Several farmers’ groups, along with a number of Conservative MPs and senators, gathered on Parliament Hill to march to the Senate in order to demand that senators pass Bill C-234. This bill would exempt some fuels used by farmers from the federal carbon tax. During a press conference on Nov. 21, Conservative MP and shadow Agriculture Minister John Barlow stated, “Our Canadian farmers are world leaders in sustainable and efficient food production. But after eight years of Justin Trudeau and his costly carbon tax, their livelihoods and their family farms are in jeopardy.” He further emphasized the need for this conservative bill, saying that a tax on the farmer would, in turn, raise the cost of food for every single Canadian.
Accompanied by farmers from across Canada, Mr. Barlow outlined that the bill would offer “much-needed relief” for farmers facing difficulties due to the federal carbon tax. He explained that the bill aimed to expand the exemption to natural gas and propane, which are “actually cleaner burning fuels.” The bill had already passed the House of Commons with support from Conservative, NDP, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party MPs, with a few Liberals also voting in favor.
The passing of Bill C-234 would save farmers, and by extension consumers, nearly $1 billion between now and 2030, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. However, the bill was debated in the Senate, and Liberal senators proposed amendments that would remove provisions extending the carbon tax exemption on the use of propane and natural gas for agricultural purposes. This caused Conservative members to accuse Liberal ministers of trying to “kill Bill C-234.”
The groups represented at the delegation in Ottawa included the Beef Farmers of Ontario, Mushrooms Canada, Ontario Broiler Chicken Hatching Egg Producers Association, Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Ontario Pork, and Veal Farmers of Ontario. These farmers explained that the passage of the bill would make a significant difference to farmers as well as consumers, expressing concern that the carbon tax would significantly impact their business and the cost of food for Canadian consumers. They cited examples of how the carbon tax would affect their farms and the prices of their products for consumers.