Role
The Farm Land Security Board (FLSB), a quasi-judicial tribunal, monitors all land transactions and uses information from Information Services Corporation to confirm landowners are complying with the Act.
The FLSB has the power to investigate to determine if a particular land transaction has complied with the law. For example, the Board can request a declaration confirming owners are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and that no non-Canadians have an interest in the farmland being purchased. The Board may also seek information on the source of funds for the purchase to determine if any non-Canadians have an interest in the land being purchased.
The majority of exemptions granted by the FLSB are to allow for commercial use of the land, such as a potash mine or a sand and gravel business. Some exemptions have been granted to allow people immigrating to Canada time for the immigration process to be completed.
Learn more about the Farm Land Security Board.
Ensuring Compliance
If non-compliance with the Act is found, the Board has the authority to order an owner to sell the land if he or she does not become compliant with the Act.
Under the Act, penalties of up to $10,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations can also be levied if farm ownership provisions are contravened.