MPP JOURNAL for the week of February 12, 2021

David Tilson, MPP Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey

Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture Program

I am proud of our government's actions to improve the state of the Ontario farmer. We have introduced the Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture program. This four-year, $90 million initiative will maintain and build on the success of Ontario's agri-food industry.

We clearly recognize that the agri-food sector is a vital component of our vibrant economy. Every year it contributes $25 billion to the provincial economy, generates $6.2 billion in agri-food exports, and employs more than 640,000 people.

Healthy Futures demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that Ontario's dynamic agri-food industry will continue to generate jobs and economic growth. It proves that the Mike Harris team is committed to maintaining the safety and quality of our food production system while safeguarding the environment on which the system depends.

The goals of the Healthy Futures program are to:

·Enhance the safety and quality of Ontario food products
·Take advantage of marketing and export opportunities
·Improve rural water quality and make efficient use of rural water resources

To meet these goals, the program will invest in three main project initiatives:

Rural Water Quality will focus on implementing the best management practices of technologies in the agri-food sector to safeguard water quality and quantity in rural Ontario.

Field to Fork Food Safety and Quality will provide funding and access to technical expertise to help the agri-food sector in maintaining and expanding its capacity to meet domestic and export market demands with regard to food safety and quality.

Healthy Futures Innovation will support applied research, new product development, expanded market access and the creation or adoption of technologies, practices and processes that enhance food safety and water quality. This includes implementing new verification and reporting systems.

Groups that are eligible to apply are not-for-profit groups such as rural municipalities, agriculture, food and rural sector groups, and groups of farm, food and associated businesses. Government funding will be available for up to 50 percent of project costs in most cases and up to 70 percent in special circumstances, with the balance of costs to be met by project partners.

Healthy Futures is a product of the ideas and suggestions of our partners in the industry. We have been listening to those in the industry and will continue to do so. I believe that, with the support of these partners, this program will keep Ontario on the leading edge of innovative technology, improved productivity, and increased agri-food exports.

We are also making changes to the existing farmer's rebate program, replacing it with a point of sale exemption. This change will help reduce red tape as farmers will no longer need to pay Retail Sales Tax at source on their purchases of farm building supplies and then apply for a rebate.

Purchasers may claim the exemption at the time of sale by providing their supplier with a valid purchase exemption certificate or a farmer's declaration statement when purchasing building supplies used to build or modernize structures used exclusively for farm purposes.

For purchases made prior to October 1, 2000, farmers should submit a "General Application for Refund of Retail Sales Tax" to the Refund Unit of the Retail Sates Tax Branch, 1600 Champlain Drive, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 9B2, within four years from the date of purchase.

For additional information or to obtain a copy of a purchase exemption certificate, farmers should contact their local Retail Sales Tax office listed in the Blue Pages or call my office.

David Tilson, MPP

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