Over 40 tractors take part in convoy protesting Wilmot land assembly
Posted Aug 28, 2024 08:05:30 AM.
Last Updated Aug 29, 2024 06:47:29 AM.
Farmers in Wilmot called out the tractors on Wednesday afternoon to protest the Wilmot land assembly.
Over two dozen tractors began their procession from a proposed mega-site development on 2958 Bleams Rd. in New Hamburg to Regional Headquarters at 150 Frederick St., in downtown Kitchener.
The tractor convoy moved across Highway 7/8 to Ottawa Street, Weber Street and then to Frederick Street. By the time it arrived, it had grow to at least 40 tractors.
Kevin Thomason, the vice-chair of Grand River Environmental Network said they had been working with Waterloo Regional Police while planning a convoy that, “hasn’t been seen in years, if ever, in Waterloo Region.”
Hundreds of protestors awaited the convoy’s arrival, as well as guest speakers including provincial Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, the President of the National Farmers Union, and the VP of the OFA.
One of the farmers being affected, Stewart Snyder, told the crowd that he needs his farm to feed another farm with over 100 cows. He said if he loses it, he will have to cut down his dairy production.
“We had no advanced warning at all of what was being done,” said Snyder. He told the crowd he was approached on March 8 and was told to be prepared to sell the farm or have it expropriated.
“It’s supposed to be a democratic system in Canada – where is it?”
Farmers and farm organizations were also set to speak before councillors about the land assembly.
Councillors were also expected to vote on a motion that would see an investigation done on the field of corn that was destroyed only a few weeks from harvest.
The corn crop was on land purchased by the region for future development. The motion passed unanimously at the committee level earlier this month.
On Monday, hundreds gathered before the Wilmot Township Council meeting asking the township to officially declare the community as an unwilling host for mega-site developments.
Update: the procession is expected to leave in a few minutes. Well over 2 dozen tractors are here lined up the laneway of a property on Bleams Road pic.twitter.com/Z5eHbYj7ht
— Joshua Goeree (@GoereeReport) August 28, 2024
