Published plans and annual reports 2024–2025: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ministry overview

Ministry's vision

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) helps to build a sustainable, resilient, trusted, and thriving agri-food system and strong rural communities with diversified economies that innovate to drive economic growth, balanced by a One Health approach.

Ministry purpose and priorities

OMAFRA supports innovation, increasing trade, safeguarding the food supply chain and ensuring the safe and sustainable production of food, and building the economic development capacity of rural communities. To achieve this, OMAFRA:

• Advances the Grow Ontario Strategy — the government's plan to strengthen the agri-food industry, fuel economic growth, ensure an efficient, reliable, and responsive food supply and address ongoing agri-food industry vulnerabilities through focused research and new innovations.
• Promotes economic growth and job creation in the agri-food industry and rural communities by investing in businesses across the province that are enhancing food processing capacity, adopting innovative and new technologies in agri-food workplaces, and creating opportunities for growth and benefits for the agri-food industry and rural communities.
• Implements significant partnership frameworks and agreements including the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (Alliance), the ministry's five-year agreement with the University of Guelph and the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO), an agency of OMAFRA.
• Supports agricultural producers as they manage risks beyond their control through Business Risk Management (BRM) programming, with both federal-provincial programs and provincial only programs.
• Supports Ontario's agri-food system and promotes a ‘One Health' approach through delivery of food safety legislation at provincially regulated facilities and administering legislation and programming in the areas of animal, plant and environmental health.
• Drives meaningful environmental change and sustainability through joint leadership and action from a wide, interconnected web of players to ensure the long-term economic viability, competitiveness, and resiliency of the agri-food industry, and to ensure the land is sustainably managed for future generations.
• Works with agri-food industry partners to increase competitiveness, productivity and profitability and expand domestic and international markets through accessible tools, educational events, trade missions and market access advocacy, demonstrations, publications, and other services.
• Supports rural communities through delivery of economic development programs, tools and training that help expand local business growth, stimulate investment and re-investment in traditional downtown districts, and identify strategies to welcome newcomers as residents and workers to enhance economic growth.
• Partners with federal/provincial/territorial partners — in addition to working with Indigenous organizations and communities — in support of the agri-food industry and sustainable food production.
• Provides planning, knowledge, and support to clients prior to and during emergencies to ensure food security, health and safety and protection of the plant and animal resource base.

Ministry programs

Strong agriculture, food and bio-product sectors and strong rural communities

A strong agri-food industry helps boost Ontario's economy, creates good jobs, and puts food on the tables of Ontarians. In 2022, Ontario's agri-food industry contributed $48.8 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) and supported over 836,000 jobs, representing 10.8% of the province's labour force.

Rural Ontario is home to about 2.5 million people, approximately 17% of Ontario's population. In 2022, rural Ontario's GDP was estimated to be $99.7 billion and supported 1.2 million jobs representing approximately 16% of the province's labour force.  Rural Ontario businesses are diverse, including wholesale and retail trade, services, manufacturing and educational institutions.

Economic development

The ministry enables innovation and helps strengthen the social, economic and environmental sustainability of a diverse agri-food industry, working with partners to coordinate a wide range of initiatives.

The ministry also supports rural communities in diversifying and growing their local economies by providing access to economic data, fostering the adoption of economic development best practices, encouraging regional partnerships and providing cost-share funding to address economic barriers. The ministry is developing a provincial Rural Economic Development Strategy that will be released in 2024.

OMAFRA provides support through programs such as Sustainable CAP, which includes cost-sharing support through initiatives such as:

• The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative to help farmers and food processors invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes to increase production capacity and for eligible businesses to increase their energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in new technology, equipment, as well as building or facility modifications.
• The Grow Ontario Marketing Initiative, which supports primary producers, processors and industry organizations to grow their business through marketing analysis and planning, new product development and marketing activities to find, develop and capture new or expand domestic or export market opportunities.
• The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative, which provides funding to eligible free-standing meat plants and abattoirs so they can make short-term investments in meat handling and processing equipment, technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and productivity.
• The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, which provides eligible producers with cost-shared funding to purchase apple, tender fruit or grape plants that may create new opportunities for their business.

Other economic development programs include:

• The Rural Economic Development program, which helps rural and Indigenous communities remove barriers to economic development, attract investment, create, retain, fill jobs and enhance economic growth. The ministry ensures that rural interests are considered in policies and programs across government and promotes economic growth and opportunities to support a high quality of life for residents.
• The Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund, which enhances processing capacity in Ontario through investments in major expansions and modernization of food processing facilities focusing on critical needs for the sector supply chain or broader strategic benefits.
• The Grassroots Growth Initiative, which provides support to organizations that create broader opportunities and greater benefits for the agri-food industry and rural communities.
• The Foodland Ontario program, which helps to increase awareness and celebrate local food. It also encourages consumers to choose Ontario food when shopping by encouraging Ontario businesses to use the Foodland Ontario logo on their food products.

In support of domestic agriculture production, ministry staff provide education events, workshops across the province and develop material available on several different platforms (such as social media and newsletters). These cover a range of topics including production efficiency, pest and disease management, best management practices, sustainability, biosecurity, emergency preparedness, on farm applied research and other relevant topics.

In the interest of the food and beverage processors, ministry staff work across the province to provide resources, connections, and supports to help grow Ontario's food and beverage businesses. Ministry advisors assist food and beverage processors with investments to be competitive and realize the potential to expand their domestic and export markets. The trade support for Ontario agri-food businesses includes:

• Tradeshow events and trade missions to boost the visibility of Ontario products.
• Advice and resources to navigate trade regulations and market trends, and policy work to maintain broad market access.
• Business-to-business meeting programs for Ontario food and beverage manufacturers with major domestic and international retailers.
• Providing advice, resources and connections to businesses that specialize in co-packing and co-manufacturing services.
• Supporting businesses engaged in foreign direct investment, incoming, outgoing and site selector missions.

As part of the Grow Ontario Strategy to attract and grow Ontario's agri-food talent, the ministry is actively promoting careers in the agri-food industry through awareness and educational efforts at key events across the province.

Research

The Alliance with the University of Guelph provides expertise and access to a unique agri-food research, laboratory analysis and knowledge transfer system. This is done through the provision of agri-food and rural research, laboratory services, veterinary education, research centre management, and the new addition of regulatory training and education for agricultural producers.

OMAFRA works with industry, academia, agencies such as ARIO, other Ontario ministries, provincial governments, and the federal government to advance research and innovation that enables the growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the agri-food industry. This further solidifies the province's position as a global leader in agri-food capacity building and skills development, research and innovation.

