NDP federal candidate Lois Boone and NDP MP Dennis Bevington say regulatory changes recommended in a 2010 rail review should be implemented now.
The Rail Freight Service Review Panel, which delivered its findings last fall, recommended CN and CP be given a chance to improve services in the next three years.
If the national rail lines don't improve service, federal legislation should be implemented to ensure the service improves, the panel concluded.
"Resource industries are the lifeblood of our communities. Rail shipping is an important piece of that puzzle, and regulating rail shipping can ensure that jobs in Prince George-Peace River are here to stay," Boone said Tuesday during a tour of northeastern B.C. "The government needs to take action sooner rather than later."
Boone is the NDP candidate in the riding of Prince George-Peace River, where a by-election must be called by April after long-time Conservative MP Jay Hill stepped down. The federal Conservatives have not called the by-election, although a date has been set for March 7 for the Conservative nomination in the riding.
Bevington, the MP for the Western Arctic and the NDP's transportation critic, argued regulation is needed to offset CN's monopoly power in northern B.C.
CN has cited concerns over the panel findings, saying some recommendations are disconnected with the factual findings. CN has pointed to a performance review which showed solid railway transit times, no discrimination on service, no evidence of structural market issues and a robust regulatory framework.
The three-person federal review panel, which included a former CN executive, found that although the railways have taken steps to address service issues, problems still remain. The panel found the major cause of rail service problems was railway market power.
Their recommendations called for the railways and shippers to continue to develop commercial measures that include notification of service changes, service agreements that set standards, a dispute resolution and enhanced reporting of performance.
The panel also recommended a review in 2013 to determine whether service is adequate. If it is not, the commercial measures should become requirements under law. The panel suggested working on the legislation so that it could be put in place immediately if the 2013 review finds service is inadequate.
Bevington said he's concerned that if service agreements are reached, that smaller shippers will be left out in the cold.
The Coalition of Rail Shippers, and the Forest Products Association of Canada, have also called for regulation to be implemented now.
CN has also noted that shippers, receivers, terminal operators, port authorities, truckers and steamship lines were also accountable for system performance, not just railways.
The race underway for the Conservative nomination in Prince George-Peace River has six declared candidates, including former-Prince George mayor Colin Kinsley and city councillor Cameron Stolz.
