating abandonment; two, maintain provisions in NTA 1987, which have improved bargaining of shippers and extend these provisions to shippers served by short line rails; three, provide for limited running rights for short line railways over CN and CP lines; and four, reduce regulatory controls on CN and CP providing the railways more freedom to manage. These objectives are sound but we must ensure the legislation actually meets these objectives.
In a submission by the ministers of transportation for the three prairie provinces on Bill C-101, they claim the legislation does not meet these objectives. Although I will raise a number of points discussed by the prairie governments, I also want to indicate that a number of other submissions from prairie pools, UGG, NFU and others have raised similar concerns. I will table them to ensure the committee looks at them and considers them seriously.
Having been a farm leader in the past I might say it is very, very important for the committee to develop an understanding of the people who are most affected by these changes. I would very much encourage the standing committee to get out of Ottawa, get away from the bureaucracy and go where the people are to hear their concerns relative to this bill. It is only in that way the committee will really understand the impact of this bill including how it will affect the lives of people especially those in the agricultural community.
The three prairie provinces are specific in addressing their concerns the first of which is the role of the National Transportation Agency. The three prairie governments indicate in their submission: "Bill C-101 significantly changes the scope and authority of the NTA. The Canadian transportation agency will no longer have the authority to initiate enquiries". The prairie governments' submission continues: "The result is greater restrictions on shipper access to the agency and a weakening of legislative provisions intended to address and/or redress situations where competition is weak or absent".
The committee has to go out to the prairies so it can understand where the prairie governments are coming from on that point of view and in order to get some balance so that there is fairness to the railways and to the communities and players involved.
It is critical that the committee study these concerns to determine the possible amendments that may be required to address any shortcomings in the creation of the Canadian Transportation Agency.
The second point is rail line abandonment. Prairie provincial governments in their submission outline their concerns as follows:
Bill C-101 allows a railway to change its three-year plan without providing advance notice. A railway could indicate its intention to continue operating all of its lines and modify its plan each time it decides to sell or abandon a line. This would provide interested buyers only a minimum of 60 days to consider purchasing the line. This may not be sufficient time to develop a business plan and arrange suitable financing.
That point should be looked at by the committee to ensure the public has the time and that part of the bill does not jeopardize efficiencies in the system. Bill C-101 must ensure the issues of notice and disinvestment by the major railways are addressed.
The third point is legislative review. The prairie provinces and others have outlined that the review at the end of the four year period must address three specific issues besides the overview provided in the legislation: review financial performance of federal railways; assess the new line conveyance and abandonment procedures; assess provisions affecting the development and viability of short line railways. Those are important points.
The subcommittee tabled its report in June. Included were a number of recommendations. A very important recommendation relates to short lines which really could create some efficiencies in western Canada and could ensure that if the short line were brought into place on lines targeted for abandonment, the farmers would have to haul their grain longer distances as abandonment would likely cause.
Some key points raised in the report are: one, the appointing of an independent ombudsman to monitor freight rates; two, process of consultations with all affected parties prior to major decisions respecting grain handling and transportation; three, that there be appointed a consultant to undertake a special study to identify rail lines potentially operable by short line railways; four, that federal and provincial ministers meet to consider alternatives for approving branch line takeovers; five, that the cost benefit review of the NTA of grain dependent lines take into account total transportation efficiencies.
I want to review the points in the act that the committee has to give serious concern to regarding submissions coming from the agriculture community, particularly the west. I will not elaborate
on the points but simply indicate the clauses. Clauses 27.2, 34 and 113 require extensive investigation by the committee.
I hope the committee gives serious consideration to travelling. It should go out and develop an understanding. This bill has major implications. It can develop our future in a positive or a negative way. The government wants to develop it as positively as possible. To best do that we need input from the people most seriously affected.