Wilmot farmland owners still in the dark about next steps on expropriation
Farmers in Wilmot Township are getting ready to start seeding because the Region of Waterloo has been radio silent about plans to either buy their land or expropriate it.
Property owners have been fighting against the region’s proposal to buy 770 acres between Nafziger Road, Bleams Road and Wilmot Centre Road. Exact plans for the property have not been announced publicly. Owners have been told if they don’t come to an agreement, there’s a possibility of expropriation.
Farmer Arjo Van Bergeijk owns and rents land within the 770 acres.
“I got approached roughly four weeks ago that there was a plan that they wanted to buy all the farmland. They dropped off an offer and after that, it’s been quiet,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything. We haven’t seen anybody. Nothing – absolutely nothing.”
Van Bergeijk didn’t disclose the proposed price to land owners, but did call it a “lowball” offer.
“There’s no way I can buy any other farm land in this area for the money that they offered me,” he explained.
Despite not knowing what’s coming, Van Bergeijk said he’s getting ready to start seeding.
“Once the weather blows, I’ll be planting corn. That’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “At the end of the day, I have to run a business and I have to run a farm and when the weather suits I’ll be planting corn and I’ll be growing a crop again.”
Farm land in Wilmot Township on April 4, 2024. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
Stewart Snyder is a dairy farmer with land on Bleams Road. He also hasn’t received any updates on what’s happening.
“I think everybody’s in holding mode,” Snyder said. “Some of the landowners and residents have not had their offer presented to them yet, which is strange. Our other offers that were presented have well expired and we have heard nothing from everybody.”
The region has not announced what would be built on the land.
Farm land in Wilmot Township on April 4, 2024. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
In an email this week to residents, Waterloo Regional Chair Karen Redman wrote: “This area is excellently suited for future development and investment given the proximity to arterial transportation and existing infrastructure.”
Neighbours said they’ve heard rumours about what could be in the works, but nothing has been officially confirmed.
“If they could tell us something as to what was happening, that would be one thing to put our minds at ease. But they have no person or company planned for… this 750 acres,” Snyder said. “Everybody is signing NDAs. Nobody can tell us anything, so really we’re at a limbo. We don’t have a clue what’s going on.”
Landowners confirmed that they now have a lawyer on retainer to represent them if needed.
CTV News reached out to the Region of Waterloo for an update on the situation. They said they had nothing further to add at this time.
Expropriation protest signs in Wilmot Township on April 4, 2024. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
"An unjust situation"
On Thursday morning, more than 100 people gathered in Wilmot Township in support of the farmers and landowners.
Among them were local provincial politicians, including MPPs Catherine Fife, Aislinn Clancy and Mike Schreiner.
“Fundamentally, it is an unjust situation. This is not how you treat farmers,” Fife said in an interview. “Forced expropriation is of huge concern, as is the lack of planning around sustainable planning.”
Fife said she has a petition going to Queen’s Park and she’s ready to hear from regional politicians on the matter.
“I am looking forward to regional politicians speaking up and telling the people of this region why this is outside of the official plan, why this land is now deemed to be shovel ready and why they’re kicking farmers off their land,” she added.
Community members show their support for farmers and landowners at Wilmot Mennonite Church on April 4, 2024. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
Clancy said losing farmland is a province-wide concern.
“People are worried about the farmland that’s getting lost left, right and centre,” she said. “That really goes against the viability of our farming economy and our farming communities to make sure land is protected, so that land can be affordable and that there’s a good process to work with farming communities when an industrial program or industrial project is coming forward that we can work together to find a good location.”
After Thursday’s gathering, Snyder was emotional while reflecting on the support that’s been shown to the handful of landowners fighting this battle.
“We are gaining support. The support from the community is overwhelming,” Snyder said. “It means quite a bit to me.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.