The financial burden of the carbon tax on farmers should be made public, according to the federal Conservative Party.
John Barlow, Conservative Party Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Richard Lehoux, Conservative Party Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, issued a statement on Monday, May 11 regarding the Trudeau government’s decision to not release the cost of the carbon tax on farmers.
“In a response to a written question in the House of Commons, the Trudeau government has refused to publicly release the cost of the Liberal carbon tax on farmers and producers,” said Barlow. “How can the cost of a new tax be “secret”? The Liberals need to be open and transparent with Canadians.
Barlow and Lehoux’s statement said while Canada’s farmers and producers have been struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trudeau government increased their costs by raising the carbon tax. Instead of providing supports for this essential sector, the government decided to add more taxes. This is wrong.
“The carbon tax hurts farmers and producers. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 82 per cent of farmers say the federal carbon tax is negatively impacting their business and that an average farmer paid $14,000 in federal carbon taxes last year,” said Barlow. “While Justin Trudeau says that the carbon tax helps farm families, we know the opposite is true.
“The Trudeau government must immediately exempt Canada’s agriculture sector from the carbon tax. Canada’s agriculture sector needs our help right now, not higher taxes.
“While Justin Trudeau is letting down Canada’s agriculture sector, Conservatives will always stand up and fight for Canada’s farmers and producers.”