Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
At consideration in the House of Commons of amendments made by the Senate, as of June 10, 2024
Subscribe to a feed (what's a feed?) of speeches and votes in the House related to Bill C-234.
Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment amends the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to expand the definition of eligible farming machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane.
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-234 seeks to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to exempt natural gas and propane used for grain drying and heating livestock barns from the carbon tax. Proponents argue that this change will alleviate financial burdens on farmers, who currently lack viable alternatives, and support food security. Opponents express concern that the bill would undermine the carbon pricing regime's incentive for emissions reduction and create unfair double compensation for farmers, while also hindering the fight against climate change.
Conservative
Supports carbon tax exemption: The Conservative party supports Bill C-234, which seeks to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to exempt natural gas and propane used for on-farm activities such as heating livestock barns and drying crops from the carbon tax, arguing that this is a reasonable measure to support farmers.
Rebate is insufficient: The Conservatives argue that the current carbon tax rebate program is ineffective and falls short of adequately compensating farmers for the costs they incur due to the carbon tax, particularly for essential activities like grain drying and barn heating where there are currently no viable alternative energy sources.
Prioritize food security: The Conservatives emphasize the importance of food security and argue that the government should avoid policies that could jeopardize it. They believe that reducing costs for farmers and providing certainty in the agricultural industry are essential to ensuring a stable and affordable food supply for Canadians.
Farmers as price-takers: The Conservative party highlights the unique position of farmers as price-takers in the market, subject to global events and rising input costs. They believe that providing carbon tax exemptions would help alleviate some of the financial pressures on farmers and support their ability to compete and provide affordable food.
NDP
Supports Bill C-234: The NDP supports the bill as a temporary measure to alleviate the financial burden on farmers due to the carbon tax on fuels used for grain drying and other essential operations, for which there are currently no viable alternatives. They highlight the importance of the sunset clause and amendments made to narrow the bill's scope, emphasizing that it addresses a specific need while encouraging the development of sustainable alternatives.
Need for broader support: The NDP advocates for broader government investment in sustainable agriculture practices, including nitrogen mitigation and the transition to alternative fuel sources for farm equipment. They criticize the disproportionate allocation of funds to the oil sector compared to the support provided to farmers for adopting sustainable practices.
Farmers are on the front lines: Members note that farmers are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are already committed to sustainable practices. Support must be provided to transition to a more sustainable agriculture sector.
Bloc
Supports targeted carbon tax exemption: The Bloc Québécois generally opposes eroding the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, but they recognize the need for targeted exemptions for farmers where viable alternatives are lacking or too expensive. They believe removing the carbon tax from essential farming fuels is fair, considering the financial strain on farmers and the lack of readily available alternatives.
Importance of fair transition: The Bloc emphasizes a fair environmental and ecological transition, acknowledging that farmers, as primary victims of energy sector challenges and climate change, should not bear the entire burden at once. The carbon tax reduces farmers' net income, and this bill could provide substantial savings.
Temporary solution needed: Given the current lack of economically viable alternatives for grain drying and building heating, the Bloc views the bill as a necessary temporary measure. Taxing farmers without offering feasible alternatives simply increases food production costs and reduces already thin margins.
Effective tax policy: The Bloc supports a carbon tax that has a deterrent effect and provides incentives to change behaviours and adopt clean technologies. However, the carbon tax on agricultural fuels does not incentivize change but places another financial burden on farmers.
Liberal
Supports the bill's aim: The bill aims to address the oversight in the original drafting of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, specifically concerning grain drying and barn heating for livestock, where alternatives are not readily available.
Sunset clause acknowledgement: A sunset clause of eight years acknowledges the anticipation of technological advancements that may make the bill unnecessary by 2030-31, driving innovation through carbon pricing and private sector initiatives.
Government concern on exemptions: The government has concerns about creating a cascading impact by granting exemptions in one area, potentially leading to demands for more exemptions from other industries; however, in this instance, it is about correcting a small miscue.
Affordability of food prices: The bill will be a small step toward alleviating some of the costs that may be incurred by farmers, at a moment when there is not really an ability to actually innovate and drive the technological change we may want to see, and help with the affordability of food prices.
Pursuant to order made Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C-234 under Private Members' Business.
Links & Sharing
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
Mr. Speaker, there were serious technical problems and I was unable to submit my vote for the first vote. I would ask for unanimous consent to do so now.
Links & Sharing
Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing ActPrivate Members' Business
