This Notice announces the adoption by the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ) of new Rules relating to the presentation and processing of applications for authorization to acquire farm land under the Act respecting the preservation of agricultural land and agricultural activities (chapter P-41.1). The regulatory instrument establishes standardized procedural requirements governing how applications to acquire agricultural land must be prepared and submitted, with the aim of ensuring consistent evaluation, administrative transparency, and the effective protection of Québec’s agricultural land base.

The Rules specify that any person seeking authorization to acquire farm land must submit a complete application to the Commission including a duly completed prescribed form, and where applicable, a signed promise of purchase. Applicants must also provide a detailed, dated, and scaled plan identifying the property, including lot numbers, boundaries, areas, cardinal orientation, and the location of buildings. The plan must further identify contiguous or deemed contiguous lots belonging to the same owner, as defined by the Act, along with their uses. Where the applicant is a legal person, incorporation documents must also be provided.

The Rules also establish comprehensive requirements for the content of the application form itself. For natural persons, the form must include personal identification details such as name, address, occupation, contact information, and, if applicable, information about a mandatary. For corporations or other entities, the application must include the enterprise’s legal name, Québec enterprise number, sector of activity, jurisdiction of incorporation, and governing statute, as well as contact details for both the entity and its authorized representatives.

Applicants must also provide detailed information on current and intended land use, including agricultural activities, production types, livestock, quotas, infrastructure, and buildings located on the land. Financial and operational data are required, including production costs, revenues, equipment, and a history of land acquisition such as purchase year and price. The application must distinguish acquisition costs for land, buildings, and equipment, and list other agricultural holdings owned by the applicant or related persons. Additional disclosure is required regarding residency status under legislation governing acquisition by non-residents.

This regulatory framework is aimed at safeguarding Québec’s agricultural land base against fragmentation and non-agricultural development pressures. By requiring detailed technical, financial, and ownership disclosures, the Commission improves its capacity to evaluate whether proposed acquisitions align with long-term agricultural viability and land use planning priorities. Standardized documentation also facilitates comparative assessment across applications and reduces informational asymmetry between applicants and regulators.

Quebec (Draft) March 25, 2026
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