Backgrounders providing an update on the work done on the port, hopper car disposal and road repair issues can also be found on the department's site. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. The Review takes no position and makes no other recommendation with reference to this issue other than to state that it would appear to be in the interest of Canadian grain transportation as a whole to dispose of these cars to anyone in or outside the grain transportation business, for their fair market value, in a process consistent with the terms of all applicable trade regulations, and so long as the sale is conditional on these cars remaining available to the Western Canada grain industry. Consistent with the Government of Canada's intention to develop an implementation plan on the basis of Justice Estey's recommendations, departmental officials have undertaken a review of options for a potential sale. However, the railways' right of first refusal for third-party purchase of the cars does not expire until six months later, June 30, 2002.
Work is under way on a survey of the railways' maintenance practices.
In addition, consultants were retained to provide independent assessments on the current and future market value of the cars. Consultations were held with the railways, the Farmer Rail Car Coalition, OmniTrax, the Canadian Wheat Board and officials representing the three Prairie provinces. Stakeholder views were sought on such topics as the optimum timing of a sale, possible forms of a transaction, and what effect there would be on value and system efficiency as a result of the conditions outlined in Justice Estey's recommendations. Many stakeholders indicated a preference for final decisions regarding the nature of any sale being deferred until Mr. Kroeger's process is completed and the nature of the future system better understood. Parties were also asked to comment on such issues as estimated future demand for grain cars, expected impacts from system efficiency gains and a number of more technical matters.