The Prince Edward Island government has passed significant legislation that will make land ownership investigations public, bringing new transparency to property ownership across the province.
New Transparency Measures
The bill, passed on November 12, 2025, comes amid growing scrutiny of land holdings by Buddhist organizations and other entities. The legislation mandates that investigations into land ownership must be made publicly accessible, marking a substantial shift in how the province handles property transparency.
Green Party Leader Matt MacFarlane has been actively involved in the legislative process, advocating for greater public access to land ownership information. The new law represents a victory for transparency advocates who have long called for more open records regarding who owns property on the island.
Background and Context
The push for increased transparency gained momentum following concerns about Buddhist organization land acquisitions and other foreign ownership patterns. Provincial officials recognized the need for clearer public understanding of land ownership structures and investment patterns affecting the island's real estate market.
The legislation establishes clear protocols for investigating land ownership and ensures that findings become part of the public record. This move aligns with broader national conversations about foreign ownership and transparency in real estate markets across Canada.
Implications for Property Owners
Property owners and investors should expect greater scrutiny of land transactions under the new framework. The public disclosure requirements apply to both individual and corporate land holdings, though specific privacy protections remain in place for sensitive personal information.
The provincial government emphasized that the legislation balances transparency needs with appropriate privacy considerations. Officials anticipate the new system will help identify patterns of land accumulation that might otherwise go unnoticed by the public and policymakers.
Implementation of the new transparency measures will begin immediately, with the first public investigations expected to be released in early 2026. The legislation represents one of the most significant changes to P.E.I.'s land ownership disclosure practices in recent decades.
