By Alice McFarlane

Changes to Pollution Pricing Act a step closer

Mar 30, 2023 | 4:34 PM

An important agricultural bill received final approval in the House of Commons and is now in the hands of the Senate.

Bill C-234, the private member’s bill that would remove the federal carbon tax from natural gas and propane used on farms, received third reading yesterday.

The bill passed with a 176 to 146 vote, as Conservative, New Democrat, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party MPs voted in favour. Three Liberals MPs supported the bill.

It was introduced in February 2022 in the House of Commons by Conservative Member of Parliament Ben Lobb. It amended the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to address the strain placed on farmers who have no other option to dry their grain, heat their barns, or run their operations. The exemption would not apply to off-farm grain drying.

Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food John Barlow said it was a huge win for Canadian farmers.

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“This exemption is needed to reflect the realities of the entire Canadian agriculture industry and the undue financial burden the carbon tax places on all the necessary practices undertaken by farmers and ranchers like drying grain, irrigating crops, or heating and cooling livestock barns,” Barlow said.

Barlow said the Conservatives will continue to champion agriculture in Canada and fight the Liberal carbon tax to ensure farm families are environmentally and economically sustainable.

“Conservatives recognize for generations farmers have a record of being environmental stewards and innovators, adopting the latest technologies and sustainability practices,” Barlow said.

The Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA) was pleased with the passage of Bill C-234 through the House of Commons.

Co-Chair Dave Carey said his group is now calling on all Senators to show their support for farmers by ensuring Bill C-234’s passage into law.

He said the proposed legislation will deliver critical financial relief for farmers, growers and ranchers across the agricultural sector.

“As Canadian farmers face rising production costs, the passage of Bill C-234 is crucial to providing much-needed financial support,” Carey said. “This legislation will provide farmers with the resources to invest in innovative and sustainable on-farm practices, while ensuring the stability of our food supply.”

Carey urged the Senate to take swift and decisive action on the bill.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW