Sask. government rejects NDP private member's bill to crack down on foreign farm ownership
CBC
The provincial government will not support a private member's bill introduced by the NDP on Tuesday that would have cracked down on foreign farm ownership in Saskatchewan.
NDP agriculture critic Trent Wotherspoon introduced the bill on Tuesday and said it's about forcing the government to take action on the issues raised by farmers, industry members and the provincial auditor.
"[The government] failed to make sure the Farm Land Security Board has the resources and the teeth they need to enforce the law, which is why these are practical, common sense solutions we've brought forward," said Wotherspoon.
The NDP's bill would amend the Saskatchewan Farm Security Act to allow for a court to order the net proceeds of the forced sale of illegally held farmland to be turned over to the government.
It would also boost the fines for those involved in the illegal foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland.
Currently, fines are set at a maximum of $50,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation. The private member's bill would set the maximum at $1 million for individuals and $10 million for a corporation.
Wotherspoon said the proposed fines would bring the province in line with the modern cost of farmland.
The bill would also remove the limitation preventing the board from investigating older transactions.
"It would be awfully strange if the Saskatchewan Party government didn't support this legislation and we're ready to work with them to expedite its passage," said Wotherspoon.
The bill would require the government's support to pass through the legislature.
But Wotherspoon was left disappointed after Agriculture Minister David Marit immediately rejected government support for the bill.
Marit said the province is already consulting with industry and organizations about potential improvements to the Farm Security Act.
"As I said, when you do that, when you make those changes, you have to open the act, you have to open them up. So we're just having that discussion and how that time frame and how that process will move forward," Marit said after question period on Tuesday.
Marit confirmed the government has implemented all nine recommendations raised by the province's auditor in 2024.
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