The results are seen in many innovative projects, such as technological developments that have been commercialized and adopted to support future policy and program decisions affecting agri-food industry needs. In addition, this support has helped launch spin-off companies and Ontario-developed intellectual property from the University of Guelph, resulting in economic development and contributing to the ministry's Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to support business innovation in Ontario.

The ministry works with industry and other partners to focus research priorities, co-invest in research projects and infrastructure, and to encourage adoption by applying formal research into knowledge and technology transfer activities.

OMAFRA also invests in open research programs and projects to enhance food safety, soil health, plant and animal health, water management, bio-products development, and precision agriculture. 

OMAFRA is implementing a strategy to modernize its research and innovation programs, services. Through ARIO, the ministry continues to modernize its research infrastructure.

The Grow Ontario Strategy outlined goals to enhance research and innovation, which support the ministry's KPI for the number of patents and licenses granted through ministry funded research. These goals include:

• Build and maintain world-class research infrastructure to encourage the use of innovation and enhance the sustainability and profitability of the agri-food industries.
• Over 250 patents and licences granted through OMAFRA-funded research by 2030.
• Develop innovative technologies to advance uptake of new innovations.
• Ensure the translation and transfer of research into practical solutions for Ontario's agri-food industry, getting the research from the lab onto the farm.
• Grow the market for Ontario innovative technologies domestically and globally.
• Grow the use of data to support business decisions and increase efficiencies within the agri-food industry and value chain.
• Work with sectors to better measure data driven solutions.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs capital

OMAFRA's research is supported by ARIO and includes a network of 14 research stations, labs and related agricultural infrastructure. These facilities provide research capacity to support industry-driven research while leveraging third party investments to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the agri-food industry. Several major capital projects were recently completed to modernize key research platforms supporting field crops, livestock, and aquaculture.

Business Risk Management transfers

Through its BRM programming, most of which is delivered through its crown agency Agricorp, OMAFRA helps Ontario's agriculture producers manage risks beyond their control, including weather and market volatility.

Programs include the federal-provincial programs under the Sustainable CAP (AgriInvest, AgriStability, AgriInsurance (Production Insurance), and AgriRecovery framework), and the provincial-only Risk Management Program, which includes the Self-Directed Risk Management Program for edible horticulture.

The national BRM suite is expected to provide over $1 billion over five years in support for Ontario's farmers through Sustainable CAP. Ontario is a national leader in providing risk management support to farmers to protect the food supply system from events beyond their control.

The Ontario Risk Management Program provides $150 million per year to Ontario farmers. Recent changes allow funds to roll forward in good years, so these funds are available to help farmers in more difficult years.

Better public health and environment

OMAFRA has adopted a 'One Health' approach to designing and implementing programs, policies, and regulation, working with partners to improve human, animal, plant and environmental health. This includes collaboration with other ministries to engage on issues such as risks from zoonotic disease, risks from overlap of wildlife and farming activities, and risks of environmental concerns resulting from agricultural activities. 

OMAFRA plays a key role in protecting the public interest through oversight of food safety, animal health and nutrient management. In addition, OMAFRA partners with the agri-food industry to provide education and program support in areas including animal health, animal welfare, food safety, traceability, nutrient management, and environmental best practices.

The ministry is responsible for the Ontario government's emergency management activities related to farm animal diseases, food contamination, agricultural plant diseases and pest infestations and engages with industry groups, federal regulators and provincial ministries to be prepared to respond.

The ministry has developed resiliency and public trust programming to enhance the agri-food industry's capacity to develop, improve, and implement effective protection and risk resilience practices to mitigate disruptions, improve public trust and consumer confidence, and help the sector thrive. This programming provides directed and cost-share funding to support biosecurity, animal health management, animal disease preparedness, food safety modernization, plant health management and plant pest surveillance, monitoring and diagnostics. 

OMAFRA has established itself as a recognized and trusted source for information and advice around environmental stewardship in the agri-food industry. Building on a long history of strong partnerships and collaboration, the ministry takes a multi-faceted approach to supporting environmental sustainability through impactful legislation, targeting programming and initiatives, supporting on-farm decision-making and measuring progress to demonstrate impact.

Improving productivity and resilience of agricultural lands is a key element of environmental sustainability. The ministry has several programs to support, including:

• The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), a five-year program that supports land uses that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.
• The Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a supplemental cost-share program to support to farmers for a wide variety of projects aimed at supporting soil health, water quality and improving productivity on agricultural land.
• An extension and enhancement to the On-Farm Applied Research and Monitoring (ONFARM) program, will help farmers better understand and communicate best on-farm management practices to address and improve their soil health and water quality.
• Enhancements to AgriSuite, modernizing and enhancing the technology platform that provides custom plans to support soil health best management practice adoption. This supports the ministry's KPI for the level of environmentally beneficial best management practice adoption.
• Support for Environmental Farm Plan and the Farm Land Health Check-Up, which promote the adoption of best management practices.

Grow Ontario identifies Ontario's commitment to increase agri-food innovation and adoption to help farmers become the best stewards of the land and the environment and continue to demonstrate leadership in sustainability. This supports the ministry's KPI for the level of environmentally beneficial best management practice adoption. 

Policy development

OMAFRA provides evidence-based policy analysis and advice in support of ministry and government priorities to foster economic growth in Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities, while providing assurance and oversight of the agri-food system and supply chains and protecting the productive capacity and sustainability of Ontario's natural resources. 

The ministry advances Ontario's rural and agri-food priorities and interests on issues of national and interprovincial importance, fostering strong intergovernmental working relationships and providing leadership at key federal/provincial/territorial tables. The ministry leads policy development and negotiations on intergovernmental agricultural policy and funding frameworks, including the current Sustainable CAP. The Policy division also provides policy leadership and direction on Indigenous relations matters, including internal capacity building, and supports the Minister and Parliamentary Assistant at key intergovernmental meetings with municipal partners.

Trade policy activity includes providing advice on trade negotiations and market access, conducting impact assessments on trade issues, planning and delivering trade missions to target markets, advocating for Ontario's agri-food interests, and monitoring trade information and statistics. 

OMAFRA leads the policy, legislative and regulatory development process related to agriculture and food to enhance and protect the environment (air, water, land, and biodiversity), food safety, food quality, and agri-food protection including animal health. It also provides policy analysis and support in these subject areas to other provincial ministries and the federal government.  

OMAFRA actively collaborates with other ministries to advance and support government priorities.  The OFPMC is a non-board governed, regulatory agency of the ministry that administers the provisions of the Farm Products Marketing Act (FPMA), the Milk Act and certain regulations governing regulated marketing. Under these Acts, the OFPMC is empowered to ensure the authorities that are delegated to Ontario's 22 marketing boards and three representative associations are exercised for the benefit of Ontarians by fostering thriving agricultural production and processing.

