Grain Farmers of Ontario Urges Canadian Government to Reconsider Carbon Tax

Carbon taxation is not a solution to environmental issues

GUELPH, ON (October 25, 2018) – Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province‘s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario‘s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers, today expressed its disappointment with the Canadian government‘s mandated carbon tax on fuels and urged the government to stop implementation.

Changes in the land, water and air have been noted by farmers for decades and new practices such as cover crop and no-till strategies, carefully timed and weather-aligned crop production tool applications, new tools that inhibit environmental escape of nitrogen, and more, are long-term strategies that will actually positively impact the environment.

“Climate change has to be addressed but a carbon tax isn‘t the way to do it,” said Markus Haerle, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Farmers have no way to reduce their costs or increase the prices of their crops to reflect the increased costs of business and taxation.

“A new tax impedes grains farmers in Ontario’s ability to compete on a level playing field with global competitors. Any impact to grain farmers reduces the $9 billion contribution grain farming makes to the Ontario economy.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario expects the government to support grain farmers in remaining competitive to other countries. Grain Farmers of Ontario is asking the federal government to reconsider proceeding with the carbon tax, and to invest in technology and research innovation, as well as investigate other emission impactors like increased ethanol blends, rather than taxing its citizens and businesses.

Farmers are committed to helping the environment, protecting the land, water, and air as fundamental resources for their businesses and livelihoods. For more information of Grain Farmers of Ontario sustainability practices, visit our sustainability page here.

Contact

Markus Haerle, Chair – 613 229-8336, marhaerle@gmail.com
Victoria Berry, Manager, Communications – 226 820-6641; vberry@gfo.ca