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Position/Title
Chair (Part-Time)
Agency
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
Advertisement Date
23-Apr-2025
Closing Date
14-May-2025
File Number
PAS-250003
Position Type
Part-Time
Remuneration
PER DIEM
Roles and Responsibilities

The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (Commission) is a regulatory agency without a governing board, established under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act.

The Commission is responsible for implementing the government of Ontario’s broad policy objectives of supporting regulated marketing. The Commission undertakes broad consultation and engagement with stakeholders, and conducts analysis, including economic analysis, to support evidence-based decision making when it contemplates reforms to regulated marketing systems.

The Commission holds an important "public trust" in the exercise of its duties. Through its actions, it should ensure that individual commodity systems operate in an effective and responsible manner for the benefit of both producers and processors. It must have regard to the impact of Commission decisions on the agri-food sector and consumers, while at the same time maintaining the public policy goals of the legislation.

The Chair provides leadership to the Commission to ensure that it operates in keeping with its mandate, as defined in the governing legislation, and within approved governance and accountability requirements of the government.

Commission Vision:  

  • A Progressive Regulator Driving Collaboration and Sustainable Growth in Ontario’s Vibrant Agri-Food Sector.

Commission Mission:  

  • Empowering Ontario’s Agriculture Sectors through Regulatory Oversight, Stakeholder Facilitation and Innovative Solutions.

Commission Mandate:

  • The Commission is continued as a body corporate without share capital pursuant to subsection 12(1) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act (MAFRAA). The Commission exercises powers and authority under the Farm Products Marketing Act (FPMA), the Milk Act (MA) and O. Reg. 68/98 under the Commodity Boards and Marketing Agencies Act (CBMA).
  • As a non-board governed, regulatory agency, the Commission is accountable for making regulatory decisions and supervising the activities of the various farm commodity marketing boards in Ontario. However, the Commission does not possess the authority to make its own operational decisions. It is the ministry – through the Secretariat – that is required to provide operational, financial, and administrative support to the agency, as per legislation.

Commission Priorities:

  1. Administering the relevant provisions of the enabling legislation (Farm Products Marketing Act and Milk Act) in Ontario to ensure the pieces of legislation remain reliable and effective for our marketing boards, local boards, associations, producers, and processors.
  2. Supervising regulated marketing organizations to whom power and authority has been delegated under legislation and ensure boards, associations, producers, and processors remain in compliance with the legislation and regulations that are in place, including through robust governance training/reviews for each board.
  3. Addressing challenges, issues, and opportunities in the regulated marketing sector by collaborating with stakeholders to find equitable, unbiased, and industry-led solutions or by leveraging, where required, authorities provided to the Commission. This includes reviewing the financial sustainability of marketing boards to ensure they are financially sustainable and working with boards to identify red tape that could be reduced.
  4. Measuring and communicating the priorities and performance of the agency to build trust with stakeholders and demonstrate alignment between the agency and government. This includes ensuring the Commission has a full understanding of all stakeholder input on relevant Commission business.
  5. Engaging regularly with the Minister and the ministry to ensure regulated marketing policy efforts are collaborative and in alignment with government priorities through briefings for the Minister’s Office and Minister where applicable. This includes further engaging through the Ministry or the Minister’s Office with other appropriate ministries with respect to any issues that could impact trade or intergovernmental relationships.

The Commission is directly accountable to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness for its performance in fulfilling its mandate and its compliance with government policies and directives. The Minister, in turn, is accountable to Cabinet and the Legislature for the Commission's fulfillment of its mandate and for reporting on the Commission's affairs.

 

Qualifications

The Chair will have the following qualifications:

  • An experienced leader with the ability to set strategic direction, articulate and work towards a vision and oversee the implementation of plans and strategies to deliver efficient, effective and high quality services.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the FPMA and MA related laws and legal processes and Ontario’s regulatory policy or the ability to acquire such knowledge.
  • Ability to effectively chair meetings, ensuring that sufficient time is allocated for effective discussion and decision-making and that all points of view are heard and ability to cultivate a positive rapport with Commission members.
  • Committed to regular communication with the Deputy Minister and staff from the Minister’s Office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness to ensure the Minister is kept informed about issues or events that may concern the Minister in the exercise of their responsibilities.
  • In-depth understanding of the institutional, policy and industry context in which the Commission operates, or the ability to acquire such understanding.
  • A thorough understanding of the agriculture and food industries in Ontario, particularly those industries which produce, market and process regulated farm products.
  • Superior conflict resolution and analytical skills to resolve complex matters involving multiple interests, under public scrutiny.
  • Committed to ensuring fairness to parties and stakeholders appearing before the Commission and independence and impartiality of the Commission members when making regulatory decisions.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills to positively influence and communicate with staff, stakeholders and the public.
  • Ability to represent the Commission in public as the Commission’s chief spokesperson.
  • Integrity and, as Ethics Executive for the Commission, ensure members are aware of their obligations and that they act in compliance with the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 and a commitment to working within the government’s agency accountability structure.
  • Knowledge of and commitment to sound governance practices and sound financial and operational business processes and practices.
  • A Commitment to the protection of the public interest within the mandate of the Commission.
  • Commitment to respect diversity and to maintain fair, transparent, accessible processes.
     
Term
2 years
The chair is appointed by Order in Council for an initial term of up to two years, which the minister may waive.
Time Commitment
Meet as required
This position will involve a commitment of approximately 100-120 days per year. Serving as Chair of the Commission is a significant commitment often involving meetings outside normal business hours. Commission meetings are held monthly in Guelph, generally over two days. The position requires travel throughout Ontario.
Expenses
Yes
The Chair is eligible for remuneration for $744 per diem for Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission work and reimbursement for eligible expenses in accordance with the relevant directives, guidelines and policies of the Treasury Board and Management Board of Cabinet. Expenses are subject to review by the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario and will be posted on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness public website.
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