A Liberal minister reminded the House the carbon tax doesn’t apply to farmers
While government and opposition MPs sparred over the carbon tax multiple times last week, a direct mention of agriculture first came on Dec. 4.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre highlighted findings in Dalhousie University’s food price report for 2026, which indicates food prices are rising.
“The annual food price report predicts that a family of four will spend up to $17,600 in 2026, an increase of $995. That is double what it was the year the Liberals took power,” Poilievre said, asking if the prime minister will get rid of taxes that increase food costs.
Julie Dabrusin, the minister of environment and climate change, responded.
She reminded the House that “industrial carbon pricing does not apply to farmers.”
Research from the Canadian Climate Institute supports the minister’s comments.
Data from the organization suggests “farmers don’t directly pay the industrial carbon price and there are almost no costs to pass through the supply chain on consumers.”
On Dec. 5, Melissa Lantsman, the Conservative MP for Thornhill, asked about carbon taxes on farmers and the domino effect they can have.
“Does the government not realize that higher taxes on farmers and truckers mean more expensive groceries for struggling families?” she asked.
Ryan Turnbull, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of finance, provided the response.
He told the House “Every farmer knows that we reap what we sow,” before he highlighted some government affordability measures.
Andrew Lawton, the Conservative MP for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, also wanted answers related to the carbon tax and its effects on the food chain.
Canadians are wondering “why the Liberals are increasing their industrial carbon tax, which makes it more expensive to grow, ship and sell food,” he said.
Turnbull replied to this question too.
He quoted Dr. Sylvan Charlebois from a 2024 committee meeting where he identified climate change as the agri-food sector’s biggest hurdle.
Cathay Wagantall, the Saskatchewan Conservative MP for Yorkton—Melville, wanted answers about the carbon tax and fertilizer.
The industrial carbon tax “puts producers at a global disadvantage, burdening them with up to $1.3 billion in carbon costs by 2030,” she said.
Sophie Chatel, the parliamentary secretary to Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, replied.
She highlighted the food price report and its assertion that “increasingly violent and unpredictable weather patterns are disrupting agricultural production, creating supply challenges and continuing to influence food prices across Canada.”
Wagantall doubled down on the issue, asking why the Liberals continue to make it harder for farmers to feed Canadians.
Chatel told the House the government is “working with the farmers and the industry to find solutions to a fertilizer made in Canada.”
Conservative MP Scott Reid from Lanark—Frontenac, also asked about fertilizer.
Reid asked if the government would override a CFIA interpretation of bulk labelling regulations that could see retailers pay $120 million in compliance costs, which would be passed down to producers.
Chatel’s response informed the House a study about how to reduce red tape across the sector just wrapped up.