Saskatchewan farmland for sale

Who should own it, is the burning question

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

There is an ongoing debate in Saskatchewan about the farmland for sale, but more specifically, who can own it.

The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act “restricts farm land ownership by non-Canadians.”

However, foreign owners are allowed to own some land.

“Non-Canadians and non-100-per-cent Canadian owned entities can own no more than 10 acres of farmland in Saskatchewan,” according to the Province.

Also according to Saskatchewan, pension plans and investment funds are restricted from owning farmland in the province – and that’s where some of the controversy comes in.

In addition to the possibility of foreign investors sweeping up the land, in 2013 Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced that the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board plans on spending $120 million to purchase nearly 46,540 hectares of land.

One of the main concerns with the farmland sales is the potential increase of land prices, making it harder for new and beginning farmers to succeed.

In an effort to get a better temperature reading of the whole situation, public consultations are being encouraged. The window for public consultations is open until August 10^th.

Here’s how the provinces rank in value per acre of farmland and buildings according to Statistics Canada:

1. Ontario - $5,062
2. British Columbia - $4,113
3. Quebec - $2,908
4. Newfoundland and Labrador - $2,275
5. Prince Edward Island - $2,028
6. Nova Scotia - $1,670
7. New Brunswick - $1,550
8. Alberta - $1,506
9. Manitoba - $896
10. Saskatchewan - $523

Tell us your thoughts on the debate in Saskatchewan over farmland. Should anyone be able to own it or should it be reserved for farmers and Canadians?