Farmland Preservation and Rural Development in Canada

Farmland preservation in Canada reflects a diverse variety of strategies ranging from the regulatory to community based approaches that build economic capacity on the farm. While the federal government has a minimal role within planning, the provincial government sets the policies but these are largely interpreted and enforced at the municipal level. Agricultural land in Canada is largely privately held and discussions connected to property rights generally do not restrict the ability of the province or municipality to construct policies aimed at the protection of farmland. Across the country, the best agricultural land is often located in close proximity to large urban areas and these farms are under threat of development due to urban growth pressures. As the approaches to farmland preservation in Canada vary by province, this chapter will provide an overview of key directions and strategies ranging from the world’s largest Greenbelt in Ontario, to regulatory legislative strategies in Quebec including the encouragement of strategic development plans for agriculture in agricultural reserves, and more recently, the development of tools to aid farmers adapt to climate change and variability. This chapter will also focus on initiatives at both the municipal and provincial level to enhance agricultural viability thereby helping to keep farmers on the farm. This discussion will be supported by two case studies exploring farmland preservation and rural development in Ontario and Quebec.