Regulation - LGIC
Amending Regulation 16 of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act
Regulation Number(s):
Regulation 16
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act
Summary of Decision:
Amendments to Regulation 16 of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act were approved and will come into effect on January 1, 2023. The regulation is amended to reduce the minimum member thresholds required by Agricultural and Horticultural Societies to qualify for an annual grant due to membership numbers not returning to pre-pandemic levels. The threshold for Agricultural Societies is reduced from 60 to 40. For Horticultural Societies it is reduced from 50 to 25, except in territorial districts, where it is reduced from 25 to 15.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no costs or cost-savings associated with the proposed amendments.
Further Information:
Regulation 16
Proposal Number:
22-OMAFRA009
Posting Date:
October 6, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
Ontario's 483 Agricultural and Horticultural Societies are a key part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of rural Ontario, helping to educate citizens about agriculture, beautify downtowns and hosting fall fairs and exhibitions. OMAFRA provides an annual grant of up to $5,000 to qualifying Agricultural Societies and up to $1,500 to Horticultural Societies. In part due to the pandemic, a number of these Societies do not have the minimum number of members necessary to qualify for the annual grant.
The pandemic has been hard on community groups such as the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. Due to public health restrictions, normal Society activities were reduced, and membership has declined. Reducing the minimum number of members required to qualify for the grant would help ensure the financial sustainability of Agricultural and Horticultural Societies.
The proposed amendment to LGIC Regulation 16 of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act would reduce the minimum member thresholds by approximately 33 to 40 per cent. The threshold for Agricultural Societies would fall from 60 to 40. For Horticultural Societies it would fall from 50 to 30, except in territorial districts, where it would be reduced from 25 to 15.
The pandemic has been hard on community groups such as the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. Due to public health restrictions, normal Society activities were reduced, and membership has declined. Reducing the minimum number of members required to qualify for the grant would help ensure the financial sustainability of Agricultural and Horticultural Societies.
The proposed amendment to LGIC Regulation 16 of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act would reduce the minimum member thresholds by approximately 33 to 40 per cent. The threshold for Agricultural Societies would fall from 60 to 40. For Horticultural Societies it would fall from 50 to 30, except in territorial districts, where it would be reduced from 25 to 15.
Contact Address:
Branch: Economic Development Policy Branch
Address: 1 Stone Road, Guelph, ON.
Address: 1 Stone Road, Guelph, ON.
Effective Date:
January 1, 2023
Decision:
Approved