FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2016

Ottawa, ON – Conservative MPs are frustrated after calling on the federal government to be transparent about the costs of the new Liberal carbon tax. The Liberal members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food today rejected a motion presented by the Conservatives to study the effects of a carbon tax on Canada’s agricultural sector and producers.

“The Liberal carbon tax will have a huge negative economic impact on agriculture because everything farmers purchase, such as equipment, fertilizers, feed, and every time they fuel a tractor or combine, it will cost them more. I’m very disappointed the Liberals voted down the chance to discuss my motion at committee and to hear from farmers and industry people,” said Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Conservative Critic for Rural Affairs.

Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lévis-Lotbinière added, “Our farmers will see a substantial increase in their cost of production due to the imposition of a carbon tax. It is important to understand that only a small part of this tax will be used to create energy efficiencies or result in new technologies”

Conservative MPs brought forward a motion to the House of Commons Agriculture Committee that would have examined the real cost of a carbon tax on agriculture. The purpose was to get a clear indication of the impact that the new tax will have on agricultural producers and manufacturers, especially as they are already contributing to emissions reductions through new technology and improved farming practices.

“The refusal to examine the cost of a carbon tax to Canadian farmers and producers is unacceptable. Why does the government not want Canadians to know the impact that a carbon tax will have on agriculture and the economy?” said David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands and Conservative Critic for Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This is just further proof that the Liberals have no intention of being transparent or accountable.”

Canada is the fifth-largest agricultural exporter in the world. Its agricultural and agri-good sector contributes over $100 billion to Canada’s GDP annually.

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For more information, please contact the office of:

David Anderson, MP: (613) 992-0657 or (306) 778-4480
Bev Shipley, MP: (613) 947-4581