Thank you, Aaron. I'll continue on.
My name is Linda Delli Santi. I'm the executive director of the B.C. Greenhouse Growers' Association, and chair of the Canadian Horticultural Council, greenhouse vegetable working group.
My greenhouse career started in 1982 when my husband and I built our first greenhouse. I was the grower and operator. We grew beefsteak tomatoes for 14 years and then red bell peppers for another 14 years.
The B.C. carbon tax on fuel was started in 2008. The greenhouse sector was able to get relief of 80% of carbon tax paid in 2012. Unfortunately, the carbon tax took its toll on our family farm. We stopped growing at the end of 2009. At that time, I was already the CHC greenhouse vegetable working group chair and, in 2010, I became the executive director of the B.C. Greenhouse Growers' Association.
Our industry faces considerable challenges—including labour shortages and insufficient financial protection—which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Carbon pricing intends to reduce emissions, but in practice it also creates a competitive disadvantage between farmers across provincial jurisdictions and on the international stage.
In our northern climate, farmers rely on heating and cooling using a range of fuel sources across production types, including greenhouses, livestock farms and machinery such as grain dryers. Quickly transitioning away from carbon-based fuels isn't always an option nor a simple choice on the farm. Vegetable greenhouse facilities for example are equipped with computerized climate-controlled systems to provide optimal growing conditions. Most growers rely on natural gas boilers for a consistent, cost-effective, sustainable and on-site source of key combustion by-products. Both heat and food-grade carbon dioxide are provided for the plants to breathe and grow. With advanced combined heat and power systems, even the electricity for supplemental lighting is generated.
Farmers have a long-standing history of innovating and improving efficiencies. To further incentivize reductions to greenhouse gas emissions, the move to a low-carbon economy needs to recognize the environmental co-benefits that farmers provide. It needs to support them with legislation that addresses the full range of primary agricultural production, which is not currently in a position to transition away from fossil fuel consumption.
In conclusion, throughout the pandemic, Canada's agricultural sector has stepped up and continued to provide secure and healthy food sources to Canadian families.
We thank you for the opportunity to speak today and look forward to your questions.
I'm sorry if I went a little over.