Status of Policy Issue: Climate Change
In 2021, the federal government increased the carbon tax to $170/tonne by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This tax not only puts the viability of Saskatchewan farms at risk but taxes the solution to climate change. The food that farmers produce is a major contributor to Canadian exports, the economy and an effective strategy for sequestering carbon and removing GHGs from the atmosphere.
Ultimately, the carbon tax will have the opposite of its intended effect and inhibit the Ag sector’s ability to contribute to improving the environment by driving farms out of business. Saskatchewan canola producers are part of the climate change solution – not the problem and a carbon tax penalizes efficiencies that result in the reduction of emissions.
Actions taken:
• SaskCanola supported research to demonstrate the positive impact of modern agriculture on soil health and the environment. One such study is the Prairie Soil Carbon Balance Project (PSCBP) which analyzed thousands of soil samples over a 15-year period on farms across the province. This research demonstrated that modern farming practices continue to sequester carbon. Direct seeding practices have resulted in 8.75 million NEW tons of CO2 being sequestered every year, which is the equivalent of taking 1.83 million cars off the road.
• SaskCanola liaised directly with the provincial government to find ways for farmers to get credit for innovative farming practices. Through CCGA and CCC, SaskCanola has raised concerns about the negative implications of the Carbon Tax on farmers with the federal government.
• SaskCanola is a supportive member of SSCA. SSCA’s Carbon Advisory Committee is committed to working with the federal and provincial governments to develop a science-based offset protocol for the sequestration of carbon in agricultural soils.
Looking forward:
SaskCanola worked with the Canadian Canola Growers and the Agriculture Carbon Alliance to foster and promote Bill C-234 which will amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to expand the definition of eligible farming machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane.
SaskCanola will continue to work for appropriate recognition of farm practices that reduce emissions and sequester carbon.
April 13, 2022 News Release - Canola Organizations Raise Priorities at AAFC Town Hall Discussion on Fertilizer Emissions Reduction
April 18, 2022 News Release - U.S. EPA Recognizes Canola for its GHG emissions Reduction in Advanced Biofuels
June 30, 2022 News Release - Clean Fuel Regulations support canola’s sustainable and low carbon advantages
April 18, 2023 Submission - SaskCrops Submission for AAFC’s Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Consultation
October 31, 2023 Call to Action - A recent amendment to Bill C-234 removes provisions for heating and cooling buildings and greenhouses. Send a letter today to urge Senators to reject the proposed amendment.
February 21, 2024 Webinar - Driving demand: What the Clean Fuel Regulations mean for Canadian canola farmers