FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2019

Ontario is working to reduce red tape for over 500 Ontario agricultural and horticultural organizations. This fall, the Ontario government will introduce legislation that, if passed, would save organizations and their volunteers’ time and money by removing burdensome and outdated rules that regulate agricultural and horticultural societies.

“Fair boards and hort societies are essential in promoting fairs and beautifying small towns,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “This riding is home to six fairs. It’s my hope this proposed legislation will make it easier for the volunteers who organize these shows.”

If passed, the proposed changes will save agricultural societies hundreds of dollars and volunteer hours by allowing notices of annual meetings to be e-mailed instead of mailed. This could reduce compliance costs for all organizations by over $100,000 a year.

Changes would also remove burdensome and outdated requirements that don’t apply to other not-for-profit organizations, such as requiring treasurers to give security for loss or for board members to be personally liable for loss. The proposed changes would not impact government grants and tax exemptions available to agricultural and horticultural organizations.

QUICK FACTS

• ·      There are over 500 agricultural and horticultural associations and societies in Ontario.
• first agricultural fair dates back to 1792 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2018, over three million visitors attended agricultural fairs in Ontario.
• Ontario government website.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act changes

• Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies
• Ontario Horticultural Association

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For more information contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org