For immediate release
April 22, 2026
QUEEN’S PARK: Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is heartened the Ontario Government announced yesterday to restrict the international acquisition of provincial farmland. Brady, since her first election win in 2022, has implored the government to limit foreign ownership of provincial farmland to guarantee properties remain food production sites, operated by Ontarians.
“Since 2022, I’ve been corresponding with ministers of agriculture, raising my voice in Finance Committee, and talking about it during my Bill 21, Foodbelt Protection Act, 2025 tour across the province with Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Green Party,” Brady said. “I have asked the government to take action to restrict foreign ownership and impose a non-resident speculation tax on foreign owners buying farmland and renting it out to local farmers at rates they can’t afford. Although, there’s no non-resident tax, I like the action they did take, and I think the Ford government must have finally received my message.”
The government has stated that faced with global instability, this initiative will protect Canadian farms and ensure the lands remain in Canadian hands. It should improve self-reliance through increased home-grown food production.
When passed, the legislation will line-up Ontario with Quebec, Alberta, PEI, and Saskatchewan’s strategies to limit foreign ownership. The changes will mean farms and farmland owned by Ontario and Canadian farmers would maintain domestic ownership.
“I hope the government continues to adopt ideas within Bill 21,” Brady said. “I look forward to seeing the whole bill spelled out and the rationale behind not having a non-resident tax.”
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For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at [email protected] or 519-428-0446