No carbon tax break

Despite approval from the House of Commons, a bill to exempt farmers from paying the federal government’s carbon tax failed to make it into law.

It lacked royal assent when Parliament adjourned for the summer.

A study published by the federal agriculture department estimated the carbon tax at $5.50 per acre of corn in 2019. Now that is $6.34 per acre.

A pork farmer in Manitoba estimates it costs him $80,000 per year.

“It’s disappointing that this bill didn’t receive royal assent,” said Rick Prejet, chair of Manitoba Pork.

He said the tax hurts the pork industry’s competitiveness in export markets. About 70 per cent of Canada’s pork is exported.