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Forty-year flashback: Drainage budget cut as demand doubles

Oct. 8, 2013 – When the demand for drainage in Ontario doubled in the 1970s, the money just wasn’t there, as seen in this week’s Forty-year flashback article, originally published in 1977.

1977 – Roughly half of the demand for low interest tile drainage loans in Ontario will have been met in 1976. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food expected requests for about $26 million worth of drainage loans, but only $13 million was made available.

Last year the ministry shelled out $16 million worth of loans, which only $13 million had been budgeted. The $3 million difference was covered by a supplementary allotment.

The tile drainage act encourages farmers to install drains by offering six per cent loans over 10 years, on up to 75 per cent of the project’s cost. Interest is up 50 per cent over last year.

There is also a drainage act, which goes to municipalities for large projects. Budget for this program, which involves granting one-third of the cost of the drain, has been increased from $4 million to $6 million. Part of this increase is to fund the new drainage tribunal. This tribumal will make it easier and cheaper for farmers to contest a proposed project.

The appointment of a drainage superintendent was postponed in order to cut costs.