Ackman/canadian pacific

[farmaholic]

QUOTE...

"Railways make a decent return on grain and we would have moved grain without quotas being set."

........

"It is a fact that rail rates for grain have been largely flat, tracking inflation, for more than ten years. Today, the average rail rate to ship a tonne of grain from the Prairies to Vancouver is about $35. Because of the “maximum revenue entitlement”, these rates are also lower than the average for other commodities and have grown less than inflation. How can we encourage more investment in the grain supply chain?"


MY WORDS...

REALLY, you want to talk inflation and where our commodity prices are relative to a two or three decades ago. My commodity prices are NOT INDEXED to inflation I can only wish they would have tracked inflation. Cry me a ****ing river...arrogant asshole!!! The Primary Producers of this Industry have no way of recouping steadily increasing costs. When I have the ability to pass on my increases, we'll talk!!!

I'm tagging out Cotton... your turn.

[bucket]

Gives you some insight into the arrogance of some Canadians.

[Hopperbin]

And then last year the ethanol plnt in belle plain has issues with straw from grain piles. Apparently I t took two months to clear a shute in one bin unload. Like **** get rid of the grate on top of the shute. But noooo.

[Oliver88]

It's always great to hear the a different perspective on an issue that affects us. In this case it is Michael Bourque, a Frenchmen from Quebec in a railway lobby group.

It was disappointing to only hear excuses and no solutions.

It would of been a breath of fresh air to hear possible solutions such as:
-new spending on infrastructure (twin railways to ports)
-improved air brake technology
-eliminating the unionized gravy train at railway companies
-better cooperation with grain terminals.
-More focus on grain vs oil.
-Utilizing inter switching
-Allowing additional railway companies on Canadian tracks

[farmaholic]

Excellent points 88.

Chime in anytime hopalong, you and Mr. Bourque speak the same language.

If someone "guaranteed" you profit with some convoluted formula would you complain? Are all the pieces of the formula even relevent today (pieces and prices). How often are they reviewed?

[farmaholic]

Given there is no "real competition" I guess they can complain because they could charge what they want.....

[bucket]

Farmaholic

You realize the free market advocates have to huddle like socialists before they blitz these threads?

[Braveheart]

I think of myself a a free market advocate and I don't need to huddle with anyone. I doubt Hopalong does either.

The thing is, just complaining about the lack of rail accountability and efficiency won't fix anything. IF YOU FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM GETS BIGGER. IF YOU FOCUS ON THE SOLUTION, THE SOLUTION GETS BIGGER.

So, what is the solution? Let's hear ideas AV'ers. More creative solutions than open running rights please, because that dog won't hunt.

[farmaholic]

Braveheart, just afew posts up are some solutions.

Ask Sasktel about the equivalent of open running rights. Other service providers were able to use their infrastructure to compete against them. How is it the ****ing sacred cow, aka Railroads, should be immune to competition?

[bucket]

I think Oliver88 hit the nail on the head.

As usual better reporting from all players.

Ordering cars months in advance that matches contracts signed.

Railways have to start putting money into their infrastructure for faster service.

The government has to be involved as either a regulator with teeth or as a service provider when others refuse.

Level of service agreements, what stage are they at? Government told me yesterday that's between graincos and railways. And no one is doing anything.

Contact the Chinese if they are willing to build another railway. That too will require government involvement.


Plenty of ideas have been presented on this forum and to government that ultimately has to make the changes by legislation. It's obvious this government won't. Sadly I vote for them.