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.
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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.
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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.
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