WHEREAS there are a limited number of railway companies providing service in the province, and communities and industries rely on this mode of transportation for transporting their products to market; AND WHEREAS it is difficult for industries to acquire sufficient railcars in a timely manner: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the provincial and federal governments ensure that these railway companies provide adequate railcar service to all regions within the Province of British Columbia.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The District of Mackenzie is served by CN Rail. The Canada Transportation Act CTA sets out the statutory common carrier obligations of federally-regulated railway companies and includes the services that a railway company must provide to accommodate traffic. Under these provisions, a railway company must provide, according to its powers, adequate and suitable accommodation for the receiving, loading, carrying, unloading and delivering of all traffic offered for carriage on its railway. The CTA confers upon the Canadian Transportation Agency the authority to investigate a complaint with respect to the level of service offered. Upon application by a shipper, if the Agency determines that a railway company has not fulfilled its common carrier service obligations, it may order relief to the affected shipper. Shippers in the District of Mackenzie should contact the Canadian Transportation Agency if they are of the opinion that CN Rail is not meeting its statutory common carrier obligations with respect to rail service.