Resolution

WHEREAS Canadian railways are currently paying a carbon tax on fuel that is passed down to farmers through the freight rates charged on grain shipments; 

WHEREAS Canadian farmers do not have alternative or more efficient options to transport grain to ports and other market destinations;

WHEREAS publicly posted surcharges suggest Saskatchewan farmers would incur more than 36$ million in carbon surcharges this year;

WHEREAS railways are “cost plus service providers” and will continue to ensure they recoup these costs through a combination of increased rates or additional surcharges;

BE IT RESOLVED that APAS request the federal government allocate the carbon tax collected on rail grain shipments into a separate fund to support the adoption of technology and best management practices (BMPs) to improve energy efficiency and reduce on-farm emissions.