MAY 27 - COMMUNITY UPDATE
Region of Waterloo Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 22
This past Wednesday, a second farmer facing expropriation was finally able to delegate and make a five-minute presentation at a Region of Waterloo Council meeting. Stewart Snyder spoke on behalf of his farm, his experiences to date in this horrific land assembly, and for the Fight for Farmland group, delivering a compelling message that his farm is not for sale and emphasizing that our community is unwilling to accept the proposed mega-industrial development. Krista Straus was also able to address the Council, providing a heartfelt perspective as a community member deeply committed to the agricultural heritage of Wilmot Township. Watch in the video link below as she outlines so many things integral to our communities and our successful agricultural industry that stand to be significantly threatened or lost completely if these developments are allowed to proceed:
Krista (~2:23:00)
Stewart (~2:28:00)
*Condensed version of Stewarts presentation can be found on our homepage
Upcoming Township of Wilmot & Region of Waterloo Meetings
We aim to maintain a strong presence at both regional and township council meetings to continue to show firsthand that we are unwilling. After successfully being added to the delegation list last week, we intend to continue participating if Regional and Municipal Clerks will allow future delegations. If you are interested in speaking at an upcoming council meeting, please contact us.
If you prefer not to speak, you can still help as we are encouraging people to attend the upcoming council meetings. Here are the dates of the next meetings:
Township of Wilmot Council Meetings:
Monday, May 27, 2024 @7:00pm
Monday, June 10, 2024 @7:00pm
Monday, June 24, 2024 @7:00pm
Monday, July 29, 2024 @7:00pm
Region of Waterloo Council Meetings:
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 @7:00pm
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 @7:00pm
We don’t need massive crowds at the meetings but there are opportunities to either be outside the venue with Fight For Farmland signs and other homemade signs/banners sending a strong message to attendees and people passing by, or to attend inside the Council Chambers in the gallery as a spectator.
Your support either outside or inside helps keep the pressure on, seek answers, shows we are watching, and demonstrates our community's resolve.
Protest at Mike Harris MPP’s Office – Thursday, May 24
Judy Brown and members of Zion United Church of Wilmot organized a protest at Mike Harris’s office in Elmira this past Thursday. Over 50 protesters gathered to voice concerns about the Region of Waterloo's lack of transparency and planning. The protesters aimed to raise awareness and urge politicians to take action and got a very positive response from the community and lots of passing cars and trucks honking in support. It was fantastic to see so much media coverage of the protest. Despite requesting a meeting with Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris on April 24, the group has yet to receive a response. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped highlight the importance of preserving our prime farmland.
The Record - We’re No Where Near The 401 - Wilmot Residents Taking Their Message to MPP: https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/were-nowhere-near-the-401-wilmot-residents-taking-their-message-to-mpp/article_26e05a3b-3d5e-55f1-8c5c-a4c80458e6fb.html
CTV News - Protestors Demand Meeting With MPP Over Potential Wilmot Land Acquisition: https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/protestors-demand-meeting-with-mpp-over-potential-wilmot-land-acquisition-1.6898590
CityNews - Wilmot Farmland Expropriation Protest Marched In Front Of MPP Harris’ Office: https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2024/05/23/wilmot-farmland-expropriation-protest-will-march-in-front-of-mpp-harris-office/
The Record - Residents Opposed To Wilmot Land Assembly Protest Outside MPP’s Office In Elmira: https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/residents-opposed-to-wilmot-land-assembly-protest-outside-mpp-s-office-in-elmira/article_c67c69e5-112b-5572-9d5c-0573147b5d09.html
*Includes excellent reporting of the Wilmot Farmer delegations to Regional Council on Wednesday evening.
Visit from Liberal Party of Ontario Leader Bonnie Crombie
Saturday morning, our Steering Committee was pleased to welcome provincial Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, to Wilmot to discuss our concerns firsthand. She received a guided tour of the threatened farms and Mountain Oak Cheese, providing her with firsthand insights into our situation and just how unwilling our communities are. The Liberals are going to keep demanding answers from the provincial government and work with other opposition parties to ensure that we have the representation lacking from current elected officials hiding behind non-disclosure agreements.
Door-to-Door Canvassing
Despite facing poor weather conditions each weekend, our volunteers have shown incredible dedication in getting Fight For Farmland lawn signs, flyers and petitions out across our communities. This weekend was no exception. A huge thank you to those who braved Saturday’s rainstorm to help spread awareness of our cause. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.
In the Media
Our cause continues to gain significant media attention, which is crucial for spreading the message that we are unwilling. It was fantastic this past week to see so many Letters to the Editor (keep on writing!), media articles, and another detailed blog post:
New Hamburg Land Grab A Strike At The Historic Heart:
CBC - Canada’s Next EV Supply Chain Plant Landing In Port Colborne, Ontario: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/honda-asahi-kasei-lithium-ion-separator-plant-1.7202458
“The other Ontario municipality that is in line for a cathode active material and precursor (CAM/pCAM) processing plant, as part of a joint venture with South Korea’s PSOCO Future M Co., is expected to be announced by Honda in the coming weeks."
Letters To The Editor - Kudos to so many people for speaking up with Letters to the Editor - here’s three great letters printed on the same day. Keep writing!:However, some recent news has been frustrating, as the Regional government and Economic Development Corporation attempt to promote this mega-industrial site development particularly comments made by Executive Director Tony LaMantia. Here is a summary of the article and a clarification of the facts:
The Record - Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation Boss Breaks Silence On Wilmot Land Assembly:
Last week, LaMantia claimed to be "breaking the silence" on the Wilmot Land Assembly, but his statements failed to address the majority of the community's concerns. Instead, they highlighted the absence of thorough planning, support, and consistency with previous regional plans. This disorganized push for a specific plot of land stands in stark contrast to all official planning documents.
IF there has been research and planning then why has it not been shared.
LaMantia suggested a need for conversation, yet the Fight For Farmland Group has been actively seeking answers for over ten weeks. Despite multiple appeals to the Regional Council, numerous meetings with local officials, and discussions with provincial and federal politicians, the group has received little to-no formal feedback or information.
LaMantia's assertion that his efforts will lead to "more community understanding of the plan" rings hollow. There remains no clarity on how the project aligns with the Regional Official Plan, the Countryside Line or addresses significant issues such as the social and environmental impacts on Wilmot Township and the reallocation of services and large amounts of population from urban centers.
The group also questions the secrecy surrounding the project. LaMantia admitted to signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) but failed to disclose with whom. This lack of transparency raises further doubts about the project's legitimacy and the intentions of those behind it.
LaMantia’s comments about the site's potential uses, including for a battery assembly plant, food processing, or pharmaceutical manufacturing, lack credibility. None of these uses necessitate such a large site, especially when there are already thousands of acres of vacant industrial land across the region.
The Fight For Farmland Group emphasizes the need for accountability and proper planning. "If this was an urgent priority since 2020, why wasn't it included in the Regional Official Plan process that spanned three years until August 2022?" Alfred Lowrick asks. "And why did the Regional Council vote against a mega-site twice in 2023?"
Furthermore, LaMantia’s dismissal of the site's prime agricultural value and his flawed argument against alternative sites, such as gravel pits, reveal a troubling disregard for sustainable land use.
In conclusion, the Fight For Farmland Group urges the Township of Wilmot and the Region of Waterloo to halt the Wilmot Land Assembly. Proper planning, comprehensive studies, and genuine community consultation are essential to determine the best future for everyone. The current approach is unsustainable and contradicts all previous planning efforts.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to saving our farmland.