Ontario Moves to Protect Farmland and Expand Agricultural Production in the North
Ontario Farmland Protection Plan Aims to Restrict Foreign Ownership and Expand Northern Agriculture
KING CITY — The Ontario government is moving to protect provincial farmland and expand agricultural production through proposed legislation that would restrict foreign ownership and increase access to underutilized land in northern Ontario.
Announced April 21 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the plan is part of the province’s broader strategy to strengthen Ontario’s agri-food sector and improve long-term food security.
“Ontario farmland is an important, limited resource and it should be owned by Ontario farmers,” said Agriculture Minister Trevor Jones. “These proposed changes will protect local food production, grow our economy and keep our farmland under domestic ownership for future generations.”
Restricting foreign acquisition of farmland
If passed, the legislation would introduce significant restrictions on the international purchase of Ontario farmland, aligning the province with policies already in place in jurisdictions such as Alberta and Quebec.
The government says the changes are designed to ensure farmland remains in the hands of Canadian farmers and continues to support domestic food production and supply chains.
Officials also noted that consultations on how the restrictions would be implemented—including potential exemptions—are set to begin April 22, 2026, through Ontario’s Regulatory Registry.
Our government is taking action to #ProtectOntario by unlocking lands in the Clay Belt region of Northern Ontario, empowering farmers to sell more Ontario-grown products to the world.
By increasing Ontario’s self-reliance, we will continue to create new jobs while protecting our… pic.twitter.com/oYng3fD4Vs
— Trevor Jones (@TrevorJonesCKL) April 21, 2026
Expanding agriculture in the Clay Belt
In addition to ownership changes, the province is proposing to expand agricultural activity in the Clay Belt region of northern Ontario by streamlining access to Crown land.
The Clay Belt spans approximately 180,000 square kilometres across Ontario and Quebec and contains large areas of potentially fertile soil suitable for crops and livestock production. While the Quebec side has seen more agricultural development, Ontario’s portion remains comparatively underutilized.
The proposed changes would make it easier for farmers to lease or access arable Crown land, supporting increased agricultural output and regional economic growth.
“Our government will never stop championing the immense opportunities in our northern Ontario agriculture sector,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.
Supporting food security and economic growth
The province says the combined measures will help boost food production, create jobs and strengthen Ontario’s agri-food supply chain.
The agri-food sector is a significant contributor to Ontario’s economy, employing one in nine workers and generating $52 billion in GDP in 2024. The province is home to more than 48,000 farms, producing over 200 agricultural commodities.
In northern Ontario alone, nearly 1,800 farms generated $238 million in farm cash receipts in 2021, with grains, dairy and cattle among the leading sectors.
Indigenous consultation and long-term planning
The government says its approach will prioritize collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensuring that development in the Clay Belt respects Aboriginal and treaty rights.
With more than 90 per cent of northern Ontario classified as Crown land, officials say the initiative represents a significant opportunity to expand agricultural capacity while maintaining environmental and community considerations.
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