Tag Archives: farmland

CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

dan kellar
Wilmot Township, ON – 
A new group of concerned residents has formed to support the farmers in Wilmot township whose lands  are being targeted by the regional government for an undisclosed industrial project. Since the
Wilmot Civic Action Network (WilmotCAN) formed in December 2024, members have been raising awareness about the land grab and demanding accountability from local politicians. 

Beyond delegating to municipal councils, and confronting provincial politicians at public events, the group has also co-ordinated the creation of two mini-documentaries about the issue. A third video in the “Unearthed” series is in production.

This show features an interview with John Jordan, a founding member of WilmotCAN and a direct neighbour of the land targeted for purchase by the regional government. Jordan spoke to CKMS News about the Wilmot Civic Action Network, the mini-documentary series they are producing, and the lack of transparency around the project.

CKMS News reached out to Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr and Regional chairperson Karen Redman for comments about claims made in the videos and at council meetings, but did not receive a response.

For more on the land assembly check out this piece from CKMS News: https://www.frequencynews.ca/news/farmers-bring-over-40-tractors-into-downtown-kitchener-to-protest-wilmot-township-land-expropriation/

CKMS News -2024-06-18- Alliance For a Liveable Ontario urge Conservatives to rethink housing plans

CKMS News -2024-06-18- Alliance For a Liveable Ontario urge Conservatives to rethink housing plans

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –

The Alliance for a Liveable Ontario has been petitioning Ontario’s progressive conservative MPPs for months to scrap Bill-185 and some proposed changes to the Provincial Planning Statement. On May 22nd they sent a letter to the premier highlighting 10 “key problems” with the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act and the PPS.  

CKMS News spoke with founding member of the ALO, Mark Reusser. He discussed the coalition’s opposition to the government’s actions, and alternatives to address the housing availability and affordability crises, including specific effects for Waterloo Region.

While Bill-185 received Royal Assent on June 6th, Reusser told CKMS News that the ALO, which consists of 65 member organizations and over a thousand individuals, is “not giving up”, and will “continue to push for good planning.”

The provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing did not respond to requests from CKMS News for comment on ALO’s analysis.

CKMS News -2024-01-25- Conservation land donation road blocked by a parking lot.

CKMS News – 2024-01-25 – Conservation land donation road blocked by a parking lot

by: dan kellar
A 235 acre donation of farmland and forest in Wilmot to the rare Charitable Research Reserve is on hold over a parking lot. The Schneider family has been working on the donation since 2020 and has now reached out to regional residents to pressure township politicians to finalise the deal.

The land sits on Waterloo’s border and the family has allowed light recreational use of the forest for decades, with some trail users parking along nearby roads. Now, citing safety and liability concerns, the township is requesting a parking lot be built to accommodate future land use. However, project proponents say the request will damage sensitive areas while burdening the charity with added maintenance costs.

This show features an interview with Dr. Stephanie Sobek-Swant, the executive director of rare, along with a quote from the Schneider family’s statement, and the short comment a township representative made to CKMS News.