Two dirt tracks worn in the grass show where vehicles have driven between two clumps of trees in a country field as the sun sets in the distance.

Saskatchewan’s Farm Land Security Board changes procedures

Board acts on provincial auditor’s recommendations to tighten up its procedures to ensure compliance with foreign ownership laws

Saskatchewan’s Farm Land Security Board has changed some of its processes after a report from the provincial auditor last year raised concerns about foreign ownership.

The Saskatchewan auditor, which is recommending that the Farm Land Security Board introduce stricter enforcement of the province’s farmland ownership law, assessed higher-risk transactions between Aug. 1, 2023, and July 24, 2024, and found them all to be compliant. | File photo

Auditor flags farmland ownership board issues

New report recommends stronger measures, but Sask. agriculture minister says processes have already been improved

REGINA — Agriculture minister Daryl Harrison is confident there is no unauthorized foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland. He said processes at the Farm Land Security Board were already being improved before last week’s report from provincial auditor Tara Clemett, which recommended stronger procedures. Related story in this issue: “I don’t think they completely know,” she […] Read more

The 40,000 farmland transactions each year in the province are a lot to monitor, but laws aren’t of much use if they have loopholes and aren’t being upheld. | Getty Images

Farm Land Security Board needs to do better

Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor has identified a number of shortcomings in how the Farm Land Security Board regulates the purchase of farmland by foreign, non-eligible entities. Unfortunately, rather than embracing the auditor’s recommendations, the newly re-elected Saskatchewan Party government seems oblivious to the concerns. Related story in this issue: Let’s start with a bit of history. […] Read more


The speculation around who is buying land can trigger a lively conversation. | File photo

Sask. watchdog monitors farmland ownership regulations

WINNIPEG — On any given day at a coffee shop somewhere in rural Saskatchewan, it’s a safe bet that the following topics will come up in conversation — the weather, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and what’s happening with farmland in the area. Most of the time, the coffee talk around farmland is directed at two […] Read more