Rail Industry Chastises Liberal Party for Shallow Political Opportunism

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - In response to calls from The Liberal Party of Canada for increased government intervention in Canada's rail freight system Cliff Mackay, President of the Railway Association of Canada said:

"The Liberal Party of Canada has not done its homework and has taken a one sided view of the modern rail freight system. Had they possessed the intellectual curiosity to read the research commissioned by the Rail Freight Service Review Panel, they would have agreed that no research was undertaken on the issue of market power. 

Further, had the Liberal Party of Canada thought to consult the rail industry or, anyone else beyond shippers, they would have been pointed to research commissioned during the review of the Canadian Transportation Act that concluded definitively that no abuse of railway market power exists in Canada.

Canada's rail industry is a driving force of the Canadian economy that moves 75% of all goods every year, relieving road congestion and limit harmful emissions and employing some 35,000 people throughout Canada. We have helped to build a competitive advantage for businesses and communities alike, and can continue to do so.

The rail industry supports the Rail Freight Service Review Panel's progressive view that commercial approaches are vastly superior to additional regulation in providing market-based incentives for parties to work together. Staying the course with a commercial framework is the best way to encourage investments and sustain service innovation with lasting benefits for all stakeholders involved resulting in a win-win situation for railways and the shipping communities alike," concluded Mackay.

About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada represents some 50 freight, tourist, commuter and intercity Canadian railways, their more than 35,000 employees, and over 45 associate suppliers and partners. Rail moves more than 70 million passengers and 75 per cent of our nation's goods annually in an environmentally sustainable manner, generating only three per cent of the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions. 

For further information:

Paul Goyette
The Railway Association of Canada
Tel.: [phone]