Released on January 20, 1998
Highways and Transportation Minister Judy Bradley, SaskatchewanAssociation of Rural Municipalities (SARM) President Sinclair Harrison
and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) President
Mike Badham today announced joint sponsorship of Reviewing the System,
a seminar discussing the future of grain transportation in
Saskatchewan.
"Our province's grain transportation system is going through
fundamental change led by the railways and grain companies," Bradley
said. "Branch line abandonment and elevator consolidation will have a
major impact on Saskatchewan producers and the communities. If
farmers and municipalities are going to be positively affected by
these changes, it is critical they get involved and this seminar is an
excellent opportunity to do just that."
The seminar includes panel discussions on short line railways and
producer-owned loading facilities, a presentation on the upcoming
federal government review of the grain handling and transportation
system, a discussion about moving grain by using modern logistics
practices, and a perspective on the potential impact of changes to the
Saskatchewan grain handling and transportation system on producers and
communities.
Reviewing the System will be held at the Centennial Auditorium in
Saskatoon, Thursday February 19th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is
a $20 registration fee that includes a working lunch.
Seminar keynote speaker is Minister Judy Bradley. Guest speakers
include Bill Woods of the West Central Road and Rail Committee,
Rodger Stefan of the Southwest Transportation Planning Council,
Heather Gregory of Pivotal Plus Consulting and Paul Beingessner
of Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation.
"The federal review of grain transportation and handling could
mean a total overhaul of our system," Harrison said. "We want to
ensure as much as possible that the end result is a system that
makes sense at the local level. At the end of the seminar, we
want people to leave with more knowledge and information and
ideas on how they can get involved."
Badham expressed concern with the impact changes in the grain
transportation system are having on rural communities.
"Shrinking branch lines with elevator closure throughout the
province are adding to depopulation of many of our rural
communities," Badham said. "This seminar will let people find
out what is happening and what can be done to influence the
future for all the people of Saskatchewan.
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For more seminar information, contact:
Sinclair Harrison Mike Badham
President, SARM SUMA President
Phone: (306) 435-7319 Phone: (306) 586-5456
Harold Hugg
Project Director
Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation
Phone: (306) 787-5311
To register or to receive an agenda, contact:
Leeann Minogue
SARM
Manager, Agricultural Services
Phone: (306) 757-3577