Premier Doug Ford supports region's plans to purchase Wilmot lands for industrial project
'We're in desperate need across the province of assembled land,' Ford said at news conference
Premier Doug Ford says he supports the Region of Waterloo's plan to purchase lands in Wilmot Township for an undisclosed industrial project.
"A lot of smaller towns like, for instance, Wilmot, they need money. So what better way than than clear some land and create some development," Ford said. "I'm all for it."
The premier made the comments about the region's plan for Wilmot Township lands while he was in Kitchener on Thursday for a separate provincial funding announcement.
Ford said there are no plans for the land in Wilmot Township right now — but there soon will be.
"There's no companies that are waiting to get the land, but I'll guarantee you one thing: Anyone who [assembles] land now, companies are coming because we're in desperate need across the province of assembled land," he said.
When asked about his views of development on prime agricultural land, Ford said it's something for each municipality to decide.
"You have two choices here: You just say stop everything, let's not invite companies here, let's not build any more homes and let's stay stagnant. Well, guess what happens? You fail, you get yourselves in debt," Ford said.
"We want to build and we want to move forward. But there has to be the right area and I'm not the one to dictate what the areas the municipalities know know best. So we always take their advice."
When asked about farmer's concerns about having their lands potentially expropriated, Ford said that could have been handled differently.
"There has to be a willing host for these big companies worldwide that are looking to invest in Ontario," he said.
The region's plan has previously also received support from local economic leaders, including the presidents of local chambers of commerce, economic development, Communitech and Explore Waterloo Region.
The group, dubbed BESTWR, said in a statement that "it was important to hear [Ford's] comments regarding the land assembly process in Wilmot Township that will drive job growth and long-term prosperity."
Farming advocates disagree with region's plan
The letter from BESTWR is being criticized by people who say farmland should not be used in this way.
Landowners and farmers have started a petition on the website Change.org that now has more than 28,800 signatures. They have also appeared before regional and township councils and have held local meetings with MPPs.
The Waterloo Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture have previously called for the region to pause it's plans to buy the land.
Nic Weber, president of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, said in a March 28 statement that "here has not been adequate consultation with local communities or consultation with landowners. We need to take the appropriate steps to ensure a thoughtful, long-term planning approach is taken to ensure a healthy productive farming sector for generations to come."
Some farmers in Wilmot Township say they feel like they're being forced from their land after receiving notices on behalf of the Region of Waterloo asking them to sell their properties.
WATCH | Premier Doug Ford answers question about Wilmot land purchase:
Alfred Lowrick is a Wilmot Township resident and says his mother-in-law received one of the notices.
Reacting to Ford's comments, Lowrick told CBC News on Friday that the biggest issue community members have with the region's plan is a lack of process.
"This came out of nowhere," he said. "[We want] more communication and how this is all going to work because this is land that is obviously earmarked for something."
Lowrick said they are not against development if it includes community input.
"We're not against economic development," he said.
"If the region grows to a million people in short order, then this is probably a good spot. We just don't understand why here. We're working out of a vacuum, which is a real problem. Nobody is talking to us officially."
Plans 'beyond any rational thinking,' farmer says
Linda Laepple is a farmer on Bleams Road who says she is also facing pressure to sell her land. Laepple is also a board member of the National Farmers Union of Ontario.
She says the premier is pushing his plans on the region without understanding the community's needs.
"The agri-food sector is by far the largest economy in Canada. The farmers fields must be considered being the factory floors of this economic sector," she said in an emailed statement to CBC News.
"The world's top producers can be found within 100 km from Wilmot thanks to the good soil and growing conditions found only here. As a political leader, to destroy one economy in order to foster a unknown other is beyond any rational thinking."
She suggested Ford should look elsewhere for industrial developments.
"If Premier Ford truly wanted to be a leader the history books will remember, he would start revolutionary developments in areas where we cannot grow food."
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