Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs serves the needs of Ontarians, Canadians, and the world by supporting and helping build an agri-food system and economy that is sustainable, resilient, trusted, innovative and balanced through a one-health approach. Ministry programs are focussed on food safety, plant and animal health, sector resiliency, environmental stewardship, research, agri-food sector labour support, sector and rural development and economic growth, diversity equity and inclusion, and support for the supply chain and domestic marketing. These activities and programs strengthen rural and urban communities, support and create good jobs, attract investment, keep food, plants, and animals safe, sustain natural assets and contribute to Ontario's overall well-being and economic growth.

Ministry Program Summary

Vote Program

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22

Operating expense
101 Ministry Administration Program $22,462,900 $22,461,500 $1,400 $20,178,605
107 Better Public Health and Environment $95,342,300 $79,525,800 $15,816,500 $73,771,234
108 Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $483,056,800 $520,306,200 ($37,249,400) $449,300,708
109 Policy Development $16,247,300 $16,246,700 $600 $13,690,219
  Total operating expense to be voted $617,109,300 $638,540,200 ($21,430,900) $556,940,766
  Statutory appropriations $1,097,187 $1,097,187 - $362,300
  Ministry total operating expense $618,206,487 $639,637,387 ($21,430,900) $557,303,066
  Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp $197,121,200 $169,761,300 $27,359,900 $108,106,502
  Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) $5,470,000 $5,421,000 $49,000 $5,768,149
  Consolidation adjustment - Colleges - - - ($206,668)
  Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio ($4,654,900) ($3,759,200) ($895,700) ($2,915,065)
  Total including consolidation & other adjustments $816,142,787 $811,060,487 $5,082,300 $668,055,984

Operating Assets
107 Better Public Health and Environment $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700
  Total operating assets to be voted $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700
  Ministry total operating assets $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700

Capital expense
107 Better Public Health and Environment $1,000 - $1,000 -
108 Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $5,000,000 $7,500,000 ($2,500,000) $7,500,000
  Total capital expense to be voted $5,001,000 $7,500,000 ($2,499,000) $7,500,000
  Statutory appropriations $1,000 - $1,000 -
  Ministry total capital expense $5,002,000 $7,500,000 ($2,498,000) $7,500,000
  Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp $2,082,200 $2,543,800 ($461,600) $2,724,203
  Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) ($825,400) ($3,525,900) $2,700,500 ($4,540,541)
  Total including consolidation & other adjustments $6,258,800 $6,517,900 ($259,100) $5,683,662

Capital assets
107 Better Public Health and Environment $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -
  Total capital assets to be voted $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -
  Ministry total capital assets $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -
  Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) $822,401,587 $817,578,387 $4,823,200 $673,739,646

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

Estimates
2022-23

Actual
2021-22
Total operating expense previously published footnote 1 $640,203,587 $557,975,877
Government reorganization    

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

 ($566,200) ($672,811)
Restated total operating expense $639,637,387 $557,303,066

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 number Item

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22

Operating expense
1 Ministry Administration $22,462,900 $22,461,500 $1,400 $20,178,605
  Total operating expense to be voted $22,462,900 $22,461,500 $1,400 $20,178,605
S Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act $47,841 $47,841 - $49,301
S Parliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act $32,346 $32,346 - $33,334
  Total statutory appropriations $80,187 $80,187 - $82,635
  Total operating expense $22,543,087 $22,541,687 $1,400 $20,261,240

Standard account by item and sub-items

 
Vote-item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount Amount

Operating expense
101-1 Ministry Administration    
 

Salaries and wages

   $13,149,100
 

Employee benefits

   $2,376,800
 

Transportation and communication

   $636,000
 

Services

   $5,548,500
 

Supplies and equipment

   $752,500
  Total operating expense to be voted   $22,462,900
  Sub-items:    
  Main office    
 

Salaries and wages

 $2,876,900  
 

Employee benefits

 $413,200  
 

Transportation and communication

 $119,300  
 

Services

 $199,100  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $139,100 $3,747,600
  Business Services    
 

Salaries and wages

 $1,946,800  
 

Employee benefits

 $287,900  
 

Transportation and communication

 $293,800  
 

Services

 $1,341,900  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $75,100 $3,945,500
  Business Planning and Financial Services    
 

Salaries and wages

 $2,930,900  
 

Employee benefits

 $434,000  
 

Transportation and communication

 $35,700  
 

Services

 $131,900  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $22,300 $3,554,800
  Human Resources    
 

Salaries and wages

 $1,908,200  
 

Employee benefits

 $729,800  
 

Transportation and communication

 $41,100  
 

Services

 $102,100  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $71,500 $2,852,700
  Communications Services    
 

Salaries and wages

 $3,486,300  
 

Employee benefits

 $511,900  
 

Transportation and communication

 $126,100  
 

Services

 $713,100  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $434,500 $5,271,900
  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   $22,462,900
  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   $22,543,087

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 number Item

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22

Operating expense
1 Better Public Health and Environment $95,342,300 $79,525,800 $15,816,500 $73,771,234
  Total operating expense to be voted $95,342,300 $79,525,800 $15,816,500 $73,771,234
S Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act $10,000 $10,000 - $2,457
  Total statutory appropriations $10,000 $10,000 - $2,457
  Total operating expense $95,352,300 $79,535,800 $15,816,500 $73,773,691

