Provincial legislative programs with respect to agriculture fall into specific categories. Most of these programs were introduced before any concern was expressed as to their impact on sustainable agriculture. One program impacting on sustainability adopted by all provinces is the rebate or non-applicability of taxes on fuel used for agricultural production. While the thrust of the program is to enhance farm income, it also fosters additional use of a non-renewable resource, fossil fuel. Some of the gains from the provincial programs are capitalized into land values thereby increasing production costs and consequently are not conducive to sustainability.
Some programs interfere with comparative advantage in production between provinces.
Each province has a land development program. However, not all the projects are consistent with desirable land use from the point of view of sustainability. All provinces have programs fostering agricultural education in recognition of the fact that the well being of agriculture depends upon the management capabilities of those engaged in the profession. While much publicity has been given to adoption by governments of programs which foster sustainability, progress in this respect remains slow. Internal reviews of programs with respect to their impact on sustainability continue.