A bill that eliminates farmers from paying the carbon tax has been seconded by Brandon-Souris Conservative Member of Parliament Larry Maguire.
Bill C-206 is being proposed to exempt farmers from paying the tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane and natural gas.
The bill was introduced by Philip Lawrence, Conservative MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, Ontario
A press release from Maguire’s office said that In Manitoba, the carbon tax cost farmers $1.7M on last year’s harvest to dry their corn.
Maguire says that he will continue to push the bill.
“I will encourage the Liberals to support this legislation and get it into law as soon as possible, Farmers cannot wait any longer and want to see action now.”
He adds that the change will help not only farmers but consumers as well.
"We wanted to make sure that it was taken off so it does two things. It helps the farmers get their grain dry and in a position where they can maintain it to the point of having it in the processable state, and it keeps food prices down for consumers."
The Keystone Agriculture Producers estimates that the carbon tax has cost the average Manitoba grain farmer over $1,700 in grain drying alone.
