With Parliament Prorogued, Here is What's in Limbo for Farmers

As part of his announcement earlier this week to step down as prime minister, Justin Trudeau also received approval from the Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March 24 to allow the Liberal party time to select a new leader. 

The proroguing of Parliament – which basically suspends all government business – comes with a variety of legislation of keen interest to the agricultural industry hanging in the balance. Here is a quick look at some of that legislation now caught in limbo. 

Bill C-234, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act 

Originally intended to provide on-farm exemptions from carbon pricing for propane and natural gas for such uses as grain drying and barn heating, the Bill was widely supported by farmers and received third reading in the House of Commons in June 2023. 

However, a Senate amendment in late 2024 effectively limited the exemption to grain drying only, eliminating the proposed exemption for heating barns, greenhouses and food-growing structures. The Senate amendment also included a shortened sunset clause. 

The Senate amendment sent the original Bill back to the House of Commons where it now languishes. 

Without relief, the carbon tax on natural gas and propane will cost farmers almost $1 billion by 2030, according to an earlier report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer. 

Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act. 

Essentially, the bill would bar the Minister of Trade from concluding trade negotiations that open access to Canada’s protected supply-managed sector. It would basically make supply management non-negotiable. The bill is of course supported by Canada’s supply management sectors but has not found much love from other farmers who contend it could hinder Canada’s ability to negotiate favourable trade deals.  

The bill received third reading in the House of Commons but was the subject of an amendment in the committee stage of the Senate in November. The amendment proposed the bill not apply to existing trade agreements, the renegotiation of current agreements, or those already under negotiation, perhaps offering some compromise between protecting supply management and providing flexibility in trade talks.  

Amid the amendment, the bill has not yet had third reading in the Senate and could still be headed back to the House of Commons.