OMAFRA develops policies and provides oversight for a suite of financial risk management programs to help famers and producers such as: the national BRM programs (AgriInsurance, AgriStability); Risk Management Program; Feeder-Cattle, Commodity and Ginseng Storage Loan Programs, Financial Protection for cattle and grains and Wildlife Damage compensation.

Ministry administration

OMAFRA continues to provide high quality customer service and efficient program delivery. The ministry is committed to making its public facing services simpler, faster and better with digital modernization advancements underway to continuously improve program and operational delivery that are aligned with the Digital Service Standard.

OMAFRA will continue to support the expansion of the publication of open data to Ontario's Data Catalogue including an enhanced focus on government agency data.

2024–25 Strategic plan

Building a strong Ontario includes making strategic decisions and investments that boost Ontario's competitive advantage, supports growth in the agri-food industry and rural communities and maintains health and safety of food, animals and plants.

Ontario's agri-food industry is, and always will be, a cornerstone of the province's thriving economy, and is the largest and most diverse in Canada. It is an important economic driver for the province and Canada, and a significant jurisdiction internationally. Ontario accounts for $14.7 billion, or 42.02% of Canada's national food and beverage GDP and represents the third largest contributor of farm cash receipts in the country in 2022.

OMAFRA supports the agri-food industry and rural communities with financial and program support to help build a stronger Ontario, including trade enhancement plans, sector investment programs, land use policies and rural community funding programs.

OMAFRA's work also involves managing and mitigating human, animal, plant and environmental health risks through regulatory oversight, targeted funding, education, technology transfer and research and science-based prevention, monitoring, assurance, resilience and response programming.

The ministry's actions are currently guided by the Grow Ontario Strategy. Under the strategy, decisions are made to drive innovation in agricultural practices, address workforce needs, and enhance the agri-food industry's resilience.

Additionally, the Sustainable CAP supports the vision of the Grow Ontario Strategy, and funding through the Rural Economic Development program helps bolster growth in rural communities.

Grow Ontario Strategy (Grow Ontario)

The Grow Ontario Strategy is Ontario's long-term plan to strengthen the agri-food industry, fuel economic growth, ensure an efficient, reliable, and responsive food supply and address ongoing agri-food sector vulnerabilities through focused research and new innovations.

Actions outlined in the strategy support ministry KPIs, including the number of new technologies, practices, processes assessed, evaluated and/or demonstrated and dollars of investment influenced, and jobs created/retained in food and beverage manufacturing.  Grow Ontario outlines three key priorities:

• Strengthening agri-food supply chain stability
• Increasing agri-food technology and adoption
• Attracting and growing Ontario's agri-food talent

Since the Grow Ontario Strategy was released in November 2022, great strides have been made towards advancing the Strategy's goals, including:

• Supporting the goal to increase Ontario's agri-food exports by 8% year over year by 2032, agri-food exports were $26.2 billion in 2023, a 10% increase from $23.8 billion in 2022.
• Supporting the goal to see more than 250 patents and licences granted through research funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs by 2032.  In 2022/23, 43 patents and licenses were granted through ministry-funded research.
• Supporting the goal to increase the consumption of food grown and prepared in Ontario by 30% by 2032, Foodland Ontario, is recognized by eight out of 10 Ontario consumers, continued to increase awareness of locally produced food across the province. In 2023, we recognized 61 grocery stores for their efforts to promote Ontario-grown produce.
• Supporting the goal to increase economic opportunities in the agri-food sector with $636 million in investment and 3,339 jobs retained or created.

Strategic focus areas in support of the Grow Ontario Strategy

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Sustainable CAP will help enable the goals outlined in the Grow Ontario Strategy, which include increasing the production of food by 30% over the next 10 years, growing agri-food exports by 8% annually, and building and maintaining world-class research infrastructure. This supports the ministry's KPI for growing Ontario's exports.

Ontario is committed to fostering economic development in the agri-food sector and rural Ontario. Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Sustainable CAP's predecessor, OMAFRA targeted 265 new technologies, practices, processes assessed, evaluated and or demonstrated by 2023 to support this KPI. The result for 2022–2023 was 1039, which well exceeded the target. A new target will be established under Sustainable CAP to continue this important KPI.

Sustainable CAP helps position Ontario's sector for continued success as a world leader in environmentally, economically and socially sustainable agriculture. This includes a 25% increase in funding for strategic initiatives to support Ontario's sector over the life of the framework, and a renewed suite of demand-driven, business risk management supports that help farmers manage risks beyond their control.

As a critical component to the Sustainable CAP program, the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) is a program dedicated to mitigating climate change and supporting the agri-food industry to adapt to climate change impacts and better address sustainability outcomes. This targeted initiative is part of a comprehensive and multi-faceted suite of Sustainable CAP environment and climate change programming intended to build the sustainability, resiliency, competitiveness, and productive capacity of the sector.

Supporting the agri-food sector and the Grow Ontario Strategy through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance

OMAFRA's five-year agreement with the University of Guelph and the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario came into effect April 1, 2023. Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the ministry will invest over $343 million over the term of the agreement for programming to help the broader agri-food sector build resiliency by:

• Managing threats to food production and food security such as African swine fever (ASF) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
• Advancing science, research, innovation and commercialization of new products, processes and practices that support the long-term success of the agri-food system.
• Building a skilled workforce and developing talent that will advance Ontario's agri-food sector including veterinary medicine and rural communities.
• Maintaining and maximizing use of the Government of Ontario's network of state-of-the art research centres through its agency, ARIO. These research centres are managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

Food safety, animal & plant health and emergency preparedness: supporting a resilient sector and the Grow Ontario Strategy

OMAFRA is dedicated to continued enhancement of food safety and animal health and welfare through compliance monitoring (inspection, testing and audit), education and outreach, advisory services, investigations, surveillance, emergency preparedness planning. The ministry continues its work as an effective, consistent and risk-based modern regulator by working closely with farmers and processors to set clear expectations and achieve food safety and animal health and welfare requirements and by supporting long-term sustainability in the industry and workforce.

The ministry also supports the agri-food sector by providing knowledge and support to clients prior to and during emergencies to underpin food security and ensure health and safety and protection of the plant and animal food resource base. This includes prevention and biosecurity efforts and preparations for emergency responses to diseases which are not currently in Ontario but could have significant impacts if not prevented such as ASF and Foot and Mouth Disease, and plant pests such as Spotted Lanternfly.

Under Sustainable CAP, the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative supports the resiliency of the agriculture and food sector by providing funding opportunities to key agriculture industry businesses that are addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness. Staff also work to identify and treat problems related to plant diseases (for example, vomitoxin in corn), and support industry and governments in developing emergency response and recovery plans. OMAFRA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency continue to work together to prepare for and respond to animal diseases with potentially significant economic impacts on the domestic agricultural sector.

Cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burden

In full support of Grow Ontario, the ministry is committed to reducing red tape and unnecessary regulatory burden to lower operating costs for businesses and improve Ontario's competitiveness.   

The ministry is working with the agri-food industry to reduce regulatory burden, while preserving the regulations that keep Ontarians, their environment and their food safe and healthy. By cutting red tape, government-wide efforts have saved Ontario's agri-food sector over $3 million since 2018, giving farmers more time to run their farms and grow their businesses.

The ministry will continue to work with the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction on future initiatives that reduce burden for the agri-food sectors to support industry competitiveness.

Federal-Provincial-Territorial relations

The ministry plays a leadership role in advancing the interests of Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities through strong advocacy at Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) tables. In 2024–25, this will include constructive dialogue on key topics of national interest such as transparency and fair dealing in the grocery sector, ASF preparedness, and development of a national Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank. Ontario will also host the second annual meeting of FPT Ministers responsible for rural economic development.

Compliance modernization

As part of the Ontario Onwards Action Plan and aligned with Grow Ontario and the OPS Service Strategy, the ministry has been working towards realizing its vision for Compliance Modernization. This is a multi-year initiative that builds on OMAFRA's strong foundation of protecting the public interest in food safety, plant health, animal health and welfare and the environment through a more consistently risk-based, client-focused, and digital regulatory delivery model aligned with the Ontario Regulators' Code of Practice.

Compliance Modernization will establish a consistent, integrated inspection model across all commodities, enabling the ministry to detect and prevent risk effectively, while reducing red tape and streamlining processes for industry through the adoption modern technology & tools to support industry and inspectors.

Rural economic development

The ministry will continue its engagement with municipal leaders, Indigenous partners and rural stakeholders as it develops the provincial Rural Economic Development Strategy that will be released in 2024.

The ministry will continue to support rural communities by providing access to data, training, tools and cost-share funding to build capacity, address barriers and leverage opportunities to support rural economic growth.

Detailed financial information

Combined operating and capital summary by vote

The ministry's historical trends fluctuate primarily due to variability in its demand-driven programs, which make up most of its budget.

For additional financial information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• Public Accounts of Ontario: past editions
• 2024 Ontario Budget: Building a Better Ontario

Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)

Agencies of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) perform a range of functions, including: delivering Business Risk Management (BRM) and other key programs; supervising Ontario's 22 marketing boards and three representative commodity associations; and fulfilling other regulatory, operational and advisory functions.

The ministry is responsible for the governance and oversight of 10 provincial agencies in accordance with the Agencies and Appointments Directive. The following is a list of the ministry's agencies, boards and commissions accountable to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Agricorp

Type of agency: Board-Governed/Operational Enterprise

Constituting instrument: AgriCorp Act

Function: Agricorp was created in 1997 with a mandate to deliver crop insurance and other agricultural BRM programs. Agricorp delivers three core programs: AgriStability; Production Insurance and the suite of Risk Management Programs; as well as several smaller programs, such as the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program.

Agricorp delivers programs that are funded by both the provincial and federal governments, and by stakeholders.

Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO)

Type of agency: Board-Governed/Operational Service Agency

Constituting instrument: Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario Act

Function: ARIO is focused on ensuring Ontario maintains its competitive advantage in agri-food research and innovation. It concentrates its efforts in four ways:

1. Providing strategic advice to the Minister on agri-food and bio-products research and innovation;
2. Implementing ARIO's infrastructure strategy to modernize the province's agri-food research and innovation physical and soft infrastructure platforms (i.e., data, digital equipment, virtual);
3. Promoting the Ontario agri-food research and innovation system; and
4. Providing oversight of open research programs and the 14 ARIO-owned research properties, which includes, approximately 5,400 acres, 220+ buildings with a book value of approximately $103 million, and 16 tenants, that include government, not-for-profit, industry and private-sector organizations.

Non-consolidated agencies

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal (AFRAAT)

Type of agency: Non Board-Governed/Adjudicative

Constituting instrument: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act (AFRAAT)

Function: The function of the AFRAAT is to provide a fair and impartial hearing and decision process for stakeholders who are aggrieved by a direction, policy, order, or decision, or who require the resolution of a dispute pursuant to one of 17 provincial statutes related to the agriculture and food industry. Most of the matters heard by the Tribunal arise from appeals of decisions made under the following eight statutes: Drainage Act; Agricultural Products Insurance Act, 1996; Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act (for appeals of decisions made under the Farm Products Marketing Act and the Milk Act); Assessment Act; Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001; Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act; Farm Implements Act; and Agricultural Employees Protection Act, 2002.

Normal Farm Practices Protection Board (NFPPB)

Type of agency: Non Board-Governed/Adjudicative

Constituting instrument: Farming and Food Production Protection Act, 1998

Function: The NFPPB reviews and resolves disputes related to an agricultural operation, including the determination of what constitutes as normal farm practice, and makes the necessary inquiries and orders to ensure compliance with its decisions. 

Grain Financial Protection Board (GFPB)/Livestock Financial Protection Board (LFPB)

Type of agency: Board-Governed/Trust

Constituting instrument: Farm Products Payments Act

Function: Under the Farm Products Payments Act, funds and boards are established to protect producers from non-payment by licensed buyers. 

Both Boards collect fees, administer a compensation fund, and make decisions on claims made against the funds. The fund set up under the Grain Financial Protection Program protects producers of grain corn, soybeans, wheat, and canola in the event of defaults on payment by licensed buyers. It also protects owners of grain who store their grain in licensed grain elevators.

The fund set up under the Ontario Beef Cattle Financial Protection Program protects producers and other sellers of beef cattle in the event of defaults on payment by licensed buyers.

Business Risk Management Review Committee (BRMRC)

Type of agency: Advisory

Constituting instrument: Order in Council

Function: The BRMRC has the authority to consider requests for reviews and make non-binding recommendations to the program administration for the following programs: AgriStability; Ontario's Risk Management Program (including Ontario's Self-Directed Risk Management Program); Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program; AgriRecovery; and any other program to which the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Minister assigns responsibility.

Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel (REDAP)

Type of agency: Advisory

Constituting instrument: Order in Council

Function: The REDAP provides non-binding recommendations to the Minister on applications for funding under the Rural Economic Development program and any other program that the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the Minister may assign.

Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC)

Type of agency: Non-Board-Governed/Regulatory

Constituting instrument: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act

Function: The OFPMC administers the provisions of the Farm Products Marketing Act (FPMA), the Milk Act and certain regulations governing regulated marketing. Under these Acts, the OFPMC is empowered to ensure the authorities that are delegated to Ontario's 22 marketing boards and three representative associations are exercised for the benefit of Ontarians, by fostering thriving agricultural production and processing.  

