CTA transport review

[mbdog]

Some good practical railway reforms suggested here to improve capacity, efficiencies, accountability and competitiveness/competition. IMO, this should be the end game. I believe this issue would have been political suicide to change in the past, and I applaud the current government for tackling this very complicated, multi-dimensional issue. Feds are going to take crap or praise for what's going on in this file, but to suggest govt is simply catering to "railway lobby at the expense of the economy", their shareholders, or their profits is short sited. There is no doubt in my mind that shaping agriculture for tomorrow is fully on the radar and we have to roll with it....good and bad.
Still don't get the old CWB supporters thinking. This political thing stripped/seized wealth...not all bad in broad terms, but bad in terms of western economic development. I hope the remnants of that system survives in some form and transforms into a "true" competitor.
Logistics issues aside, I think 2 things are needed. Railway competitiveness...Bucket has a pretty good handle on it....and a system built/designed for the future that encourages and attracts diverse and value-add agriculture investment that simply does NOT focus of exporting raw material, jobs, and wealth generation. If the shit show was a means to this end, then good on govt, the railways, and the grainco's for paying their part.
I say this having been negatively affected as much as the next guy. I dont' think I'm niave enough to think "positioning" for future markets/economic environment isn't happening, but I think I see for the most part what govt is trying to do. I for one like where we are heading....or being led.

[bucket]

Forgive me if I offend some here, that is not my intention.

I find it odd that we elect officials to represent our interests, that have privilege to info most of us don't until after the fact, and they do nothing.

Having a well respected entreprenaur chair a review committe is great, but what the **** is it that our elected officials don't yet understand about our transportation system????

I am happy that some people think that the CWB actually handled the logistics but they were quite secretive about the going ons whenever I called them. Port prices compared to prairie prices were never explained much like they can't be explained from the other side now that it is an open market. And even though Ritz had my support for opening up the market because of the discreprancy of the two prices, he is not willing or able to explain why the current market system is no better as far as price differentials are concerned. Actually worse.

So for those that championed the current system do we put our hands up and accept some of the blame?

Or do I as a producer get more involved and make sure the no brainer part of this review get implemented???

I ask some of these questions because I thought Ritz and company had my interests being conveyed at the cabinet table but it turns out that even though he understands it, he is unwilling to act. And passes the buck over to Katib. Makes sense but he going to come up with a report of the above comments, it still is up to either Ritz or Harper to act.

And that may put their boardroom seats in jeopardy because they are now looking after their own interests as opposed to those that elected them.

[bucket]

Oh and did I forget to mention a little bitter about writing this on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of september when I sould be combining, but I am not because another 2/10" went through which has the same effect of getting an 1" a few years ago.

Sometimes my venting makes sense, other times not so much.lol.

[Hopperbin]

Been an interesting topic. Great points. Katib should do us well. Dont think we have to nationalize anything just need some accountability and reporting. And some service when needed. Easy? Not likely. Interesting posts all.

[bucket]

Hopper

At what point does those in charge say it's hopeless. The railways do not want to put/buy additional resources to handle increased exports.

Case in point they leased their locomotive power to another railway.

Point being either nationalize it or open it up. I prefer the latter.

[Hopperbin]

Bucket I tend mostly to agree with you. We have the power in this country to legislate people to work. New laws and regulations are made all the time when needed as things constantly change. Lets all hope that katib does a good job. Captain obvious does not really have my support. He is not really forward thinking. I thought the new cwbis doing good hope we dont allow them to be bought out by even farmers.

[mbdog]

Bucket...while seemingly futile...you can never quit....they'll just take everything. When guys like you quit, we're all in trouble.

[farmaholic]

Re: Quitting

First I would like to apologize for posting this video, it is metal and not everyone likes that. If you can't stomach the music turn it down and read the lyrics while the video plays.

The video has a strong powerful message if you can make sense of it. Watch it, watch it twice. He works his whole life for freedom. When he is an old man and finally gets the block he's been working to remove out and sees another kid coming through the same entrance he came through, he struggles and carries the block over to the entrance and plugs it. Then takes the same key you see him stash in his pocket as a kid in the beginning of the video and lock the entrance shut so no other will endure what he did. Then throws the key through the hole where the block was, lays down and.... Lyrics provided below. Kind of a negative video but a powerful message is in it.


That old man here is me.

What I've felt,
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown.
Never be.
Never see.
Won't see what might have been.

What I've felt,
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown.
Never free.
Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

[Solo]

What I've felt,
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown.
Never be.
Never see.
Won't see what might have been.

What I've felt,
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown.
Never free.
Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

Never free.
Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

You labelled me,
I'll label you.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

Never free.
Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

You labelled me,
I'll label you.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

Never free.
Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.

[farmaholic]

Once again, I apologize if I just wasted 10 minutes of your life.

[Braveheart]

Thanks. That's one of my favorite songs. My theme song really.

[samhill]

Thank you Farmaholic. Never assume the gov't wants what the people want.
As always, follow the money.

[westernvicki]

Last years national shipping disgrace may have tipped the balance: the money all but stopped, and Canadas' politicians faced the global questions of cargo delay and the reality of how bad our shipping had become on their watch. Captive producers know the money stops with them, the bills of inefficiency and a non competitive environment are captured in basis.