Bill amendment increases cost of Canadian food production

Added on 03 November 2023

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Bill amendment increases cost of Canadian food production

The amendment "removes the heating and cooling of agricultural buildings, including greenhouses, from the full carbon pricing exemptions initially encompassed by the bill."

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC), in a press release, has "expressed their profound disappointment regarding the Senate amendment to Bill C-234." The amendment referenced was put forth by Senator Pierre Dalphond and "removes the heating and cooling of agricultural buildings, including greenhouses, from the full carbon pricing exemptions initially encompassed by the bill."

"Our family farms and the fresh fruit and vegetables they provide are under immense strain," states Jan VanderHout, President of FVGC. "The original version of Bill C-234, passed with all party-support by the House of Commons, promised tangible relief to a sector already navigating numerous challenges—from stabilizing grocery prices to contending with carbon tax pressures. Its alteration by the Senate not only diminishes this relief but also increases the cost of Canadian food production. It's disheartening to witness this lost opportunity for meaningful impact."