(Regular updates will be available on the Alberta Pulse Growers website.)

Pulse Canada and the CSCA are partners of the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC)*, which tracks performance of the Canadian railway network for the movement of grain.

A new grain network status report has been created to provide stakeholders with comprehensive insight on the performance of the Canadian rail system for the 2020-2021 grain year. The report provides information and data on the status of the rail network as of midnight the previous day.

The railway performance data reported in these reports reflect the performance of rail shipments specifically for grain shippers participating in the Ag Transport Coalition’s railway performance measurement program – estimated to encompass approximately 90-95% of western Canadian originated grain shipments by rail.

March 21, 2022: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

System loads on wheels declined for the 6th consecutive day but remain above the 6,000 car threshold.  Yesterday’s decline reflects lower volumes for each of CN and CP.

CP and the TCRC have agreed to binding arbitration following a 48 hour work stoppage.  CP has announced its plans to resume operations as of noon local time across its Canadian network.

Cars Not Moving

System idle car counts increased as expected yesterday rising above the 3,100 car threshold.

The increase yesterday was driven by CP and reflects the shutdown of CP’s network during the labour disruption.

Port Unloads

West coast unloads (232) declined marginally from the prior day reflecting improved unloads at Prince Rupert offset by a 70% decline in Vancouver unloads.

Thunder Bay unloads (72) saw their best day since traffic has resumed moving to the port in anticipation of the re-opening of the Seaway.

For more information, go to www.agtransportcoalition.com* The Ag Transportation Coalition is comprised of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Pulse Canada, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). All daily network status reports are available on the Pulse Canada website.