Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Increase the Payment Farm Business Must Make To An Accredited Farm Organization To Obtain A Farm Business Registration Number and Other Housekeeping Amendments
Regulation Number(s):
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act, 1993
Summary of Decision:
O. Reg. 490/17 was filed on December 15, 2017 with the Registrar of Regulations.
The Government of Ontario has approved amendments to O. Reg. 723/93. The approved regulatory amendments will:
• Introduce a stepped increase to the payment that farm businesses are required to make to an AFO to ensure that the AFOs are able to continue to offer services and support to Ontario's farmers;
• Remove sections that have expired and/or are no longer applicable;
• Expand the number of ways in which information collected under the FRFOFA can be used;
• Update the information OMAFRA can collect as part of the long form registration; and,
• Modernize language in the regulation.
The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2018.
The Government of Ontario has approved amendments to O. Reg. 723/93. The approved regulatory amendments will:
• Introduce a stepped increase to the payment that farm businesses are required to make to an AFO to ensure that the AFOs are able to continue to offer services and support to Ontario's farmers;
• Remove sections that have expired and/or are no longer applicable;
• Expand the number of ways in which information collected under the FRFOFA can be used;
• Update the information OMAFRA can collect as part of the long form registration; and,
• Modernize language in the regulation.
The amendments will take effect on January 1, 2018.
Further Information:
O. Reg. 723/93: GENERAL
Proposal Number:
17-MAFRA003
Posting Date:
August 31, 2017
Summary of Proposal:
The Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act, 1993 (FRFOFA) was enacted to provide accredited farm organizations (AFOs) with a stable source of operating funding. Under the FRFOFA, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) prescribes the amount of payment to the AFOs through regulation.
There are currently three AFOs: (1) the NFU-O; (2) the CFFO; and (3) the OFA.
At the request of the AFOs, OMAFRA is proposing an amendment to O. Reg. 723/93 to introduce a stepped payment increase to ensure that the AFOs are able to continue to offer services and support to Ontario's farmers. As a result of the amendment, the annual payment farm businesses are directed to make to an AFO would, if passed, be adjusted as follows:
• $225 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2018
• $240 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2020; and
• $255 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2022
The AFOs use the annual payments they receive to provide a variety of services to their membership. These services include:
• Supporting the interests of persons carrying on farming businesses;
• Providing education and/or training with regards to agricultural matters;
• Providing advice and analysis to governments, administrative tribunals and advisory bodies concerning agricultural issues;
• Supporting the development of programs or policies that are of interest to persons carrying on farming businesses; and,
• Providing special funding to the L'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO) to ensure farmers in Ontario have access to representation in the French language.
The annual payment amount has not increased since 2010.
Farm businesses have the option of obtaining a full refund within a specified time period after registering by writing to the AFO selected during the registration process. No rationale or justification is required to get a refund.
OMAFRA is also looking to make housekeeping amendments to O. Reg. 723/93. The housekeeping amendments would, if passed:
• Remove sections of the regulation that have expired and/or are no longer applicable.
• Provide greater clarity around the program's delivery and fee collection authorities.
• Expand the number of ways in which information collected under the FRFOFA can be used.
• Modernize language in the regulation.
There are currently three AFOs: (1) the NFU-O; (2) the CFFO; and (3) the OFA.
At the request of the AFOs, OMAFRA is proposing an amendment to O. Reg. 723/93 to introduce a stepped payment increase to ensure that the AFOs are able to continue to offer services and support to Ontario's farmers. As a result of the amendment, the annual payment farm businesses are directed to make to an AFO would, if passed, be adjusted as follows:
• $225 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2018
• $240 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2020; and
• $255 (+ HST), effective January 1, 2022
The AFOs use the annual payments they receive to provide a variety of services to their membership. These services include:
• Supporting the interests of persons carrying on farming businesses;
• Providing education and/or training with regards to agricultural matters;
• Providing advice and analysis to governments, administrative tribunals and advisory bodies concerning agricultural issues;
• Supporting the development of programs or policies that are of interest to persons carrying on farming businesses; and,
• Providing special funding to the L'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO) to ensure farmers in Ontario have access to representation in the French language.
The annual payment amount has not increased since 2010.
Farm businesses have the option of obtaining a full refund within a specified time period after registering by writing to the AFO selected during the registration process. No rationale or justification is required to get a refund.
OMAFRA is also looking to make housekeeping amendments to O. Reg. 723/93. The housekeeping amendments would, if passed:
• Remove sections of the regulation that have expired and/or are no longer applicable.
• Provide greater clarity around the program's delivery and fee collection authorities.
• Expand the number of ways in which information collected under the FRFOFA can be used.
• Modernize language in the regulation.
Contact Address:
Milica Velemir
Farm Finance Branch
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor NE
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
519-826-4826
Farm Finance Branch
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor NE
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
519-826-4826
Effective Date:
January 1, 2018
Decision:
Approved