Senate rejection of amendment to Bill C-234 is a big win for Canadian agriculture
ACA urges swift passage of this crucial legislation into law
Nov. 8, 2023 (Ottawa, ON) – The Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA) commends the Senate of Canada for rejecting an amendment to Bill C-234 and preserving provisions for heating barns, greenhouses and food growing structures.
ACA now urges the Senate to promptly pass the bill at the third reading, emphasizes ACA Co-Chair Dave Carey.
“This legislation is a lifeline,” Carey says. “Paying tens of thousands of dollars in carbon pricing annually while waiting for technology to catch up is not a reasonable solution for Canadian farmers. Bill C-234 serves as a practical solution that will put capital back in the hands of farmers so they can continue to do what they do best – feed a growing and hungry world.”
“Relentless pressure from carbon pricing on those necessary farm practices that do not have viable alternatives threatens farmers’ competitiveness and plans to invest in the future of their operations”, adds Scott Ross, fellow co-chair of ACA.
“With no other way to keep the lights on and the cold away, carbon pricing places an undue burden on our country’s producers. This has far-reaching effects, not only on productivity, but also on food security and the adoption of available efficiencies.”
ACA expresses gratitude to Senators who supported Canadian agriculture by voting against the C-234 amendment. Sponsored by Senator David Wells in the Senate, the Bill provides a vital exemption for necessary farm practices utilizing natural gas and propane including irrigation, grain preparation, and heating of barns, greenhouses, and other growing structures.
“The rejected amendment would have denied financial relief to tens of thousands of hardworking livestock producers, greenhouse growers, and farmers while placing undue pressure on their livelihoods and our food security,” Carey adds. “We want to thank Senator Wells and the Senators who championed the preservation of this legislation.”
Over the past two weeks, more than 1,300 farmers and industry partners raised their voice in support of this legislation through a letter writing campaign developed by ACA. Bill C-234 is scheduled for third reading on Thursday, November 9, 2023. ACA urges Senators to swiftly pass this legislation at third reading. Canadian farmers have waited too long for essential support they urgently need.
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ACA is a national coalition of 15 farm organizations committed to meaningful and collaborative dialogue with the federal government around carbon pricing. Our membership encompasses all major agriculture commodities and represents 190,000 farm businesses that steward 62 million hectares. Canada’s farmers are the heart of our agri-food value chain, which contributes $135 billion annually and provides one in nine Canadian jobs.
Our members include Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Cattle Association, Grain Growers of Canada, Canadian Pork Council, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, the National Sheep Network, National Cattle Feeders’ Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, Mushrooms Canada and Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
