(The following story by Jordie Dwyer appeared on the Nipawin Journal website on January 15.)
NIPAWIN, Sask. — There could be a resolution by the end of the month in the dispute between the Canadian Pacific Railway and a number of northeast area farmers.
A mediator from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) will meet Jan. 26 and 27 with members of the Choiceland, Garrick and White Fox area farmers group and CP Rail in an attempt to get a negotiated settlement. Members of the Saskatchewan Grain Car Commission will also be at the meeting.
The farmers have been trying in vain since October to get CP to deliver 26 producer cars to spots on the track from Nipawin and Choiceland.
The group decided to proceed with a level of service complaint to the CTA back in November and included the option of going to mediation to settle the complaint, instead of the long legal hearing process.
Ron Shymanski, farmers? group spokesman, said no one knows what to expect, but is hopeful going into the process.
“We are hoping for a good outcome,” said Shymanski.
“I think it is going to be positive, but you never know until you go through it. I guess we will see.”
CP Rail believes mediation is the best route to go in resolving this dispute.
“Mediation is definitely a better option,” said CP spokesperson Leah Olson.
“Being able to sit down with the other party and talk about things in order come to an agreement is better for everyone.”