Don't you think that billing farmers upfront and then giving them a rebate will make them dependent on the government and keep them waiting? This is perhaps not the best analogy, but it brings to mind the compensation offered in the wake of the trade accords that Canada signed, compensation that farmers have to wait five, six or eight years for.
Farmers are also wary of this type of situation. They are asking us to give them some room to manoeuvre so that they are able to innovate. I believe you stated earlier that farmers are already investing in more efficient grain dryers, but that they have no alternate fuels to replace propane or natural gas that would be cost-effective and good for their bottom line. By making these fuels exempt, couldn't we also invest these funds and keep farmers from being buried under paperwork by having to request rebates?
What are your thoughts on this issue?