Who Can Buy Farmland in Saskatchewan Under Ownership Rules

Saskatchewan limits who can own farm land, and the limits can surprise buyers who are not residents or who plan to buy through a corporation. Getting it wrong can mean penalties or being ordered to sell, so it is worth checking before you make an offer.

This article explains who qualifies, how the 10-acre limit works, the main exceptions, and what can happen if the rules are broken. The rules were amended recently, so confirm the current position with a lawyer before you commit.

This article covers the law of Saskatchewan.

Who can hold farm land without an exemption

Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and corporations or membership organizations that are 100 per cent Canadian-owned and not publicly traded can hold an interest in Saskatchewan farm land without an exemption. These rules are in Part VI of The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act.

The Act uses the term resident person for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. A Canadian citizen is treated as a resident even if he or she lives outside Canada.

The 10-acre limit and exemptions

Individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and entities totally or partly owned or controlled by non-Canadians, must apply to the Farm Land Security Board for an Exemption before acquiring an interest in more than 10 acres of farm land. Put another way, non-residents may only acquire 10 acres, and a larger acquisition needs an Exemption obtained by the purchaser.

The Board has developed exemption categories for non-eligible entities, and applicants use either a corporate or a non-resident exemption application form. Individuals with farming experience and capital to invest, for example under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, may qualify if they are serious about relocating to Canada and have a plan to do so.

Common situations at a glance

Transfers to family

There is an exception for family transfers. Any amount of farm land can be transferred to a designated relative by a person who has been a resident for five consecutive years and acquired the land while a resident. Designated relatives are children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, brother, sister, nephew, niece and their spouses. Both conditions on the transferor matter, so check that they are met before relying on this exception.

Enforcement and recent changes

The Farm Land Security Board is a quasi-judicial tribunal whose members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. It administers Part VI on farm ownership, along with Part II on farm foreclosure protection and Part III on home quarter protection. It can order fines and penalties and issue land divestment orders to non-eligible entities.

The Board can levy administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per contravention. The October 2025 regulation amendments name the contraventions:

• A non-Canadian acquiring more than 10 acres.
• A Canadian-owned corporation that becomes non-Canadian owned and does not divest above 10 acres.
• Acquiring land on behalf of a non-Canadian in breach of the Act.
• Failing to comply with the terms of an Exemption order.

The October 2025 amendments also removed the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's exemption, so it can no longer acquire farm land in Saskatchewan.

What to do next

• Identify exactly who or what will hold title, including every owner or controller of a corporation.
• Check whether each is a citizen, a permanent resident, or a fully Canadian-owned entity.
• If anyone is not, plan for an Exemption application before you acquire more than 10 acres.
• Do not buy on behalf of someone else without advice, since that can be a named contravention.
• Ask a lawyer to confirm the current rules, since they were amended recently.

Frequently asked questions