Senate must pass original version of C-234 for the benefit of farmers and families

OTTAWA,  -- The Canadian Propane Association is joining agriculture groups from across Canada in calling on the Senate of Canada to reject the proposed amendment to remove heating and cooling of barns and greenhouses from Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA).

In its original form, C-234 permits exemptions for low-emission fuels such as propane and natural gas under the GGPPA. Under the Act, similar exemptions already apply to high-emission fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

The savings that would be gained under C-234 would be good for farmers and good for families. “The Parliamentary Budget Officer has estimated that if passed, C-234 will save farmers nearly one billion dollars by 2030,” said Shannon Watt, President of the Canadian Propane Association. “It will provide huge savings in input costs for farmers and those savings can be passed along to consumers in the form of lower food prices.”

“Quite frankly, opposition to C-234 reflects a lack of understanding of life in rural Canada,” said Watt. “Decarbonization in rural and remote communities will be more difficult than in the cities, given the lack of access to services such as public transit, EV stations or renewable electricity. Supply chain costs also increase for those living in rural communities."

The cost of the carbon tax on critical fuel sources places unwarranted strain on farmers’ livelihoods, as well as on Canada’s food security and independence, which are already facing heightened challenges due to escalating costs. The dramatic surge in food bank usage is a stark reminder of the difficulties many Canadians are currently facing.

“The CPA has been clear that the rush to decarbonization risks leaving folks behind, especially those who live in rural Canada,” said Watt. “C-234 would offer low-emission energy choice and savings for farmers which can result in much-needed lower food prices for consumers.”

C-234 was successfully passed in the House of Commons in March 2023, with the support of MPs from all political parties from right across Canada.

“Efforts to remove the exemption for heating and cooling of barns and greenhouses will simply gut the Bill,” said Watt. “It's time for some Senators to stop playing politics with important legislation, start putting farmers and Canadian families first, and pass the original version of C-234.”