Congress Stands Idle as Farmers Struggle
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by Petz
Despite an active campaign to discuss the need to increase the import tax on foreign grain by congressman Petz, a lack of interest has been shown by many in congress to even actively debate the issue. This lack of discussion has slowed any efforts as congressional procedures prevent the proposed tax increase from being brought to vote. Farmers need to contact their congressmen and tell them they need to get involved in this process to get the proposed changes brought into effect. When asked to comment congressmen Petz stated, " It seems that some in congress wish to hide behind procedures. You can't force those who do not engage in the discussion to come to the table and hence the whole system stumbles. It is really frustrating. Do I see any movement on the issue......not likely with the way things have been going and I fear that layoffs in the sector will occur. Would Canadians rather pay one or two more cents for food and keep the grain local.....I would hope so.....especially if it means losing jobs because Canadian grain companies don't feel like fighting the competition in addition to fighting their own government."
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Well did you think the other side of the problem? Not only from a 'farmers' point of view? You know what the price of grain was back when taxes where lowered? I'll tell you double. And that generated a double price of food.
Nobody is saying that taxes shouldn't be slightly higher... In fact i think i saw the future MoF agree to raise taxes a little to help you guys out. But the primary focus of the gov shouldn't be helping companies it should be helping it's citizens. So if the few that are running grain companies have problems that would need an increase of food price i would say let them face the problems...
Now my opinion will only be important as MoF for a couple of days. On the 6th there will be a new guy calling the shots and i think he'll be more open to a protective measure for the company owners than me... I'm hardcore capitalist in economy when it comes to companies. let them manage and became competitive and if they don't let them go under... Hell i dropped wood taxes to half even if i had a wood company... If i can't manage to make it profitable i'll just take the loss...
mesther, i understand that when taxes were too high food prices went crazy but i think that setting the import tax at like 15%, it makes it more likely that food producers will choose canadian grain first....especially for the lower levels....and there is enough stock at that level to maintain production and get our producers up to being able to upgrade
citizens have wanted this issue dealt with as early as before the last elections but waited for the new congress to act....it is there posted in the forums
http://ecanada.forumotion.com/the-canadian-economic-centre-f2/grain-tax-still-bothers-me-t327.htm
We should at least raise the import tax on grain to 5%, as it stands now, Canadian companies do not have a level playing field.
It would be nice to have higher grain import taxes.
However, as it stands now, Perpetual Grain is not operating at a loss. In addition it's primary competition are other Canadian Grain companies. Well run Canadian grain companies do not "need" import taxes raised, although it would give them some much needed breathing room.
Mesther is correct
It isn't a procedural issue its a policy that doesn't have support because it is a bad policy
a 15% import will not increase things considerably, look at grain prices at 15% more expensive, I don't think it is going to save failing farmers. 25% MIGHT, 50% will but at what cost? New players, who can go elsewhere for cheaper food and other goods.
Why do people with connections to grain companies have the right to demand the increase in the cost of food?
Canada is changing, the protectionist system of the past is at a point where it must be dismantled.
However, as Mesther pointed out I can support a small increase though I am fairly certain it will change nothing.
Jesus a lot of people here commenting need to open a book.
If food companies and grain companies go out of business we are SCREWED during war.
If I need to explain why or even how clearly the people in government aren't right for the job.