QUESTION PERIOD — Transport
Rail Interswitching
June 5, 2025
My question is for Senator Gold.
On page 14 of the 2025 Liberal Party election platform, the government committed to:
Help Canadian farmers get their goods to market at low cost, particularly in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. . . . by extending the Extended Railway Interswitching pilot by three years. . . .
When can we expect the government to act on its campaign commitment?
Senator, welcome to the Senate of Canada. With regard to your question, the government is working with the provinces, as you know, and will continue to act immediately to assist citizens in all respects.
With regard to the question of the timetable, I don’t have a specific answer for you, but the government remains committed to delivering on this initiative, and I’ll raise this with the minister at my first opportunity.
Thank you, Senator Gold. Competitive shipping rates are important, not only for the agricultural sector but for all commodities, many of which are facing uncertainty because of trade and tariffs. I’d like to see the government go further and make the pilot permanent. Could you please pass that on to the minister as well?
I’d be pleased to pass that on.
