Farmland ownership restrictions
Farmland ownership restrictions are provincial limits on who may own or hold an interest in farm land. Saskatchewan and Manitoba each regulate non-Canadian ownership of farm land, each under its own statute and board. This entry does not cover the other provinces.
When a farm sale includes land, Saskatchewan’s and Manitoba’s farm-ownership rules can apply to it. A buyer that is a non-Canadian individual or corporation can face rules that a Canadian buyer does not. Whether a restriction applies depends on the province’s statute, so ask how it treats a buying corporation and its owners.
Two provinces, two regimes
The Government of Saskatchewan says Part VI of The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act regulates the ownership and operation of Saskatchewan farm land by non-Canadian entities, administered by the Farm Land Security Board. Manitoba says its Farm Lands Ownership Act is intended to preserve farm land for present and future generations of Canadians, and that non-Canadians can apply to the Manitoba Farm Industry Board for an exemption to exceed its limit. Thresholds and exemptions are in the legislation.
What to check or ask
- Whether the buyer, or anyone behind a buying corporation, counts as non-Canadian under that province’s statute.
- Whether an exemption or board approval is needed before closing.
- How land is handled in a family or quota transfer; see farm quota, land and family transfers.
Sources
This definition is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Government of SaskatchewanGovernmentFarm Land Security Board and Farm Ownership
- 02Government of ManitobaGovernmentForeign Ownership of Manitoba Farm Land
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