Whereas the Program was established on March 7, 2018 via the Previous Order pursuant to section 6.2 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act for the encouragement of agriculture, food and rural affairs and all their branches;

And whereas section 4 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act provides the Minister with the authority in relation to the administration of laws relating to agriculture, food and rural affairs and all their branches;

And whereas section 6.2 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act provides the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs with the authority to establish programs for the encouragement of agriculture, food and rural affairs within Ontario;

And whereas sections 49 and 54 of the Legislation Act, 2006 has the effect of providing the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs with the power to amend, revoke or replace from time to time an order establishing a program under section 6.2 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act;

And whereas farmers that work in the agri-food sector operate in a high-stress environment as a result of having to deal with issues beyond their control and that this stress can cause mental health issues;

And whereas others who work in the agri-food sector may also experience mental health issues;

And whereas it is important to put in place initiatives to help farmers and others who work in the agri-food sector that are experiencing mental health issues as well as erase any lingering stigma associated with mental health issues;

And whereas I, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, believe the Program should be amended to add authority to establish initiatives to help farmers as well as others who work in the agri-food sector that are experiencing mental health issues since addressing mental health issues for farmers and others in the agri-food sector is necessary for the encouragement of agriculture, food and rural affairs in Ontario;

Now therefore, and pursuant to my authority under sections 4 and 6.2 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act as well as sections 49 and 54 of the Legislation Act, 2006, I hereby order that the Previous Order be amended as set out in the herein Order.

Part 1 – Interpretation

  1. For the purposes of this Order, the following terms will have the following meanings:

    "Order" means this Minister's Order;

    "Previous Order" means Minister's Order 0005/2018, which established the Program, as amended; and

    "Program" means the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Strategic Initiative Theme Program.

  2. Any capitalized term not defined within this Order will have the same meaning as set out under the Previous Order.

Part 2 – Amendment To Part XIII – The Value-Added Agriculture and agri-food processing priority area of previous order

  1. Section 96 of the Previous Order is amended by adding "reducing barriers that could undermine the growth and/or innovation of value-added agriculture and agri-food processing" between the words "capacity to innovate" and the "; and supporting".
  2. Section 97(a) of the Previous Order is amended by adding "as well as reducing barriers that could undermine the competitiveness, profitability, growth and long-term sustainability of the agri-food sector" after the words "labour issues".
  3. Section 98 of the Previous Order is amended as follows:
    1. Striking out the "and" at the end of section 98(g);
    2. Striking out the "." At the end of section 98(h) and replacing it with "; and"; and
    3. Adding the following as section 98(i):
      1. Reducing barriers that could undermine the competitiveness, profitability, growth and long-term sustainability of the agri-food sector, including barriers created by mental health issues and/or the stigma associated with mental health issues.

This Order comes into effect upon signature.

Original signed by:

The Honourable Lisa Thompson
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Executed on this 24th day of November, 2021.