The Ontario government has introduced legislation that would restrict foreign acquisition of farmland across the province and expand farming access in northern Ontario, part of a broader update to the province’s agri-food strategy.
The Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act, 2026, tabled April 22, would also make it easier for Ontario farmers to lease arable land in the Clay Belt in northern Ontario, continue work on modernizing veterinary medicine, and reduce regulatory requirements for the agri-food sector.
Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said the changes are aimed at building a more self-reliant sector in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“Our agriculture sector is a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy, employing more than 10 per cent of the province’s workforce and helping put food on tables at home and around the world,” he said. “In a time of global uncertainty, it’s vital we give our farmers and businesses the tools they need to succeed. With these changes, we are continuing to build a more productive and self-reliant agriculture and food sector.”
Farmland ownership rules
The proposed restrictions would prioritize Ontario farmers’ access to farmland across the province and limit access for what the government calls harmful foreign interests. Reasonable exceptions would be developed following consultations with affected stakeholders. Similar policies are already in place in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island.
The legislation accompanies a review of the Grow Ontario Strategy, a 10-year plan launched in 2022 to strengthen the agri-food sector. The ministry is engaging with farmers, agri-food businesses and other industry partners as part of the review.
According to the province, the strategy has produced the following results since 2022:
- 13 per cent: average annual increase in exports
- 15 per cent: rise in employment in the sector
- 20 per cent: increase in farm sales
The province says the agri-food sector employs one in nine Ontarians and generated $52 billion in gross domestic product in 2024. Ontario is the largest food processor in Canada.
Industry response
Mark Hamel, Chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, welcomed amendments to the Milk Act included in the package.
“Dairy Farmers of Ontario applauds the government on protecting Ontario’s food independence and our province’s crucial role in securing Canada’s agriculture and food sector. We welcome the Milk Act amendments that will align Ontario’s milk pricing policies with national standards, enabling a level playing field and continued stability in delivery of high-quality milk from Ontario farms for processing in Ontario. DFO shares the government’s commitment to ensuring a stronger, trusted domestic food system, with a regulatory framework that supports continuous improvement and compliance of world-class, high-quality food safety standards for cow’s milk in Ontario.”
Jason Leblond, President of Beef Farmers of Ontario, pointed to changes under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act and updates to the Livestock Financial Protection Program.
“We appreciate Minister Jones and the Government of Ontario for listening to our members and taking action to create a more equitable fee structure under the Beef Cattle Marketing Act. This change addresses a long-standing gap and ensures all producers contribute fairly to efforts that help strengthen the sustainability and collective success of Ontario’s beef sector. We are also pleased to see much of the sector’s feedback reflected in the recent updates to the Livestock Financial Protection Program, which are a positive step toward a more effective and responsive system.”
