Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (2017-18)

The 2017-2018 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2017.

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Summary

As the regional Ministry for Northern Ontario and the Ministry responsible for the provincial minerals sector, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines strives to make Northern Ontario and the provincial minerals sector strong, healthy and prosperous.

The Ministry leads and coordinates government programs aimed at growing the Northern Ontario economy, building strong northern communities, promoting trade and investment, creating job opportunities and developing the North’s transportation and telecommunication infrastructure. Through the Ministry’s network of offices and strategic program and policy development, the Ministry ensures northern partners including municipalities, Indigenous communities, northern organizations, industry and the northern public have access to government economic development programs and services and a voice in government decisions affecting the North.

As the sectoral Ministry for the provincial minerals sector, the Ministry helps build a strong, safe and sustainable Ontario by promoting investment and exploration, by providing information to global clients on Ontario’s wealth of mineral resources and through the fair, effective and efficient administration of Ontario’s Mining Act. The Ministry delivers geoscience information for all regions of the province in support of a range of provincial development, planning, environmental, energy, and climate change policy priorities. The Ministry also encourages and facilitates Indigenous participation in Ontario’s economy, administers Ontario’s diamond royalty and ensures safe, environmentally sound mineral development and rehabilitation of mining lands.

As the lead Ministry providing support for policy and program development and implementation on a range of issues and opportunities with respect to development in the area known as the Ring of Fire, the Ministry works with all parties involved, consulting Northerners, including Indigenous people and the mining community to encourage responsible, sustainable development.

Ministry program summary

Vote	Program	Estimates 2017-18	Estimates 2016-17	Difference Between 2017-18 and 2016-17	Actual 2015-16
	Operating expense
2201	Ministry Administration Program	$14,826,400	$13,718,600	$1,107,800	$11,906,819
2202	Northern Development Program	$247,850,100	$251,879,200	($4,029,100)	$241,767,717
2203	Mines and Minerals Program	$52,732,900	$69,063,600	($16,330,700)	$44,680,522
	Total operating expense to be voted	$315,409,400	$334,661,400	($19,252,000)	$298,355,058
	Statutory appropriations	$567,014	$567,014	-	$93,031
	Ministry total operating expense	$315,976,414	$335,228,414	($19,252,000)	$298,448,089
	Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Northland Transportation Commission	$64,618,000	$65,218,000	($600,000)	$51,605,998
	Consolidation adjustment - Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation	$9,492,600	($10,400,800)	$19,893,400	($13,572,000)
	Total including consolidation & other adjustments	$390,087,014	$390,045,614	$41,400	$336,482,087
	Operating assets
2201	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
2202	Northern Development Program	$30,001,000	$101,000	$29,900,000	-
2203	Mines and Minerals Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$30,003,000	$103,000	$29,900,000	-
	Ministry total operating assets	$30,003,000	$103,000	$29,900,000	-
	Capital expense
2201	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
2202	Northern Development Program	$138,664,800	$126,486,300	$12,178,500	$126,711,054
2203	Mines and Minerals Program	$6,002,000	$46,002,000	($40,000,000)	$11,270,995
	Total capital expense to be voted	$144,667,800	$172,489,300	($27,821,500)	$137,982,049
	Statutory appropriations	$278,461,900	$257,679,300	$20,782,600	$259,489,006
	Ministry total capital expense	$423,129,700	$430,168,600	($7,038,900)	$397,471,055
	Consolidation adjustment - Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation	$3,700	$3,700	-	$325,720
	Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Northland Transportation Commission	($46,075,900)	($29,509,100)	($16,566,800)	($33,678,199)
	Total Including consolidation & other adjustments	$377,057,500	$400,663,200	($23,605,700)	$364,118,576
	Capital assets
2201	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
2202	Northern Development Program	$637,841,600	$550,184,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141
2203	Mines and Minerals Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$637,843,600	$550,186,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141
	Ministry total capital assets	$637,843,600	$550,186,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141
	Capital asset adjustment – Trillium Trust reclassification	$10,250,000	-	$10,250,000	-
	Total including adjustments	$648,093,600	$550,186,100	$97,907,500	$560,818,141
	Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)	$767,144,514	$790,708,814	($23,564,300)	$700,600,663

