Ottawa, ON – Dave Epp, Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Development, released the following statement on policy solutions for rural Canada in the face of the escalating trade war with the US:
“Trade talks with Washington have collapsed, while taunts and tariffs from the President have only grown worse. Now, more than ever, rural Canadians are being forced to shoulder the consequences of decisions they did not make.
“For our proud Canadian farmers, fishermen and foresters, and for rural businesses from coast to coast to coast, market access is not an abstract question. It is life and death for their companies and communities. As we face these new and unacceptable threats, Conservatives are fighting every step of the way for the people who produce, harvest, process and export the goods Canada sells the world.
“Our farmers feel the pressure of tariffs and counter-tariffs on everything from honey to harvesters. Now, lower revenues, higher input costs and mounting uncertainty make it harder to sustain and expand their operations. In these difficult circumstances, Conservatives are more dedicated than ever to reversing the Liberals’ reckless AAFC closures, and to a time-saving provisional approval process that will give our farmers access to products cleared by competent foreign regulators within 90 days.
“Canada’s forestry industry contributes more than $30 billion to our economy, but every additional tariff puts new pressure on mills, workers and the communities that depend on them. Conservatives are calling to ease the burden on these businesses by streamlining federal and provincial regulations to end needless duplication, and continue to demand the government use its leverage to eliminate tariffs on our softwood lumber exports to the US.
“As tariffs wreak havoc on our economy, we want to bring rural Canadians relief from the high cost of living. That means renewing our calls for the government to remove all federal taxes on gas and diesel until at least Canada Day so that our farmers, truckers, fishers and foresters have the affordable fuel they need to thrive. We also want to defer capital gains taxes on money reinvested in Canada, so that our rural businesses can plan for the future instead of just surviving today.
“All of this is part of the Big Plan for Small Towns Conservatives launched last month: real solutions for farms, forestry, fuel and finance that will help rural Canadians through the challenges they face.
“Conservatives want a Canada that uses its leverage to get the best deal possible for our people. And we will always be ready with solutions for whatever troubles rural Canadians face.
“Because when rural Canada succeeds, all of Canada succeeds.”