Saskatchewan launches consultation of Farmland Security Act

The Saskatchewan government is seeking public input on the Farmland Security Act, which governs ownership and foreclosure issues regarding farmland. The review sparked due to growing concerns about the concentration of farmland ownership and the possibility of foreign buyers gaining a stake in the province’s agriculture industry.

Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, expressed worry over the enforcement of existing regulations. He pointed out a recent issue where transactions were not examined until months after approval, allowing land transfers to take place before scrutiny.

Prybylski’s thoughts align with a report from the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, which revealed a shift in farmland ownership patterns. From 2018 to 2023, the land owned by large-scale private owners saw a 140 per cent increase. The report suggests that foreign buyers might influence this trend.

Prybylski believes that the consultation questionnaire will cover crucial aspects like foreign ownership, enforcement, fees, and protections for farmers, which could lead to amendments in the act. He is optimistic that the review process will prompt changes to better enforce the prohibition on foreign ownership of farmland.

The Saskatchewan government claims there is no proof of foreign ownership under the existing legislation.