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About VQA - Overview

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About VQA Ontario

VQA Ontario was designated as Ontario's wine authority under the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999 on June 29, 2000 by the Honourable Robert W. Runciman, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations.

In its capacity as Ontario's wine authority, VQA Ontario exercises delegated authority to administer and enforce the VQA Act and its associated regulations. It is accountable to the Minister of Consumer and Business Services and abides by conditions set out in an administrative agreement with the Ministry. Along with its statutory duties, VQA Ontario engages in related activities such as promoting the VQA appellation system, participating in national and international standards discussions and encouraging public education about VQA wines.

 

Mandate

The VQA Act sets the framework by which standards for the production of VQA wine and appellations (geographical indications) for wine growing regions are established. VQA Ontario has the following operating objectives:

  • To establish, monitor and enforce an appellation of origin system in accordance with the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999 that allows consumers to identify wines on the basis of the area where the grapes are grown, the methods used in making the wine and other quality standards;
  • To control the use of specified terms, descriptions and designations associated with the VQA appellation system — by both VQA wines and non-VQA wines made in Ontario;
  • To act as the wine authority under the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999, and to participate in discussions with government and other stakeholders which relate to quality wine standards;
  • To inform, educate and work with the grape and wine industry, governments and the public to promote the value and benefits of VQA-approved wines

 

Administrative Agreement with Government

VQA Ontario operates under an Administrative Agreement with the Ontario government.  This agreement stipulates the contractual requirements under which VQA Ontario acts as Ontario’s designated wine authority. It covers such things as:

  • Accountability to government
  • Independence of inspectors and investigators
  • Agreements with other organizations
  • Directors conduct
  • Conflict of interest rules
  • Fee setting
  • Insurance
  • Record keeping and privacy
  • Business planning and reporting

 

For details on corporate structure and administrative procedures, visit our bylaw section.