Wilmot protest
photo credit: Jane Marie Mitchell
A controversial plan by the Region of Waterloo to acquire and potentially expropriate a large area of prime agricultural land for industrial development has caused a huge protest. Farmers need your support; learn more at this website:
https://www.fightforfarmland.com/
Land Acquisition Plan
- The Region of Waterloo is seeking to assemble approximately 770 acres (about 320 hectares) of farmland in Wilmot Township, southwest of Kitchener. This land includes six farms and six residential properties. The region claims the land is needed to create “shovel-ready” sites for future large-scale economic investments and job creation.
Farmer Opposition
- Many farmers and local residents are strongly opposed to the plan, and have formed a grassroots group called “Fight for Farmland” to resist the land acquisition.
- Just 0.5% of Canada’s land is classified as Class 1 farmland, which has no significant constraints for crop production. Ontario is losing 319 acres of prime farmland per day, according to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
Lack of Transparency
- The region has not disclosed specific details about the intended use of the land or potential investors, citing confidentiality issues. Affected landowners and residents complain about a lack of consultation and transparency in the process.
Environmental Concerns
- Critics argue the development could negatively impact local water resources and the environment. The area is a regional groundwater recharge zone, and development poses problems of surface water contamination, excessive water consumption, and groundwater depletion.
4 September 2024