Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' purpose is to foster the economic growth of rural Ontario and of the agri-food sector. The ministry does this by incenting and supporting economic development, research, knowledge transfer and innovation, along with providing assurance and oversight of the agri-food system, while protecting the productive capacity of our natural resources. The purpose of these activities is to strengthen rural and urban communities that support good jobs, attract investment, and contribute to Ontario's economic success.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgramEstimates
2021-22
Estimates
2020-21
Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21
Actual
2019-20
 Operating expense    
101Ministry Administration Program$22,472,900$22,623,900($151,000)$22,215,587
107Better Public Health and Environment$73,795,600$75,715,700($1,920,100)$75,524,430
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$496,741,300$418,440,900$78,300,400$404,674,303
109Policy development$16,251,800$16,379,600($127,800)$16,345,205
 Total operating expense to be voted$609,261,600$533,160,100$76,101,500$518,759,525
 Statutory appropriations$1,097,187$1,097,187-$179,405
 Ministry total operating expense$610,358,787$534,257,287$76,101,500$518,938,930
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$134,115,300$128,573,400$5,541,900$296,565,153
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)$6,803,300$6,792,000$11,300$5,034,864
 Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio($3,003,600)($919,400)($2,084,200)($9,655,501)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$748,273,787$668,703,287$79,570,500$810,883,446
 Operating assets    
101Ministry Administration Program$1,000$1,000--
107Better Public Health and Environment$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,882,000
 Total operating assets to be voted$5,001,000$5,001,000-$1,882,000
 Ministry total operating assets$5,001,000$5,001,000-$1,882,000
 Capital expense    
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330
 Total capital expense to be voted$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330
 Ministry total capital expense$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$2,727,000$1,505,800$1,221,200$387,470
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)($4,208,900)($4,920,600)$711,700($4,540,576)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$6,018,100$118,085,200($112,067,100)$319,402,224
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)$754,291,887$786,788,487($32,496,600)$1,130,285,670

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense2020-21
Estimates
2019-20
Actual
Total operating expense previously publishedfootnote 1$535,849,687$520,625,150
Government reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

($1,592,400)($1,686,220)
Restated total operating expense$534,257,287$518,938,930

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
2021-22
Estimates
2020-21
Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21
Actual
2019-20
 Operating expense    
1Ministry administration$22,472,900$22,623,900($151,000)$22,215,587
 Total operating expense to be voted$22,472,900$22,623,900($151,000)$22,215,587
SMinister's salary, the Executive Council Act$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SParliamentary assistants' salaries, the Executive Council Act$32,346$32,346-$29,399
 Total statutory appropriations$80,187$80,187-$78,700
 Total operating expense$22,553,087$22,704,087($151,000)$22,294,287
 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

 $13,149,100
 

Employee benefits

 $2,376,800
 

Transportation and communication

 $636,000
 

Services

 $5,558,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $752,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $22,472,900
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,334,500 
 

Employee benefits

$334,700 
 

Transportation and communication

$108,100 
 

Services

$297,200 
 

Supplies and equipment

$135,200$3,209,700
 Business services  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,496,700 
 

Employee benefits

$373,300 
 

Transportation and communication

$321,500 
 

Services

$1,441,600 
 

Supplies and equipment

$304,100$4,937,200
 Business planning and financial services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,128,100 
 

Employee benefits

$468,000 
 

Transportation and communication

$56,900 
 

Services

$162,200 
 

Supplies and equipment

$55,800$3,871,000
 Human resources  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,589,000 
 

Employee benefits

$682,200 
 

Transportation and communication

$59,700 
 

Services

$137,600 
 

Supplies and equipment

$139,500$2,608,000
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,600,800 
 

Employee benefits

$518,600 
 

Transportation and communication

$69,800 
 

Services

$569,500 
 

Supplies and equipment

$107,900$4,866,600
 Legal services  
 

Transportation and communication

$20,000 
 

Services

$2,950,400 
 

Supplies and equipment

$10,000$2,980,400
 Total operating expense to be voted $22,472,900
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act

 $47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary assistants' salaries, the Executive Council Act

 $32,346
 Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program $22,553,087
 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 practices including: legislative and regulatory functions relating to food safety, animal health, nutrient management and drainage; and non-regulatory programs in food safety, animal health and welfare, the environment and improved health and safety for agri-food workers.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2021-22
Estimates
2020-21
Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21
Actual
2019-20
 Operating expense    
1Better Public Health and Environment$73,795,600$75,715,700($1,920,100)$75,524,430
 Total operating expense to be voted$73,795,600$75,715,700($1,920,100)$75,524,430
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$10,000$10,000-$204
 Total statutory appropriations$10,000$10,000-$204
 Total operating expense$73,805,600$75,725,700($1,920,100)$75,524,634
 Operating assets    
2Better Public Health and Environment$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,882,000
 Total operating assets to be voted$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,882,000
 Total operating assets$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,882,000