The OFPMC focuses its work in three key areas, including:

• Regulated Marketing Framework Oversight: Exercising its authorities to enable the regulated marketing system;
• Regulatory Compliance: Supervising Ontario's regulated boards and associations to ensure they operate within the powers and authorities given to them; and
• Guidance, Facilitation and Dispute Resolution: Encouraging industry solutions to challenges and opportunities.

Ontario Food Terminal Board (OFTB)

Type of agency: Board-Governed/Operational Enterprise

Constituting instrument: Ontario Food Terminal Act

Function: The OFTB has a mandate to acquire, construct, equip and operate a wholesale market primarily for agricultural products, and operate such facility for the distribution and handling of agricultural products.

Ministry organization chart (April 2024)

• Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Honourable Lisa Thompson
  • OMAFRA Classified Agencies
  • Parliamentary Assistant: Anthony Leardi
  • Parliamentary Assistant: John Jordan
  • Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: John Kelly
    • Chief Information Officer Land and Resources IT Cluster^{footnote 3[3]}: Claudio DeRose
    • Legal Services^{footnote 4[4]}: Natasha Wilson (Acting)
    • Communications Branch: David Spencer
    • Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister: Caitlin Kelly (Acting)
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Development Division: Randy Jackiw
      • Director, Agriculture Development Branch: Colleen Fitzgerald-Hubble
      • Director, Labour, Trade and Economic Development Branch: Basia Florio (Acting)
      • Director, Program Development and Integration Branch: Carolyn Hamilton
      • Director, Rural Programs Branch: Alan Crawley
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Food Safety & Environment Division: Renee Bowler (Acting)
      • Director, Animal Health and Welfare Branch/Chief Veterinarian of Ontario: Dr. Greg Worley
      • Director, Environmental Management Branch: Cale Selby
      • Director, Food Safety Inspection Delivery Branch: Tanya Weber-Kinch
      • Director, Food Safety Systems Development Branch: Natasha Bartlett
    • Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Division: David Hagarty
      • Director, Economic Development Policy Branch: Scott Duff
      • Director, Farm Finance Branch: Tamara Fernandes
      • Director, Food Safety and Environmental Policy Branch: Andrea Martin
      • Director, Strategic Policy Branch: Karl Maiterth
    • Chief Administrative Officer/Assistant Deputy Minister, Research and Corporate Services Division: Greg Wootton
      • Director, Audit Services Branch^{footnote 5[5]}: Edward Sheu
      • Director, Business Planning and Financial Management Branch: Jennifer Kidon
      • Director, Business Services Branch: Laurie Adrien
      • Director, Research and Innovation Branch: Doug Reddick
      • Director, Strategic Human Resources Branch: Alaina Oda

Annual report

The Ontario government is committed to making Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities open for business, open for jobs and positioned for success now and into the future.

Through the Grow Ontario Strategy, the government has set out a long-term plan to strengthen the agri-food industry, fuel economic growth, help ensure an efficient, reliable, and responsive food supply and address ongoing agri-food industry vulnerabilities through new innovations.

Strong agriculture, food and bio-product sectors

• In 2023, agri-food exports rose to $26.2 billion, up 10% from $23.8 billion in 2022. Ontario is the top agri-food exporting Canadian province, followed by Saskatchewan.
  • In 2023, Ontario's major export partners were the United States (82%), followed by Asia (5%) and the European Union (4%).
  • Top exports include grain products (27%), vegetables (11%), other edible preparations (8%), red meats (7%), and sugar and confectionary (7%).
  • Ontario exports are dominated by value-added or consumer-oriented goods (74%), followed by minimally processed or intermediate goods (14%) with bulk goods comprising (12%) of agri-food exports in 2023.
• In 2022, Ontario committed $10 million through the Food Security and Supply Chain Funding Program as part of Grow Ontario to address supply chain challenges, reduce agri-food industry vulnerabilities, increase resilience, and strengthen the food supply for Ontarians. Funding was awarded to agri-food businesses and non-profit organizations through two programs: the Supply Chain Stability and Adaptability Program, and the Expanding Job Entry Pathways Initiative. Both programs ended on March 31, 2024.
• OMAFRA launched the Grow Ontario Market Initiative, a $12 million cost-share initiative with the Government of Canada through Sustainable CAP, to help agriculture and food businesses and organizations expand in domestic and foreign markets.
• In 2023–24, ministry advisors held more than 980 one-on-one consultations with food and beverage industry clients. Through 11 domestic and international events, 460 stakeholders were given the opportunity to reach key investors and/or buyers, and eight webinars were held reaching over 600 stakeholders. These events directly contributed to 1,185 jobs created/retained and $176 million invested in the food and beverage sector.
• In 2023–24, ministry advisors led over 25 educational events related to community economic development that reached over 1,400 economic development practitioners and stakeholders achieving a 93% level of satisfaction.
• Ministry technical specialists reached over 24,000 primary agriculture producers and supply chain members through 91 direct led education events held during 2023–24. These events achieved an 85% overall satisfaction rating, with 80% identifying that the information provided will influence their work in the next one to two years, and 81% outlining attendance improved their understanding of the subject covered.
• In addition, ministry technical specialists were also involved in 240 industry led events and seminars providing advice and information related to production efficiency, pest and disease management, sustainability, biosecurity and emergence response, animal husbandry, and nutrient management. They also collaborated with the University of Guelph on over 80 applied research projects in those same areas.
• Through the Feeder Cattle and Commodity Loan Guarantee Programs, the government backed over $360 million in operational loans, benefiting approximately 1,000 farmers across the province.
• The ministry launched two digital tools for producers — the Crop Protection Hub and CropIPM — modernizing how they receive and use valuable crop protection information.
  • OMAFRA worked closely with other governments partners and industry (for example, Spotted Lanternfly Technical Advisory Committee, ASF emergency planning teams) on enhancing biosecurity and developing surveillance and response plans to mitigate impacts and eradicate hazards, if possible, on both the animal and plant sides.
• Ontario took the lead at the FPT table to proactively identify risk and parameters for an AgriRecovery initiative specific to an ASF response, to help farmers mitigate the extraordinary expenses in the event ASF is detected.
• OMAFRA provided $25 million through the Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program to enhance processing capacity in Ontario through investments in major expansions and modernization of food processing facilities.
• International agri-food workers (IAWs) are an important component of Ontario's agri-food sector that relies heavily on the federal government's Temporary Foreign Worker Program. IAWs account for approximately 29% of Ontario's primary agriculture workforce, and 10% of the food and beverage processing workforce.
  • In 2023, OMAFRA dedicated resources to lead policy, programming, coordination and engagement with other governments and industry on challenges facing IAWs, such as health and safety, housing and other vulnerabilities.
  • Continuing to collaborate with provincial and federal partners and the agri-food sector to offer arriving IAWs a welcome kit at Toronto Pearson International Airport that includes health and safety resources and comfort items such as water and snacks. As of September 30, 2023, when arrival of workers was winding down for the season, 6,000 welcome kits had been handed out to arriving international agri-food workers.
• Through the Ontario Fertilizer Challenge, OMAFRA looked to address the dependency of Ontario agriculture on imported fertilizers, as well as provided alternatives to traditional fertilizers to ensure a continuous and cost-effective supply of fertilizer products to Canadian agriculture.
• The Challenge provided 10 organizations with funding to transition alternative fertilizer solutions from research and validation phases to successful commercialization and market entry. This funding supports made-in-Ontario solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer options, alternatives, and technology, ensuring farmers have the tools they need so that Ontarians can rely on a safe and stable food supply.
• The minister's trade mission to Mexico provided opportunities to promote the range and quality of Ontario bakery and grain products available to Mexican buyers, and to learn more about companies' potential buyers' operations and needs. The mission was unique in being able to demonstrate the entire value chain of grains and bakery production in Ontario, including representatives from the primary production sector, value added sector and Ontario's grain elevators and port terminals.
• Highlights of the mission included:
  • Hosting a business roundtable with eight leaders of significant agri-food businesses and organizations in Mexico.
  • Facilitating over 100 business connections, including eight corporate meetings with key businesses in the grains and bakery sector in Mexico.

