Secrecy prevails as region looks to turn farmland into industrial site

HIT OUT OF THE BLUE by calls to sell their land to the region or face expropriation, a group of Wilmot farmers is being met with nothing but secrecy from local officials.

At stake is some 770 acres of farmland in the area of Nafziger and Bleams roads south of New Hamburg that Waterloo Region is looking to turn into an industrial site.

Earlier this month, landowners in the area received notices from a private firm, Canacre, on behalf of the region urging them to sell or have the land taken through the expropriation process.

Requests for information from regional and township officials met with little response in the form of canned statements, said Alfred Lowrick, a spokesperson for the landowners.

Although the property owners were initially told they’d be paid well for the land, the actual offers to date have been “anything but,” he noted.

Lowrick was given three minutes to address regional council last week, but received answers to none of his questions. Requests by the public to speak to Wilmot council were initially refused, but the township relented, allowing delegates to speak Monday night, again with no additional information.

All of the secrecy is an affront to the public, and casts a suspicion on the process, said Lowrick.

“This is a public forum. There’s a process in place, and it doesn’t seem like they’re following anything,” he said. “I struggle with if that’s what’s needed here. Who’s calling the shots?”

“The lack of transparency is stunning.”

That concern is shared by Mark Reusser, vice president of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture.

“Why the secrecy? Why the [initial] refusal by Wilmot council to even allow a delegation to address the issue? Why the continued secrecy after the secret is out? Some of the most fundamental questions have not been answered,” said Reusser, who farms in Wilmot, though not in the affected area.

“Is this merely a land-banking plan instigated by the province? Or is there an actual company involved here, a client for the land?”

For its part, the region has refused to answer questions, instead issuing statements short on detail.

“The Region of Waterloo and Wilmot Township are partnering on land readiness to create shovel-ready sites to attract economic investments and create jobs. Land assembly is underway to create shovel-ready sites for large-scale economic investment to further support Waterloo Region’s economic vitality as it grows to one million residents by 2050.”

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris’ office released the same statement in response to inquiries.

Landowners have been given to believe the goal is to have the site assembled by August. Farmers have