Waterloo region mishandled Wilmot land acquisition, says Premier Doug Ford

At the 105th International Plowing Match (IPM) in Lindsay Oct. 2, Premier Doug Ford blamed the Region of Waterloo for the mishandling of the Wilmot Land Assembly and its farmland acquisition, according to a press release by the Fight for Farmland Group.

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The group said that in a conversation with members of the group, concerned Wilmot farmers and community members following his speech, Premier Ford said, “They mishandled the land acquisition from the beginning,” specifically singling out Regional Chair Karen Redman and her staff.

The group said Ford further expressed confusion over the concerning secrecy and lack of transparency surrounding the project, stating, “I don’t know why all the secrecy going on—I couldn’t figure that one out.”

However, the Fight for Farmland group said in the release “it was the province that enforced an unprecedented Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that has restricted all local politicians, continues to keep Waterloo Region bound by it, and prevents the Region from holding public meetings, releasing studies, or following its usual transparent planning processes – or so the Region of Waterloo says.”

Twenty volunteers from Waterloo Region made the trip to the IPM to raise awareness about the issue of farmland preservation and the need to find a less impactful location for a proposed mega-industrial site “that stands to destroy so much irreplaceable prime Wilmot farmland,” the group said.

“We were successful in engaging with show attendees and politicians alike, getting thousands of attendees to wear Fight For Farmland “We Are Unwilling” stickers to show their support for Wilmot farmers and help ensure the brutal process used to date by our governments doesn’t become the new way to force development anywhere regardless of the cost.”

Fight For Farmland marched in the IPM parade with bright neon t-shirts, a large banner, and signs handing out “We Are Unwilling” stickers while floats from all three opposition parties also displayed Fight For Farmland signs and their MPPs distributed stickers as well, the group said.

The group believes having attendees holding Fight for Farmland signs and sporting “We Are Unwilling” stickers in the opening ceremony tent “sent a very strong message and helped to make our voices heard when Premier Ford took the stage.”

“The Premier’s comments were significant,” said Alfred Lowrick, spokesperson for the Fight for Farmland Group in the release. “While we’ve been pressing both the province and the Region for accountability, Premier Ford directly blamed the Region for mismanaging the land acquisition. This statement only amplifies our call for transparency and the need for the Township of Wilmot to state they are an unwilling host as well as the Region to abandon this fiasco altogether.”

The group said it had “positive discussions with politicians of all stripes,” with Senator Rob Black carrying one of its signs, “vowing to bring the issue to Ottawa, further expanding our advocacy efforts to the national level.”  All three opposition leaders—Mike Schreiner (Green Party), Marit Stiles (NDP), and John Fraser (Liberal Party)—spoke about the “urgent need to protect Ontario’s farmland in the Opening Ceremonies, echoing our message.”

“The support and recognition we received from politicians and citizens alike demonstrate that the movement to protect farmland is gaining momentum across the province,” said the Fight for Farmland group.

“The turnout at the IPM and the support from attendees made it clear that this issue transcends party lines and affects everyone,” added Lowrick. “We will continue our fight against this mega-site and to protect farmland, and with growing support from the public and political leaders, we are hopeful that we can secure a better future for Wilmot Township and beyond.”