Quebec eyes agrotourism growth with regulatory changes

Tashi Farmilo

New rules aimed at expanding agrotourism activities on farms were proposed by the Quebec government on March 11, as part of a broader effort to help agricultural businesses diversify income while maintaining protections for farmland.

The draft regulation would ease several administrative restrictions governing activities on agricultural land and allow farms to host more visitors and offer additional services. The government says the changes are intended to support farm tourism, promote local food products and strengthen regional economies.

Among the proposed measures, farms would be allowed to host receptions of up to 100 people, up from the current limit of 50. Such events could also be held over four consecutive days instead of three.

The proposal would also increase the number of seats permitted for meals served on farms from 20 to 60, allowing producers to expand “tables champêtres” and other farm-based dining experiences. Farm operators would also be allowed to collaborate to set up shared farm-gate kiosks or small processing workshops to sell and transform local products.

The draft regulation would also simplify the development of agricultural biomethanization projects, facilities that convert farm waste into renewable energy, while introducing a requirement for producers to declare such projects so authorities can monitor their expansion.

In Quebec, agricultural land use is tightly regulated under the Act respecting the preservation of agricultural land and agricultural activities, which prioritizes farming and restricts non-agricultural uses in designated agricultural zones. The rules are enforced by the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec, which oversees land use decisions and ensures farmland is preserved for agricultural purposes.

The proposed regulation would amend existing rules governing when agricultural land can be used or modified without prior authorization from the commission. The changes follow legislative updates adopted in 2025 to strengthen the long-term protection and management of Quebec’s farmland while supporting farm viability.

Agriculture Minister Donald Martel said the changes are intended to balance support for farm businesses with the protection of agricultural land. “Agrotourism is an important lever to energize our regions and bring Quebecers closer to their agriculture,” Martel said. “We worked hard to adapt our rules to ensure a balance between agrotourism activities, respect for agricultural land and the prosperity of our businesses.”

Tourism Minister Amélie Dionne said the proposal would also expand opportunities for visitors to experience Quebec’s agricultural sector. “By allowing producers to welcome more visitors and develop new activities on farms, we are also creating additional opportunities for them to generate income and share their expertise.”

The government has opened a public consultation on the draft regulation. Written comments can be submitted to Quebec’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food until April 25, 2026.