Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs fosters productivity and the growth of Ontario's agri-food sector and rural communities, while supporting health through food safety, animal and plant health, and safeguarding sustainable natural assets. The ministry enables rural and agri-food growth by supporting research and innovation, knowledge and technology transfer, financial and risk management programs, inspections, regulatory and legislative tools, and strengthening diversity and inclusion. The purpose of the ministry's activities is to strengthen rural and urban communities and the agri-food sector, support good jobs, attract investment, and contribute to Ontario's economic success.

Ministry Program Summary

VoteProgram

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

    
101Ministry Administration Program$22,472,900$22,472,900-$19,805,052
107Better Public Health and Environment$79,939,100$73,636,900$6,302,200$76,217,365
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$520,442,600$496,741,300$23,701,300$497,081,582
109Policy Development$16,251,800$16,251,800-$14,195,608
 Total operating expense to be voted$639,106,400$609,102,900$30,003,500$607,299,607
 Statutory appropriations$1,097,187$1,097,187-$227,805
 Ministry total operating expense$640,203,587$610,200,087$30,003,500$607,527,412
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$169,761,300$134,115,300$35,646,000$171,419,413
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)$5,421,000$6,803,300($1,382,300)$7,575,621
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges---($36,724)
 Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio($3,759,200)($3,003,600)($755,600)($3,089,721)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$811,626,687$748,115,087$63,511,600$783,396,001

Operating assets

101Ministry Administration Program-$1,000($1,000)-
107Better Public Health and Environment$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,770,800
 Total operating assets to be voted$5,000,000$5,001,000($1,000)$1,770,800
 Ministry total operating assets$5,000,000$5,001,000($1,000)$1,770,800
 

Capital expense

    
108Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000
 Total capital expense to be voted$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000
 Ministry total capital expense$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp$2,543,800$2,727,000($183,200)$1,494,888
 Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)($3,525,900)($4,208,900)$683,000($4,325,794)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$6,517,900$6,018,100$499,800$4,669,094
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)$818,144,587$754,133,187$64,011,400$788,065,095

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

2021-22
Estimates

2020-21
Actual

Total operating expense previously published footnote 1$610,358,787$609,167,022
Government reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

($158,700)($1,639,610)
Restated total operating expense$610,200,087$607,527,412

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 numberItem

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Ministry Administration$22,472,900$22,472,900-$19,805,052
 Total operating expense to be voted$22,472,900$22,472,900-$19,805,052
SMinister's Salary, the Executive Council Act$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SParliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act$32,346$32,346-$33,334
 Total statutory appropriations$80,187$80,187-$82,635
 Total operating expense$22,553,087$22,553,087-$19,887,687

Operating assets

-Accounts 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

$2,471,100 
 

Employee benefits

$351,900 
 

Transportation and communication

$129,800 
 

Services

$245,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$256,800$3,454,600
 Business Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,196,100 
 

Employee benefits

$313,500 
 

Transportation and communication

$343,500 
 

Services

$1,268,500 
 

Supplies and equipment

$114,000$4,235,600
 Business Planning and Financial Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,946,800 
 

Employee benefits

$422,100 
 

Transportation and communication

$23,200 
 

Services

$168,200 
 

Supplies and equipment

$74,000$3,634,300
 Human resources  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,699,000 
 

Employee benefits

$697,400 
 

Transportation and communication

$23,200 
 

Services

$181,900 
 

Supplies and equipment

$148,100$2,749,600
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,836,100 
 

Employee benefits

$591,900 
 

Transportation and communication

$96,300 
 

Services

$634,500 
 

Supplies and equipment

$149,600$5,308,400
 Legal Services  
 

Transportation and communication

$20,000 
 

Services

$3,060,400 
 

Supplies and equipment

$10,000$3,090,400
 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

Better Public Health and Environment - vote 107

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs uses a full suite of tools and a One Health approach 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, and the environment.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

 

Operating expense

    
1Better Public Health and Environment$79,939,100$73,636,900$6,302,200$76,217,365
 Total operating expense to be voted$79,939,100$73,636,900$6,302,200$76,217,365
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$10,000$10,000-$9,574
 Total statutory appropriations$10,000$10,000-$9,574
 Total operating expense$79,949,100$73,646,900$6,302,200$76,226,939
 

Operating assets

    
2Better Public Health and Environment$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,770,800
 Total operating assets to be voted$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,770,800
 Total operating assets$5,000,000$5,000,000-$1,770,800

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

 $34,869,500
 

Employee benefits

 $4,757,000
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,772,300
 

Services

 $12,396,100
 

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 $80,879,100
 Less: recoveries $940,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $79,939,100
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $10,000
 Total operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment $79,949,100
 

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; confirming research priorities; developing and promoting the adoption of best management practices and new technologies and innovations; monitoring animal and plant health, including pest and disease mitigation; delivering assistance programs including farm income stabilization; monitoring supply chains; supporting investment in the food 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 numberItem

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Economic Development$169,594,800$132,483,500$37,111,300$132,977,149
3Research$78,868,300$78,868,300-$77,576,012
4Business Risk Management Transfers$271,979,500$285,389,500($13,410,000)$286,528,421
 Total operating expense to be voted$520,442,600$496,741,300$23,701,300$497,081,582
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-$135,596
 Total statutory appropriations$1,007,000$1,007,000-$135,596
 Total operating expense$521,449,600$497,748,300$23,701,300$497,217,178

Capital expense

7Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000
 Total capital expense to be voted$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000
 Total capital expense$7,500,000$7,500,000-$7,500,000

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

 $24,293,800
 

Employee benefits

 $3,196,300
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,035,200
 

Services

 $9,500,700
 

Supplies and equipment

 $485,100
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Agri-Food Processing Fund

$13,600,000 
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Economic Development

$18,254,300 
 

COVID 19 Programming

$38,400,000 
 

Food Industry

$20,130,000 
 

Grassroots Growth Program

$4,803,400 
 

Ontario Wine Fund

$25,500,000 
 

Rural Economic Development Program

$5,000,000 
 

Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program

$5,396,000$131,083,700
 Total operating expense to be voted $169,594,800
 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

$45,469,500 
 

Ontario Risk Management Program

$151,590,000 
 

Provision for Losses and Grants – Financial Protection Programs and Loan Guarantees

$1,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Federal

$1,058,000 
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Provincial

$1,000,000$271,979,500
 Total operating expense to be voted $271,979,500
 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 $521,449,600
 

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 numberItem

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Policy Development$16,251,800$16,251,800-$14,195,608
 Total operating expense to be voted$16,251,800$16,251,800-$14,195,608
 Total operating expense$16,251,800$16,251,800-$14,195,608

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