February 18, 1947 (20th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Right Hon. J. G. GARDINER (Minister of Agriculture):

For some time there has been difficulty in moving grain from western Canada to the lakehead and from the lake-head to eastern Canada, and this has been increased by the storms we have had recently both in the east and west. Some days ago the government issued an order giving priority in the use of box cars for the shipment of grain as against the shipment of other commodities. The announcement to that effect was made by the Minister of Transport (Mr. Chevrier). Everything is being done at the present time by the railroads that can possibly be done to move grain eastward, and we expect that it will be moved in sufficient time to take care of any shortages that may exist.