Paying the Price
Tyson Rudolf
Submitted
Over the years more awareness, and legislation has emerged to deal
with the pressing issue of climate change in Canada. Throughout this
process we saw the introduction of our country’s first national carbon
tax in 2018 by the Liberal Government. Putting a dollar value on the
tons of greenhouse gases being emitted by an average citizen, big
business, and even farmers. The question one must ask is how does
something such as the carbon tax affect an everyday farmer, but also
the agricultural industry in Alberta as a whole? Good Afternoon
Madam Chairperson, Honourable Judges, Friends, Family, and Fellow
4-H members.
Before one can criticize or praise any type of legislation like the
carbon tax you need to understand what it is, and how it works. The
government sets a price that emitters must pay for each ton of
greenhouse gas emissions they emit. Businesses and consumers will
then take steps, such as switching fuels or adopting new technologies,
to reduce their emissions to avoid paying the tax.
This left many across the country feeling animosity towards the
government for rolling out such a substantial tax in such a short
period of time. We have seen, and continue to see these frustrations
amongst many farmers, and other contributors to the agricultural
industry. It is important to consider the factors that are causing
these feelings, but also some of the positive factors the carbon tax
has brought about.
First we must consider the negative impacts on the agricultural
industry in Alberta, ranging from shrinking profits, to being unfair on
the global stage. The most obvious negative impact of the carbon tax
is shrinking the profit margins of Alberta farmers. It is clear that the
price of inputs needed to operate their business from seed and crop
protection products, to parts, machinery, and shipping has gone up. All
of these products and services, which are costing more, are directly
passed down to the farmer. Agriculture is typically a low-margin
business, and since producers don’t set their prices, they can’t pass
along those increased costs.
Secondly, the carbon tax has brought about a very dramatic global
disadvantage. On a global scale, Canada is much farther ahead in
terms of slowing climate change, and putting in place legislation for a
more sustainable future. But when something such as the carbon tax is
imposed upon our agricultural industry it dramatically harms
competitiveness on the markets with other power house countries
such as India and China who have no such rules. Many have no plans at
all to implement carbon pricing, or climate change policies. Therefore
anything that requires commercial transportation will suffer the
carbon tax price, putting Alberta farmers at a huge disadvantage
against their global competitors.
Lastly it is widely regarded Alberta farmers are doing their part in
protecting our natural environments. Soil protection and the climate
has been a concern for the Alberta farming industry for several
years. Many farms already utilize environmental practices like zero-till
seeding. Making a clear and conscious effort to be as clean and energy
efficient as possible. I believe this mentality is influenced by our
respect for the land, and a hope for our traditional farming practices
to continue for generations to come. Overall, Alberta farmers feel
that a carbon tax on their business is unfair punishment.
Pertaining to every issue we must acknowledge the other side to the
story, and in this case, it’s the positive influences the carbon tax has
had on our agricultural industry. I believe you have to reflect on its
purpose, using a carbon tax is one of the most powerful incentives
that governments have to encourage big name companies, households,
and farmers to pollute less, invest in cleaner technologies, and adopt
greener practices. The premise of the tax is reasonable and
purposeful, and I am a supporter of what it is doing to promote and
protect our Alberta environment.
Without a sustainable and well taken care of environment, what type
of agricultural industry would we have in the future? With the recent
ruling of the Federal Carbon Tax being constitutional by the Supreme
Court I hope this will encourage our provincial government to take this
matter into their own hands and develop a carbon pricing system in our
province. This way we can put Alberta first, and we can put our
agricultural industry first, protecting and investing in it.
The carbon tax has been a difficult hurdle for Alberta’s agricultural
industry, we have seen decreasing profit margins, a global
disadvantage, as well, feelings of resentment since we have been
trying to do our best for our environment. Although I hope for these
setbacks to be temporary, and I hope to see change. The tax may
seem severe for our integral agricultural industry, but I believe it will
influence a better and greener world for everyone. When looking to
our future this tax will become part of our lives, and drive us to be
the best producer, best farmer, and the best agricultural industry
possible. To quote the Dalai Lama, “It is our collective and individual
responsibility… To preserve and tend to the world in which we all live
This is Tyson Rudolf’s award winning 4-H speech. Related article online and in VNA’s print edition.