Generations on the line: Farmers oppose proposed DND radar site

A massive defence project planned for agricultural land in Clearview Township is facing fierce pushback.

More than a month after the Department of National Defence (DND) held public engagement sessions regarding a preliminary receiver site for the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) program, local farmers continue to voice concerns about the impact the radar installation could have on the community.

Bert DeBoer purchased farmland 26 years ago, and the land has since remained in the family, creating a long line of farmers in the process.

The DND has asked DeBoer and his family if they would be willing to sell more than 1,000 acres to support the proposed site.

“When I got that letter that they can take this away from me, I was driving by here and almost cried,” said DeBoer. “How can they do that after 26 years struggling and get everything together? How can they take that away from people and say that this is prime agricultural land?”

His son, Danny DeBoer, also works on the farm, which produces corn, beans and wheat, and raises cattle.

“They pass it down to me and I’m hoping to pass it down to my children, and for them their grandchildren, which there would be nothing nicer than that,” said Danny. “Farming is such a high capital investment and it’s so hard to get started and it has to be passed down to generational or simply don’t have a chance.”

He emphasized the land the DND is interested in is prime agricultural land.

“This is very, very high, productive, and very fertile soil,” said Danny. “We’re close to a lot of our local markets and we supply food for Ontarians, Canadians and beyond.”

He added that the amount of work and money invested in the business over the years makes the prospect of losing the land — and watching his children unable to continue the family legacy — difficult to accept.

“We’ve worked, we’ve put our blood, sweat and tears into this,” said Danny. “Sleepless nights, long days, you name it. All the challenges that come along with farming and it’d be nice to have that reward and keep it in the family and pass it down the generations.”

Support for local farmers and the community is growing.

Signs reading, ‘No DND Radar in Clearview’ have appeared along roadways and driveways throughout the township, and farming families like the DeBoer’s are taking notice.

“It gives me (an) unbelievably good feeling that the people around us are supporting us, too and there’s way more victims than only us of course,” said Bert DeBoer. “It’s the neighbors all around and it’s devastating what they want to do.”

“Shows community support, makes people more aware of what’s going on and hopefully we can stop this freight train from coming down the tracks,” said Danny.

CTV News asked the DND when it would release information from the public engagement sessions held in September. In an emailed response, the department said a summary of feedback and public input will be posted to the program’s website in December.

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