Land Use

Publisher:  United Church of Canada, Division of Mission Research, Toronto, Canada
Year Published:  1976
Pages:  4pp   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX153

Critical examination of social concers in a way designed to strengthen discussion and action.

Abstract: 
This is issue 13 of a series that critically examine social concerns in a way designed to strengthen discussion and action. In this "Land Use" issue, the theme is protecting the future. It begins by showing how land is classified according to its agricultural capabilities and how competition increases land prices and shapes ownership patterns. A distinction is drawn between how land is treated as a market commodity when subject to profit, rather than being valued as a resource whose use should be determined by the needs of people. An examination of the factors that escalate costs show how this influences trends towards rural depopulation and corporate concentration. It is revealing to find out that agribusiness monopolies tend to be less efficient and more costly for food production. The impact of foreign capital and ownership are examined. Provincial land use and ownership legislation is outlined and detailed case studies show the different approaches by Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario in their attempts to protect agricultural land. There is a list of resources for further studies and a list of recommendations outlining what concerned people can do.

Subject Headings

Insert T_CxShareButtonsHorizontal.html here