Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (2024-25)

The 2024-2025 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2024.

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Summary

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs serves the needs of Ontarians, Canadians, and the world by supporting and helping build an agri-food system and rural communities that are sustainable, resilient, trusted, innovative and thriving, while complementing these efforts through a One Health approach. Ministry programs are focused on food safety, plant and animal health, sector resiliency, environmental stewardship, research, agri-food sector labour support, sector and rural development and economic growth, diversity, equity and inclusion, and support for the supply chain and domestic marketing. These activities and programs strengthen ��, its places and its people in rural and urban communities, support and create good jobs, attract investment, keep food, plants, and animals safe, sustain natural assets and contribute to ��'s overall well-being and economic growth.

Ministry Program Summary

Vote	Program	Estimates 2024-25 $	Estimates 2023-24 $	Difference Between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Operating expense
101	Ministry Administration Program	22,492,100	22,462,900	29,200	21,034,741
107	Better Public Health and Environment	93,900,200	95,342,300	(1,442,100)	77,875,777
108	Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities	507,825,300	483,056,800	24,768,500	496,705,519
109	Policy Development	16,523,200	16,247,300	275,900	14,279,352
	Total operating expense to be voted	640,740,800	617,109,300	23,631,500	609,895,389
	Statutory appropriations	1,097,187	1,097,187	-	398,303
	Ministry total operating expense	641,837,987	618,206,487	23,631,500	610,293,692
	Consolidation Adjustment - Agricorp	202,959,300	197,121,200	5,838,100	213,097,713
	Consolidation Adjustment - Agricultural Research and Innovation �� (ARIO)	4,947,000	5,470,000	(523,000)	5,380,904
	Consolidation Adjustment - Colleges	-	-	-	(394,330)
	Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio	(4,474,400)	(4,654,900)	180,500	(3,118,067)
	Total including consolidation & other adjustments	845,269,887	816,142,787	29,127,100	825,259,912
Operating assets
107	Better Public Health and Environment	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
	Total operating assets to be voted	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
	Ministry total operating assets	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
Capital expense
107	Better Public Health and Environment	1,000	1,000	-	-
108	Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities	9,500,000	5,000,000	4,500,000	7,500,000
	Total capital expense to be voted	9,501,000	5,001,000	4,500,000	7,500,000
	Statutory appropriations	1,000	1,000	-	-
	Ministry total capital expense	9,502,000	5,002,000	4,500,000	7,500,000
	Consolidation adjustment - Agricorp	1,613,400	2,082,200	(468,800)	2,830,771
	Consolidation adjustment - Agricultural Research and Innovation �� (ARIO)	(676,100)	(825,400)	149,300	(3,677,130)
	Total Including consolidation & other adjustments	10,439,300	6,258,800	4,180,500	6,653,641
Capital assets
107	Better Public Health and Environment	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-
	Total capital assets to be voted	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-
	Ministry total capital assets	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-
	Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)	855,709,187	822,401,587	33,307,600	831,913,553

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense	Estimates 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Total operating expense previously published ^{footnote 1[1]}	618,206,487	610,859,892
Government reorganization
Transfer of functions to other ministries	-	(566,200)
Restated Total Operating Expense	618,206,487	610,293,692

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 2024-25 $	Estimates 2023-24 $	Difference Between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Operating expense
1	Ministry administration	22,492,100	22,462,900	29,200	21,034,741
	Total operating expense to be voted	22,492,100	22,462,900	29,200	21,034,741
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	22,572,287	22,543,087	29,200	21,117,376

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		13,242,200
	Employee benefits		2,342,900
	Transportation and communication		636,000
	Services		5,518,500
	Supplies and equipment		752,500
	Total operating expense to be voted		22,492,100
	Sub-items:
	Main office
	Salaries and wages	2,471,600
	Employee benefits	328,400
	Transportation and communication	143,600
	Services	153,900
	Supplies and equipment	270,700	3,368,200
	Business services
	Salaries and wages	3,311,000
	Employee benefits	485,600
	Transportation and communication	235,200
	Services	1,300,700
	Supplies and equipment	190,800	5,523,300
	Business Planning and Financial Services
	Salaries and wages	2,691,200
	Employee benefits	419,000
	Transportation and communication	48,200
	Services	335,400
	Supplies and equipment	25,600	3,519,400
	Human Resources
	Salaries and wages	1,670,700
	Employee benefits	656,700
	Transportation and communication	52,300
	Services	92,700
	Supplies and equipment	92,300	2,564,700
	Communications Services
	Salaries and wages	3,097,700
	Employee benefits	453,200
	Transportation and communication	136,700
	Services	575,400
	Supplies and equipment	163,100	4,426,100
	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		22,492,100
	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		22,572,287

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, protect the public interest and encourage industry adoption of best practices. This includes 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 2024-25 $	Estimates 2023-24 $	Difference Between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Operating expense
1	Better Public Health and Environment	93,900,200	95,342,300	(1,442,100)	77,875,777
	Total operating expense to be voted	93,900,200	95,342,300	(1,442,100)	77,875,777
S	Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act	10,000	10,000	-	12,495
	Total statutory appropriations	10,000	10,000	-	12,495
	Total operating expense	93,910,200	95,352,300	(1,442,100)	77,888,272
Operating assets
2	Better Public Health and Environment	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
	Total operating assets to be voted	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
	Total operating assets	5,000,000	5,000,000	-	1,390,400
Capital expense
4	Better Public Health and Environment	1,000	1,000	-	-
	Total capital expense to be voted	1,000	1,000	-	-
S	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act	1,000	1,000	-	-
	Total statutory appropriations	1,000	1,000	-	-
	Total capital expense	2,000	2,000	-	-
Capital assets
3	Better Public Health and Environment	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-
	Total Capital assets to be Voted	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-
	Total capital assets	2,500,000	1,750,000	750,000	-