Supporting farm family mental health

• Funding for the following initiatives primarily comes from Sustainable CAP.
  • Ontario and Canada have committed over $7 million for three programs to expand mental health supports for farmers, their families and the agricultural community.
  • The Farmer Wellness Initiative, the Guardian Network and the expansion of the In the Know program offered farmers and farm families free counselling services, connections to tailored supports and resources and mental health training, regardless of farm organization membership.
  • A new funding initiative called the Sowing the Seeds of Wellness Initiative was also launched to amplify awareness of free mental health programming. Through the initiative, promotional materials and speaker engagement opportunities are available to eligible commodity and farm organizations that many producers are affiliated with.

Supporting local food

• As the province's domestic marketing program for Ontario food, Foodland Ontario continues to enjoy almost 90% recognition by consumers that fosters strong public trust. 81% of Ontarians feel the program is a worthwhile effort on the part of government. The program's key performance measures include:
  • Over 1,800 businesses and organizations utilize the logo on their packaging, resulting in hundreds of millions of consumer impressions per month in the domestic market, helping consumers to identify and purchase Ontario foods when shopping.
  • The program's public relations activities continued to provide resources, such as recipe releases, to over 450 food media outlets in Ontario that resulted in television and print media stories returning an estimated value of $15 million in earned media (free advertising). The program's retail services' activities included 11,000 store visits and the distribution of over 3.5 million pieces of point-of-sale signage to grocery stores.
• The Ontario government continues to support the growth and success of the province's wine and grape industry.
  • Under the VQA Wine Support Program, 97 wineries received payments totaling nearly $10 million in 2023. In 2023–24, the government also provided $5.4 million to 59 Ontario cideries and 29 distilleries under the Small Cidery and Small Distillery Program.
  • Under the Winery Agri-Tourism Economic Relief Grant, up to $10 million was committed to provide stability and transitional support to offset the prolonged fiscal impacts and slower than expected economic recovery in Ontario's wine tourism areas. Ontario wineries and cideries with on-site stores whose businesses experienced economic hardship, increased labour costs or supply chain challenges were eligible for the grant.
• Following the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association's 2023 sector development strategy, more than $1 million was announced under the Maple Production Improvement Initiative to support the productivity and growth of businesses in the province's maple syrup sector. More than 70 maple syrup producers will receive cost-shared funding under this Sustainable CAP initiative to support a range of activities designed to increase productivity, efficiency and growth.

Regulated marketing framework

• The OFPMC approved nine regulation amendments to support the evolution of the province's regulated commodity sectors addressing key issues for flowers, grape for processing, sheep, dairy, greenhouse vegetables and hogs. The OFPMC brought into legal force 19 negotiated agreements, and it ordered that one agreement be renegotiated. It also approved 69 processor licences and made over 50 appointments to various Industry Advisory Committees, arbitration panels and local boards.

Research

• Committed more than $343 million over five years through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance agreement. The agreement continues to support the growth and competitiveness of Ontario's agri-food sector, creating jobs and further solidifying the province's position as a global leader in agri-food education, research and innovation. This agreement with the University of Guelph increased Ontario's GDP by $1.4 billion and sustained more than 1,300 jobs.
• Ontario continues to invest in the renewal and modernization of the ARIO owned research stations, including the new Ontario Swine Research Centre at Elora that opened in August 2023.

Business risk management

• As part of Sustainable CAP, Ontario continues to offer the core AgriStability, AgriInsurance and AgriInvest programs, and implements initiatives under the AgriRecovery framework.
• Beginning in 2023, the increased compensation rate went from 70 to 80% for both the provincial and federal component, which was implemented for AgriStability participants. Ontario was already leading on this front, providing 80%.
• The Minister worked collaboratively with Agricorp and the Ontario Beekeepers Association to make the bee health Production Insurance plan more responsive to needs.
• Ontario negotiated, designed and delivered two additional programs to support grape growers and beekeepers impacted by adverse weather conditions through the Agri-Recovery framework. More than $6.3 million was provided to 190 Ontario grape growers and $2.2 million in payments to support more than 70 beekeepers across the province.
• As a pre-emptive AgriRecovery Initiative, the ministry coordinated amongst all levels of government and industry to be ready to mitigate the potential impacts of African Swine Fever to the sector/economy, animal health and welfare, mental health, and the environment.
• The Risk Management Program provided more than $200 million to approximately 8,500 producers to manage risks beyond their control over the 2023 program year.
• Changes were introduced in the Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee program to expand custom feeding options for cattle producers.

Supporting Ontario's land use planning system

• As part of OMAFRA's work to support the implementation of Ontario's land use planning system, ministry staff delivered technical advice and training on agricultural land use policies to municipal staff, economic development officials, building officials, consultants, and planners on:
  • Minimum Distance Separation Formulae (approximately 600 clients);
  • Permitted Uses in Prime Agricultural Areas (approximately 700 clients);
  • Agricultural System and the Agricultural System Portal (approximately 15 municipalities); and
  • Agricultural Impact Assessments (approximately 15 municipalities).
• OMAFRA planning staff also interacted daily with many clients via email and phone, assisting with the implementation of land use planning policies across the province. It is estimated that OMAFRA staff provided outreach and education to nearly 1,800 participants on a variety of agricultural land use planning topics.
• As part of MMAH's provincial ‘One Window' planning service, OMAFRA reviewed 55 circulations from MMAH to comment on official plans, official plan amendments, and consent applications in northern Ontario.
• The ministry supported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry by providing technical reviews for approximately 25 applications under the Aggregate Resources Act, to address impacts on agricultural lands and operations.
• The ministry is supporting MMAH with the review of proposed Ministerial Zoning Orders and encouraging municipalities to use the Community Housing Infrastructure Accelerator Tool.
• OMAFRA is working with municipalities to implement the Agricultural System, and has developed tools to support the implementation of the Agricultural System, including: an Agricultural Land Base Map; an online Agricultural System Map Portal and other implementation procedures.
• OMAFRA provided technical advice about the agri-food industry from a land use planning perspective, including, Geographic Information System (GIS) and mapping support for partner ministries.

