Beekeeping Resources in Ontario
Registering your Beehives in Ontario
Any person who owns or is in possession of honey bees or used beekeeping equipment in Ontario requires a valid certificate of registration from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-beekeeper-registration
Rules and Regulations
Learn about the Rules and Regulations for Keeping Honey Bees in Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/summary-ontario-beekeeping-regulations
Ontario Apiary Program
Learn about the Ontario Apiary Program and find contact information for apiary inspectors, the Provincial Apiarist, and more. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-apiary-program
Ontario Beekeepers Association
The Ontario Beekeepers Association works to ensure a thriving and sustainable beekeeping industry in Ontario. To this end, we advocate for beekeepers’ interests, support honey bee health research, and deliver practical training and information. They offer courses, resources, meetings, beekeeping insurance, etc. https://www.ontariobee.com
Tech-Transfer Program
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA), Technology Transfer Program (TTP) was established in the early 1990’s by Dr. Medhat Nasr. The mandate of the TTP is to conduct research for Ontario’s beekeeping industry, to facilitate a honey bee breeding program in Ontario and to transfer information, skills and methodologies to the beekeepers.
https://www.ontariobee.com/outreach/ttp
Where to Buy Bees
The Ontario Beekeepers Association has information on how and where to buy bees in Ontario. https://www.ontariobee.com/sales-and-services/where-to-buy-bees
Ontario Resistant Honey Bee Selection Program
The Ontario Resistant Honey Bee Selection Program (ORHBS) is a collaboration between the Ontario Bee Breeders Association and the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association’s Technology Transfer Program. There are many traits that ORHBS breeders select for, but the main goal of this province-wide bee breeding program is to select for pest and disease resistant honey bees. ORHBS honey bee breeders can be found here: http://orhbs.ca/breeders.html
Honey Bee Research Centre University Of Guelph
The University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre conducts research focused on honey bee health. Since 1894, the Centre has provided apiculture education. Today, the tradition continues through university and public courses, and demonstration activities for all levels of beekeeping. For more information go to their website: https://hbrc.ca/
For 70+ very informative videos: https://www.youtube.com/@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre
