Members of the Fight for Farmland Group, alongside concerned Wilmot farmers and community members, attended the 105th International Plowing Match (IPM) in Lindsay, Ontario, where Premier Doug Ford blamed the Region of Waterloo for the mishandling of the Wilmot Land Assembly and its farmland acquisition.
In a conversation with our group following his speech, Premier Ford stated, “They mishandled the land acquisition from the beginning,” specifically singling out Regional Chair Karen Redman and her staff. He further expressed confusion over the concerning secrecy and lack of transparency surrounding the project, stating, “I don’t know why all the secrecy going on—I couldn’t figure that one out.”
However, it was the province that enforced an unprecedented Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that has restricted all local politicians, continues to keep Waterloo Region bound by it, and prevents the Region from holding public meetings, releasing studies, or following its usual transparent planning processes – or so the Region of Waterloo says.
Twenty dedicated volunteers from Waterloo Region made the trip to the IPM to raise awareness about the critical issue of farmland preservation and the need to find a less impactful location for this proposed mega-industrial site that stands to destroy so much irreplaceable prime Wilmot farmland. We were successful in engaging with show attendees and politicians alike, getting thousands of attendees to wear Fight For Farmland “We Are Unwilling” stickers to show their support for Wilmot farmers and help ensure the brutal process used to date by our governments doesn’t become the new way to force development anywhere regardless of the cost.
Fight For Farmland marched in the IPM parade with bright neon t-shirts, a large banner, and signs handing out “We Are Unwilling” stickers while floats from all three opposition parties also displayed Fight For Farmland signs and their MPPs distributed stickers as well. The opening ceremony tent was full of attendees proudly holding Fight For Farmland signs and sporting “We Are Unwilling” stickers that sent a very strong message and helped to make our voices heard when Premier Ford took the stage.
“The Premier’s comments were significant,” said Alfred Lowrick, spokesperson for the Fight for Farmland Group. “While we’ve been pressing both the Province and the Region for accountability, Premier Ford directly blamed the Region for mismanaging the land acquisition. This statement only amplifies our call for transparency and the need for the Township of Wilmot to state they are an unwilling host as well as the Region to abandon this fiasco altogether.”
Our group had positive discussions with politicians of all stripes. Notably, Senator Rob Black carried one of our signs, vowing to bring the issue to Ottawa, further expanding our advocacy efforts to the national level. All three opposition leaders—Mike Schreiner (Green Party), Marit Stiles (NDP), and John Fraser (Liberal Party)—spoke about the urgent need to protect Ontario’s farmland in the Opening Ceremonies, echoing our message. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner emphasized that the fight to save farmland begins with protecting areas like Wilmot, where agricultural land is under imminent threat.
The support and recognition we received from politicians and citizens alike demonstrate that the movement to protect farmland is gaining momentum across the province. We are grateful for the significant provincial media coverage that has followed our efforts, bringing more attention to the harmful impacts of the proposed mega-industrial site on prime farmland in Wilmot.
“The turnout at the IPM and the support from attendees made it clear that this issue transcends party lines and affects everyone,” added Lowrick. “We will continue our fight against this mega-site and to protect farmland, and with growing support from the public and political leaders, we are hopeful that we can secure a better future for Wilmot Township and beyond.”
The Fight for Farmland Group encourages people to keep writing and calling municipal, regional, and provincial elected officials to demand this absurd proposed Wilmot mega-site be abandoned and any industrial development be located on already compromised brownfield, greyfield, and exhausted aggregate pits congruent with the focus of our Regional Official Plan to protect farmland and ensure essential sustainability for future generations.