Sell your farm or agriculture business

The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act limits non-resident persons and non-Canadian owned entities to an aggregate holding of 10 acres of farmland. The Farm Land Security Board may grant an exemption on conditions, and the province announced a review of the Act in April 2026.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario policy allows quota to move with the sale of an ongoing operation where the seller owns the dairy facilities and land base and has produced there for five years. Ten percent of the quota held is first offered on the monthly quota exchange.

A federal fishing licence is Crown property and is not transferable. Fisheries and Oceans Canada may issue a replacement licence to an eligible harvester at the current holder’s request, under the licensing policy of the region.

Under section 73(3) of the Income Tax Act, farm land and depreciable farm property may transfer to a child resident in Canada at any value from cost to fair market value, provided the property was used principally in farming by the family. A sale of shares to a child’s corporation may also keep capital gains treatment under the 2024 intergenerational rules.

Neighbouring operations expanding acreage or quota, processors and suppliers integrating production, institutional investors acquiring farmland and operations, and family members or employees succeeding the owner. Land, quota and licences account for most of the price in this sector.

The purchaser corporation must be controlled by children aged 18 or older, and the parent and child file a joint election. Under the immediate option the conditions run for 36 months; under the gradual option they run for 60 months, and the parent’s retained interest must fall within 10 years.

Each owner can shelter up to $1,275,000 of capital gains on qualified farm or fishing property in 2026, reduced by any amount claimed before. Whether the land, quota or shares qualify depends on how the property was used and held before the sale. Taxes when you sell