Carbon tax hike expected from April 1st, puts further pressure on agriculture with no relief or alternatives available
GUELPH, ON, March 28, 2024 (Globe Newswire) — Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario's largest commodity organization, represents 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in Ontario. Today we called on the federal Liberal government to enact grain controls. Prior to the carbon tax increase on April 1, 2024, aridity will be exempted from the carbon tax.
The carbon tax price will be set at $80 per ton as of April 1 of this year, up from $65 last year and $50 the year before last.
Despite the fact that farmers have no viable alternatives to dry grain and must use current technology to reliably dry wet grain, the federal government is burdening farmers with this tax increase. continuing.
“It's simple: don't tax food production. Farmers are understandably concerned about being penalized for drying their grain when they have no alternative, and Canadians are “It's understandable that people are confused as to why the government would add costs when there is a wide range of food production available at food banks across the country,” said Jeff Harrison, president of Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Harvested grains are dried to make them safe to eat. This simple fact was well understood by both congressmen and senators. The provincial government is also stepping up to help farmers, with Premier Doug Ford issuing an official statement on the carbon tax and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson sending a letter signed by Ontario commodity groups to the federal government. Sent to.
“I would like to thank Prime Minister Ford and Minister Thompson for their continued support, and I urge the Liberal Government to issue an exemption from grain drying as soon as the House returns from its Easter break,” Mr Harrison said.
grain farmers in ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province's largest commodity organization representing 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in Ontario. The crops they grow cover more than 6 million acres of farmland across the state, generate more than $4.1 billion in production value, contribute more than $27 billion in economic output, and create more than 90,000 jobs in the state. Masu.
CONTACT: Victoria Berry Grain Farmers of Ontario 226-820-6641 vberry@gfo.ca
