What Ontario farmers need to know about Bill 132

It won’t be long until the government of Ontario decides the fate of Bill 132. It’s an act to reduce “burdens on people and businesses by enacting, amending and repealing various acts and revoking various regulations,” according to the government’s website.

Currently, members of the standing committee are meeting to discuss the Bill, and will hold public hearings in London, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Kenora, and Toronto from November 19th to November 29th this year.

Within the bill are some key acts that surround the world of agriculture. Below are a few that stand out; however, you can find the entire proposed changes by clicking here.

  • Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act
    • Changes to the act include amending subsection 10 (3), that requires agricultural associations, agricultural societies and horticultural societies incorporated or continued under the Act to give notice of their annual meetings by mail and by publishing the notice in certain newspapers or periodicals. This provision is amended so a particular means of giving notice is no longer specified.
  • Milk Act
    • Changes to be made to the Milk Act will be to make sure regulations made under the Act establish grades or standards, grade names or marks or various technical requirements for packaging may do so by incorporating a document by reference in such a way as to reflect future changes to that document.
  • Farm Products Grades and Sales Act 
    • Would be repealed and the government would make amendments to the Farm Products Payment Act.
  • Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act
    • A number of amendments would be made to the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act relating to the administration of the Act, including providing for the appointment of a Crown agency to administer the Act, the framework for issuing farming business registration numbers and the procedures for applications, hearings and reviews under the Act, including those relating to the accreditation of farm organizations.

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