This week, a private members bill was tabled in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Ben Lobb.
Bill C-234 is calling for changes to the "Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act".
The bill would expand the definition of farm machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to natural gas and propane.
A similar bill, Bill C-206, passed through the House of Commons last year, but died in the Senate when the Federal Election was called last fall.
Andre Harpe is an Alberta Farmer and Chair of the Grain Growers of Canada and is very happy to see the bill come forward.
He says this is exactly the type of relief that our sector needs, the carbon tax effects all aspects of agriculture.
"It doesn't matter what we're growing, whether it's tomatoes, calves. Whether it's the dairy industry or whether it's a grain farmer, it affects us all equally. And, you know, it's a regressive tax, it doesn't help us at all."
The GGC says the successful passage of this bill would result in grain farmers no longer being penalized for on-farm activities - such as grain drying - that are required to properly store and market our products and ensure a sustainable food supply for everyone.
Harpe says the cost of the natural gas is actually pretty much almost the least amount on his bill.
"Because you know it gets back to, you know, that the carbon tax was huge. Plus, not only are we paying the carbon tax, but we get charged the GST on the carbon tax also. So we get a double whammy. We're talking thousands of dollars."
He notes it's going to take a while to go through the process.
Bill C-234 just received first reading in the House of Commons, but he's just happy that it's got started.
Harpe says the GGC is committed to being part of the solution and helping lead the conversation when it comes to the environment and climate change.
"By moving forward with these practical amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, our farmer members will have the ability to redirect these crucial dollars towards practical initiatives to further lower emissions and sequester carbon."
GGC will be working with Parliamentarians across all parties to ensure that this Bill moves forward through the legislative process in a timeline that reflects its urgency for Canadian farmers.
The Grain Growers of Canada will be working with Parliamentarians across all parties to ensure that this Bill moves forward through the legislative process in a timeline that reflects its urgency for Canadian farmers.
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