Fair Rail Freight Service Act Would Ensure Canadian Farmers Get Treated Fairly by Railways

Dec 11, 2012

Harper Government Seeks to Strengthen Rail Freight Service with New Bill

The Harper government is moving swiftly to strengthen rail freight service across the country with the introduction of the “Fair Rail Freight Service Act”. The bill will create an arbitration process that would allow the establishment of an agreement if and when commercial negotiations happen to fail.

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities the Honourable Denis Lebel announced the rail freight bill on Monday.

“To continue creating jobs and growth for the Canadian economy, agriculture producers and processors must be able to get their world class product to market in a reliable and efficient way,” said Minister Ritz.

The announcement follows some of the recommendations that were made by the Rail Freight Service Review Panel in 2011. The report recommended the creation of bilateral service agreements between shippers and railways would bring more clarity and reliability in rail service. The bill is especially good for farmers who rely on rail freight as part of the supply chain to ship their crops.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.