Bill C-234 Update (Extending the Carbon Tax Exemption on Farm Fuels)

May 30, 2023

Bill C-234 seeks to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane. The bill recently moved from the House of Commons, where it received widespread support across party lines, into the Senate chamber. The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) and other agricultural organizations are encouraging its swift passage into law so that farmers and ranchers can benefit from the savings in input costs.

If Bill C-234 is not moved through the Senate before they break for summer in June, farmers won't receive the carbon tax exemption it aims to provide until at least the fall. Some of the activities this bill would exempt from the carbon tax include irrigation, grain drying, feed preparation, heating or cooling of barns, and other necessary on-farm practices that rely on natural gas and propane. In light of rising input costs for farmers and global food insecurity, it is critical that this bill is passed into law as quickly as possible.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.