Woman scolds regional councillors over land acquisition
- Lee Griffi
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Updates have been scarce on the Region of Waterloo’s plan to acquire 770 acres for a future mega-industrial project, leading one opponent to accuse members of maintaining a troubling lack of transparency.
“Good evening, chair Redman and councillors. I am here for my fourth time because you continue to ignore our farmers,” said Amy-Susanna Compton. “I’m here again because the 770 acres of farmland in Wilmot should remain farmland.”
Compton delegated to council at last week’s regular meeting, her fourth time doing so, pleading for more information to be released. Now a Waterloo resident, she grew up on the cabbage farm across the road from the land assembly and worked there until she was well into her 20s, and still helps out sometimes. The Gazette spoke with her following the meeting.
“I decided to delegate last week because it’s been a little over six months since I last did. I know some people think the land assembly is a done deal, and I wanted to speak to that. I consider it important to remind council that we’re still not okay with how this was handled or with the decisions they’ve made.”
No council members asked Compton a question or commented, something not surprising to her.
“They never have in my four delegations. I wish they would and I look forward to when they will communicate with the farmers and community in a meaningful way.”
She also pointed to statements made by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris that the province was in no way involved in the land assembly decision.
“This council is not comfortable with me saying that we were lied to, so why don’t you tell me what word I should use instead? Whatever way you frame it, our trust in this council is damaged.”
The region claims it has purchased about 70 per cent of the 770 acres, a process that started in March of 2024. In July, the region confirmed a purchase of about 256 acres to be used for technical and environmental studies as part of due diligence to make the site shovel ready.
Compton said her fiery speech came from a place of frustration over a sense of limbo opponents of the situation find themselves in.
“I took that tone because it’s been almost two years and we honestly know very little more than when this first began. How is that acceptable? The entire community in Wilmot is in limbo waiting for answers, for a solid plan, for an apology and some respect, for anything.”
Her emotional delegation came to a head when she challenged councillors to be transparent.
“Be courageous enough and find a way out of it. Show us your plan, the plan you should have proposed to the community before you began shoving people off their land. Let us see it!”
Compton said her first three delegations focused on why the land is important as farmland within the broader regional context, while also highlighting council’s history of innovation and sound decision-making. She added the region has traditionally balanced rural and urban interests, making this land assembly a sharp departure from that legacy.
“They know there are better options. My tone changed this time because I get to see in real time how this affects the farmers in Wilmot, and it’s time council stopped toying with those farmers’ futures. I also think the members of council need to think hard about how they want to enter the next election, and what they bring to the next election.”
Ultimately, Compton hopes council will decide, as a group, to break the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that currently binds them.
“I’ve been told that if a single person breaks it, they will probably get in trouble, but if the entire council broke the NDA together, I don’t think the province could do a whole lot. I imagine if that unity went alongside a township statement of being an unwilling host, this thing could be over. I hold out hope that wise people could make the right decision.”
Compton added she realizes the land acquisition is a complicated situation, but she said everyone involved can work with “complicated” without disrespecting our farmers and neglecting rural communities.
“I believe that strong leaders will push back against outside pressure to do what is right by our community. And if our current council isn’t strong enough to do that, I look forward to (next October’s) election when we’ll find leaders strong enough.”