Fertile Grounds at Risk: Wilmot Township’s Farmland Under Attack

In March of 2024, Wilmot Township, the Region of Waterloo, and the provincial government (through the provincial agency, the Ontario Realty Corporation) contracted a US-based company to threaten farmers and landowners with expropriation should they refuse to sell their land for industrial development. 

This proposed development will have detrimental impacts to the region’s agricultural, economic, and ecological systems. The 770 acres of prime farmland slated for development are home to vegetable, grain, and dairy operations. The agricultural sector in Waterloo contributed $652.5 million in revenue to the region in 2021. This farmland contributes to local food systems, and stimulates sustainable regional economic growth. The target areas also feature two significant creeks that flow into the Nith River, and are part of a system of underground aquifers that account for 80% of the region’s water supply. Industrial development is a threat to the health of the Nith watershed.

What is happening in Wilmot follows a pattern of rushed development decision-making across the province. It is emblematic of the province’s “development at all costs” attitude that foregoes proper decision-making tools like agricultural impact assessments, the precautionary principle, and fair and democratic consultation with community members. Industrial development on this farmland  is short-sighted: it will negatively impact the local food system and create irrevocable damage to the local environment.

“We cannot stand idly by as our political leaders make decisions behind closed doors that will permanently destroy our finite prime farmland,” says Jenn Pfenning, an organic farmer in Wilmot Township and the President of the National Farmers Union. “I encourage all Ontarians to fight back against this undemocratic assault on our food system by signing one or both petitions, writing letters to their local leaders, and joining us in our call to keep farmland for farmers.” – Jenn Pfenning

Go to fightforfarmland.com to sign the petition against the Wilmot land grab and get a lawn sign to show your support.