DOCUMENTARY COVERS WILMOT LAND GRAB
On Jan. 19, 2025, the first part of a three-part mini documentary, Unearthed, about the Wilmot land grab was posted on YouTube. With executive producers John and Kathie Jordan, and director and editor Thom Varey, they sought to give voice to farmers and Wilmot residents.
“The objective of this project is to assemble one contiguous parcel of land as a step toward attracting a major employer for the future and securing well-paying jobs and further economic prosperity,” the Region of Waterloo said in a statement.
In the first episode, viewers heard directly from impacted farmers who are left wondering what is next for their farms and livelihoods. In the second they covered the small amount of farmland that exists and in the third they spoke about the true cost of the land assembly to residents in Wilmot and beyond.
“We’re dealing with a bunch of city people that have no idea about farming, and about the land and the soil itself,” Jordan said.
The 12-minute-long documentary stands as a call to action for residents of the Waterloo Region and beyond, as well as a call for local politicians to speak up and speak out against the Wilmot land assembly.
“How much more critical of a mineral do you need than soil? Because you can’t make more of it. Well, not without a few thourand years,” Jordan said.
Jordan and his family live across from the 770 in what is referred to as the Shadowlands in Wilmot. It is referred to as such because whatever happens on the land assembly will affect the residents who live in the area.
“Our well is only 19 and a half feet deep, and I get it tested, and the water is perfect, but they’re gonna start messing with the soil and the water, I don’t know what will happen to our water quality then,” Jordan said.
In 2022, Statistics Canada found Ontario was losing 319 acres of farmland per day to development. Compared to 2016, 175 acres were being lost per day. This is a 319 per cent increase in development. Many farmers and residents of Wilmot are concerned with this growth rate, as a majority of Ontario’s farmland is in Wilmot.
“The province has put these parameters around the lack of engagement, around a lack of transparency, around NDAs. And is ultimately funding the entire scheme,” Catherine Fife, MPP for Waterloo Region, said.
The documentary was created in partnership with the Wilmot Civic Action Network. The network unites community groups and neighbours to advocate for farmland. Quality of life, a transparent government, financial accountability and environmental responsibility are the tenants that the network operates by.
“This is a turning point really for agriculture in Ontario. If you can be so disrespectful to these farmers in Wilmot, then you will do this to other farmers,” Fife said.
Jordan and the Wilmot Civic Action Network are not opposed to development, however only if it does sustainably and responsibly. They demand transparency and accountability from elected municipal and provincial leaders.
“The entire infrastructure piece is going to be incredibly expensive. There will be a financial impact on the taxpayers and the residents of the Waterloo Region. That is why they deserve to have a voice in this,” Fife said.
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