Calculation of Buddhist land holdings could lead to better enforcement of land limits, group hopes

An investigation into Buddhist land holdings in P.E.I. ordered by Minister of Land Steven Myers could provide the first legal test of measures in the Lands Protection Act meant to prevent concentration of land ownership across multiple linked corporations.

It could also peel back the curtain to provide Islanders with a glimpse into how that landmark piece of legislation is being enforced — something that hasn't been made public for more than a decade.

On Feb. 4, Myers directed the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission to investigate the land holdings of the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) and the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) "to determine whether the corporations have contravened the [Lands Protection Act] or regulations."

In his letter to IRAC, Myers referred to a specific amendment to the act from 2022 that refers to direct and indirect control of land, representing the latest attempt by Island lawmakers to prevent large corporations with deep pockets from getting around the intent of the act.

The Lands Protection Act is a unique piece of legislation first introduced in the 1980s that sets limits on the amount of P.E.I. land that individuals and corporations can own.

It also requires corporations and non-residents to apply and receive cabinet approval for any land purchase of more than five acres.

"We've been speaking for generations now of loopholes in the Lands Protection Act," said Boyd Allen, a member of the grassroots Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands. The coalition has been calling for a much wider review of corporate and non-resident land ownership in the province, but has welcomed the current smaller-scope review into Buddhist land holdings.

Allen said a thorough investigation in this case "would provide a clear snapshot of where we need to bolster the LPA," which he hopes leads to more proactive enforcement of the land limits for all parties — not just the two groups named by the minister for the current review.

Both GWBI and GEBIS have denied suggestions that they own more land than allowed by law, and say they welcome the investigation.

"There's so many rumours going around. I'd much rather have everything out in [the] clear … just base everything on facts," said Sabrina Chiang with GWBI. "Speculation… it's not a healthy way to live and it's not good for the community." 

Provincial land records show that both organizations are well below the ownership limit of 3,000 acres for corporations. The records show GEBIS owns 30 parcels of land, totalling about 580 acres; GWBI owns 22 parcels totalling 663 acres.

Charitable tax filings from the two corporations show they claimed a combined $161 million in assets in 2023, including $78 million worth of land and buildings. 

Both groups also say their land holdings should be counted separately, and not combined as part of the larger Taiwan-based Tibetan Buddhist movement called Bliss and Wisdom, with which both are associated.

There's no way to know if IRAC will consider each corporation's holdings separately, or whether it might consider other corporations related to Bliss and Wisdom. A previous investigation conducted by IRAC that concluded in 2018 included GEBIS, GWBI and three other corporations: Moonlight International Foundation, Grain Essence Garden Inc.; and Splendid Essence Restaurant Inc.