‘What is the Region of Waterloo hiding?’: Wilmot residents left with questions as FOIs go unanswered
Posted Jul 11, 2024 04:52:08 AM.
Last Updated Jul 11, 2024 11:13:45 AM.
The Fight for Farmland group is left searching for answers after 21 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for transparency on the controversial land assembly in Wilmot were denied.
Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair of Grand River Environmental Network, said the FOI requests were submitted to the Region of Waterloo and the Township of Wilmot in early June.
The Region of Waterloo responded this week with 18 outright denials for information and three answers indicating they had no record or information to divulge.
“What is the Region of Waterloo hiding?” said Thomason. “There’s just been so many concerns raised by so many in the community for months now. Now, to see them deny these basic Freedom of Information requests, it’s really concerning.”
The requests sought more information on alternative site evaluations, farmland protection, transparency in decision-making, and more.
“It is very concerning to see the lack of response to these basic questions about this proposed industrial mega-site and its impacts on the surrounding communities,” Alfred Lowrick, spokesperson for the Fight For Farmland group, said in a press release. “We have to wonder what the Region is hiding and if they have even done the needed investigations, studies, and research for this massive proposal that will have such huge impacts.”
The next steps for Fight for Farmland include taking this denial to the Ontario Ombudsperson and the Integrity Commissioner to investigate this decision.
In response, the Region of Waterloo stated that they are committed to sharing more information, but indicated that their ability to share is limited due to the confidentiality of the conversations they’ve been having with landowners.
More information on Fight for Farmland and a full list of the FOIs can be found at fightforfarmland.com.
