Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' purpose is to foster the economic growth of rural Ontario and the agri-food sector, along with providing assurance and oversight of the agri-food system while promoting stewardship of Ontario’s productive capacity to produce food. In doing so the ministry supports economic growth in rural and urban communities and regions that support good jobs, attract investment, and contribute to Ontario’s economic success.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgramEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
101Ministry Administration Program$23,128,500$22,902,300$226,200$23,731,571
107Better Public Health and Environment$89,276,500$91,995,000($2,718,500)$87,542,475
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$505,986,900$461,757,100$44,229,800$467,762,316
109Policy Development$17,634,400$15,944,200$1,690,200$17,118,626
 Total operating expense to be voted$636,026,300$592,598,600$43,427,700$596,154,988
 Statutory appropriations$1,081,014$1,081,014-$982,004
 Ministry total operating expense$637,107,314$593,679,614$43,427,700$597,136,992
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$144,025,800$144,562,400($536,600)$152,967,760
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)$6,478,000$5,838,300$639,700$12,811,308
 Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Racing Commission---($56,315)
 Operating expense Adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification$11,510,000$4,400,000$7,110,000-
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$799,121,114$748,480,314$50,640,800$762,859,745
 Operating assets    
101Ministry Administration Program$1,000-$1,000-
107Better Public Health and Environment$12,000,000$12,000,000-$2,228,700
 Total operating assets to be voted$12,001,000$12,000,000$1,000$2,228,700
 Ministry total operating assets$12,001,000$12,000,000$1,000$2,228,700
 Capital expense    
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816
 Total capital expense to be voted$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816
 Ministry total capital expense$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$678,100$659,800$18,300$571,610
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)($8,950,000)($1,042,800)($7,907,200)($11,963,451)
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges($4,561,600)-($4,561,600)($6,140,704)
 Capital expense adjustment – Trillium Trust Reclassification$177,403,500$120,325,000$57,078,500$110,840,286
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$399,655,900$278,017,000$121,638,900$268,084,557
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)$1,198,777,014$1,026,497,314$172,279,700$1,030,944,302

Ministry Administration Program - vote 101

The Administration Program provides strategic management leadership and advice, legal counsel, communications, and administrative services in support of ministry and government priorities.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Ministry Administration$23,128,500$22,902,300$226,200$23,731,571
 Total operating expense to be voted$23,128,500$22,902,300$226,200$23,731,571
SMinister’s salary, the Executive Council Act$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SParliamentary assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act$16,173$16,173-$16,667
 Total statutory appropriations$64,014$64,014-$65,968
 Total operating expense$23,192,514$22,966,314$226,200$23,797,539
 Operating assets    
10Accounts receivable$1,000-$1,000-
 Total operating assets to be voted$1,000-$1,000-
 Total operating assets$1,000-$1,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
101-1Ministry Administration  
 

Salaries and wages

 $12,665,300
 

Employee benefits

 $2,376,800
 

Transportation and communication

 $640,000
 

Services

 $6,693,900
 

Supplies and equipment

 $752,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $23,128,500
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,606,500 
 

Employee benefits

$374,100 
 

Transportation and communication

$209,000 
 

Services

$197,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$40,000$3,426,600
 Business Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,525,600 
 

Employee benefits

$154,700 
 

Transportation and communication

$255,300 
 

Services

$1,609,700 
 

Supplies and equipment

$593,000$4,138,300
 Business Planning and Financial Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,043,500 
 

Employee benefits

$481,100 
 

Transportation and communication

$31,000 
 

Services

$183,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$16,000$3,754,600
 Human Resources  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,957,100 
 

Employee benefits

$819,500 
 

Transportation and communication

$33,000 
 

Services

$150,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$22,000$2,981,600
 Communications Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,532,600 
 