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		37,470,300
	Employee benefits		5,057,000
	Transportation and communication		1,772,300
	Services		13,502,400
	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	20,171,500
	Canadian Ag Partnership-Provincial-Public Health and Env	4,778,500
	Grassroots Growth Program	1,099,000
	Great Lakes Canada - �� agreement	850,000
	Lake Simcoe Agri-Environmental Partnerships	920,000	37,487,000
	Subtotal		96,140,200
	Less: recoveries		2,240,000
	Total operating expense to be voted		93,900,200
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act		10,000
	Total operating expense for Better Public Health and Environment		93,910,200
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
Capital expense
107-4	Better Public Health and Environment
	Other transactions		1,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		1,000
	Statutory appropriations
	Other transactions
Statutory	Amortization, the Financial Administration Act		1,000
	Total capital expense for Better Public Health and Environment		2,000
Capital assets
107-3	Better Public Health and Environment
	Business application software - asset costs		2,500,000
	Total capital assets to be voted		2,500,000
	Total capital assets for Better Public Health and Environment		2,500,000

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 agri-food industry by investing in agri-food and bio-product research; confirming research priorities; developing and promoting the adoption of sustainable best management practices and new technologies and innovations; monitoring animal and plant health, including pest and disease mitigation; delivering sector support and assistance programs, including farm income stabilization; monitoring supply chains; supporting investment in the rural, food and beverage sectors; and promoting the �� agri-food industry 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 2024-25 $	Estimates 2023-24 $	Difference Between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Operating expense
1	Economic Development	145,255,100	120,645,600	24,609,500	128,221,728
3	Research	89,626,700	89,467,700	159,000	82,078,210
4	Business Risk Management Transfers	272,943,500	272,943,500	-	286,405,581
	Total operating expense to be voted	507,825,300	483,056,800	24,768,500	496,705,519
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	-	78,118
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	-	225,055
	Total statutory appropriations	1,007,000	1,007,000	-	303,173
	Total operating expense	508,832,300	484,063,800	24,768,500	497,008,692
Capital expense
7	Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital	9,500,000	5,000,000	4,500,000	7,500,000
	Total capital expense to be voted	9,500,000	5,000,000	4,500,000	7,500,000
	Total capital expense	9,500,000	5,000,000	4,500,000	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		23,733,300
	Employee benefits		3,256,300
	Transportation and communication		1,035,200
	Services		5,256,000
	Supplies and equipment		485,100
	Transfer payments
	Agri-Food Processing Fund	8,600,000
	Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Economic Development	18,242,800
	Grassroots Growth Program	4,749,400
	�� Wine Fund	68,500,000
	Rural Economic Development Program	5,000,000
	Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program	6,396,000
	Veterinary Incentive Program	1,000	111,489,200
	Total operating expense to be voted		145,255,100
	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		2,486,600
	Employee benefits		311,500
	Transportation and communication		176,700
	Services		332,500
	Supplies and equipment		90,000
	Transfer payments
	Canadian Ag Partnership-Federal-Research	12,903,400
	Food Safety Research	680,000
	Grants in Lieu of Taxes	1,000,000
	University of Guelph	71,646,000	86,229,400
	Total Operating Expense to be Voted		89,626,700
108-4	Business Risk Management Transfers
	Transfer payments
	Agricorp	12,758,000
	AgriInsurance	41,500,000
	AgriInvest	21,100,000
	AgriRecovery	1,000
	AgriRisk Federal	1,000
	AgriRisk Provincial	1,000
	AgriStability	45,469,500
	Financial Protection Programs and Loan Guarantees	55,000
	�� Risk Management Program	150,000,000
	Wildlife Damage Compensation - Federal	1,058,000
	Wildlife Damage Compensation - Provincial	1,000,000	272,943,500
	Total operating expense to be voted		272,943,500
	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		508,832,300
Capital expense
108-7	Agriculture and Rural Affairs Capital
	Transfer payments
	Agri-Food and Animal Health Laboratory Infrastructure	500,000
	Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine	4,500,000
	Research Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs	4,500,000	9,500,000
	Total capital expense to be voted		9,500,000
	Total capital expense for Strong Agriculture, Food and Bio-product Sectors and Strong Rural Communities		9,500,000

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 of helping build a sustainable, resilient, trusted and thriving agri-food system and rural communities that innovate and drive economic growth, complemented by a One Health approach. 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 2024-25 $	Estimates 2023-24 $	Difference Between 2024-25 and 2023-24 $	Actual 2022-23 $
Operating expense
1	Policy Development	16,523,200	16,247,300	275,900	14,279,352
	Total Operating Expense to be Voted	16,523,200	16,247,300	275,900	14,279,352
	Total Operating Expense	16,523,200	16,247,300	275,900	14,279,352

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	12,443,500
	Employee benefits	1,586,500
	Transportation and communication	554,400
	Services	1,788,500
	Supplies and equipment	150,300
	Total operating expense to be voted	16,523,200
	Total operating expense for policy development	16,523,200

Updated: May 23, 2024

Published: April 22, 2024

Footnotes

footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total operating expense includes statutory appropriations, special arrants and total operating expense to be voted.

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