A group of Manitoba farmers is voicing their concerns about the federal government's carbon tax, which is being mandated to the provinces.
The group held its fifth public meeting Thursday at Altona's Rhineland Pioneer Centre, which attracted about 200 local producers. A similar meeting was held in Winkler earlier this month.
Event organizer and Somerset-area farmer Gerry Demare explains what they're asking for.
"We believe that it's fair and appropriate that we go ahead, pay the tax and then claim it back as a refund like we do with our GST," he said. "Then we're going to bring about change on our farms that benefits the environment with the help of the public."
Demare and his group believe that a carbon tax refund would be a better solution than an exemption, simply because of the administration work that would be involved with an exemption.
Nathan Friesen, who farms near Halbstadt, says he is becoming more educated on the topic.
"I would like to see and get the answers from the federal and/or provincial governments on how the tax is going to be collected, what the amount is and the effects of the province if they stand up to the federal government," he said.
Many producers signed a petition that will be presented to Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon, who was also in attendance at the meeting.
"I heard that there's definitely a concern from all of agriculture on how agriculture will be able to move forward and continue to exist that way it has in the past and how we can build," said Graydon. "The lack of information also scares people."
Source : Portageonline