Photo credit: Louis Henault/Dreamstime

By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Warkentin worried no carbon tax relief on grain dryer fuel will make things more difficult for farmers

Jun 12, 2020 | 5:30 AM

The MP for Grande Prairie-Mackenzie says a number of things the Liberal government has done have made things more difficult for farmers.

Chris Warkentin says he and many others expected farmers to get a break on the carbon tax charged on fuel to run grain dryers during the very wet 2019 harvest.

“It is concerning. It is, I guess, not surprising after what we’ve seen in the past, but it is very concerning that this government continues to level more taxes and be unconcerned with the plight of farmers from coast to coast. But, especially in areas like ours where we had significant challenges last fall and we continue to have challenges in terms of getting the crop off this spring.”

Warkentin says this tax has cost many producers tens of thousands of dollars.

“It is disturbing that the minister is so ignorant of the facts. It is disturbing to have a government that is so disinterested in finding out the facts when it comes to the additional cost that they’re leveling on farmers, especially at a time when farmers can least afford it.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says an analysis done by Agriculture Canada found that the carbon tax for grain dryer fuel said it would cost an individual farm between $210 to $819 per year. Farm groups and individual producers have also said it is in the many thousands of dollars a year.

He adds his party is still pushing the government to do several things to help farmers, including a complete review of safety net programs.

“The government, at one point, actually committed to reviewing those safety net programs, but of course, they have not done that years later. I mean, we’re talking four years ago they committed to doing that and still, we haven’t seen any concrete action that will lead to significant changes that are needed to make these programs actually work for farmers here in the Peace Country, but we’ll continue to press the government on that.”

Warkentin says his side will also push for lowering taxes like the carbon tax and continuing to push for the re-opening of markets that have been closed.

-with files from The Canadian Press