In a recent release, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan appealed to Canada's Senators to rectify the recent amendment to Bill C-234, "An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act." 

This call comes in the wake of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry's review, which took place on October 24, leading to an amendment that they say significantly altered the original intent of the bill.

The amendment, which removed barn heating and cooling fuel from the list of exempted farm activities, has come under fire from other agricultural organizations.

APAS implores all Senators to reject this amendment and reinstate the bill in its original form, allowing it to proceed to the third reading.

“This Bill is intended to correct the oversight when carbon pricing was introduced,” said Ian Boxall, APAS President. “The amendment suggests that some farms are less important in our industry, in their contribution to our food security, and in helping to address rising food prices. No farm should be left behind.”

They urge Senators to rally behind the original Bill to put an end to persistent delays and stand alongside the farm families committed to food production and responsible land stewardship.

By exempting barn heating, they say the Bill promotes a balanced approach that respects the unique needs of the agricultural sector.

According to APAS, effective environmental policy should strike a harmonious balance between emissions reduction and support for essential industries. 

That includes weighing the concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions against the broader social, economic, and environmental impacts of specific regulations. 

In the case of Bill C-234, they feel that maintaining the exemption for barn heating stands as a rational policy decision that accommodates the agricultural industry's distinctive requirements.