Premier Ford Meets with Agriculture and Agri-Food Leaders
WOODSTOCK — Ontario's government is standing up for farmers and fighting the imposition of a job-killing federal carbon tax on the agricultural sector, which would increase the cost of food on tables across Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford, Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, were at Veldale Farms today with farmers and agribusiness representatives. They discussed the impact of the disguised, unconstitutional carbon tax and restated the government's ongoing support for Ontario farmers and agri-food businesses.
"Ontario's farmers and agribusiness leaders have told us that a carbon tax will increase the cost of doing business, from heating fuels to transportation costs of shipping products to market. This not only hurts their businesses, but also negatively affects our economy," said Hardeman. "When costs go up, consumers often pay the price, and less money goes into the pockets of farmers and workers. That's why I am standing up for our farmers and agribusinesses — to protect the sector, our economy and Ontario jobs."
Stakeholders across the agri-food sector have raised concerns that the federal carbon tax will further reduce the competitiveness of Ontario's agribusinesses in the global marketplace. Many are also concerned about its economic impact and potential job losses as a result of increased costs, and feel that the federal carbon tax will not help the environment or reduce emissions.
"Our Environment Plan meets emissions targets without imposing a carbon tax on farmers or families, and serves as proof that you can both oppose a carbon tax and continue to do more to fight climate change, you don't have to choose," concluded Phillips. "Ontario deserves a healthy environment and a healthy economy."
The
Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan considers our province's specific priorities, challenges and opportunities, and commits to reducing our emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, a target that aligns with the federal government's Paris commitments, without imposing a carbon tax on students, patients, families and seniors. Through the efforts of individuals and industry, Ontario is already most of the way to this target, with the province's emissions down 22 per cent since 2005.
Today's event is part of a series of conversations underway across the province. Premier Ford and his ministers are travelling across Ontario to talk with families, small business owners and communities about how the federal carbon tax will make life more unaffordable, while putting the province's economy at risk. The Ontario government is committed to cutting red tape to help Ontario's economy grow. Fighting the federal carbon tax is an important step to keeping Ontario open for business and open for jobs.
Source : Ontario.ca