Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Impact on farmers, consumers

N.B. and Meadow Lake MPs hope to see amended Bill C-234 passed

Oct 26, 2023 | 3:35 PM

North Battleford and Meadow Lake MPs hope to see the amended Bill C-234 pass that would see the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act altered. If it goes forward, this bill would expand the definition of eligible farming machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane.

When reached by battlesfordsNOW, Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk said in an email “Canadian farmers can’t afford the costly Trudeau carbon tax that is threatening the viability of farm businesses across the country.”

She noted Bill C-234 is a common-sense Conservative bill that will remove the federal carbon tax from on-farm uses of natural gas and propane. The bill as originally drafted would have saved farmers more than $900 million over the next seven years, she said.

“It is extremely frustrating and disrespectful to our farmers that non-elected, Trudeau-appointed senators have now gutted the bill in committee,” Falk added. “The removal of the exemption for heating and cooling of buildings undermines the intent of the bill.”

She added in choosing to “intentionally and disproportionately” punish farm operations, the senators fail to recognize that Canada’s farmers already have a strong record of environmental stewardship and innovation.

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“Only Conservatives can be counted on to stand up for Canadians farmers and their families,” Falk said.

Gary Vidal, MP for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, which includes Meadow Lake, said in an email Bill C-234 is a common-sense piece of legislation that, if passed, would not only give needed help to the agriculture sector but all Canadians who are dealing with the skyrocketing cost of food.

“After analysing Conservative Bill C-234, the independent Parliamentary Budget Officer found that by removing the carbon tax from on-farm uses of natural gas and propane, farmers would save $978 million between now and 2030,” he said.

Vidal noted that if C-234 does not pass it will hurt farmers and all families who are challenged by the cost-of-living crisis.

“It is just one of many examples of this prime minister and the Liberal Party being totally out of touch with everyday Canadians,” he added.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) also said in a statement it wants to see the amended Bill C-234 passed.

It is concerned if the bill doesn’t move forward, Canadian consumers will have to pay more for their groceries, because it will cost farmers more to heat their barns. The CTF says the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows that passing Bill C-234 will save farmers about $1 billion from now to 2030.

“Why would senators want to make it more expensive for Canadian farmers to produce milk and eggs?” CTF Praire Director Gage Haubrich said in the release.

battlefordsNOW reached out to Canadian Senator Pierre Dalphond for a comment on the bill, but did not receive a response by publishing time.

According to Falk’s office, the Senate Agriculture and Forestry committee completed clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on Oct. 25. It’s now headed to the senate for report stage consideration of the amended bill. People can follow the bill’s progress here: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-234

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow