Province transferring additional 7,600 acres of land to boost economic development
SPENCERVILLE — Today, Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, was joined by Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, and Tory Deschamps, Mayor of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, to announce a new agreement with the Ontario government that will repurpose more than 7,600 acres of unused government land for housing, economic growth and environmental conservation. The land transfer is in addition to 2,500 acres transferred by the province in April 2026.
“Today marks a historic milestone for the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal as the municipality finalizes an agreement to unlock another 7,600 acres of surplus land from the province. In total, more than 10,000 acres of land that sat idle for decades will now be available for agriculture, new housing and job-creating economic development,” said MPP Steve Clark. “I’ve been proud to support Mayor Deschamps and council as they have worked tirelessly through this process for years, and I thank Minister McCarthy for making the long-awaited agreement a reality.”
The land transfers are anticipated to generate up to $187 million in economic value for the region over 10 years, creating up to 600 new good-paying jobs. The transfers will support farm operations, create much-needed housing and support conservation efforts, including new forests and trails.
“Phase 2 of the Edwardsburgh Cardinal Landbank purchase marks a significant step forward for our community, returning 7,600 additional acres of land to productive use,” said Tory Deschamps, Mayor of Edwardsburgh Cardinal. “This phase will strengthen our agricultural sector while enabling a carefully planned commercial and industrial park that will attract investment, create well-paying jobs, and support long-term economic growth. We thank MPP Steve Clark, Minister Kinga Surma, Acting Minister Todd McCarthy, and their teams for their leadership and perseverance, and we commend council and staff for their vision and dedication in bringing this purchase forward. Together, this work helps protect our farming heritage while building a strong and sustainable future for generations to come.”
Since 2018, the province has repurposed 159 surplus government properties, generating over $342 million in net new revenue and saving taxpayers $5.4 million annually in maintenance and repair costs.
“Our government is empowering communities like Edwardsburgh Cardinal to create long-term prosperity,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “By putting underused surplus lands back into productive use, we are delivering long-term economic growth, job creation, and increasing opportunities for new housing supply.”
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