Employee benefits

$547,400 
 

Transportation and communication

$85,500 
 

Services

$908,300 
 

Supplies and equipment

$71,000$5,144,800
 Legal Services  
 

Transportation and communication

$22,000 
 

Services

$3,130,900 
 

Supplies and equipment

$10,000$3,162,900
 Audit Services  
 

Transportation and communication

$4,200 
 

Services

$515,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$500$519,700
 Total operating expense to be voted $23,128,500
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Minister’s salary, the Executive Council Act

 $47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary assistant’s salary, the Executive Council Act

 $16,173
 Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program $23,192,514
 Operating assets  
101-10Accounts receivable  
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

  
 

Advances and recoverable - in-year recoveries

 $1,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $1,000
 Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program $1,000

Better Public Health and Environment - vote 107

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs uses a full suite of tools to manage risks and encourage industry adoption of best management practices including: legislative and regulatory functions relating to food safety, animal health, nutrient management and drainage; and non-regulatory programs in food safety, traceability, animal health and welfare, soil health, the environment and climate change.

Note: recoveries under Operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment include recoveries of $11,510,000 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account, which are based on forecasts of anticipated revenues and contingent upon a sufficient balance standing to the credit of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Better Public Health and Environment$89,276,500$91,995,000($2,718,500)$87,542,475
 Total operating expense to be voted$89,276,500$91,995,000($2,718,500)$87,542,475
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$10,000$10,000-$2,561
 Total statutory appropriations$10,000$10,000-$2,561
 Total operating expense$89,286,500$92,005,000($2,718,500)$87,545,036
 Operating assets    
2Better Public Health and Environment$12,000,000$12,000,000-$2,228,700
 Total operating assets to be voted$12,000,000$12,000,000-$2,228,700
 Total operating assets$12,000,000$12,000,000-$2,228,700

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
107-1Better Public Health and Environment  
 

Salaries and wages

 $32,659,300
 

Employee benefits

 $4,636,000
 

Transportation and communication

 $2,522,300
 

Services

 $18,099,700
 

Supplies and equipment

 $851,200
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program

$9,667,000 
 

Agri-Environmental Standards Research

$250,000 
 

Animal Health Compensation Program

$1,000 
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Public Health and Env

$19,000,000 
 

Climate Change Action Plan – Better Public Health and Environment

$7,135,000 
 

Environment Partnerships

$4,420,000 
 

Food Safety and Traceability Partnerships

$400,000 
 

Lake Simcoe Agri-Environmental Partnerships

$920,000 
 

Other Assistance for Public Health

$1,165,000$42,958,000
 Subtotal $101,726,500
 Less: recoveries $12,450,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $89,276,500
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $10,000
 Total operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment $89,286,500
 Operating assets  
107-2Better Public Health and Environment  
 

Loans and Investments

  
 

Tile Drainage Debentures, the Tile Drainage Act

$11,800,000 
 

Tile Drainage Loans in Unorganized Territories

$200,000$12,000,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $12,000,000
 Total operating assets for Better Public Health and Environment $12,000,000

Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities - vote 108

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supports the province’s rural communities and agriculture, food, bio-product and horse racing sectors by: investing in agri-food and bio-product research; promoting the adoption of best management practices and new technologies; delivering assistance programs, including farm income stabilization; supporting investment attraction and retention for the food processing sector; and promoting Ontario agri-food and agri-product sales in domestic and export markets. The ministry is committed to building strong and vibrant rural communities and regions with diversified economies.