Environmental stewardship

• OMAFRA supported sector efforts by investing in stewardship programs, supporting science and performance measures to inform industry action, and reducing red tape for farmers and food processors.
• Through funding from Sustainable CAP, the ministry is working to support climate change and environment outcomes, including BMP and technological adoption that will support climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas reduction, soil health, water and air quality, and support improved biodiversity and sensitive habitat protections.
• Since 2018, Ontario farmers have completed more than 4,300 Environmental Farm Plans, which have helped farmers to better understand their environmental strengths, identify areas of environmental concern, and set realistic action plans to improve the environmental conditions of farmland.
• The ministry continued to work with sector partners on implementation of new soil health initiatives to help grow and sustain the agri-food industry while protecting the environment and building resilience to climate change, including working with the Soil Action Group (SAG) to advance the goals and objectives identified in Grow Ontario and Ontario's Soil Health and Conservation Strategy.
• The ministry continues its soil resource inventory and mapping initiative to update historical soil information and contribute to understanding the state of soil health and how soil properties can inform land management and stewardship. New data collected by the soil mapping pilot will help farmers adjust their soil management practices to improve soil health, productivity and environmental outcomes.
• Grow Ontario and the 2023 Budget made three-year commitments to expand Ontario's Soil Resource Inventory and soil mapping and develop Ontario Agricultural Soil Information System (OASIS). OASIS will house, manage and analyze soil data and information and generate information products to support soil health, agronomy and environmental stewardship programs and initiatives.
• To deliver on the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA) and Lake Simcoe commitments, OMAFRA worked with key delivery partners to develop projects, resulting in 15 new agreements initiated.
  • The projects support science, on-the-ground action and measure progress toward agricultural stewardship for improved water quality, soil health and resilience to a changing climate.
  • Activities include: promoting action in the agricultural sector towards phosphorus load reduction; building soil health; water conservation; climate resilience; and the reduction of harmful pollutants.
• Work continues on implementation of the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan, which outlines Canada's and Ontario's proposed actions to meet commitments under the COA.
• The ministry has a KPI to report on the level of adoption of environmentally beneficial practices. In particular, the percentage of Ontario's farms reporting winter cover crop use as reported in the Agricultural Census of Canada (data becomes available every five years):
  • Based on the most recent census data available, Ontario farmers reported use of cover crops at 27% (12,902 of 48,346 farms reporting in Ontario), representing a slight increase from 2016.

Protecting food safety and animal health

• OMAFRA is building on its strong foundations of protecting food safety, animal health and welfare, and the environment through a multi-year Compliance Modernization project to maintain strong public trust in Ontario's agri-food sector, contributing to business growth and prosperity while protecting the public interest. 
• Following extensive consultations, Bill 171, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024, was introduced in March 2024 to modernize the legislative framework for veterinary professionals in Ontario. The proposed legislation, if passed, would repeal the Veterinarians Act and replace it with a new statute (the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024) that would: better define the scope of practice for veterinary medicine, bring veterinary technicians under the same regulatory college and legislation as veterinarians, improve oversight and transparency in the public interest, and align oversight of the veterinary profession with other provinces. 
• OMAFRA launched the Veterinary Incentive Program, providing grants of up to $50,000 over five years per grant to recently graduated veterinarians who provide care to the livestock and poultry sector in underserviced areas.  Nine veterinarians have currently been accepted into the program.
• The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative under Sustainable CAP supports the resiliency of the agriculture and food sector by providing funding opportunities to key agriculture industry businesses that are addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness in their operations.
• OMAFRA is working with FPT partners to develop interprovincial trade pilot projects that are exploring opportunities to increase Ontario's food production capacity, reduce barriers to interprovincial trade of meat, boost competitiveness in the agri-food sector, and advance sector adoption of effective food safety protection systems.
• OMAFRA is working on a strategy to support long-term sustainability in the industry through the attraction and retention of talent to the agri-food workforce.
• Food Safety Inspections in 2023–24 included:
  • 115 provincially licensed slaughter plants. Inspectors are present in provincially licensed abattoirs whenever slaughter operations occur to ensure food safety and animal welfare regulatory requirements are met. Five new slaughter plants were licensed.
  • 354 provincially licensed freestanding meat plants. Comprehensive inspections and sampling are conducted on a risk-based approach to ensure food safety requirements are met. 17 new freestanding meat plants were licensed.
  • 62 provincially licensed dairy plants. Inspectors conduct comprehensive annual inspections and conduct finished product and environmental testing and sampling to ensure compliance with standards. 11 new dairy plants were licensed with another 15 working through the application process with the ministry.
  • 28 provincially licensed fish processing plants. Inspectors are present to ensure food safety requirements are met. One new fish plant was licensed.
  • 206 on-farm dairy goat milk operations. Producers received an annual inspection as well as on-going and follow-up inspections to ensure regulatory compliance with the Milk Act.
  • In addition to inspection services, the ministry completed sampling to support the Foods of Plant Origin regulation and monitoring program, which includes sampling, regulatory inspections and assessment of microbiological and chemical risks in produce, honey and maple products produced and distributed in Ontario.
    • In 2023–24, OMAFRA has to date collected 1,264 samples and swabs for testing in produce, honey and maple products produced and distributed in Ontario. In the event of an adverse food safety test result, immediate action is taken to ensure that consumers are protected, and issues are addressed and prevented from reoccurring.
• OMAFRA's Meat Inspection Program:
  • Has a long-term resource-sharing agreement with the CFIA to ensure regulated inspections can continue to be met during high need times or in emergency situations. 
  • Continued to work with operators to improve hygienic slaughter and reduce the pathogen levels on beef and veal carcasses. New sampling programs were implemented to assist operators in their pathogen level monitoring.
  • Hosted 10 red meat plant operator meetings across the province between August and October in a central location to each inspection area. Based on the surveys that were collected at the end of each meeting, 98% of attendees said the meetings were very effective and somewhat effective. 96% said they were interested in seeing OMAFRA host similar meetings on an annual basis.
  • This work supports OMAFRA's KPI to have 95% of meat plants that are audited receive a pass or conditional pass for food safety requirements. OMAFRA's score in 2022–23 was 98.3%. The ministry had a range of scores between 97.24% to 99.7% over the past ten years.
• Managed Honeybees:
  • Managed honeybees play a crucial role in Ontario agriculture through pollinating crops. OMAFRA works with beekeepers to maintain the viability of the sector through education and outreach, an inspection program, and monitoring for pathogens and pests.
  • The OMAFRA apiary program continues to deliver regulatory oversight to the industry and publishes the Provincial Apiarist Report and Overwinter Mortality Reports annually to the Environmental Registry. 

