Investors are a threat to farmland ...and not just the foreign ones

"Land is worth a LOT of money, and its value is now more often tied to development potential rather than how many bushels it could produce. This shift complicates the conservation of farmland, especially in populated areas where productive land is at risk of being lost to investors."

"Dean Orr suggests that the focus on foreign ownership may be misplaced, as domestic investors are the ones driving the development of farmland. He points out that much of Ontario's prime farmland loss is due to urban boundary expansions, raising questions about the effectiveness of ownership rules alone."

Farmland's value has shifted from its productive capacity to its development potential, particularly in populated areas of Canada. Ontario's recent proposal to limit foreign ownership of farmland may overlook the impact of domestic investors, who are also contributing to farmland loss through urban expansion. Dean Orr, a researcher and farmer, emphasizes the need to consider the broader implications of land use and ownership, as local developers are significant players in the conversion of prime farmland, complicating conservation efforts.

Read at Realagriculture