Regulation - LGIC

Proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 316/08 (Designation - Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.) under the Farm Products Marketing Act

Regulation Number(s):
Regulation 316/08 (Designation Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.)
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Farm Products Marketing Act
Summary of Decision:
The amendments to Regulation 316/08 (Designation - Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.) as described above were made by the Lieutenant-Governor-In-Council and filed with the Registrar of Regulations on May 31, 2013. The amendments to the regulation came into force on June 1, 2013
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
12-AFRA014
Posting Date:
December 13, 2012
Summary of Proposal:
Proposed amendments to Ontario Regulation 316/08 (Designation - Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.) would increase the licence fees payable by greenhouse flower growers. The fee would be adjusted from $0.020 to $0.025 per square foot of greenhouse floriculture plants grown to a new maximum of $16,250 instead of the current maximum of $13,000 per year.
Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. (FCO) has approached the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission ("Commission") requesting amendments to Lieutenant Governor in Council Regulation 316/08 (Designation - Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc.). The Commission has the authority under the Farm Products Marketing Act to recommend amendments to Regulation 316/08, subject to the approval of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Lieutenant-Governor-in Council.
The FCO was designated as a representative association of greenhouse floriculture growers in 2008 under Section 12 of the Farm Products Marketing Act. Prior to this designation, FCO had operated as a voluntary association collecting voluntary memberships. In order to ensure that growers were aware of the new designation, the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission conducted a vote amongst flower growers to determine their support. Growers gave strong support and exceeded the guidelines established by the Commission.
The initial assumption of FCO was that their annual budget would be around 1 million dollars based on the known square footage estimates. Ultimately the actual square footage was approximately half of this. FCO has been able to secure ad hoc funds from both the federal and provincial government for research, promotion and education, however the core budget and subsequent mandate of the FCO has been unfulfilled.
FCO has been in discussion with its growers for over two years on the need to increase the licence fees to support the core functions.
Contact Address:
Marilyn Sewell
Marketing Analyst
Ontario Farm Product Marketing Commission
1 Stone Rd. W., Guelph, ON, N1G 4Y2
Phone: 519 826-3397
Fax: 519 826-3400
Effective Date:
June 1, 2013
Decision:
Approved