Carney’s Taxes and Trade Failures Put Farmers on the Brink
Ottawa, ON — John Barlow, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, released the following statement on new Statistics Canada data showing a sharp and concerning drop in 2024 farm income:
“Today, Statistics Canada confirmed what Conservatives already knew: after more than 10 years of this Liberal government, farming is becoming economically unviable, food security is at risk, and Canadian farmers are losing their global edge.
“This latest report shows realized net income for Canadian farmers collapsed by $3.3 billion in 2024, a staggering 26 per cent drop and the largest decline since 2018. Following a similar trend, farm cash receipts fell for the first time since 2010, down $1.4 billion.
“At the same time, total operating costs jumped another 2.5 per cent to a crippling $78.5 billion in one year. Producers took on more debt, driving up interest expenses with farm debt rising 14.1 per cent in 2024 — the largest annual increase since 1981.
“This Carney government is crushing Canadian farmers and producers. Skyrocketing inflation, soaring operating costs fueled by the industrial carbon tax, and shrinking global markets are pushing farm families to the brink. Yet, the Liberals refuse to scrap their new fuel tax, raising costs for families, farmers, and truckers by up to 17 cents per litre.
“On top of that, the Liberals announced in the budget increasing the industrial carbon tax, making it more expensive to grow, ship, and sell food. To make matters worse, for the past six months, the Liberals have left Canadian farmers, ranchers, and producers to shoulder the costs of their failures.
“Every time the Prime Minister travels abroad, tariffs and trade barriers rise, punishing our producers. The self-described master negotiator, Carney has failed Canadian canola, peas, beef, and seafood producers, leaving them to pay the price for higher tariffs. He has failed to deliver fair trade and has done nothing to fix massive agricultural trade deficits with key partners like the EU and UK.
“Canadian producers are being sidelined, shut out, and undermined by a Liberal government which has destroyed Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.
“This is not just an economic story; it is a food security crisis. When farmers cannot survive, Canadians cannot eat. Every lost acre, every shuttered operation, every tariff increase, and every lost market makes our food system more vulnerable. Canadians are turning to food banks in record numbers, with four out of five Canadians stating food is their single biggest financial burden.
“For far too long, this Liberal government has failed to understand that a strong agriculture sector is the foundation of a secure, sustainable, and affordable food supply.
“Unlike the Carney Liberals, Conservatives care about Canadian farmers, ranchers, and producers and believe food production is a cornerstone of our economy. We will fight for lower costs, real market access, and trade deals that deliver tangible wins for our agriculture sector.
“No more photo ops, empty promises, or self-inflicted barriers. Canada’s farmers feed the world, and they deserve a government that stands with them, not against them.”