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1. Only 2% of Quebec's land area is suitable for agriculture
Though Quebec has a vast land mass, only a tiny portion of it (located primarily in the St. Lawrence Valley) has soil that is suitable for agriculture. This fertile area is essential to our food autonomy, but it is also very sought-after for urban development. Compared to Quebec’s 2%, agricultural land in France is 58% and in the United States it’s 45%. The scarcity of our farmland makes each and every parcel of land invaluable when it comes to ensuring our food autonomy.
2. Urban sprawl is eating up our farmland
Since 1998, Quebec has lost some 61,000 hectares of farmland (the equivalent of 45 hockey rinks per day) due primarily to urban sprawl, industrial development and land speculation. Rapid urbanization, especially around major centres such as Montreal and Quebec City, is exerting constant pressure on our farmland. Converting that land into residential or commercial zones reduces our ability to produce food locally and increases our dependence on food imports, which is not good, especially in the current context of the economic war with the United States.
3. Obstacles faced by the next generation of farmers
The price of farmland has increased tenfold over the past 25 years, primarily due to speculation and land grabbing. This inflation is discouraging for young farmers and makes it difficult for them to get access to land, threatening the sustainability of our local agriculture. We can’t have local food without people to work the land.
4. Inadequate legislation
The Act respecting the preservation of agricultural land and agricultural activities (LPTAA) is designed to preserve our land. Despite recent changes it is still flawed. One of its most concerning weaknesses relates to non-agricultural uses. They allow the construction of roads, homes and businesses without any official zoning changes. Land thus remains agricultural on paper, but becomes unusable for farming.
Some developers and municipalities use this loophole to push ahead projects without allowing agricultural land protection to play a role. As these exceptions multiply, urbanization is quietly gobbling up fertile land, threatening our ability to produce locally.
5. Growing public support
A Léger poll reveals that 74% of Quebecers believe urgent action is needed to protect our agricultural land. In addition, 87% agree with the idea of offering financial support to the next generation of farmers to help facilitate access to land.
What can you do to help?
- Support local farmers: Adjust your menus to include local, seasonal produce to encourage local farmers. Buy your produce from local farmers' markets and sign up for organic baskets.
- Educate yourself and friends and family: Share this article and these videos to help promote greater collective awareness.
- Stay tuned for news from the Alliance SaluTERRE, of which Équiterre is a member. It will soon be launching a call for examples of cases where farmland is threatened.
