Waterloo Region staff have been purchasing land in Wilmot Township to put together a very large shovel-ready parcel to attract major industry to the region. So far the Region has acquired 550 acres of its 770 acre goal. The process began with threats of expropriation over two years ago, and because councilors and staff have all signed non-disclosure agreements, the public has not been informed of most of the major plans for this project.
Radio Waterloo reached out to the Region of Waterloo, Wilmot Township, The Grand River Environmental Network and township citizens to provide an update on what is known about the issue so far.
CKMS News -2026-01-27- Water woes in Waterloo Regiondan kellarKitchener, ON – After several years in a row that the aquifers in Waterloo Region have been drawn down more than they have recharged, the municipal government has announced serious water capacity issues and have put a stop fully approving any new developments which require their approval.
The water issues were first publicly disclosed in December 2025, and on January 13th the regional council held a lengthy discussion with staff, residents, and land developers regarding the immediate actions and effects regarding the water issue, and some short and medium term actions the regions will be taking to address the water woes.
This show features an interview with Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair of the Grand River Environmental Network. Kevin has been following water related issues in Waterloo Region for years and has reviewed the staff report which describes in detail what the problems are.
Additionally, this show features a clip of Sam Nabi of Hold The Line WR delegating at regional council on January 13th.
Across the province residents have organized against the changes to Greenbelt protections, and in Waterloo Region many groups and individuals have been working to “Stop the Sprawl”. Ahead of the July 29th “Rally Against the Big Sprawl” in Waterloo, CKMS News spoke with Kevin Thomason of the Grand River Environmental Network and a number of other social and environmental justice oriented organizations.
Thomason spoke about efforts to mobilize against of the Ontario government’s actions and legislation which they he argues will dismantle the rules protecting the Greenbelt from destruction by development (such as with Bill 23) and undermine local democracy (such as with Bill 39). He also spoke of continuing to engage in public participation processes, the work of GREN, and some of the solutions that could be implemented to address the housing crisis without causing further damage to the ecological services associated with Greenbelt lands.
Photo: dan kellar
Photo: dan kellar
Photo: dan kellar
As the Ontario government works to overrule local decision making and accelerate the dismantling of the ecologically significant lands of the Greenbelt to facilitate suburban sprawl, groups across Ontario have organised to resist these actions. Photo: dan kellar
This program is a part of the “Local Journalism Initiative” and is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, Heritage Canada, and the CKMS Newsroom.
