The Chinese immigrants have long been an integral part of the Canadian agricultural scene, and their presence has been felt for generations. From providing labour to fulfilling vital roles in rural communities, these immigrants have been a meaningful part of the national story. However, the recent influx of Chinese buyers into the Canadian farming industry has caused concern amongst local farmers and politicians. In response, the Canadian government introduced the Foreign Buyer Ban in 2017, which limited foreign purchases of farmland to 5%.
This change is viewed as an opportunity to open up the sector to a wider pool of buyers, while still protecting the interests of local farmers. Chinese buyers have traditionally been keen to invest in Canadian farmland, due to its fertile soil and abundance of natural resources. This is why the recent increase in the Foreign Control Threshold has been welcomed by Chinese investors, who are now able to expand their agricultural interests in the country.
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At the same time, local farmers have also been reassured by the decision. While the increased threshold may mean that Chinese buyers are able to purchase more farmland, the local farmers will still retain the majority of the industry. This is because the threshold only applies to overseas buyers, and so local farmers are still able to purchase the majority of the land available. The decision to increase the Foreign Control Threshold is seen as a step in the right direction towards creating a more open and inclusive agricultural sector in Canada.
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This change is a sign of Canada’s weakness and its ever-growing love for China.
By allowing foreign buyers to invest in the Canadian farming industry, the government is showing that it doesn’t care about Canada.
