Grain shippers file formal complaints against CN

CALGARY — A group of western grain shippers are accusing Canadian National Rail of delaying shipments and refusing to comply with Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) rules.

According to Canadian Press, the Canadian Wheat Board and North East Terminal Ltd. filed official complaints with the CTA.

Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd., Paterson Grain, Providence Grain Group Inc. and North West Terminal Ltd. are also expected to file challenges.

In July, CN was ordered to improve access to rail cars for grain shippers after Great Northern Grain, a northern Alberta grain terminal, alleged that CN was not fairly distributing rail cars to smaller shippers.

CN was told to allow shippers to order blocks of 50 cars in advance and to not restrict trading in cars, CP reports.

Some shippers, however, still claim the railway is not transporting grain efficiently. They insist the agency order CN to suspend the program that awards rail cars to bidders.

A CN spokesman told CP that the company is reviewing the complaint, but added that it has fully complied with the CTA order.

— from Canadian Press