Tweed pleased Transport Bill receives Royal Assent

 Ottawa – February 28, 2008 - Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris is pleased to see that Bill C-8, An Act to Amend the Canada Transportation Act (Railway Transportation) received Royal Assent by the Governor General today.

 Bill C-8 will benefit shippers across the country improving rail service that is vital to the farming industry and all of rural Canada. The amendments would clarify and strengthen the Act’s current protection for rail shippers against the potential abuse of market power by railways. 

 The most notable changes to the Canada Transportation Act will:

• Remove the requirement that a shipper prove “substantial commercial harm” before applying for competitive remedies;

• Allow shippers to jointly apply for final offer arbitration of a common matter and,
• Give new authority to establish charges, or terms and conditions that apply to the movement of traffic or services.

 The Government of Canada is committed to begin a review of railway service within 30 days of Bill C-8 having been passed.

 This legislation will help create more efficient and responsive rail service that is critical to our reputation as a reliable supplier to customers worldwide.

 “I am proud to have played a role as the Chairman of the Transportation Committee in making these important changes to the Act” said Tweed.