Letter to Elected Officials in the Region of Waterloo Regarding Threat of Wilmot Farmland Expropriation

Dear Mayor Salonen, Councillor Sidhu, Councillor Dunstall, Councillor Cressman, Councillor Wilkinson, and Councillor Martin,

The National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O) is calling on the Region of Waterloo and Wilmot Township to immediately pause all plans to expropriate over 770 acres of prime agricultural land in Wilmot Township for an unspecified manufacturing “mega-site.” This pause is necessary to ensure that any development in the township and region receives adequate citizen input, is consistent with the agricultural protections within the region’s official plan and the Provincial Policy Statement, and has been assessed by the Grand River Conservation Authority for its potential impacts on the region’s water and ecological health.

The NFU-O is an accredited farm organization representing thousands of sustainable farmers in Ontario. We have advocated for farmers across Ontario and Canada since 1969. Members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and income security for farmers, while protecting and enhancing rural environments for current and future generations. For years the NFU-O has advocated responsible development, smart densification, and the
realization of complete communities in existing built-up areas, alongside the preservation of farmland and natural heritage areas.

In the past couple of weeks, it has come to light that Wilmot Township, the Region of Waterloo, and the provincial government (through the provincial agency, the Ontario Realty Corporation), have colluded with a US-based consulting company to threaten affected farmers and landowners with expropriation should they refuse to sell their land for a manufacturing mega-site. The 770 acres of prime farmland slated for industrial development are home to vegetable, grain, and dairy operations as well as two significant creeks that flow into the Nith river.

We find it troubling that regional authorities have not consulted with the farmers directly affected by this proposed development, local agricultural leaders, and other community experts in rural planning who know how to balance development with the protection of farmland and natural heritage areas. All expropriation should be halted and any future decisions should be made through an open and transparent process that invites broad community input.

The Region of Waterloo’s Official Plan (OP) expresses a desire to protect the “countryside from urbanization and inappropriate rural activities” – including its agricultural lands and groundwater recharge areas – as “these assets form part of the region’s rich natural capital and contribute to the community’s quality of life.” While the lands between Bleams Road and Nafziger Road that are being proposed for a manufacturing mega-site are not within the Region of Waterloo’s “protected countryside” designation, it is considered by the OP as prime agricultural land. Under the Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 (PPS) it clearly states that “prime agricultural areas shall be
protected for long-term use for agriculture” (2.3.1). We ask that the Region of Waterloo and Wilmot Township explore alternative development sites that would be more consistent with the PPS and with its own official plan.

Given that there are two creeks on the land proposed for development and that underground aquifers account for 80% of the region’s water supply, the NFU-O is frustrated that Region of Waterloo and Wilmot Township officials have yet to solicit the expertise of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). We call on regional leaders to immediately invite the GRCA to survey and report to the public on the potential impact this development will have on water and ecological health. Speeding up development assessment processes and disregarding the precautionary principle could result in major public health concerns and permanent ecological damage.

We recognize the importance of responsible development to the welfare of regional communities and economies. However, we stand against land-use decision making that lacks transparency and that fails to follow the democratic and protective mechanisms that have been codified within the regional official plan and the Provincial Policy Statement.

As a region with invaluable access to rare and finite farmland resources, we urge you to immediately halt any expropriation of farmland. The NFU-O supports you in following your own official plan to protect the region’s finite agricultural and ecologically-sensitive land. Such protection is crucial to ensure that the agri-food sector can continue to be a critical economic driver in the region. We urge you to follow sustainable and transparent land-use decision making processes. Farmers and citizens of the region deserve no less.

Sincerely,

Max Hansgen
President, National Farmers Union – Ontario