Tashi Farmilo
Local Journalism Initiative

Alejandra Zaga Mendez, MNA for Verdun and head of Québec Solidaire in matters related to agriculture, recently put forth a groundbreaking bill in the National Assembly. It aims to combat the growing problem of agricultural land grabbing and simultaneously offer protection to the next generation of Quebec farmers.

In a recent interview with François Carrier of CHIP FM, Zaga Mendez expressed deep concern over diminishing agricultural land in Quebec. “Agricultural land is becoming increasingly rare. It constitutes just 2% of our territory. We’re witnessing increased pressure on our farmers from skyrocketing land prices to zoning modifications that facilitate urban sprawl,” she explained.

She further highlighted an alarming trend: “Recently, we’ve seen agricultural lands purchased by investment funds, pension funds, and other speculative entities. This not only deprives young farmers of available land, but also drives up prices, making it harder for them to acquire or expand their farms.”

Drawing attention to the detrimental effects of climate change, Zaga Mendez emphasized its direct correlation with protecting agricultural zones. “With more extreme weather events, safeguarding our farmland has never been more crucial. These areas are essential for feeding Quebec’s population, and their protection is fundamental for our food autonomy in the future.”

The proposed bill is two-pronged: it seeks to ban private investment funds from acquiring agricultural land and also mandates the Commission for the Protection of Agricultural Land of Quebec (CPTAQ) to maintain a comprehensive record of all acquisitions in farming areas.

“We hope to bolster the role of the CPTAQ. They should be equipped with the necessary resources to oversee acquisitions effectively and understand the dynamics of price fluctuations in various regions,” concluded Zaga Mendez, acknowledging the challenges faced by the Commission.