Should Alberta Ease Foreign Land Ownership Rules for Commercial Zones?

Official title: Foreign ownership of land regulations (FOLR) engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Economy & Jobs
Alberta is looking at loosening restrictions on foreign ownership of land in certain commercial and industrial zones. Right now, foreign buyers face strict limits on buying agricultural and recreational land. The province wants to cut red tape where municipal zoning has already shifted away from agricultural use, and make it easier for foreign family members to transfer property without Cabinet approval.

Why This Matters

Own farmland or recreational property in Alberta? These rules affect who can buy land near you. If you're a foreign national with family in Alberta, estate planning could get simpler. Real estate lawyers and municipal planners deal with this paperwork regularly.

What Could Change

Commercial and industrial zoned lands could be exempted from foreign ownership restrictions. Foreign family members could transfer property through estate planning without needing Cabinet approval. The goal is less paperwork while keeping rural agricultural land primarily in Canadian hands.

Key Issues

  • Should commercially or industrially zoned lands be exempt from foreign ownership restrictions?
  • Should estate planning transfers between foreign family members skip Cabinet approval?
  • How can red tape be reduced while protecting rural land ownership?

How to Participate

  1. Contact the FOLR office at sartr.folaoffice@gov.ab.ca to share your feedback on the proposed changes.

What Happened

Stakeholders including Alberta municipalities, counties, and lawyers dealing with FOLR requests provided input on reducing red tape. The feedback will help inform government policy aimed at modernizing FOLR application and reducing administrative burdens.