FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 4, 2019
QUEEN’S PARK – Long an opponent of carbon taxes, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett questioned the new federal tax’s impact on agriculture and seniors during Question Period yesterday.
“Farmers in my riding have told me time and time again that this carbon tax is going to raise the cost of everything from field to fork,” Barrett said in the Ontario Legislature. “From farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, this federal carbon tax is going to make it more expensive to grow the food we all enjoy, and more expensive for consumers to buy that same food.”
Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, responded.
“I’ve heard time and time again from our farmers and leaders in the agribusiness that the federal carbon tax will stifle innovation and growth,” Hardeman said. “It will cause a significant increase in costs, from heating fuels to transportation costs, from gasoline to diesel fuel.”
Barrett also raised the point that the carbon tax will impact seniors.
“Living on a fixed income, seniors need to make every dollar count and the carbon tax threatens the day-to-day budget they try to stick to,” he said.
Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, explained seniors will have to spend more for groceries, gasoline and home heating due to the carbon tax.
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/GoiSgWOtAs8
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Official Hansard
April 3, 2019
TAXATION
Mr. Toby Barrett: A question to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Speaker, as we all know, this past Monday, April 1, the job-killing, recession-causing federal carbon taxes came into effect. Farmers in my riding have told me time and time again that this carbon tax is going to raise the cost of everything from field to fork. From farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, this federal carbon tax is going to make it more expensive to grow …
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(Mr. Barrett)
From farmers, processors, retailers, consumers, this federal carbon tax is going to make it more expensive to grow the food we all enjoy and more expensive for consumers to buy that same food.
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Can the minister explain to this House what this government is doing to oppose the federal carbon tax—the Trudeau carbon tax—and offer a real plan to fight climate change.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman: Thank you very much to the member from Haldimand–Norfolk. I recently had the opportunity to host the Premier and the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks in my riding to discuss the impacts of the federal carbon tax with the leaders of our agriculture community.
I’ve heard time and time again from our farmers and leaders in the agribusiness that the federal carbon tax will stifle innovation and growth. It will cause a significant increase in costs, from heating fuels to transportation costs, from gasoline to diesel fuel.
Our government brought forward our made-in-Ontario plan that is focused on striking the right balance between a healthy economy and a healthy environment. Our plan will reduce waste and litter, give municipalities a say in the location of landfills and ensure we do our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This government has a plan to protect our environment and support our farmers without imposing a tax of any kind.
The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.
Mr. Toby Barrett: This newly imposed federal carbon tax not only affects farmers, it will affect seniors in the province of Ontario. Living on a fixed income, seniors need to make every dollar count and the carbon tax threatens the day-to-day budget they try to stick to.
The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario has confirmed the federal carbon tax will cost the average Ontario household an additional $648 a year by 2022. Our seniors have worked hard for decades. They deserve to enjoy a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. Our government is concerned that pressures caused by the federal carbon tax will have a negative impact on that quality of life that our seniors enjoy.
My question: Perhaps the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility could explain to this House how the carbon tax will affect our seniors.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman: I’d like to refer it to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Mr. Speaker, through you, I’d like to thank the member for a raising great question. Many seniors live on a fixed income. For them, every dollar counts. It’s not really fair to burden our seniors with an unnecessary tax. Now seniors have to spend more for heating their homes, groceries and gas due to the federal carbon tax. This will have a negative impact of the quality of life of our seniors, and that’s why I’m standing up to fight for our seniors.