Province transfers additional 7,600 acres to Edwardsburgh Cardinal for housing, jobs and conservation

The Ontario government is transferring more than 7,600 acres of surplus provincial land to the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, a move local officials say will support new housing, economic development, agriculture and environmental conservation.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Spencerville by Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Member of Parliament (MPP) Steve Clark, Acting Minister of Infrastructure Todd McCarthy, and Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps.

According to a release issued by MPP Steve Clark following the announcement, the latest transfer builds on an earlier agreement announced in April 2026, which saw the province transfer 2,500 acres to the municipality.

Combined, the two agreements will place more than 10,000 acres of previously unused provincial land under municipal ownership for future developments and community use.

“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,” said MPP Steve Clark. “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.”

According to the announcement, the land transfers are expected to generate up to $187 million in economic value over the next decade and create up to 600 new jobs. The lands are also expected to bolster agricultural operations, increase housing opportunities and expand conservation initiatives, 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,” Mayor Deschamps said. “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.”

McCarthy explained that repurposing surplus government land is part of the province’s broader efforts to increase housing supply while supporting economic growth and “long-term prosperity.”

“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,” McCarthy stated.

Since 2018, the province has repurposed 159 surplus government properties, generating more than $342 million in net new revenue while saving taxpayers $5.4 million annually in maintenance and repair costs.