Ministry Administration Program - vote 2201

This program provides executive direction as well as strategic business and resource planning services to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of Ministry programs. It supports Ministry operations through the provision of advice and services in the areas of human resources, financial planning, accounting and administration, and professional support services such as legal and audit services. It also provides core strategic support in the areas of corporate policy and communications.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2017-18	Estimates 2016-17	Difference Between 2017-18 and 2016-17	Actual 2015-16
	Operating expense
1	Ministry administration	$14,826,400	$13,718,600	$1,107,800	$11,906,819
	Total operating expense to be voted	$14,826,400	$13,718,600	$1,107,800	$11,906,819
S	Minister’s salary, the Executive Council Act	$47,841	$47,841	-	$49,301
S	Parliamentary assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act	$16,173	$16,173	-	$16,667
S	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$65,014	$65,014	-	$65,968
	Total operating expense	$14,891,414	$13,783,614	$1,107,800	$11,972,787
	Operating assets
2	Ministry Administration Program	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total operating assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Capital expense
3	Ministry administration	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital expense to be voted	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total Capital expense	$2,000	$2,000	-	-
	Capital assets
4	Ministry administration Capital assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount	Amount
	Operating expense
2201-1	Ministry administration
	Salaries and wages		$8,008,000
	Employee benefits		$992,900
	Transportation and communication		$542,300
	Services		$11,181,200
	Supplies and equipment		$295,600
	Subtotal		$21,020,000
	Less: recoveries		$6,193,600
	Total operating expense to be voted		$14,826,400
	Sub-items:
	Main Office
	Salaries and wages	$1,691,000
	Employee benefits	$187,000
	Transportation and communication	$184,100
	Services	$108,500
	Supplies and equipment	$68,800	$2,239,400
	Financial and Administrative Services
	Salaries and wages	$1,819,100
	Employee benefits	$229,300
	Transportation and communication	$136,100
	Services	$6,946,100
	Supplies and equipment	$119,600
	Subtotal	$9,250,200
	Less: recoveries	$5,721,800	$3,528,400
	Human resources
	Salaries and wages	$1,293,700
	Employee benefits	$233,700
	Transportation and communication	$50,300
	Services	$117,900
	Supplies and equipment	$26,200	$1,721,800
	Communications services
	Salaries and wages	$1,544,100
	Employee benefits	$159,300
	Transportation and communication	$85,600
	Services	$297,900
	Supplies and equipment	$35,000	$2,121,900
	Analysis and Planning
	Salaries and wages	$1,660,100
	Employee benefits	$183,600
	Transportation and communication	$48,200
	Services	$246,300
	Supplies and equipment	$14,400	$2,152,600
	Legal services
	Transportation and communication	$38,000
	Services	$2,094,400
	Supplies and equipment	$31,600	$2,164,000
	Audit services
	Services	$145,000	$145,000
	Information Systems
	Services	$1,225,100
	Less: recoveries	$471,800	$753,300
	Total operating expense to be voted		$14,826,400
	Statutory appropriations
Statutory	Minister’s salary, the Executive Council Act		$47,841
Statutory	Parliamentary assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act		$16,173
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act		$1,000
	Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program		$14,891,414
	Operating assets
2201-2	Ministry Administration Program
	Deposits and prepaid expenses		$1,000
	Total operating assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program		$1,000
	Capital expense
2201-3	Ministry administration
	Other transactions		$1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$1,000
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		$1,000
	Total capital expense for Ministry Administration Program		$2,000
	Capital assets
2201-4	Ministry administration capital assets
	Machinery and equipment - asset costs		$1,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total capital assets for Ministry Administration Program		$1,000

Northern Development Program - vote 2202

This program leads and assists in the development and delivery of policies, programs and services that support Northern Ontario businesses and communities. In addition, the program strives to make Northern Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous by providing business and community economic development support and access to government programs and services, promoting trade and investment, and answering northern regional and local infrastructure needs. It also co-leads the implementation of the government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario through the coordination of provincial economic development initiatives in the North.

