Dozens of tractors roll into Kitchener in protest of Wilmot farmland deal

In an effort to continue voicing that Wilmot Township is not a willing host for a proposed megasite, affected landowners and their supporters rallied ahead of Wednesday's regional council meeting and this time, they brought tractors. 

With help from a police escort, around 40 tractors drove to the Region of Waterloo headquarters in downtown Kitchener from Bleams Road in Wilmot. 

Something Kevin Thomason said "hasn't been seen in years if ever in Waterloo Region".

Thomason is the vice-chair of the Grand River Environmental Network. 

Around 40 tractors drive into downtown Kitchener to protest Wilmot land deal

3 months ago

Duration 0:25

Hundreds of protestors cheered on around 40 tractors driving along Frederick Street in downtown Kitchener Wednesday evening. The rally was to protest a deal by the region to buy up or expropriate 770 acres of land in Wilmot Township for an undisclosed industrial project.

"Farmers are really angry and concerned they aren't being heard by the Region or province so they are calling out the tractors," he said in an email to CBC News. 

The convoy made its way down Highway 7/8 from Wilmot then turned onto Ottawa Street before continuing along Weber Street to the regional building on Frederick Street. 

The trip took roughly two hours.

The rally, which began at 6 p.m., saw approximately 500 people turn out for the Fight for Farmland advocacy group's protest.

Many political officials were in attendance including Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, as well as the president of the National Farmers Union and vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Punkeydoodles Steve also provided live entertainment by performing his song titled 770 Acres, inspired by the farmer's fight to keep their land. 

Several farmers and farm organizations are expected to speak as delegates during the council meeting about the land assembly. 

Not a willing host

The Region of Waterloo wants to buy 770 acres (roughly 311 hectares) in Wilmot Township for future industrial use. The region has not said what specifically the land would be used for in the future. 

Back in March, 12 landowners who live near the intersection of Nafziger Road and Bleams Road say they were visited by a representative from the private Mississauga-based company Canacre, which says on its website that it helps navigate complex infrastructure projects through the regulatory process. 

The person told them the region wanted to buy their properties. The landowners received compensation offers, which some believed were minimal for what the land is worth.

If the landowners refused the offer, they were told their land would be expropriated. 

In April, Premier Doug Ford said he supported the region's plan to purchase the Wilmot lands but added "there has to be a willing host for these big companies worldwide that are looking to invest in Ontario."

According to the region, shovel-ready land is necessary because "over the last several years, Waterloo region has lost potential investment opportunities from major employers" due to not having appropriate sites available.

"This rally aims to send a clear and powerful message to the Region that the community is firmly against being designated as a willing host for the proposed development," said landowner spokesperson Alfred Lowrick in a release.

A similar rally was held Monday night before Wilmot Township's council meeting and Thomason confirmed there were hundreds of people in attendance.