Region's controversial plan to buy Wilmot farms raises questions for provincial, federal politicians
CBC
The region's controversial plan to buy up farmland in Wilmot Township is gaining the attention of provincial and federal politicians, with the Ontario NDP and Green Party, as well as a Liberal MP now weighing in.
Leader of the NDP Marit Stiles was in St. Jacobs on Friday morning, showing her support for the affected residents.
Back in March, 12 landowners of six farmland properties and six residential properties were told the Region of Waterloo plans to purchase their land. In total, the region is pursuing 770 acres of land in Wilmot Township near the intersection of Nafziger Road and Bleams Road, south of New Hamburg.
If the landowners refuse to sell, they have been told their land would be expropriated.
There has been limited information provided about plans for the land.
The Region of Waterloo provided a statement to CBC News in response to questions about future development.
"The Region of Waterloo and Wilmot Township are partnering on land readiness to create shovel-ready sites to attract economic investments and create jobs," reads the statement. "Land assembly is underway to create shovel-ready sites for large-scale economic investments to further support Waterloo Region's economic vitality as it grows to one million residents by 2050."
Wilmot Township officials did not respond to requests for comment from CBC News. It was also confirmed councillors signed non-disclosure agreements about the project.
"It's a tight-knit farming community and some of the most pristine, prime agricultural land in our beautiful province," said Stiles at a news conference on Friday.
"Doug Ford has overlooked rural concerns time and time again, but we're going to get to the bottom of this just like we did with the Greenbelt."
The conference was held at St. Jacobs Foods, a local supplier of cabbage and homemade sauerkraut. Eva Wagler is the co-owner of the farm and spoke alongside Stiles.
She shared the story of her journey from the Czech Republic to Wilmot over 15 years ago.
Despite limited knowledge of farming, Wagler said she and her husband worked hard and eventually bought the farm, as the previous owners decided to retire.
"We have expanded our business and now we also sell into other provinces. We have worked so hard to get this for where we are now," Wagler said.
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