The Rural Voice, 1980-05, Page 17buying Targe blocks of good food land, the
neighbors began to worry.
The Ontario ministers of agriculture,
Newman and Henderson, contended that
there was, and is, no problem, because the
extent of foreign ownership was very low.
They estimated it to be below one per cent
of all agricultural land in the province. But
no one really knew. Purchases were easily
hidden through the use of Ontario invest-
ment firms.
Professor Mage pointed out to the
farmers that he didn't find objections
against foreigners settling in Ontario. It is
the absentee foreigner that is the focus of
concern.
The concern centered around fears that
the increased demand was driving prices
higher, and that assembling of large blocks
of land could result in a change in the
infra -structure of the rural community, and
in land use.
However, Mage noted that there is often
a difference of opinion between an older
farmer who is looking for a high price,
because he sees retirement closing in, and
the younger farmer, who wants to buy the
older farmer's land.
Mage noted five reasons for the foreign
interest in.Ontario land:
1. The low exchange rate of the
Canadian dollar, for our land is cheap in
European hard currency.
2. The inflation of land prices gives
investors a good return on their money.
3. Our interest rates are higher than in
Europe.
4. The investment is safe, for Canada is a
stable country with a stable government.
5. Land prices in Europe are very high,
which makes our land a bargain in
European eyes. Dutch and German prices
range from $20,000 to $25,000 an acre.
The group from the university has
completed phase one of the project, that of
identifying land owned by people with
foreign addresses.
These people own a total of 7,000 acres
in Huron county.
An additional 1,500 acres is owned by
Canadian residents outside Ontario.
A third group of absentee landowners
live in Ontario. This is by far the largest
group, owning 28,680 acres.
Dr. Mage found it significant that the
land in the hands of foreigners is mainly
Class 1 and Class 2, the most productive
land.
In Howick township. 80 per cent of the
estranged land is in C lasses 1 and 2. In
Ashfield it is as high as 96 per cent. As a
percentage of Class 1 and 2 land,
foreigners own five per cent in Ashfield.
Mrs. Marritt said that from here on in
the Huron Federation of Agriculture would
have to decide what to do with the
research. RDOP will go no further for,
after all, the program is designed to help
people to help themselves.
Agre Farms
Aart De Vos & Sons
Ag Chemical/ Supply
A successful crop in 1980 starts with a good
weed control program.
This year see the people at AGRE FARMS
whose specialty is crop sprays & sprayers.
Harrlston
AGRE FARMS
We offer a complete line of Belmore
herbicides & insecticides at
inflation fighting prices.
-Calsa sprayer parts
-Bulk liquid atrazine
This spring before you
buy give us a call at
335-3093
Listowel
County Brussels
Hwy. 86
Bluevale
Hwy. 4
W Ingham
Spring Discounts On
Buy North America's
BinsLargSpeeciaall i t SpGrain Bins
Bins at
Spring Discounts
WHY BUTLER?
44" high wall sheets for faster erection. No
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ORDER NOW AT SUBSTANTIAL
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Box 550, Main St.. South Phone After Hours -
Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S0 519-235.2120 345-2284
THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1980 PG. 15