ABSTRACT
In planning for land use in a region, projections of population and associated land requirements are commonly considered in determining future requirements for urban land. The particular concern is the fact that present-day urban expansion is reducing the agricultural land base. The historical pattern of development, however, has resulted in a situation where Canada's urban centres have occupied land that is of high capability for agricultural activities. Urban development in Canada has tended to occupy the soils that have the highest capability for agriculture, and those areas that are climatically favourable. Provincial actions to expand urban boundaries by annexation or to create urban-oriented municipalities that include areas of good farmland have serious implications for food producing capabilities. In any jurisdiction that has agricultural land it should be borne in mind that food shortages could occur in the future and that building houses on good farmland will reduce future capacity to cope with such shortages.
