n. — historical, transportation
a subsidized, reduced rail shipping rate for grain, grain-related products and machinery from and to the Prairies (in effect until 1993).
Type: 1. Origin — In 1897, the Calgary and Edmonton Railway Company received land title and financial subsidy from the Canadian government to extend a rail line through the Crow's Nest Pass in Alberta into southern British Columbia. The crow rate was established as a result of the Crow's Nest Pass Agreement (dated 6 September 1897) between the two parties. The resulting act of the federal parliament is excerpted in the 1898 quotation. As a result, the shipping rates were reduced eastbound on grain and flour and westbound on farm machinery. In 1928, the Calgary and Edmonton Railway Company was sold to Canadian Pacific Railway (see Atlas of Alberta Railways reference).
For many decades, the rates were frozen at 1925 prices (see the 1986 quotation), thereby influencing market forces. While important for central Canadian farmers and lasting for 97 years, crow rates were partly to blame for the sales or closures of western Canadian rail lines (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). Crow rates were a longstanding point of contention between provinces (see the 1925 quotation), the CPR and the federal government (see 1961 quotation).
See also ITP Nelson, s.v. "Crow rate".