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Canada Is Losing A Lot of Farmland
Millions of hectares are disappearing as development, investors and rising prices squeeze Canadian farms.
Today, we’re covering
🌾 Billionaires Are Buying B.C. Farmland
👨🌾 Farms Are Losing To Development
🤔 Should Canadian Cities Welcome Data Centres?
💰 Land Got Too Expensive
🤔 WTF of The Week
Read Time: 4 minutes
🌾 Billionaires Are Buying B.C. Farmland
Source: The Tyee, BC Green Party
The 411: A small B.C. farming community is calling for tougher foreign ownership rules after U.S. billionaires quietly bought up large amounts of local farmland.
Since 2008, a company owned by two U.S. billionaires has purchased 25 properties in Dunster, B.C.
The portfolio now totals about 3,500 acres, with 16 homes sitting vacant.
Dunster's population has fallen from 350 to 240, with residents saying empty homes are hollowing out the community.
Locals estimate the company now owns about one-quarter of the community's land.
The BC Greens say similar concerns are emerging in Kamloops, Merritt, and Pemberton.
The release claims billionaire Stan Kroenke controls 1.2 million acres of B.C. farmland.
Nearly all of the properties are located within B.C.'s Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
Unlike many other provinces, British Columbia has no restrictions on foreign ownership of agricultural land.
Why This Matters: The debate goes beyond one small town. As farmland becomes an investment asset, communities worry about rising land prices, fewer local farmers, and vacant properties replacing active neighbourhoods. The case is also renewing questions about whether Canada should place tighter limits on foreign ownership of agricultural land.
📚 More To Read
Who Owns Canada's Farmland?
This deep dive explores how investment funds and institutional investors are reshaping farmland ownership across Canada.