Thanks to Chris Ortenburger for sharing this article in her Citizens’ Alliance newsletter this morning, along with these comments:
“There is so much in that interview that brings up more questions for the Minister and Premier:
must all land be in “production”?
where is good Land Use Planning? (notice that may not be the same as Where is the Land Use Plan? 😉
where is the IRAC report on the Kings County land holdings that former Environment and former Lands and Community minister Stephen Myers set in motion?
Why can’t the Land Department keep track of land?
Why have IRAC in charge of this when her government has announced it is set to break up IRAC and there will certainly be a lot of transition?
And things not addressed here:
What about non-profit land protection organizations like Island Nature Trust? (this has been addressed elsewhere with a wave of the hand, but it would be good if the minister recognised this clearly)
Why are agriculture giants not addressed, but non-profits?
How easy will it be to work around this law? Have they thought that far in the future?
This also feels like a use of *a lot* of government legislative writing time that could be spent on other promised legislation. And if it is tabled for First Reading and examined as not well done and not ready to be passed, even by a government with a majority of seats, then it will be like the legislation to try to change Conflict of Interest laws a few sessions back: not a great use of this government’s time and a window on their priorities and decision-making abilities.”
The website with a bit more information on this is here, and the deadline is Tuesday, November 10th:
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/feedback-wanted-on-proposed-changes-to-the-prince-edward-island-lands-protection-act
Land Legislation Changes Planned for This Fall
Minister says amendments are out for public consultation
by Stu Neatby
published on Saturday, October 31st, 2026
P.E.I.’s minister of land says she intends to introduce an amendment to provincial legislation that would limit the landholdings of not-for-profit corporations to 400 acres, as early as this fall.
“Absolutely. That’s my plan,” Darlene Compton told The Guardian on Oct. 29, when asked if the Lands Protection Act amendments would be brought before the house this fall.
The amendment is currently out for public consultation. Members of the public can view the amendment online and submit feedback until Nov. 10.
The Lands Protection Act currently sets out two categories of landowners – individuals and corporations. The act sets a limit of 1,000 acres for individuals and 3,000 acres for corporations.
The amendment would add the category of “non-profit corporation,” with a limit on aggregate landholdings of 400 acres.
When asked why the amendments were being brought forward now, Compton said the aim was to preserve and protect farm land.
“As the minister and through the department, we started this process by looking at where are there any kind of loopholes that maybe we can tighten to ensure that resource land and agricultural land stays as that,” Compton said.
This process left Compton with one question.
“I was like, ‘what not-for-profit organization needs to have that much land?’” Compton said.
Compton said the public consultation may help her department answer this question.
She also suggested that the 400-acre limit in the draft legislation may also change, depending on the consultation.
“We’re starting at 400 … It could be less than that, or it could be more. Like, we haven’t really cemented that yet until we do the consultations,” Compton said.
A number of P.E.I. residents take pride in the aims of the Lands Protection Act, a law that does not exist in other Canadian jurisdictions. Many view it as a key tool for the protection of P.E.I. farmland.
There have been controversies over the years about different landholding corporations that are believed to have run afoul of the Act.
But in recent years, allegations have focused on the landholdings of several Buddhist organizations, most notably the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society and the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute. To date, there have been no clear findings of wrongdoing by these organizations, although an investigation by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission has been ongoing since early 2025.
When asked if the proposed changes to the Lands Protection Act were linked to concerns about the Buddhist community or Buddhist organizations, Compton said the changes would apply to all not-for-profit corporations.
“If a not-for-profit has that much land, what are they doing with it? And is it still being farmed? Do they, do we have the ability to ensure that it’s still being farmed?” Compton asked.
When asked if there were specific non-profit organizations with concerningly high landholdings, Compton said that is difficult to determine because IRAC does not share this information with her department.
“As minister of land, I want to ensure that land that should be in production is in production,” Compton said.
