A spokesman for Ontario Agriculture Minister Ted McMeekin said
he is pushing amendments to regulations to get registration money flowing to
the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation of
Ontario and the Ontario branch of the National Farmers Union.
They have been stranded without income via the Farm Registration
and Farm Organizations Funding Act since a tribunal decision in June.
The Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal
Tribunal refused to accredit the three organizations unless and until they
addressed a number of issues, including a clear definition of membership,
properly audited financial statements and compliance with regulations requiring
that at least 25 per cent of the funding they collect via the Act go to support
grassroots-level locals.
The tribunal held another round of hearings in July, but has
yet to issue a decision.
After the public hearings, it wrote to the three
organizations asking them to ensure that they have only one definition of “member”
instead of the practice of all three of having more than one way and/or fee to
become a “member”.
In the meantime, not only are the farm organizations
stranded without funding, but also more than 4,500 farmers lack a registration
number they require to gain benefits from the provincial government, including
reduced municipal property taxes on their farms and access to government
programs and services, including many types of subsidies.
The spokesman said the proposed changes to the regulations
have been sent to the Ministry of Finance and a decision is expected within
days.
The tribunal might also release its decisions soon because
Nicholas Richter, who chaired the second round of hearings, said he understands
the urgency and will do his best to speed the tribunal’s decision.
The National Farmers Union faces the most challenges gaining
tribunal approval to be accredited, including many doubts about the
independence of the Ontario organization from the National Farmers Union head
office in Saskatoon.
