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

Vote Program

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

        
101 Ministry Administration Program $22,472,900 $22,472,900 - $19,805,052
107 Better Public Health and Environment $79,939,100 $73,636,900 $6,302,200 $76,217,365
108 Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities $520,442,600 $496,741,300 $23,701,300 $497,081,582
109 Policy 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
101 Ministry Administration Program - $1,000 ($1,000) -
107 Better 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

        
108 Strong 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 number Item

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense
1 Ministry 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
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 $22,553,087 $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-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

   $5,558,500
 

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 number Item

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21
 

Operating expense

        
1 Better 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
S Bad 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

        
2 Better 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-items Amount Amount
 

Operating expense

    
107-1 Better 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

    
107-2 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

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 number Item

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense
1 Economic Development $169,594,800 $132,483,500 $37,111,300 $132,977,149
3 Research $78,868,300 $78,868,300 - $77,576,012
4 Business 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
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 - $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
7 Agriculture 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-items Amount Amount

Operating expense
108-1 Economic 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
108-3 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

 $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
108-4 Business 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

    
108-7 Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital    
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Agri-Food and Animal Health Laboratory Infrastructure

 $500,000  
 

Research Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs

 $4,500,000  
 

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 number Item

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense
1 Policy 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-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

 $1,793,000
 

Supplies and equipment

 $150,300
  Total operating expense to be voted $16,251,800
  Total operating expense for Policy Development $16,251,800