Canada: Alberta greenhouse growers get their carbon tax rebate

Also Alberta greenhouse growers will get a rebate from the carbon tax that started on January 1, 2017. It is up to 80% rebate on the Carbon Levy. This was announced by Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association's (AGGA) President Debbie Foisy. She said her association have fought for this rebate, which is now finally accepted by the provincial government.

In order to grow their crops year round, growers in Alberta have to light the crop and heat the crop through the winter. Therefore greenhouse owners had been worried that the levy would result in a big hit to their bottom line, leading to an increase in imported produce and the loss of some greenhouses. The Global News reported that in mid-December, one such family-owned greenhouse southeast of Calgary shuttered its doors for good, citing cost pressures created by the government’s new labor and climate policies.

The aim of Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association was to get rebate or exemption from the provincial carbon tax that came into effect on Jan. 1, 2017 and they have put a lot of effort to achieve it. "It been a struggle, a lot of meetings, countless volunteer hours, by our Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association (AGGA) Board members and from our membership", says Foisy. "Getting an 80% rebate puts us on a level playing field with BC growers again."

For more information
Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association
www.agga.ca