Canada’s Ministers of Transport and Agriculture and Agri-Food joined a roundtable meeting with grain sector representatives on October 20. The roundtable aimed to gather the views of the western agriculture sector on the Canada Transportation Act review and the development of a long-term agenda for transportation in Canada.
This roundtable, organized to hear additional views from producers, builds on engagement sessions held by Minister of Transport Marc Garneau across the country to discuss the future of transportation, and on input received during roundtables Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay held with more than 20 grain sector groups in Winnipeg and Regina.
“We understand the scope and importance of the grain sector, and that a strong rail-based supply chain system is essential so all Canadian producers and shippers can remain competitive in domestic and international markets,” said Garneau.
“The grain sector is a vital part of Canada’s economy and it relies on an effective transportation system to reach markets around the world,” MacAulay said.
In April 2016, the Minister of Transport launched a public consultation with Canadians, stakeholders, indigenous groups and provinces and territories to hear their views and discuss ideas to develop a long-term agenda for transportation in Canada.
The Western Canadian grain sector is a $20 billion industry. Over the past 10 years, half of all of Canadian grain production has been exported, averaging 41 million tons per year.
