PROVINCE SUPPORTS FEDERAL HOPPER CAR DECISION

Today, Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag and Agriculture Minister Mark Wartman expressed their support for the federal government's decision to begin negotiations with the Farmer Rail Car Coalition (FRCC) for the transfer of the federal government's hopper car fleet.

"The provincial government remains supportive of the concept of producer ownership of the hopper car fleet," Sonntag said. "I am pleased that the federal government is moving forward with the next phase of the disposition process."

The government of Saskatchewan has provided financial and technical support to the FRCC initiative from its inception. With the exception of the funding for the business plan development, financial assistance was premised on the basis that the FRCC would reimburse the province if the Coalition obtained control of all or part of the federal fleet.

"The provincial government firmly believes that the hopper car fleet must be managed in a manner that maximizes benefits to producers," Wartman said. "Federal officials have an obligation to ensure the disposition process achieves this objective."

Federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre announced that negotiations for the transfer of the federal hopper car fleet to the Farmer Rail Car Coalition would begin immediately. The target date for the transfer is August 1st, 2005, the beginning of the new crop year.

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4804