Conservative MPs say they are frustrated that Liberal members of the agriculture committee won’t study the effect of a carbon tax on the industry.
Bev Shipley, a former chair of the committee from Ontario, presented a motion to the committee Oct. 18.
The opposition wanted the committee to examine the true costs of a carbon tax and the effect it would have on primary industry and manufacturers. The motion called for at least four meetings on the subject, presentations from Agriculture Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, and a report to the minister by Feb. 15.
The three Conservative members of the committee voted in favour of it, along with the NDP’s Ruth Ellen Brosseau, but five Liberals voted against.
Conservative agriculture critic David Anderson from Saskatchewan said the refusal is unacceptable.
“Why does the government not want Canadians to know the impact that a carbon tax will have on agriculture and the economy?” he said.
Conservative Jacques Gourde from Quebec said farmers would see a substantial increase in cost of production if a carbon tax went ahead.
