Several grain industry groups are calling on the federal government to show up for the commodity logistics system with a new public relations campaign.
Ten policy and producer groups, including Pulse Canada, SaskWheat, Cereals Canada, and Canola Council of Canada, are calling on everyone in agriculture to use the hashtag #CanadasReady with photos or prepared graphics to send a message to the federal government that Canada’s farmers, processors, and exporters are ready to deliver agriculture commodities to the world — if they can.
The groups are calling on the federal government to implement a four-pronged approach to increase transparency and accountability throughout Canada’s shipping logistics systems.
The four steps include:
- Requiring the railways to provide detailed, transparent plans on how the plan to move grain based on a template provided by the grain sector, and that container lines provide advance notice of capacity;
- Formation of a labour council to track progress of collective agreement negotiations, of which there are at least 12 expiring by the end of the year;
- Ensuring that railways and container lines provide monthly updates on their capacity plans; and,
- Support the increased utilization of comprehensive performance measurement programs – such as the Ag Transport Coalition for rail – to measure how service providers are meeting their plans and outline improvements for the future.
“Canada has committed to countries around the world that we would be there to help feed them in their time of need. Canadian growers are ready and have invested to meet this challenge,” says Kevin Auch, chair of Pulse Canada. “With the eyes of the world on our system, it’s time for increased transparency to prove we can deliver. We encourage growers to show their support by engaging online while getting this much needed crop in the bin and on its way to a world hungry for Canadian grain.”
Listen to Kevin Auch, chair of Pulse Canada discuss the issue and the reasons for the campaign with Shaun Haney on RealAg Radio.
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