Canada’s grain farmers commend support for Bill C-206, urge rapid implementation for much-needed relief

On news that Bill C-206, An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, passed second reading in the House of Commons, Canada’s grain farmers would like to thank the bill’s sponsor, MP Philip Lawrence, and all MPs who voted in favour of recognizing the importance of exempting on-farm use of propane and natural gas from the carbon tax.

“This bill is desperately needed for Canada’s grain farmers,” said GGC chair Andre Harpe. “With no alternative fuels available, we are faced with a punitive cost when using a grain dryer to reduce the moisture levels in our grain. Without proper drying when faced with wet conditions and adverse weather, the grain will spoil, and we will not be able to take our product to market.”

GGC looks forward to testifying on behalf of our members in favour of legislation at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food in the coming weeks, and are hoping for swift passage through the remaining stages in the House of Commons and through to the Senate.

Bill C-206 comes with strong bipartisan support from across the aisle – with affirmative votes coming from the Conservative, New Democratic, Bloc Quebecois, and Green parties.

“As you can see by the crossparty support, this bill is not about politics,” added William Van Tassel, GGC’s vice-chair and chair of the sustainability committee. “This is about the sustainability of the family farm in Canada, and providing farmers with the tools they need to meet our country’s ambitious growth targets for the agricultural sector.”

Bill C-206 will proceed to the House of Common’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, and may be brought back to the House of Commons for a third vote.

Pending approval in the House, the bill would require the Senate’s approval and Royal Assent to become law.