Media Releases

September 3, 2008

BACKGROUND - Liberals announce new initiatives to help farmers, fishers, truckers and forestry industry go green

  • As part of the Liberal green shift plan, $400 million over four years will be allocated for Emissions Reduction Credits. The credits will be delivered as refundable tax credits, meaning that farmers and forestry companies will get credits for emissions reduction regardless of income.

  • In advance of a cap and trade system, the Emissions Reduction Credits will encourage and reward industries such as farming and forestry that are achieving verified reductions in non-energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of how these could be achieved include:
    • minimum tillage carbon sinks;
    • manure management; and
    • land set asides.

  • A new Liberal government would create a $250 million Green Farms Fund. This fund will support green farm research and will push cash into the hands of farmers by offering them rebates for the purchase of technologies that reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Examples include:
    • anaerobic digesters;
    • biomass energy; and
    • geothermal heating systems.

  • As previously announced as part of the Liberal green shift plan, a new Liberal government will set aside $1.7 billion for an accelerated capital cost allowance on investment in green technologies. A capital cost allowance is a business tax deduction for the depreciation of capital equipment. By accelerating the capital cost allowance rates for investments in green technologies, farmers will get a bigger tax deduction for being more energy efficient and polluting less.

  • A new Liberal government would invest $250 million into a Green Fisheries and Transportation Fund to help the fishing and transportation industries upgrade equipment and improve fuel efficiency.

  • For the trucking industry, this could include new technologies such as:
    • auxiliary power units to reduce idling fuel costs;
    • aerodynamic extensions, which increase fuel efficiency by two to six per cent;
    • low rolling-resistance tires, which increase fuel efficiency by four to five per cent; and
    • other technologies such as speed limiters, double-trailer combinations and trailer side skirts.

  • For the fishing industry, this funding would apply to new technologies such as:
    • on-shore power facilities; and
    • engine, nozzle and propeller improvements.

  • By investing in these technologies, farmers, fishers and truckers will improve their fuel efficiency, lower their costs and improve their bottom lines. These investments will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the productivity of the Canadian economy.