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Carbon tax & lack of snow biggest concerns for farmers in 2024

2024 is just a few days away and some farmers are concerned about what the new year will have in store for them.

The issue causing the most anxiety is the carbon tax as it’s set to increase once again on April 1st.

The Saskatchewan Government is trying to limit the impact of the tax by removing it from home heating starting Jan. 1st.

Despite this, some in the agriculture sector are still worried.

“The only optimism I would have about the tax changing is when we change the (federal) government. Things may get back to a little bit of common sense,” said Kerry Peterson, a Shellbrook area farmer.

A big reason why farmers are struggling with the tax more than the average household is due to how much diesel they have to use to continue their operations. Peterson believes farmers are being punished because many of them use environmentally friendly technology and machinery but still have to pay a hefty tax.

He’s not alone in thinking this way as Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area between Prince Albert and Nipawin, couldn’t help but agree.

“This carbon tax on fuel, natural gas… it’s insane,” he said laughing sarcastically.

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