Speculation swirling that Wilmot land could be for future Toyota plant

Toyota says it won’t comment on “rumours” that it could be the host of the Wilmot land the region is trying to acquire for an industrial project.

According to a joint article by The Waterloo Region Record and The Narwhal, which listed multiple inside sources said to be involved in the process, the hundreds of acres of farmland could be the future site for a Toyota plant.

In response to questions sent by CityNews Kitchener, the company said: “We are not involved with any land assembly projects in Ontario, and we don’t comment on rumours or speculation.”

It’s been almost a year since news broke that the region was quietly asking landowners to sell for a future industrial project. The highly contentious plan was met with swift backlash from farmers, prompting The Fight for Farmland group to form, opposing the secrecy of the process.

In response to questions about Toyota being involved the region said: “This land assembly project is underway to create a large-scale, contiguous, shovel-ready site that is attractive to a major employer locating or expanding in Waterloo Region. There is no identified end user at this time.”

The municipality said it has lost billions in investments from “major” employers for not having land ready for development and over 5,000 jobs in three years.

Alfred Lowrick, a member of The Fight for Farmland, says they still don’t know why the region is trying to assemble 770 acres of their land in the first place. In that time, four properties have been acquired. The Waterloo Region Record reported that the region has spent over $18 million to obtain them.

“It’s shocking that it’s taken this long, and do we know any more than we knew a year ago? Rumors, that’s about it, and nothing is confirmed,” Lowrick told CityNews in an interview.

He said that he’s heard the rumour that Toyota could be a buyer for the land and he does believe the company is a “great corporate citizen.”

“I would love them in this area, but I don’t know if this is the right spot,” he said. “The whole idea of transparency is the biggest issue I have.”

Residents have been asking for more details about what the region is planning for the site, but instead rumours and speculation circulated. Officials said it’s for a future large-scale development that is necessary for long-term economic and job growth. The group continues to question why the specific site was chosen for potential development, especially since the land is prime agriculture.

“Everything’s confidential, so don’t know why they’re doing it the way they are. Am I frustrated? Absolutely, our team is frustrated,” Lowrick.

The year-long debacle has been stressful for landowners, Lowrick said, especially since they have to plan crops a year out and are preparing the land for this spring.

“If this would have happened quickly and with good information to the community, I think it would have been less painful,” he said. “They’ve dragged this out now for a year and that’s that’s not right.”

With files from CityNews Kitchener staff.