Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business organization and a long list of others lobbying for passage of Bill C-234 to eliminate the carbon tax on energy to dry grains and heat barns and greenhouses are doomed to failure.
The bill passed the House of Commons over the objection of the Liberals.
It is now at the Senate where Senator Pierre Dalphont has proposed an amendment to eliminate barns and greenhouses from the exemption.
That was defeated, but he has introduced it again. It is clear that Dalphont is determined to throw passage of the bill off track.
This has angered Conservatives and their leader Pierre Poilievre who charge the Senate is thwarting the will of those elected to lead the nation.
But the Conservatives did exactly the same thing under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, using the Senate to block a bill approved by the House of Commons that called for action on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
That bill was introduced by a Liberal, but passed the House. Bill C-234 was introduced by a Conservative and passed by the House. All that has changed is those arguing against the Senate stalling.
So, expect a long time to pass before C-234 gets through the Senate, with or without amendments.
Then when it goes back to the House of Commons for its consideration, the Liberals will almost certainly oppose it.
And they might have support from others who have been highly critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for exempting home heating oil from the carbon tax.
Trudeau probably now realizes that as a mistake that has undermined his commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
So like it or not, I predict farmers will have to continue to pay the carbon tax. Count it as their contribution towards saving us from climate-change disasters.
Farmers might make greater progress by lobbying for subsidies or tax breaks on cover crops to capture carbon. That also has a benefit for farmers by improving their soil health and water-holding capacity which will surely be more important in a warmer and more drought-prone world.
