Exploring the Federal Role in Protecting Canada’s Farmland: A Matter Worthy of National Interest?

Abstract

Is protecting farmland a matter of national interest? If so, should the federal government play a stronger role in agricultural land use planning (AgLUP)? This paper examines potential roles and contributions of the federal government in AgLUP. Methods were based on surveys with key informants that examined the validity and viability of six possible roles of the federal government. The key informants were provincial-level experts in AgLUP from across Canada. We found that all six of the potential roles of the federal government to protect farmland that we identified are, to varying degrees, valid and reliable options. Two of the six roles were viewed most favourably: co-operative federalism; integrated policy approach. We also identified a seventh role, which is for the federal government to adopt a policy that ensures that decisions regarding the use of federal-owned land must adhere to provincial legislation.