Region of Waterloo says 550 acres have been secured for Wilmot land assembly project

A highly contentious project in Wilmot Township has passed a milestone. CTV’s Jeff Pickel explains.

The Region of Waterloo says it has secured more than 70 per cent of the farmland needed for potential large-scale development projects in Wilmot Township.

The plan involved 770 acres, or six separate properties, between Nafziger Road, Bleams Road and Wilmot Centre Road.

As of May 14, the region had already acquired 550 acres of the land which, under provincial guidelines, meant it qualified as a mega-site. That classification would make it a much more attractive location for future employers, whether it’s manufacturing or food production. Other factors in its favour are the property’s proximity to Highway 7/8, existing hydro, water and wastewater infrastructure and its exclusion as a water protection area.

Karen Redman, chair for the Region of Waterloo, called it a “very important investment for the future.” She also said it is “imperative” to support local and well-paying manufacturing jobs.

“We’re a community that continues to grow,” she told CTV News on Wednesday. “This kind of investment is complicated and its long-term.”

Community concerns

The land assembly process has stirred up controversy in Wilmot Township.

Some of the affected landowners felt blindsided by the region’s plan and argued the property wasn’t right for future large-scale development. They organized town hall meetings, filed freedom of information requests and took their protests directly to regional council.

Even Premier Doug Ford got caught up in the debate after he was overheard saying that he did not understand the secrecy around the project and claimed the process had been mishandled.

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The region has always maintained that they are “committed to ensuring fair and equitable agreements for landowners.”

Redman also responded to claims the the project wasn’t wanted in Wilmot.

“I would just say the evidence would speak to the contrary,” she said. “We have 70 per cent of the land assembly, freely negotiated and part of the project as we go forward. I hear from many people that are very, very supportive. Yes, there’s been a contingent of very noisy voices that are talking about it, but there’s been a lot of quiet voices too.”

Due diligence by the region

Starting this week, technical and environmental work will begin at the property as part of the region’s due diligence.

They said crops will be planted “where appropriate” and harvested as per usual, but no existing crops will be removed.

This became a big issue in 2024 when residents questioned the destruction of corn crops on land purchased by the region. Council later learned the crops had been removed for an archeological assessment that could not be delayed.