The Tile Loan Program, authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs under the Tile Drainage Act, provides loans to agricultural property owners to help them finance tile drainage projects.
How Can I Apply for a Loan
To start the loan process, fill out the Drainage Loan Application Form (applications must be made on the prescribed form) and return to the Municipal Office to the attention of the Clerks Department. Applications must be submitted to Council for approval.
Tile Drainage Loan Process
Once Council approves the application, the owner arranges to have the work completed by a licensed tile drainage contractor (work must be performed by a contractor licensed under the Agricultural Tile Drainage Installation Act). The Owner must arrange to have the municipality inspect the work by contacting the Director of Public Works.
Currently Clearview Township does not charge a fee for this service. Invoices must be submitted to the Municipal Office when the tile drainage has been completed. A sketch showing the extent of tiling must accompany the invoices. The municipality will prepare loan documents to send to OMAFRA in the amount of the loan.
Terms of the Loan
The term of the loan is 10 years and the repayment is due annually with your property tax instalments. The interest rate for the loans issued under this program is currently at 6%, fixed for the 10-year term of the loan. Interest is compounded annually, and the loan can be paid off at any time without penalty.
Note: Financial terms and conditions are subject to change and should be confirmed with the municipality at date of application.
Loan Limit: A Ministry policy limits the amount of loan available to a farmer each year. The policy reads as follows:
“The sum of all loans issued in any fiscal year, to an individual, as an individual, or in his role in a partnership or corporation shall not exceed $50,000.00. Therefore, farmers may obtain a loan for the lesser of: (a) amount applied for by the farmer; (b) 75% of the value of the tile drainage work performed; or (c) $50,000.00. “
For detailed information of the Tile Loan Program visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Drainage page:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/07-061.htm