The program provides support for policy and program development and implementation on a range of issues and opportunities with respect to Northern Ontario. By engaging Northerners in government initiatives, including policy and planning activities, this program also ensures Northerners have a say in the development of government programs and services that affect them. The program is responsible for applying a Northern lens for policy review and development and champions Northern Ontario interests to further economic development.

This program invests in Northern Ontario infrastructure to support government priorities. Strategic investments in infrastructure such as the Northern Highways Program and telecommunications and information technology are improving the North’s linkages to the rest of Ontario, Canada and beyond.

The program area provides economic development support to Northern Ontario businesses and communities. Through this program, the Ministry’s network of offices provides northern communities and businesses with access to government economic development programs and services. Ministry programs work to attract trade and investment opportunities to help northern businesses develop and expand domestic and international markets. The Ministry also helps public and private sector economic growth, diversification and job creation through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and initiatives such as the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program.

Note: recoveries under Capital Asset for Northern Development Capital assets include recoveries of $10,250,000 from the Trillium Trust, which are contingent upon a sufficient balance standing to the credit of the Trillium Trust.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2017-18	Estimates 2016-17	Difference Between 2017-18 and 2016-17	Actual 2015-16
	Operating expense
1	Northern Economic Development	$247,850,100	$251,879,200	($4,029,100)	$241,767,717
	Total operating expense to be voted	$247,850,100	$251,879,200	($4,029,100)	$241,767,717
S	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act	$101,000	$101,000	-	$28,243
	Total statutory appropriations	$101,000	$101,000	-	$28,243
	Total operating expense	$247,951,100	$251,980,200	($4,029,100)	$241,795,960
	Operating assets
3	Northern development operating assets	$30,001,000	$101,000	$29,900,000	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$30,001,000	$101,000	$29,900,000	-
	Total operating assets	$30,001,000	$101,000	$29,900,000	-
	Capital expense
2	Northern economic development	$138,664,800	$126,486,300	$12,178,500	$126,711,054
	Total capital expense to be voted	$138,664,800	$126,486,300	$12,178,500	$126,711,054
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$278,459,900	$257,677,300	$20,782,600	$259,489,006
	Total statutory appropriations	$278,459,900	$257,677,300	$20,782,600	$259,489,006
	Total Capital expense	$417,124,700	$384,163,600	$32,961,100	$386,200,060
	Capital assets
4	Northern Development capital assets	$637,841,600	$550,184,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141
	Total capital assets to be voted	$637,841,600	$550,184,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141
	Total capital assets	$637,841,600	$550,184,100	$87,657,500	$560,818,141

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount	Amount
	Operating expense
2202-1	Northern Economic Development
	Salaries and wages		$10,885,800
	Employee benefits		$1,453,200
	Transportation and communication		$835,900
	Services		$11,486,900
	Supplies and equipment		$227,200
	Transfer payments
	Community services	$625,000
	Economic Development	$830,000
	Ontario Northland Transportation Commission	$35,172,000
	Owen Sound Transportation Company	$2,363,000
	GO North Investor Program	$470,000
	Northern Ontario Heritage Fund	$60,000,000
	Small Business Enterprise Centres	$700,000
	Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program	$119,470,000
	Aboriginal economic development	$14,481,400
	Northern Ontario Municipal Associations	$100,000	$234,211,400
	Subtotal		$259,100,400
	Less: recoveries		$11,250,300
	Total operating expense to be voted		$247,850,100
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act		$101,000
	Total operating expense for Northern Development Program		$247,951,100
	Operating assets
2202-3	Northern development operating assets
	Deposits and prepaid expenses		$1,000
	Loans and investments		$30,000,000
	Total operating assets to be voted		$30,001,000
	Total operating assets for Northern Development Program		$30,001,000
	Capital expense
2202-2	Northern Economic Development
	Services		$25,102,000
	Transfer payments
	Winter Roads	$5,800,000
	Ontario Northland Transportation Commission	$61,427,800
	Owen Sound Transportation Company	$3,234,000
	Northern Ontario Heritage Fund	$40,000,000	$110,461,800
	Other transactions
	Resource Access Roads	$3,100,000
	Northern development	$1,000	$3,101,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$138,664,800
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		$278,459,900
	Total capital expense for Northern Development Program		$417,124,700
	Capital assets
2202-4	Northern development capital assets
	Transportation infrastructure - asset costs		$648,091,600
	Machinery and equipment - asset costs		$1,000
	Subtotal		$648,092,600
	Less: recoveries		$10,251,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		$637,841,600
	Total capital assets for Northern Development Program		$637,841,600

