The federal Conservative Party’s Saskatchewan caucus, which includes Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen, sent a letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Tuesday, calling for a full exemption from the carbon tax for all farming fuels and an immediate cancellation of the increase, which took effect April 1.
In their letter, the Saskatchewan Conservatives stressed the importance of protecting the national food supply and ensuring that farmers are being supported.
“Never in recent memory has the preservation of our food supply been so crucially important,” the caucus wrote. “The government must be focused on ensuring the continuity and sustainability of our food supply. If farmers continue to face increasing burdens, we fear that there will be serious consequences.”
They also expressed concern about the impact that an increased carbon tax will have on the energy industry, small and medium-sized businesses, and families.
“The oil and gas sectors here in Saskatchewan are struggling as oil prices reach new lows,” the caucus wrote. “Industry needs support, not a higher carbon tax. This tax increase threatens to put energy producers and their employees in jeopardy.”
“Further, as is the case across the country, small and medium sized businesses in Saskatchewan are facing never before seen challenges. While we support efforts by the government to assist businesses through measures such as the new wage subsidy, we are concerned that an increase in the carbon tax will lessen the impact that these measures may have.
“A rise in the cost of doing business while businesses are facing significantly reduced revenues will only make the situation worse for many businesses.”
“Individuals are also struggling. At a time when more than 1.5 million Canadians are out of work and seeking employment insurance, the last thing they need is to worry about an increase in their cost of living. Here in Saskatchewan that is being felt by farmers, workers from all sectors, and their families.”
The Saskatchewan Conservative caucus calls on the Trudeau government to “immediately provide a full exemption from the carbon tax for all farming fuels and an immediate halt to the increase of the tax.”
