Guelph, ON – November 6, 2023 – Ontario Pork, the voice of the province's 997 dedicated pork farmers, is advocating for the elimination of the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used for agricultural purposes. With unwavering commitment, Ontario Pork is urging the Government of Canada to take immediate steps towards this exemption.

Carbon Tax Exemption for Agricultural Fuels: Ontario Pork has been strongly advocating for the exemption of on-farm fuels used in agricultural production from carbon tax policies. Given the absence of viable alternatives to fossil fuels in farming, this exemption is seen as essential in lightening the financial burden on farmers.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility: Ontario Pork is committed to sustainability in the pork sector and continuously looks for ways to reduce the sector's impact on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through continuous advancements in animal and agronomic practices.

Economic Significance: The pork sector is a substantial contributor to the Canadian economy, generating $1.35 billion in GDP, creating over 19,906 full-time jobs, and yielding $3.78 billion in economic output from "farm to fork." The carbon tax has added financial strain, increasing the cost of production without reducing emissions.

Impact on Competitiveness: The carbon tax also affects the competitiveness of the pork sector in both domestic and international markets. Canadian farmers face hurdles that producers in other jurisdictions do not. This can potentially diminish the attractiveness of Canadian pork products on the world stage.

Ontario Pork holds a sincere hope that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Bill C-234 and acts promptly to remove the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used for agricultural purposes. This action is pivotal in supporting Ontario's agricultural and