Wilmot resident proposes new committee in response to possible expropriation
After hundreds of people showed up Friday at a community meeting discussing possible land expropriation in Wilmot Township, a community member is proposing an idea to close the gap between council and farmers.
“After seeing the amount of support, I thought maybe that there's an opportunity to try and find different ways to ensure the agricultural community's voice is heard in our township,” said Wilmot resident Rory Farnan.
On Monday, Farnan sent a letter to the township asking for the creation of an “Agricultural Advisory Committee.”
The letter states given the size of the industry, they should have a voice in the room.
“Referencing the Region of Waterloo’s 2020 Bulletin of Census for Agriculture, revenue in Wilmot grew from $139.7 million dollars in 2011 to $181.90 million in 2020. And yet given its growth, a significant contribution to our local economy, it is my belief that we are undervaluing the sector, which requires a seat at the table to help shape its future,” Farnan said in the letter.
Advisory committees are common in municipal government and are often used to help guide council on topics like heritage and economic development.
“It allows council to stay current on agricultural issues and topics that are happening in the township,” Farnan said in an interview with CTV News.
“And it allows the agricultural industry in turn to provide council with advice or recommendations on how they would go about making decisions that would adversely affect the agricultural industry.”
The Township of Wilmot said their clerk received Farnan’s letter Monday and distributed it to members of council that afternoon. The township thanked the resident for the submission and said at this point, they have no further comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.
Was this the bug that stung you? Wasp sightings revive murder-hornet concerns; no detections confirmed
As temperatures rise out of a mild El Nino winter, Canada's buggy season is already upon us again, and this year, the bugs are looking especially big.
Minister tables bill to extend citizenship rights to children born abroad
Immigration Minister Marc Miller tabled legislation today that is intended to extend citizenship to some children born outside of the country.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Jennifer Lopez's response to question about Ben Affleck is a reminder of their decades of love in the spotlight
Plenty of people are wondering if Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are having problems in their marriage, but one person had the nerve to ask in a public forum.
U.S. Justice Department says illegal monopoly by Ticketmaster and Live Nation drives up prices for fans
The U.S. Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America -- squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished.