CP 'takes exception' to government probe into Vancouver rail service issues

Canadian Pacific executives are taking issue with a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) plan to include the Class I in a far-reaching investigation into possible freight-rail service problems in the Vancouver, British Columbia, area.

The CTA announced yesterday in a press release that such an investigation "would be appropriate based on information received from shipper associations and other parties." The agency plans to hold a public hearing in Vancouver in late January to provide railroads and shipper groups an opportunity to provide evidence in response to the CTA's concerns.

However, CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel said the railroad wasn't informed about any formal investigation into freight-rail service in the Vancouver area.

"We have not been made aware of any formal complaints to the CTA relating to our service in Vancouver, nor has the CTA been in touch with us prior to launching this investigation," said Creel in a press release. "It is irresponsible to institute an investigation without at minimum reaching out to ask CP for information. We have always been forthright and cooperative with the CTA."

He added that CP has achieved "record-setting performance" in the area. In November 2018, the Class I announced it had broken its previous record for carloads of western Canadian grain and grain products shipped to the Port of Vancouver in a single month. October 2018 was the company's best month ever for shipping grain and grain products, moving 2.64 million metric tons to all destinations, with the majority transiting Vancouver, CP officials said.

"Are we perfect 100 percent of the time? No," said Creel. "When we are not performing to the requisite level of service, I will be the first to step up and acknowledge it. The flip side of that coin is: when we are subject to unsubstantiated action, I will be the first to step up and defend the men and women who make this operation run."

CP will work with the CTA to better understand the agency's concerns "and will cooperate in the investigation as appropriate," he added.