The Saskatchewan government has created the Farm Land Ownership Advisory Committee to address farmer concerns and gain feedback about the issues.
The provincial government says chair Ken McDonald, Deron Kuski and Curt Chickoski were selected for their professional expertise and knowledge of the province’s farmland ownership framework, which comprises the Saskatchewan Farm Security Act and the Saskatchewan Farm Security Regulations.
McDonald served on the Farm Land Security Board for 10 years as well as the Surface Rights Board of Arbitration for Saskatchewan. He has also been president of the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association and the Saskatchewan Auctioneers Assocation.
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Kuski has practised law since 1997 and has experience in commerical litigation, construction litigation, constitutional law, and creditor and commercial leasing law.
Chickoski owns and manages Martens Ranch and MCM Ranching and has been involved with a number of governance and agricultural policy groups, including the AgriStability Appeal Board, the Swift Current Creek Watershed Board and the SaskEnergy board.
“Farmland ownership is an important issue to the people of this province,” McDonald said in the a release.
“And it is our task to review current regulations and to make sure that managing this valuable asset remains a priority.”
The committee is also to consult key stakeholders and provide feedback to the provinical government.
Engagement with stakeholders is set for October and November in the form of interviews, focus groups, association meetings and written communication. Public consultation will open in 2026.
“Protecting Saskatchewan farmland is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan … which is why we are committed to a legislative framework in Saskatchewan that ensures farm land remains in the hands of Canadian farmers,” provincial agriculture minister Daryl Harrison said in an email statement.
Saskatchewan farmland values have increased by 13.1 percent in the last year and another six per cent in the first six months of 2025, according to Farm Credit Canada.
Those figures don’t include the value of the production that occurs on the land from crops and livestock.
According to Saskatchewan government statistics, the province’s agricultural exports in 2024 were worth $18.5 billion and agri-food exports made up 41 per cent of the province’s total exports.
The Farm Land Security Act hasn’t been reviewed or amended since 2015, with changes implemented in 2016.
Those changes included financing limitations, a defintion of “having an interest in farmland,” declaring pension plans and administrators of pension funds and larger trusts ineligible to purchase farmland, and granting the Farm Land Security Board new and expanded legislation enforcement authority.
The new advisory committee does not replace the Farm Land Security Board, which operates independently of government and will continue to monitor and enforce land ownership legislation.
