They say misery loves company. But having company is probably small comfort for people working in western Canada’s energy industry. That being said, it is becoming clear that the fossil fuel industry is no longer the only major economic sector in the west to find itself targeted for abuse under federal environmental policy. Just a few weeks ago, farmers and ranchers were singled out for special treatment on behalf of climate change mitigation and environmental protection. 

As if adding the carbon tax to natural gas used for grain drying and fertilizer production hadn’t done enough to frustrate, the federal government has announced its intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen fertilizer by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. Farmers and farm organizations have noted such a move will reduce crop yields and overall food production.