Protecting plant health

• OMAFRA worked collaboratively with other levels of government, industry and academia in prevention, monitoring and mitigation of plant pest threats. Through this collaboration, there has been a focus on biosecurity, emergency management and surveillance. As a result, the ministry has engaged in the following activities:
  • Surveillance and monitoring of economically damaging pests impacting plant health; for example, corn rootworm, vomitoxin (DON), spotted lanternfly, anthracnose and neopestalotiopsis.
  • Investing in information technologies/digital tools that standardize data collection and reporting to ensure producers have timely information to manage pest threats during the growing season. 
  • Working collaboratively with industry and researchers in developing and communicating integrated pest management strategies to address new, emerging and endemic threats to plant health. 
  • Working collaboratively with industry and other governments in developing response plans to address new and emerging threats to plant health (for example, spotted lanternfly)
  • Advancing the sector's preparedness, coordination and ability to respond to plant health emergencies through Sustainable CAP which supports projects and new technologies that aim to prevent and mitigate plant pests.

Strong rural communities

• The Rural Economic Development program provides cost-share funding to rural communities, Indigenous communities and organizations, regions and not-for-profit organizations. The 2023–24 fiscal year resulted in 80 approved projects, with a commitment of $4.38 million.  
• Since the beginning of 2024, 77 licenses were issued for OMAFRA's Analyst tool to provide economic data to help rural stakeholders better understand their region and make informed economic decisions. 
• The ministry, in partnership with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), delivered two forums in September 2023 and January 2024 where attendees learned about economic development strategies for Ontario's smallest communities.
• The ministry continues to offer in-person and on-line training to build the capacity of rural communities to undertake economic development activities and adopt best practices, including:
  • Downtown Revitalization training, which outlines a four-stage approach to improving the traditional downtown districts in rural communities.
  • Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) that supports rural communities in retaining and growing their local businesses.
  • Community Economic Development 101 training workshops that help rural municipal stakeholders understand and plan for economic development; and
  • First Impressions Community Exchange that pairs two communities so they can offer each other fresh perspectives and unique insights on their services, transportation, accommodation and tourist attractions.
• The ministry began consultations with municipal leaders, Indigenous partners and rural stakeholders to inform the development of a provincial Rural Economic Development Strategy. A drop-in consultation was held at the 2024 ROMA. conference and a virtual Rural Economic Development Summit was held in February 2024 with approximately 250 participants and six speakers to discuss key issues and opportunities to support rural economic growth. 

Ministry administration

• OMAFRA's Information Management and Information Technology Strategy, Digital OMAFRA 2.0, demonstrated a greater commitment to advancing the ministry's data management. OMAFRA is working to address internal audit recommendations to better manage, use and share data across the ministry.
• Following the recommendation outlined in the Agency Modernization Initiative, the OFPMC completed a review of its governance as a non-board governed agency of the ministry, its scope of work as related to its legislative authorities, operational effectiveness and relevant performance measures. Recommendations of this review are being implemented with key focus on governance, performance measures and operational processes.

Policy development

• OMAFRA policy development supported ministry and government priorities across all core businesses of the ministry in order to foster economic growth in Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities, while providing assurance and oversight of the agri-food system and supply chains.

Support at the Federal-Provincial-Territorial level

• OMAFRA worked with FPT partners to develop the Sustainable CAP, which will provide critical supports to the agriculture and agri-food industry through to 2028.
• Effective April 1, 2023, the new Canada-Ontario bi-lateral agreement saw a 25% increase in funding for strategic initiatives to support Ontario's sector over the life of the framework.
• The agreement also renews the suite of demand-driven, business risk management supports that help farmers manage risks beyond their control.
• The ministry advocated for Ontario's interests and advanced dialogue on critical national issues at FPT tables, including the annual FPT Agricultural Ministers meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and the inaugural Rural FPT Ministers meeting in Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Cutting red tape and reducing regulatory burden

• Ontario has targeted unduly, costly and burdensome regulations to help businesses grow while maintaining its standards to keep Ontarians safe and healthy, such as:
  • Bill 139, The Less Red Tape, More Common Sense Act, 2023 received Royal Assent on December 4, 2023. Under this Bill, OMAFRA amended the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act to provide clarity for these organizations regarding payments to directors, officers or members for services performed outside of their official capacities and amended the legislation to allow for a regulatory change for a less onerous and expensive financial review for small to medium-sized organizations.
  • Amended the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act to eliminate un-proclaimed and now obsolete sections as part of the Act to provide greater clarity.
  • Introduced changes to O. Reg. 783/20 under the Farm Registration and Farm Organization Funding Act in fall 2023 to reduce burden on the eligible francophone organization by removing the duplicate requirement for the organization to have an elected board of directors and to extend the deadline for reporting financial statements to 60 days. These changes also align francophone eligibility criteria with that of Accredited Farm Organizations.
  • The Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act, (Regulating Agricultural Product Dealers and Storage Operators) 2023, received Royal Assent on June 8 and revoked three existing Acts.  The new Act marks the first significant change of the financial protection legislation for the sector in nearly 40 years and will ensure that Ontario's farmers continue to have access to stable risk management tools that provide the confidence to invest in their businesses and compete in a constantly changing market. The Act and new regulations will come into effect upon Proclamation.
  • Posted on the Environmental and Regulatory Registries proposed amendments to O. Reg. 106/09 of the Nutrient Management Act to enable a legal pathway to compliance for on-farm incineration of dead farm animals and sought feedback on alternatives to verify incinerator performance that would support burden reduction.
  • Amended dairy plant sanitation and milk grader certification requirements in Regulation 761 under the Milk Act to reduce administrative burden, enable innovation, and improve consistency with regulatory requirements in other jurisdictions. The amendments came into force in June 2023.

Supporting the legislative agenda

OMAFRA had:

• Three legislative amendments approved upon Royal Assent (Protecting Farmers from non-payment Act, the Farm Registration and Farm Organization Funding Act, and the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act).
• Introduction of the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024, March 7, 2024.
• 18 Regulatory Registry postings (3 consultations and 13 decisions).
• Four Environmental Registry postings (one consultation, 2 decisions and 1 bulletin).