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

 $33,141,900
 

Employee benefits

 $4,627,700
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,772,300
 

Services

 $8,109,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $851,200
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program

$9,667,000 
 

Animal Health Compensation Program

$1,000 
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Public Health and Env

$14,000,000 
 

Grassroots Growth Program

$1,645,000 
 

Lake Simcoe Agri-Environmental Partnerships

$920,000$26,233,000
 Subtotal $74,735,600
 Less: recoveries $940,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $73,795,600
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $10,000
 Total operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment $73,805,600
 Operating assets  
107-2Better Public Health and Environment  
 

Loans and Investments

  
 

Tile Drainage Debentures, the Tile Drainage Act

$4,800,000 
 

Tile Drainage Loans in Unorganized Territories

$200,000$5,000,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $5,000,000
 Total operating assets for Better Public Health and Environment $5,000,000

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 and bio-product 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.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2021-22
Estimates
2020-21
Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21
Actual
2019-20
 Operating expense    
1Economic Development$132,483,500$110,059,900$22,423,600$107,067,328
3Research$78,868,300$78,891,500($23,200)$76,903,811
4Business Risk Management Transfers$285,389,500$229,489,500$55,900,000$220,703,164
 Total operating expense to be voted$496,741,300$418,440,900$78,300,400$404,674,303
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-$100,501
 Total statutory appropriations$1,007,000$1,007,000-$100,501
 Total operating expense$497,748,300$419,447,900$78,300,400$404,774,804
 Capital expense    
7Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330
 Total capital expense to be voted$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330
 Total capital expense$7,500,000$121,500,000($114,000,000)$323,555,330

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

 $23,093,800
 

Employee benefits

 $3,196,300
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,035,200
 

Services

 $10,415,400
 

Supplies and equipment

 $485,100
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Economic Development

$18,254,300 
 

COVID 19 Programming

$23,900,000 
 

Food Industry

$15,400,000 
 

Grassroots Growth Program

$4,803,400 
 

Ontario Wine Fund

$23,000,000 
 

Rural Economic Development Program

$5,000,000 
 

Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program

$3,900,000$94,257,700
 Total operating expense to be voted $132,483,500
 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

 $332,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $90,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Research

$7,850,000 
 

Food Safety Research

$680,000 
 

Grants in Lieu of Taxes

$1,000,000 
 

University of Guelph

$66,100,000$75,630,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $78,868,300
108-4Business Risk Management Transfers  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agricorp

$12,758,000 
 

AgriInsurance

$34,000,000 
 

AgriInvest

$21,100,000 
 

AgriRecovery

$5,001,000 
 

AgriRisk Federal

$1,000 
 

AgriRisk Provincial

$1,000 
 

AgriStability

$30,469,500 
 

Farmers’ Risk Management Premium Fund

$30,000,000 
 

Ontario Risk Management Program

$150,000,000 
 

Provision for Loan Guarantees - Commodity Loan Guarantee Program

$1,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Federal

$1,058,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Provincial

$1,000,000$285,389,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $285,389,500
 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 $497,748,300
 Capital expense  
108-7Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agri-Food and Animal Health Laboratory Infrastructure

$500,000 
 

Research Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs

$4,500,000 
 

Research Infrastructure Renewal

$2,500,000$7,500,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $7,500,000
 Total capital expense for Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $7,500,000

Policy Development - vote 109

The Policy Division is responsible for leading and coordinating the development of innovative, evidence-based policy analysis and advice in support of ministry and government priorities. The division does this in support of the overall ministry objective to foster economic growth in Ontario's agri-food sectors and rural communities, while providing assurance and oversight of the agri-food system as well as protecting the productive capacity of our natural resources. The division also oversees administration and delivery of farm business risk management programs and the management of the ministry’s strategic partnership with Agricorp.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2021-22
Estimates
2020-21
Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21
Actual
2019-20
 Operating expense    
1Policy development$16,251,800$16,379,600($127,800)$16,345,205
 Total operating expense to be voted$16,251,800$16,379,600($127,800)$16,345,205
 Total operating expense$16,251,800$16,379,600($127,800)$16,345,205

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

$1,793,000
 

Supplies and equipment

$150,300
 Total operating expense to be voted$16,251,800
 Total operating expense for Policy Development$16,251,800