Background

The Grain Financial Protection Board, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is established under the Farm Products Payments Act (FPPA). It is a trust agency responsible for administering the funds for grain corn, soybean, wheat, and canola producers and owners (mandatory check-off paid on the sale of grain corn, soybean, wheat and canola).

Section 4(1) of the FPPA sets out the functions of the board as follows:

  1. to administer its 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; and,
  5. to carry out the functions, and exercise the powers, prescribed by regulation.

Fund administration by the Board is one component under the Grain Financial Protection Program established in 1984 to protect producers of grain corn, soybean, wheat and canola in the event of default on payment by licensed buyers as well as to protect owners of grain who store their grain in licensed grain elevators. The program consists of a licensing and fund administration component. The legislative authority for the licensing component of the grain program is set out in the Grains Act.

Membership

The Minister appoints not fewer than five members and may designate one of the members as chair and another as vice-chair. The Board traditionally consists of eight members plus a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Representatives are from the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Canola Growers' Association, and the Ontario Agri Business Association.

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

Term

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.

Reports

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