‘It reads like fiction’: Report on crop destruction in Wilmot deemed insufficient by regional council

A report detailing the decisions behind the corn-crop destruction on farmland purchased by the region this summer was brought before Region of Waterloo Council on Wednesday night.

What started as a discussion for information quickly turned into a heated debate between councillors, staff, and delegates about transparency.

Delegates representing farmers associated with Wilmot and the land assembly were once again critical of the region in council chambers.

Waterloo resident Amy-Susanna Compton was one of the delegates. She said the report “reads like fiction,” and that the financial implications of destroying the crop should be made public.

Compton alleged that not only did the region have to pay the farmer who sold their land before harvest, but also for the crop to be destroyed.

“Two financial losses on the same crop, all paid by our tax dollars,” he said. “That waste of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars is unacceptable and should be stated in this report.”

The report said simply that various options for the use of the immature corn crop were investigated, but none were found to be viable.

Staff partially divulged more information on what options were investigated. Before the corn’s destruction, a feed producer reportedly would not take the crop because the corn was too premature, and a biofuel producer said the costs of turning the corn into fuel were too high to be valuable.

However, regional staff did not want to name parties associated because they said companies and individuals associated to the land assembly have received harassing calls in the past.

Staff were grilled by councillors on the information in the report, most of them arguing it lacked information. On multiple occasions, staff refused to divulge more information when asked specific questions, citing confidentiality agreements with those involved in the purchase of the land.

Councillors, including Coun. Rob Deutschmann, questioned if the non-disclosure agreements related to the land assembly were still valid, considering the provincial government had already divulged pertinent information.

“That has been blown up by the premier, two senior ministers of the crown, and a junior minister of the crown, who have used that document initially as a shield, and then as a sword,” he said.

A joint statement from MPPs Michael Harris Jr. and Vic Fideli in August clarified that the provincial government was supporting the purchase of the land, divulging that information “given the regions lack of transparency in its land assembly process.”

Coun. Doug Craig took exception to those comments on Wednesday, criticizing not only MPP Harris but the entire process, including in-place non-disclosure agreements.

“We’re sitting here with one hand tied behind our backs where we can’t get to the bottom and explain to people what’s transpired here,” said Craig. “The report doesn’t do it either.”

While it seemed like many fingers were pointed at regional staff at Wednesday’s council meeting, Regional Chair Karen Redman defended staff.

“It isn’t fair to saddle staff with this,” she said. “This issue had full discussion at regional council. Staff have not acted outside of any of the parameters that regional council has given them.”

Addressing the gallery, Coun. Sue Foxton apologized on behalf of council for the lack of transparency in the report and beyond.

“I know you think it’s just talk, and I understand that,” said Foxton. “You want to hate us, and I understand. But I want you to know I am truly sorry we’ve come to this situation.”

The report was eventually deferred to Oct. 23 following a motion from Coun. Deutschmann so that staff could take comments into consideration and potentially provide more information where possible, depending on the legality of being able to openly discuss the topic.