Note: recoveries under Capital expense for Rural Affairs Capital include recoveries of $177,403,500 from the Trillium Trust, which are contingent upon a sufficient balance standing to the credit of the Trillium Trust.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Economic Development$133,505,000$136,939,400($3,434,400)$161,260,459
3Research$103,314,000$86,027,300$17,286,700$81,625,591
4Business Risk Management Transfers$269,167,900$238,790,400$30,377,500$224,876,266
 Total operating expense to be voted$505,986,900$461,757,100$44,229,800$467,762,316
SPayments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000--
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$5,000$5,000--
SPayments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000--
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$1,000,000$1,000,000-$913,475
 Total statutory appropriations$1,007,000$1,007,000-$913,475
 Total operating expense$506,993,900$462,764,100$44,229,800$468,675,791
 Capital expense    
7Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816
 Total capital expense to be voted$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816
 Total capital expense$235,085,900$158,075,000$77,010,900$174,776,816

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
108-1Economic Development  
 

Salaries and wages

 $23,328,400
 

Employee benefits

 $3,400,500
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,785,200
 

Services

 $16,033,400
 

Supplies and equipment

 $485,100
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agriculture Development

$4,118,500 
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Economic Development

$16,000,000 
 

Food Industry

$39,100,000 
 

Horse Racing Industry Development Program

$8,238,900 
 

Ontario Wine Fund

$15,000,000 
 

Other Assistance Rural

$654,000 
 

Rural Economic Development Program

$5,090,000 
 

Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program

$2,696,000$90,897,400
 Subtotal $135,930,000
 Less: recoveries $2,425,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $133,505,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Payments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act

 $1,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $5,000
108-3Research  
 

Salaries and wages

 $2,327,600
 

Employee benefits

 $311,500
 

Transportation and communication

 $176,700
 

Services

 $583,700
 

Supplies and equipment

 $90,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Research

$6,000,000 
 

Competitive Research

$1,350,000 
 

Food Safety Research

$1,180,000 
 

Grants in Lieu of Taxes

$750,000 
 

Strategic Partnerships

$3,944,500 
 

University of Guelph

$86,600,000$99,824,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $103,314,000
108-4Business Risk Management Transfers  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agricorp

$15,505,500 
 

AgriInsurance

$34,000,000 
 

AgriInvest

$21,100,000 
 

AgriRecovery

$1,000 
 

AgriRisk Federal

$1,000 
 

AgriRisk Provincial

$1,000 
 

AgriStability

$36,469,500 
 

Edible Horticulture Support Program

$30,000,000 
 

Farmers’ Risk Management Premium Fund

$30,000,000 
 

Ontario Risk Management Program

$100,000,000 
 

Other Assistance for Risk Management

$30,900 
 

Provision for Loan Guarantees - Commodity Loan Guarantee Program

$1,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Federal

$1,058,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Provincial

$1,000,000$269,167,900
 Total operating expense to be voted $269,167,900
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Payments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act

 $1,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $1,000,000
 Total operating expense for Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $506,993,900
 Capital expense  
108-7Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agri-Food and Animal Health Laboratory Infrastructure

$500,000 
 

Green Infrastructure Fund

$1,827,500 
 

Municipal Infrastructure

$300,001,000 
 

New Building Canada Fund - Federal Contribution

$40,430,000 
 

New Building Canada Fund - Provincial Contribution

$57,731,900 
 

Research and Education Base Building Investments

$3,000,000 
 

Research and Education Infrastructure Renewal

$9,000,000$412,490,400
 Less: recoveries $177,404,500
 Total capital expense to be voted $235,085,900
 Total capital expense for Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $235,085,900

Policy Development - vote 109

The Policy Division is responsible for leading and coordinating the development of innovative, comprehensive and evidence-based advice, analysis, and recommendations in support of ministry and government priorities, including Federal-Provincial and Territorial policy.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Policy Development$17,634,400$15,944,200$1,690,200$17,118,626
 Total operating expense to be voted$17,634,400$15,944,200$1,690,200$17,118,626
 Total operating expense$17,634,400$15,944,200$1,690,200$17,118,626

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
109-1Policy Development 
 

Salaries and wages

$12,167,600
 

Employee benefits

$1,586,500
 

Transportation and communication

$554,400
 

Services

$3,175,600
 

Supplies and equipment

$150,300
 Total operating expense to be voted$17,634,400
 Total operating expense for Policy Development$17,634,400