Former officials urge tighter scrutiny of P.E.I. land purchases over national security concerns

Prince Edward Island should strengthen its oversight of land acquisitions and improve cooperation with federal security agencies to address potential foreign interference risks, former senior law enforcement and government officials told a provincial review panel this week.

The recommendations were presented during a July 6 public hearing in Charlottetown as part of the province's review of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), the agency responsible for regulating land ownership, energy matters and related appeals. The review was launched after concerns emerged over how previous investigations into large land purchases by organizations connected to the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) and the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI) were handled.

Former RCMP Proceeds of Crime program director Gary Clement told the panel that Canada's national security environment has changed significantly and argued provincial land ownership rules should reflect those realities. He proposed creating a dedicated provincial commission to examine strategic land ownership, beneficial ownership transparency and economic security while strengthening coordination with federal agencies such as the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Former federal solicitor general and former Prince Edward Island Liberal MP Wayne Easter also appeared before the panel, calling for greater transparency surrounding property ownership and renewed efforts to determine the ultimate sources of funding behind major land acquisitions. He said Islanders deserve confidence that decisions involving significant land purchases are made transparently and without foreign political influence.

The hearing is the latest development in a controversy that has attracted increasing attention over the past two years. In 2025, Premier Rob Lantz requested the RCMP and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) examine concerns surrounding land purchases linked to GEBIS and GWBI after allegations were raised about possible foreign influence connected to the organizations.

The organizations have consistently denied any connection to the Chinese government. GWBI states on its website that neither it nor GEBIS is controlled by the Chinese government and rejects allegations that its spiritual leader has ties to Beijing. GEBIS has previously said it has no affiliation with the Chinese government.

The review panel's mandate is limited to examining the role and structure of IRAC rather than determining whether any criminal or national security violations occurred. Commissioner Rory Francis said the commission's responsibility is confined to reviewing IRAC's functions and making recommendations within that scope.

The hearings also included presentations from citizen groups that have called for stronger disclosure requirements for land ownership and, in some cases, a broader public inquiry into the issue. Earlier this year, organizations including Democracy Watch and the Save PEI Association urged the provincial government to establish an independent public inquiry into the land purchases and related allegations, arguing the matter extends beyond provincial land regulation and raises broader questions about foreign interference.

The provincial review is expected to result in recommendations on how Prince Edward Island regulates land ownership and whether changes are needed to improve transparency and protect the public interest in an evolving national security environment.