Operating assets
2 Better Public Health and Environment $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700
  Total operating assets to be voted $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700
  Total operating assets $5,000,000 $5,000,000 - $1,149,700

Capital expense
4 Better Public Health and Environment $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
3 Better Public Health and Environment $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -
  Total capital assets to be voted $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -
  Total capital assets $1,750,000 - $1,750,000 -

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount Amount

Operating expense
107-1 Better Public Health and Environment    
 

Salaries and wages

   $34,675,000
 

Employee benefits

   $4,802,000
 

Transportation and communication

   $1,772,300
 

Services

   $17,544,800
 

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

 $20,171,500  
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Provincial-Public Health and Env

 $4,778,500  
 

Grassroots Growth Program

 $1,099,000  
 

Lake Simcoe Agri-Environmental Partnerships

 $920,000 $36,637,000
  Subtotal   $96,282,300
  Less: Recoveries   $940,000
  Total operating expense to be voted   $95,342,300
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

   $10,000
  Total operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment   $95,352,300

Operating assets
107-2 Better 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

Capital expense
107-4 Better Public Health and Environment    
 

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 Better Public Health and Environment   $2,000

Capital assets
107-3 Better Public Health and Environment    
 

Business application software - asset costs

   $1,750,000
  Total capital assets to be voted   $1,750,000
  Total capital assets for Better Public Health and Environment   $1,750,000

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 sustainable 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 number Item

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22

Operating expense
1 Economic Development $120,645,600 $169,458,400 ($48,812,800) $122,563,447
3 Research $89,467,700 $78,868,300 $10,599,400 $78,965,012
4 Business Risk Management Transfers $272,943,500 $271,979,500 $964,000 $247,772,249
  Total operating expense to be voted $483,056,800 $520,306,200 ($37,249,400) $449,300,708
S Payments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act $1,000 $1,000 - -
S Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act $5,000 $5,000 - -
S Payments: re: Guaranteed Bank Loans, the Financial Administration Act $1,000 $1,000 - -
S Bad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act $1,000,000 $1,000,000 - $277,208
  Total statutory appropriations $1,007,000 $1,007,000 - $277,208
  Total operating expense $484,063,800 $521,313,200 ($37,249,400) $449,577,916

Capital expense
7 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital $5,000,000 $7,500,000 ($2,500,000) $7,500,000
  Total capital expense to be voted $5,000,000 $7,500,000 ($2,500,000) $7,500,000
  Total capital expense $5,000,000 $7,500,000 ($2,500,000) $7,500,000

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount Amount

Operating expense
108-1 Economic Development    
 

Salaries and wages

   $23,193,800
 

Employee benefits

   $3,256,300
 

Transportation and communication

   $1,035,200
 

Services

   $5,256,000
 

Supplies and equipment

   $485,100
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Agri-Food Processing Fund

 $11,600,000  
 

Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Economic Development

 $18,242,800  
 

COVID 19 Programming

 $9,800,000  
 

Food Industry

 $17,130,000  
 

Grassroots Growth Program

 $4,749,400  
 

Ontario Wine Fund

 $15,500,000  
 

Rural Economic Development Program

 $5,000,000  
 

Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program

 $5,396,000  
 

Veterinary Incentive Program

 $1,000 $87,419,200
  Total operating expense to be voted   $120,645,600
  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
108-3 Research    
 

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

 $12,903,400  
 

Food Safety Research

 $680,000  
 

Grants in Lieu of Taxes

 $1,000,000  
 

University of Guelph

 $71,646,000 $86,229,400
  Total operating expense to be voted   $89,467,700
108-4 Business Risk Management Transfers    
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Agricorp

 $12,758,000  
 

AgriInsurance

 $41,500,000  
 

AgriInvest

 $21,100,000  
 

AgriRecovery

 $1,000  
 

AgriRisk Federal

 $1,000  
 

AgriRisk Provincial

 $1,000  
 

AgriStability

 $45,469,500  
 

Financial Protection Programs and Loan Guarantees

 $55,000  
 

Ontario Risk Management Program

 $150,000,000  
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Federal

 $1,058,000  
 

Wildlife Damage Compensation - Provincial

 $1,000,000 $272,943,500
  Total operating expense to be voted   $272,943,500
  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   $484,063,800

Capital expense
108-7 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital    
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Agri-Food and Animal Health Laboratory Infrastructure

 $500,000  
 

Research Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs

 $4,500,000 $5,000,000
  Total capital expense to be voted   $5,000,000
  Total capital expense for Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities   $5,000,000

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 number Item

Estimates
2023-24

Estimates
2022-23

Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23

Actual
2021-22

Operating expense
1 Policy Development $16,247,300 $16,246,700 $600 $13,690,219
  Total operating expense to be voted $16,247,300 $16,246,700 $600 $13,690,219
  Total operating expense $16,247,300 $16,246,700 $600 $13,690,219

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount

Operating expense
109-1 Policy Development  
 

Salaries and wages

 $12,167,600
 

Employee benefits

 $1,586,500
 

Transportation and communication

 $554,400
 

Services

 $1,788,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $150,300
  Total operating expense to be voted $16,247,300
  Total operating expense for Policy Development $16,247,300