Bill aiming to eliminate carbon tax on farm fuel passes second reading

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A farmer near Alvinston works his fields. File Photo

A bill which would eliminate the carbon tax for farm fuels has passed second reading in the House of Commons.

The MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South first proposed the bill which eliminates the carbon tax on propane and natural gas used for drying grain on-farm. It died on the order paper during the last election. The bill was reintroduced in March by Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb.

In a news release, Brendan Byrne, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario, said in a news release there has been good support for the idea, however he’s hoping more Liberal MPs come on board to make the bill law.

“Climate change is impacting all of us – in every walk of life – and we must all work together to ensure a safe, sustainable future. Taxation on food production is short-sighted and not a solution. If we do not work together to find better solutions, we will see even more decreases in the number of farmers and farms in Canada and we will lose the food security we have. Let’s come together and find a better way,” said Byrne.