Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer told the House “the farmer who has to pay the industrial carbon tax on his new equipment or on the fertilizer he buys has to pass those costs on to Canadians, and food prices go up as a result,” he said before asking the government to scrap the tax.
MacKinnon responded, saying there’s no tax on groceries.
When Scheer pressed the Liberals again about the industrial carbon tax and clean fuel regulations, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin responded.
“If members want to talk about clean fuel regulations, they do not even have to take my word for the fact that they are not taxed. They can check the Canola Digest, because it points out that this provides opportunities for farmers,” she said.
On Nov. 5, Poilievre, citing Dr. Sylvain Charbelois, said the industrial carbon tax on agriculture “undermines the competitiveness of our agri-food sector” because it increases costs.
Prime Minister Carney said that’s not the case.
“The Canadian Climate Institute has done the analysis on the impact of the industrial carbon tax on inflation. It is zero,” he told the House.
Also on Nov. 5, Shelby Kramp-Neuman, the Conservative MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington-Tyendinaga, asked why the government is increasing the industrial carbon tax when Canadians are struggling.
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald provided the response.
He cited the Canadian Climate Institute’s report indicating “industrial carbon pricing has essentially no effect on the cost of groceries,” while also highlighting the budget’s $75 million commitment to the AgriMarketing program.
On Nov. 7, Lianne Rood, the Conservative MP for Middlesex-London, continued the push to get the Liberals to remove the industrial carbon tax.
“The industrial carbon tax is driving up wholesale food prices, full stop,” she said while citing Dr. Charlebois
Minister MacDonald’s reply also included wording from Dr. Charlebois, highlighting efforts that could make Canada’s food system more efficient.