13(1)To aid and encourage agricultural development in the Province, the Minister may provide financial assistance for the purposes prescribed by regulation to a person who makes an application in accordance with this Act.

13(2)An application for financial assistance shall be made on a form provided by the Minister and in the manner prescribed by regulation.

13(3)Subject to subsection (7), the financial assistance provided under subsection (1) shall be provided in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the Minister.

13(4)When the total amount of financial assistance requested by a person exceeds the amount prescribed by regulation, the Minister shall refer the application to the Board for its consideration and recommendation.

13(5)With respect to an application referred to the Board, the Minister may provide, at his or her discretion, financial assistance up to an amount prescribed by regulation.

13(6)If the total amount of financial assistance requested by a person exceeds the amount referred to in subsection (5), the Minister shall not provide the financial assistance without the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

13(7)When the provision of financial assistance requires the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, the financial assistance is subject to the terms and conditions specified in the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

13(8)The Minister may amend the terms and conditions of any financial assistance provided under this section, including, without limitation, by extending, deferring, adjusting or compromising the time for repayment of financial assistance or by commuting, rescinding or forgiving any or all of the principal and any or all of the interest.

13(9)The Minister and the Lieutenant-Governor in Council are not bound by a recommendation made by the Board under section 11.

13(10)If an application for financial assistance is rejected, the Minister shall notify the person submitting the application of the decision in writing within a reasonable time, but is not required to give reasons for refusal or to disclose the Board’s recommendations.

13(11)A decision respecting an application for financial assistance is final and conclusive and may not be questioned or reviewed in any court.