The two Green Party members made a motion in the Ontario legislature to protect about 770 acres of farmland in Wilmot Township that the Waterloo Regional Government is trying to buy for industrial development.

“From the beginning, the Wilmot land assembly process has lacked transparency and left farmers in the dark,” said Green Party leader Mike Schreiner of Guelph.

“Now, they are at risk of losing their lands, livelihoods and businesses – it’s just not right.”

Kitchener Green Party member Aislinn Clancy said “we know this problem is bigger than 770 acres. The Ford government is determined to use every chance it has to impose expensive sprawl onto communities who have been clear that they don’t want it.”

“Greens will continue working across party lines to fight back against forced boundary expansions and protect prime farmland – in Wilmot, and all across the province – for generations to come,” said a news release from the party.

A vigorous lobbying campaign has been launched and funded by local residents who have criticized the purchase efforts and expropriation threats and the lack of information from municipal politicians and staff who have signed non-disclosure agreements.

The land in question is south of Highway 7&8 and east of New Hamburg.

Some of the land is an abandoned gravel pit. It's a tempest in a teapot because no matter where the Waterloo Region seeks industrial land, it's going to involved fields that are farmed.