Bill 109 explained in plain English

Bill 109, the Protecting Ontario's Food Independence Act, 2026, restricts foreign farmland purchases, adjusts beef cattle and milk regulations, expands food safety authority through delegated bodies, protects farmers from non-payment, and updates veterinary and food terminal governance.

Bill 109, the Protecting Ontario's Food Independence Act, 2026, is a comprehensive bill that makes major changes to Ontario's agricultural and food production laws. Here is what the bill does in plain language: **Farmland Security:** The bill creates a new Farmland Security Act that restricts certain people and entities from buying or acquiring farmland in Ontario. Foreign nationals are generally prohibited from purchasing farmland, subject to exceptions by regulation. Some people who meet prescribed criteria (to be set out in regulations) are also restricted. However, designated persons can apply to the Minister for permission to purchase farmland. The bill sets out rules for information disclosure and enforcement, including inspections, investigations, and orders to dispose of farmland. **Beef Cattle:** The bill amends the Beef Cattle Marketing Act to allow custom processing (slaughter and processing) of cattle where the producer keeps ownership. Producers who provide cattle for custom processing must have a licence. Producers who process their own cattle or who process cattle through a corporation they control must pay licence fees. Producers can seek reimbursement for fees related to up to two head of cattle for personal consumption. The bill repeals sections of the Act dealing with plant operator licensing and appeals. **Farming and Food Production:** The bill transfers powers and duties of the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Protection Tribunal. The Tribunal can now resolve agricultural disputes and determine what counts as a normal farm practice. Either party can request dispute resolution like mediation before going to the Tribunal. **Food Safety and Milk:** The bill makes major changes to food regulation in Ontario. The scope of the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 is expanded to cover milk and milk products (like butter, cheese, ice cream). The bill updates rules on administrative penalties. It creates a system for "delegated authorities" (such as marketing boards) to administer parts of food safety law. Consequently, the Milk Act is significantly revised—it no longer regulates the quality of milk and milk products or covers plants, but continues to control the production and marketing of milk and milk products. **Agriculture Tribunal:** The bill renames the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Protection Tribunal. This change applies across numerous agriculture-related acts. The time for the Tribunal to send its decision after a hearing is extended from 20 days to 30 days. **Farmer Protection:** The bill amends the Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act (Regulating Agricultural Product Dealers and Storage Operators), 2023. It expands who can be a beneficiary of trust funds beyond just producers. It adds new rules for weigh tickets, storage receipts, shortfall permits, and storage facilities. It creates a new Part VII.1 for products designated by regulation, dealing with collection, grading, and sale. It updates rules for freeze orders and administrative penalties. **Veterinary Profession:** The bill amends the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024. It defines "ancillary services" (such as boarding, grooming, and sales of supplies). It allows exceptions to the requirement for a certificate of accreditation in certain circumstances. It expands grounds for investigations if a member provided false or misleading information when applying for a licence. It allows the cancellation of a member's or former member's licence in certain circumstances. It expands where inspectors and investigators can enter to include buildings, vehicles, and land beyond just veterinary facilities. **Ontario Food Terminal:** The bill amends the Ontario Food Terminal Act to clarify the Ontario Food Terminal Board is an agent of the Crown. It adds protections against liability for certain people. **Commencement:** Most of the bill comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent, but some provisions come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.