Dissenting opinion of the New Democratic Party to the Report of the Standing Committee on Transport

RECOMMENDATIONS

The primary motivation for the Committee’s review of the potential disposal of the federal hopper car fleet is to ensure that any decision taken by the Minister of Transport insures the best economic result for Western grain producers.

Recommendation 1:

Because the viability and success of any proposal is heavily dependent on the annual maintenance costs per car, the Committee recommends that:

The Canadian Transportation Agency should complete its review of annual maintenance costs per grain car and make these costs public as soon as possible.

In the event that the federal government chooses to retain ownership of the grain cars.

Recommendation 2:

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) adjust the grain revenue cap formula to take into account the actual annual maintenance costs per car as determined by their review. Additionally, the government ensure that a plan is put in place for renewal and replacement of the fleet.

Understanding that the FRCC, being a non-profit organization of farmers, can focus on one priority: farmers’ needs, and has put forth a proposal that has been proven to be workable. And while other options may achieve that goal, the FRCC has shown tremendous dedication to their proposal since the federal government first announced the disposal of the fleet and has been working on their business plan since 2002. Therefore:

Recommendation 3:

That if the FRCC successfully meets the guidelines set out by Transport Canada, the government should lease the federal hopper car fleet to the FRCC as they have been proposing.