With Canadians being invited to celebrate Canada’s Agriculture Day on Feb. 13, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on MPs to pass the original Bill C-234 to offer relief for farmers from carbon tax on propane and natural gas.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer reports the Senate’s amendments would cost farmers $910 million by 2030 and as it stands, without any relief farmers are facing $1 billion in taxes by 2030.
“Making it more affordable for farmers to grow food will make it more affordable for families to buy food,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “MPs must reject the Senate’s amendments and make sure the original Bill C-234 becomes law now.”
The bill was passed in the lower house on March 29, 2023. Then on Dec. 12, 2023, the Senate passed the bill with amendments that would apply carbon tax relief to drying grain, but not heating barns. An amendment also ends that relief after three years.
The federal government provided an agriculture exemption for carbon taxes on diesel and gasoline, but did not exempt natural gas and propane.
