As CAAR members know, the federal carbon tax is scheduled to increase twice in 2023, from $50 per tonne to $65 per tonne on April 1, and the second carbon tax increase in July could add 13 cents per litre to the price of gasoline.

Farmers are already feeling the effects of higher costs, and these planned carbon tax increases could create further challenges. Members of the Conservative party are calling for the federal Liberal government to lift the carbon tax.

John Barlow, the Conservative ag critic and Alberta MP for Foothills, said in the House of Commons on Feb. 6 that a typical Canadian farmer will pay $150,000 a year in carbon taxes. Barlow says the carbon tax is fueling food affordability concerns.

Primary producers could receive some carbon tax relief. Bill C-234, which would exempt on-farm grain drying and barn heating from the carbon tax, is at its third reading in the House of Commons. The bill needs to pass its third reading in the House and three readings in the Senate before it can become law.