Mines and Minerals Program - vote 2203

This program encourages, promotes and facilitates the sustained economic benefits of Ontario’s mineral resources through its oversight of Ontario’s mineral exploration and development sector. It promotes a strong, safe and sustainable Ontario by administering Ontario’s Mining Act in a fair and consistent manner, to ensure sustainable and responsible development of our mineral resources. This involves ensuring equitable public access to Crown mineral rights, fair and efficient management of Ontario’s mining lands as well as ensuring the safe, environmentally sound mineral development and rehabilitation of mining lands.

It also has responsibility for encouraging and facilitating Indigenous participation in Ontario’s economy in a way that is respectful of Indigenous rights and culture and meets Ontario’s consultation obligations.

The program also generates and disseminates geoscientific data that attracts and guides mineral sector investment and informs a broad range of government policy priorities.

It administers the Ontario Diamond Royalty Regulation, values rough stones for export, and works with industry partners to pursue value-added opportunities throughout the diamond industry.

This program also provides support for policy and program development and implementation on a range of issues and opportunities with respect to development in the Ring of Fire. A dedicated secretariat works with all parties involved, consulting with Northerners including Indigenous people and the mining community to encourage the region’s responsible, sustainable development.

Vote summary

Item number	Item	Estimates 2017-18	Estimates 2016-17	Difference Between 2017-18 and 2016-17	Actual 2015-16
	Operating expense
1	Mineral sector competitiveness	$52,732,900	$69,063,600	($16,330,700)	$44,680,522
	Total operating expense to be voted	$52,732,900	$69,063,600	($16,330,700)	$44,680,522
S	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act	$401,000	$401,000	-	($1,180)
	Total statutory appropriations	$401,000	$401,000	-	($1,180)
	Total operating expense	$53,133,900	$69,464,600	($16,330,700)	$44,679,342
	Operating assets
3	Mines and minerals operating assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total operating assets to be voted	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total operating assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Capital expense
2	Mineral sector competitiveness	$6,001,000	$46,001,000	($40,000,000)	$3,270,995
5	Environmental remediation	$1,000	$1,000	-	$8,000,000
	Total capital expense to be voted	$6,002,000	$46,002,000	($40,000,000)	$11,270,995
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total statutory appropriations	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital expense	$6,003,000	$46,003,000	($40,000,000)	$11,270,995
	Capital assets
4	Mines and minerals capital assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	$1,000	$1,000	-	-
	Total capital assets	$1,000	$1,000	-	-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item number	Standard account by item and sub-items	Amount	Amount
	Operating expense
2203-1	Mineral sector competitiveness
	Salaries and wages		$22,753,200
	Employee benefits		$3,050,200
	Transportation and communication		$2,238,500
	Services		$19,568,000
	Supplies and equipment		$2,550,900
	Transfer payments
	Mineral development and investment	$100,000
	Mapping Ontario’s geological opportunities	$100,000
	Reporting Ontario’s Mining Activities	$85,000
	Focused Flow-through Share Tax Credit	$2,287,100	$2,572,100
	Total operating expense to be voted		$52,732,900
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act		$401,000
	Total operating expense for Mines and Minerals Program		$53,133,900
	Operating assets
2203-3	Mines and minerals operating assets
	Deposits and prepaid expenses		$1,000
	Total operating assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total operating assets for Mines and Minerals Program		$1,000
	Capital expense
2203-2	Mineral sector competitiveness
	Transportation and communication		$50,000
	Services		$4,875,000
	Supplies and equipment		$1,075,000
	Other transactions		$1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$6,001,000
2203-5	Environmental remediation
	Services		$1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		$1,000
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		$1,000
	Total capital expense for Mines and Minerals Program		$6,003,000
	Capital assets
2203-4	Mines and minerals capital assets
	Machinery and equipment - asset costs		$1,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		$1,000
	Total capital assets for Mines and Minerals Program		$1,000

Updated: January 15, 2026

Published: May 18, 2017