Letters & Submissions

December 16, 2022

Attention: Russel Hurst, Executive Director
Ontario Agri Business Association
Suite 104
160 Research Lane
Guelph, ON N1G 5B2

Re: Commercial Grain Drying in Bill C-234 “An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act”

Dear Mr. Hurst,

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) is an Accredited Farm Organization representing the interests of over 4,000 farm families in Ontario who are called to the vocation of farming. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming, advocating that farmers receive fair return for their production and stewardship efforts.

We are writing to indicate our support for Ontario Agri Business Association’s request that commercial grain drying be included for exemption from carbon pricing in Private Member’s Bill C-234 “An Act to Amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.” This Bill addresses key gaps in the current Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. However, adding commercial grain drying is essential to ensure fair application of the proposed carbon pricing exemption.

We recognize that the Bill currently only exempts carbon pricing from fuels used for grain drying on-farm. With a high percentage of Ontario farmers choosing to dry their grains at commercial grain dryers, this will create a significant imbalance in the market place.

Farmers continue to face challenges including weather extremes, market fluctuations, supply chain disruptions and on-farm labour shortages. In this context, farmers need greater support from government, not higher costs.

We hope that MPs in all parties will see the value of supporting this proposed change to Bill C-234 as a way to support farmers and ensure carbon pricing exemptions are fairly applied for essential services such as grain drying. Agriculture is an industry vital to our food supply, health and economic prosperity.

Thank you for your support for farmers.

Sincerely,

Ed Scharringa, President
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario