Wilmot Township, ON –  A new group of concerned residents has formed to support the farmers in Wilmot township whose lands  are being targeted by the regional government for an undisclosed industrial project. Since the Wilmot Civic Action Network (WilmotCAN) formed in December 2024, members have been raising awareness about the land grab and demanding accountability from local politicians. 

Beyond delegating to municipal councils, and confronting provincial politicians at public events, the group has also co-ordinated the creation of two mini-documentaries about the issue. A third video in the “Unearthed” series is in production.

This show features an interview with John Jordan, a founding member of WilmotCAN and a direct neighbour of the land targeted for purchase by the regional government. Jordan spoke to CKMS News about the Wilmot Civic Action Network, the mini-documentary series they are producing, and the lack of transparency around the project.

A recent poll conducted by Pallas Data between Jan. 30 and 31, reveals overwhelming opposition among Wilmot residents to expropriation of 770 acres of farmland for a mega-industrial site. The data comes as concerns continue to swirl around the Region of Waterloo’s plan to assemble a large parcel of land for potential future developments. Community members have repeatedly spoken out against the process, citing worries about the loss of agricultural land, any potential environmental impact and a perceived lack of transparency.

During previous interviews with CTV News Kitchener, Regional Chair Karen Redman confirmed the region is trying to buy some of the land, however she added although expropriation is a tool the region can use, it is not a tool they want to use.

Despite her assertions, some community members are worried about the threat of potential expropriation.

A new survey concludes that a strong majority of Wilmot residents and voters in Kitchener Conestoga are opposed to plans for a large industrial site.

According to the poll by Pallas Data, 51 per cent of Wilmot residents believe Wilmot Council should pass a resolution opposing the Region of Waterloo’s plan to expropriate 770 acres of farmland in the township. Forty-one per cent said they disagreed with the idea of a resolution and eight per cent were unsure.

Pallas Data out of Toronto and Pallas Data was hired by the group Wilmot Civic Action Network (CAN) to conduct the poll. It was conducted between Jan. 30-31 via automated telephone interviews and included a sample of 302 adults living in the riding of Kitchener Conestoga.

The community group Wilmot Civic Action Network hired the polling firm Pallas to ask residents how they feel about the land assembly underway in the township. More than 70 percent are opposed or strongly opposed to creating a large industrial site on farmland.

The Region of Waterloo has spent about $18.1 million to buy four properties in Wilmot Township in the past 11 months — a small fraction of the 770 acres it wants for a large industrial site.

Land title records show the region bought 161 acres of farmland at 3060 Bleams Rd. for $12.1 million — or about $75,000 an acre — and three residential properties.

This is the property where the region plowed under a corn crop early last summer, many months before it acquired the land Dec. 9, 2024. The region says it had to plow under the crop to better assess the land for an industrial site.

The farmers and their supporters viewed it as high-handed and destructive. They organized a protest, driving a line a tractors into downtown Kitchener and parking outside the Region of Waterloo headquarters on Frederick Street.

The price of the farmland is more than twice the amount it first offered the farmers about a year ago. The deal closed just days after regional council approved a 2025 budget of $2.4 billion, with a tax increase of 9.48 per cent.

A new group of concerned citizens is adding their voices to the chorus of people speaking out against the Region of Waterloo’s plan to convert 770 acres of agricultural land into a plot for future development.

The Wilmot Civic Action Network is primarily made up of neighbours and community members who want to stand alongside the farmers by taking their message to the screen and producing a mini-documentary series.

“We felt there needed to be a more, I don’t want to say forceful – a stronger voice in regard to the farmers, and advocating for what’s going on here with the Wilmot land assembly,” said John Jordan with the Wilmot Civic Action Network.

Jordan lives across the road from one of the properties included in the land acquisition.

“We want to be the voice in conjunction with the farmers,” he told CTV News Friday.  “[We want to] take a little bit of the stress away from them, that they’re not having to deal with the day-to-day issues and the advocacy and the protests and everything that has been going on.”