CHARLOTTETOWN — The P.E.I. government has called an investigation into the land holdings of two Buddhist organizations on the Island.
Housing Minister Steven Myers made the announcement Wednesday, saying Islanders have valid concerns about who owns land and how it is being used, but he did not elaborate.
Myers says the province's Regulatory and Appeals Commission will use the Lands Protection Act to investigate the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute Inc. and Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society, both of which are committed to studying and promoting Tibetan Buddhism.
The minister went on to say planned amendments to the act will improve the province's oversight of non-residents who own land on the Island.
The Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute in Brudenell, P.E.I., is a monastery for nuns, mostly from Taiwan, about 200 of whom live at the monastery while another 300 live nearby.
In 2019, the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society included about 600 monks — most from Taiwan — living on separate campuses in Little Sands, P.E.I., and Heatherdale, P.E.I.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2025.
The Canadian Press
