By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A joint statement released by two Ontario cabinet ministers is critical of the Region of Waterloo’s process to acquire 770 acres of Wilmot Township farmland.
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli and Minister for Red Tape Reduction Mike Harris released a joint statement clarifying questions surrounding the land assembly in the Region of Waterloo.
"It is disappointing to see recent events unfold in Wilmot and the Region of Waterloo, particularly the threat of expropriation at the onset of this process. Given the region's lack of transparency in its land-assembly process, we feel it necessary to clarify our government's involvement in this project,” the statement reads.
Regional chair Karen Redman said she was surprised and confused by the statement. She added the region recognized early on the people directly impacted were the landowners and the people living in Wilmot. The goal from the start was to be transparent.
“We had a communication plan we wanted to roll out which was far more proactive. I understand that in the absence of good information, there has been a lot of misinformation in the community. We were denied the ability to be open, transparent and more proactive in our communications by the provincial government,” Redman said.
Redman added the region also pushed for different timelines and the ability to do due diligence.
“There are about 35 things that come under the due diligence list. Some people think it’s just a paper exercise and it’s not. We were denied that. We had worked lockstep with our provincial partners from the very beginning.”
The ministers accused the region of mishandling the land assembly, saying “It is disappointing to see recent events unfold in Wilmot and the Region of Waterloo, particularly the threat of expropriation at the onset of this process.” The statement also made public who is paying for the land purchases – the taxpayers of Ontario.
“We feel it is necessary to clarify our government’s involvement,” said Harris and Fideli. “While the province is supporting the Region of Waterloo with funding to help purchase land, it is the sole responsibility of the region to assemble the site and work collaboratively with all affected communities and stakeholders.”
They called on the regional government to be fair and respectful as they look to attract investment and jobs, and noted no expropriation was needed to acquire land for Volkswagen's investment in St. Thomas, a project that was twice the size.
Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen ran on a campaign strategy of greater transparency and good governance when elected in 2022. She added while she can appreciate real-estate transactions are private matters, honesty needs to be a part of the overall process. She also explained the region should be commended for its planning practices and communication with residents in the past.
“The region has been great at keeping residents informed and growing in a meaningful way. We shouldn’t deviate from that.”
Despite Redman’s pushback on the statement, she explained the region remains committed to the Ford government and the acquisition of farmland.
“The reason we entered into this land assembly for shovel-ready land to fit the parameters of a mega-site is because we believe it is in the best interest of the community to have good-paying, intergenerational jobs as we grow to one million residents.”
She added the region can either help shape the future or react to the growth that is coming.
“Some people think growth is happening because we are inviting it. We have been identified as one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada and certainly in Ontario. We know southwestern Ontario is a prime place because of location, educational institutions and skilled-labour force. We are competing on a global stage for investment and talent,” Redman said.
The Gazette asked Redman if she would be able to provide evidence the province shut down any proposed communication with Wilmot residents. She did not answer the question but does hope there will be less secrecy moving forward.
“Any initiative as complex as the assembly of a mega-site has many moving parts. We wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t in partnership with the province. They have come out and said, ‘Yes, we are funding it.’ I am pleased to see they have lifted some of their obligations for confidentiality and I hope we will now have greater transparency as we go forward.”
The Gazette reached out to Harris’ office to schedule an interview. Initially, a staff member offered to set up a call with the Kitchener-Conestoga MPP, but several follow-up emails to his office went unanswered.
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