'We use fertilizer for a reason': Poilievre pledges to fight plan to reduce emissions
Local farm organizations met in Regina on Thursday to express concern over the federal government’s plan to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Saskatchewan farmer, Todd Lewis is one of many who is worried about the proposed goal of cutting fertilizer use.
“That might be one way of getting emissions down but at the same time, we would see a drastic drop in yield and there has to be a real balancing act between emissions and food production,” he said.
Conservative Agriculture Critic, Jon Barlow, chaired the meeting of farm groups in Regina.
“The impact of this is on every single Canadian. Grocery prices will go up. The price of commodities will go up,” he said.
Conservative party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre pledged to fight that plan when he toured rural Saskatchewan this week. He said the federal proposal to limit emissions is a major concern.
“The federal government has attacked Saskatchewan’s farmers, its energy workers, and they’ve had enough, they want to take back control of their lives and continue to produce honest working people to continue to produce energy and food for our nation,” he said.
Farm organizations said the plan would reduce crop production at a time when the world is facing a potential food shortage, a sentiment that Poilievre echoed.
“We use fertilizer for a reason, it increases the food output, it allows us to feed more people at a lower price on less land,” he said. “If you cut that fertilizer use dramatically, arbitrarily, without backing of science, and the farmers who know their craft, then we’re going to have more expensive food and more of it is going to come from foreign, more polluting farms way outside of Canada.”
The plan comes in response to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food’s 2021 Mandate Letter targeting support for farmers to develop and adopt practices that reduce emissions, among other initiatives.
“We are continuing to support the development and adoption of practices and equipment that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sector’s climate change resiliency,” Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food said, in a news release when the plan was announced in July.
The federal government said it will consult with “farmers, producers, processors, Indigenous communities, women in agriculture, youth, environmental organizations, small and emerging sectors as well as other key stakeholders and partners” on the plan.
So far, there is little agreement from farmers. It could take considerable discussion to come up with an emissions reduction strategy that is agreeable to both sides.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.