Thank you, Mr. Viau.
According to information received by the federal government, the average cost per farm of pollution pricing for grain drying varies from $210 to $774, depending on the province. Based on the data, this is equivalent to 0.05% to 0.38% of net operating costs for a medium-sized farm. These percentages are not very high and should enable us to find solutions quickly, particularly in view of yesterday's announcement about financing for more energy-efficient grain dryers.
Let's look in more detail at the costs for provinces affected by the bill. In 2019, Alberta estimated that carbon pollution pricing for grain drying would cost farms in the province 16¢ per acre, or $210 for an average-sized farm. Saskatchewan estimated it at 51¢ per acre of wheat. Manitoba estimated costs of $311-$467 per farm, or between 23¢ and 33¢ per acre. In Ontario, grain producers estimated this cost at just over $750 per average sized farm of approximately 400 acres, or at approximately 0.44% of operating costs.
To conclude, Mr. Chair, although the bill is presented as a plan to help farmers, it is really creating conditions that will tend to keep farming activity dependent on fossil fuels.
In view of yesterday's budget announcement, it would be in the interests of the farming sector, its farmers and its workers, for your committee to quickly look into alternatives to grain drying with fossil fuels so that the government can receive good advice as it implements the program.
We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.