Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal

Ministry

Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

URL

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/tribunal/

Address

2ND FLOOR NE, 1 STONE ROAD WEST
GUELPH
N1G4Y2

Phone

(519) 826-3433

Fax

(519) 826-4232

Background

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act, RSO 1990, C. M.16, S. 14 (opens a new window)

Function

The Tribunal hears and decides issues relative to: the technical and cost apportionment of projects under the Drainage Act; disputes over the adjustment of loss under a crop insurance contract; exemptions for religious reasons from farm registration and/or paying the fee associated with joining an accredited farm organization; accreditation of farm organizations; disputes under the Farm Products Marketing Act; farmland classification for municipal taxation purposes; disputes under the Farm Implements Act; disputes under the Agricultural Employees Protection Act; and a number of other disputes under various statutes.

Membership

The Lieutenant Governor in Council appoints not fewer than ten persons, upon the recommendation of the Minister, of whom at least one shall be a barrister and solicitor entitled to practice in Ontario. The appointment of at least two of the ten persons shall specifically state that the person is entitled to hear matters under the Agricultural Employees Protection Act, 2002, to recognize that the Tribunal's jurisdiction under the Act differs in nature from the rest of the Tribunal's jurisdiction. Where a panel of the Tribunal hears proceedings under the Crop Insurance Act (Onatrio), 1996 or the Drainage Act, one of the membes of the panel and one of the members consituting a quorum of the panel shall be a barrister and solicitor entitled to practise in Ontario.

Qualifications

Candidates should have experience in interpreting and applying legislation. Understanding of the justice system and administrative law and the concepts of fairness / natural justice are considered as assets.

Term

Members are appointed for an initial term of two years and are eligible for reappointment. The term of appointment is a maximum of 10 years in total.

Meetings

Approximately 50 hearings are held per year at various locations. Members are remunerated for preparation time in advance of a hearing. The members will meet annually at an Annual General Meeting for retraining, discussing issues and review accountability documents

Remuneration

Appointees are remunerated according to Schedule B of the Agencies and Appointments Directive

Appointments & Vacancies