The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has asked the federal government that excess rail freight charged in the 2007/08 crop year be returned to farmers.

 

In the 2007/08 crop year, the Canadian Transportation Agency determined that CN and CP overcharged grain shippers by nearly 60 million dollars.  The agency says this was because they didn't properly adjust their freight rates to reflect the decreased car maintenance.

Sinclair Harrison of the farmer rail car coalition has often told the classic hits farm news, duct tape was one of the favoured methods of repair by the railways.  The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association have asked the federal government to ensure the money is returned to farmers. The group has also asked that the 15 per cent penalty, which amounts to 9 million dollars be allotted to the Western Grains Research Foundation.

That is approximately twice the amount the Foundation receives in check off payments in a typical year.