Global Courant
Canadian farmers expect to pay more to heat their barns and dry crops after a bill that would have exempted natural gas and propane from aspects of the carbon pricing system is still in the Senate.
The House of Commons passed Bill C-234 in March, with the support of the opposition Conservatives, NDP, Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party, along with some Liberal members.
The initiative bill would exempt farmers from paying the carbon price on natural gas and propane used for agricultural activities such as heating barns, drying grain, preparing feed and irrigation.
Farmers were already exempt from charges for gasoline and light fuel oil used in tractors and trailers.
However, the Senate is still reviewing Bill C-234, which was not passed before the start of the summer recess, so it has not been considered until at least the fall.
“It’s definitely more money out of our pockets,” Chuck Fossay, a rancher from Starbuck, Man. and president of the Manitoba Canola Growers Association, CTV told National News. “Makes us less competitive in the international market.”
With thousands of farmers affected, Fossay says some crops need to be dried to maintain their quality, especially during a wet fall.
Those who live on the Prairies also know the importance of keeping their stables warm during the winter, which can reach lows of -30 or -40 C with wind chill.
“And if you don’t heat those buildings, those animals will suffer,” Fossay said.
Jill Verwey, president of the Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba, said the extra costs put Canadian farmers at a disadvantage when it comes to competing with other countries, leaving “less dollars in our pockets to innovate, get better, environment and sustainability.” on our farms.”
“All producers, all individuals who go to the supermarket know what happens to … where we end up with higher food costs and the bottom line is that we need this (legal) law to make sure we stay competitive.” ”, says Verwey to CTV National News.
Last month, Senate bill C-234 referred to his agricultural and finance committees.
Conservative Senator David Wells said the bill could be delayed even further if it had to go back to the House for amendments, which is “too long” and “unfair” for farmers.
“They’re seeing the opportunity pass for this year,” he told CTV National News. “And it’s just pure cost that can’t change their behavior. They have no alternative.”
With files from The Canadian Press
