BC cannabis growers excluded from carbon tax relief

February 15, 2019

Written by Greenhouse Canada

Greenhouse carbon tax relief grant applications are now being accepted in BC for eligible greenhouse operators – but that doesn’t include cannabis.

According to the province of British Columbia, only commercial producers of vegetables, ornamental flowers and plants, forest seedlings and nursery plants are eligible to apply. Other terms of eligibility include sales exceeding $20,000 in 2018, use of natural gas or propane to heat greenhouses or produce CO₂, and greater than 455 square meters of eligible production area.

“Cannabis is not an eligible crop at any phase of production including propagation,” notes the BC government website. This is in contrast to the federal carbon backstop, which includes medicinal plants.

The grant specifically covers 80 per cent of the carbon tax paid on natural gas and propane used for greenhouse heating and CO₂ production. Fuel used for heating non-eligible production areas, vehicles, forklifts or to produce electricity in a CHP engine are ineligible.

Applications for BC are due March 29, 2019. To apply, visit the website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/greenhouse-carbon-tax-relief-grant