Background

The Livestock Financial Protection Board, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is established under the Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act (PFFNPA) which replaced and revoked the Farm Products Payments Act (FPPA) and other related legislation. It is a trust agency responsible for administering the fund for livestock sellers (mandatory check-off paid by producers on the sale of livestock).

Section 29 of the PFFNPA sets out the functions of the board as follows:

  1. To manage and administer its fund or funds.
  2. To investigate all claims made to it under this Act and to determine the extent of their validity.
  3. To grant or refuse the payment of claims or any part thereof and determine the amounts and manner of payment.
  4. To recover any money to which it is entitled under this Act by suit in a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise.
  5. To carry out the functions, and exercise the powers, under this Act or prescribed by regulation.

Fund administration by the board is one component under the Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program established in 1982 to protect producers and other sellers of beef cattle in the event of defaults on payment by licensed buyers. The programs consist of a licensing and fund administration component. The legislative authority for the licensing component of the livestock program is set out in the Livestock and Livestock Products Act.

Membership

Under the PFFNPA, the minister appoints at least three and not more than nine members to the board and may designate one of the board members as chair and one or more board members as vice-chairs of the board of directors. O. Reg. 378/25 under the PFFNPA provides that the board shall consist of one member representing each of following groups: the Beef Farmers of Ontario, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the Veal Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Independent Meat Processors Association, the Ontario Cattle Feeders’ Association, the Ontario Livestock Auction Markets Association and the Ontario Livestock Dealers Association.

For a list of current members please refer to the Public Appointment Secretariat's (PAS) website.

Term

Board members are appointed for a term of up to 3 years and are eligible for reappointment.

Meetings

 The board meets two or three times a year, depending on the number of claims.

Reports

The government announced a number of initiatives supporting the premier's commitment to Open Government by promoting greater transparency in classified agencies. Since April 1, 2015, specific governance documents and expense information for classified agencies must be posted on the classified agency or ministry's website.