Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Huron Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson continues to sound the alarm to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the federal carbon tax.
Thompson says concerns from farm groups include the significant costs imposed by the tax, with worries of these expenses trickling down to grocery stores and impacting food prices.
"We are listening to farmers. We are hearing that farmers can't afford this carbon tax. It erodes their ability to continue producing good quality food that is affordable across Canada." she said after sending an open letter co-signed by over 40 farm organizations
The recent 23 per cent increase in the carbon tax, effective April 1, has sparked widespread concern among farmers, impacting their ability to reinvest in best practices and innovation on their farms.
"We said enough is enough. (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau, listen to farmers, and stop the tax once and for all," Thompson added.
The call for action against the carbon tax extends to legislative initiatives like Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb's private member's bill, C-234, aimed at removing the carbon tax on essential farming practices like heating barns and drying crops. However, Thompson expressed disappointment in the federal government's response to such initiatives.
"Their ideology dictates that they must believe in this tax," Thompson lamented. "I'm disappointed that the provincial Liberals sat on their hands. They needed to stand up and demonstrate that they're listening, but they sat on their hands."
Premier Doug Ford has emphasized that increasing taxes is not the solution, advocating instead for investments in innovation and new technologies to make a difference.
While the federal government has not responded to their letter addressing these concerns, Ford, Thompson, and farming groups continue their push for policies that they say support farmers and ensure affordable food production across Ontario.
The federal government maintains that rebates greatly soften the blow of the carbon tax. Its figures show an individual in Ontario can expect a rebate of $140, while a family of four would get $280. Rural residents get a 10 per cent top up because they tend to use more fuel. A bill currently before Parliament, if passed, would double that top up.
