Article content

CALGARY – Canadian farmers, busy pulling in the fall’s harvest, fear Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s proposed tax changes will make them uncompetitive relative to large land aggregators and could exacerbate a demographic crisis in farming communities.

Herb Groenenboom, who grows wheat, barley and canola with his two brothers near Picture Butte, Alta. said he’s angry the federal government’s proposed tax changes were announced at the busiest time of the year for farmers.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Farmers furious over Ottawa's tax changes, but too busy harvesting crops to mount a fight Back to video

“It’s kind of like they’re trying to sneak it through,” Groenenboom said, noting the consultation process is scheduled to end in early October, before the harvest ends.

Morneau and his Liberal Party announced plans in July to change taxes for people who incorporate their business to eliminate various exemptions and tax benefits used by small business owners.

Morneau described the changes as a way to close loopholes on the wealthy but Edmonton based-tax lawyer Greg Gartner, who also operates a cattle ranch east of the city, said the changes would disproportionately affect farmers.