Ford addresses Wilmot land acquisition controversy
Premier Doug Ford says the Region of Waterloo’s plan to buy a large tract of farmland in Wilmot for an unidentified industrial project is part of a broader provincial strategy to ready sites for development, but one aspect of the proposed deal “doesn’t sit well” with him.
Ford was asked about the proposed land acquisition during an unrelated funding announcement in Kitchener Thursday.
The 770-acre block of farmland in Wilmot Township, just outside Kitchener, has become a source of contention in recent months. The region says it wants to purchase the land “to create shovel-ready sites to attract economic investments and create jobs.”
Farmers say they were told if they weren’t willing to sell, their lands would be expropriated. Environmental groups have also raised concerns.
A map shows the land the Region of Waterloo wants to buy. (Graphic by Hayden Phillips/CTV Kitchener)
On Thursday, Ford said his government asked municipalities to set aside land, although it hasn’t been promised to any specific companies.
“We’ve sent some forms out – I think it was about a year ago – saying, ‘If you want to assemble land we’ll be there for you,’” Ford told reporters.
“Anyone who assembles it, we’re pretty confident that companies are going to come and put a facility there.”
Ford said the projects will create jobs and spur economic development.
“A lot of smaller towns, like for insistence Wilmot, they need money, so what better way than you know clear some land and create some development,” he continued.
He pointed to St. Thomas, Ont., where Volkswagen is building a massive plant to manufacture electric vehicle batteries, as an example.
Premier Doug Ford announces $14 million in housing funding for the City of Kitchener on April 11, 2024, as Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic looks on. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)
Asked about farmers’ concerns about potential expropriation, Ford said that part of the plan “rubbed [him] the wrong way.”
“I’m all for assembling land across the province, but personally, I think it should have been handled a little differently with a real estate company, so it kind of really bothered me when I heard that,” Ford said. “You have to be a willing participant and that’s what we’re looking for, willing participants, willing townships and regions that want to open an opportunity for companies to come here and create jobs.”
Alfred Lowrick, a spokesperson for the affected landowners, said he agrees with Ford that things should have been handled differently.
“There’s no doubt this has gone sideways and it needs to be rectified,” Lowrick said.
Lowrick said the residents aren’t against economic development but they want more collaboration and transparency from the region and the township.
In an emailed statement, the Region of Waterloo said it appreciated Ford's comments in support of its land assembly efforts, which it said will create space for "a once in a generation investment."
"It is a competitive site that will attract international investment. It is excellently suited for future development and investment given the proximity to arterial transportation and existing infrastructure, and the connection to Waterloo Region’s skilled workforce," the region said in part. "While the details of the negotiations remain confidential, we are confident that we can reach fair, amicable agreements with the landowners involved."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny
Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Ont. woman who faked pregnancy to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges
Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.
Eating disorders among youth skyrocketed during pandemic and so did associated costs, report finds
The number of young people experiencing eating disorders surged during the height of the pandemic as the social and economic costs skyrocketed too, a new pan-Canadian report has found.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.