Great to see Mr MacDonald joining the call for stronger, more transparent land protection. Thank-you!
P.E.I. needs stronger land use protection
25 Oct 2025 Kent MacDonald, MP for Cardigan, is a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Little Pond, P.E.I
After taking time to carefully review the available information on this matter, I want to provide the following statement regarding the RCMP’s review of allegations of foreign interference and money laundering in Prince Edward Island.
The matter in question is very serious, and I stand by the legal processes in place to examine these allegations thoroughly. In respecting these processes, I will await the results of the RCMP’s findings before commenting further on this part of the issue.
At the same time, this review has renewed public concern about the management and protection of land in Prince Edward Island.
TRANSPARENT PLAN
The responsibility for land use and land protection lies squarely with the provincial government. Islanders deserve a transparent and enforceable plan that safeguards farmland, coastal ecosystems and rural communities for future generations. While the passing of the Planning Act on May 16 in the provincial legislative assembly was a step forward, it must be followed by stronger action and clear accountability, including revisiting the recommendations presented by the Land Matters advisory committee.
As a farmer on P.E.I. for 40 years, I support considering the use of a land evaluation and area review (LEAR) methodology. It is a balanced and evidence-based framework used across Canada to guide responsible land management.
The LEAR process combines land evaluation and area review, with a long-term agricultural focus. This integrated approach supports both agricultural and generational land decisions, ensuring that family heritage, farm succession, and future land use are considered to make informed, sustainable choices.
Protecting our land is not just an agricultural issue – it is also an economic, environmental and cultural one. The province of Prince Edward Island must demonstrate its commitment to establishing land use policies that are transparent, enforced, and grounded in evidence-based planning that reflects the values of Islanders.
