Fighting On the Front Lines: Farm Under Threat

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Wilmot Farmer Defends Land Against Expropriation

By Mary Loggan

In Wilmot Township, Stewart Snyder is fighting to protect the future of his farm.

A fifth-generation dairy farmer, Snyder has spent years working the land on Bleams Road, where his family has raised livestock, grown crops, and created a successful farming operation.

Today, his farm faces an unprecedented threat. The Region of Waterloo has proposed industrial development on his land, with the threat of expropriation if he is not willing to sell.

As urban expansion spreads across rural Ontario, Snyder’s battle is part of the larger struggle facing farmers: How to preserve agricultural land in the face of relentless development pressures. For Snyder, this isn’t just a fight over property – it’s a fight for the future of farming.

Farm beginnings

According to Snyder, farming is far more than a way to make a living – it’s a deep-rooted way of life. His family’s farm, established in 1866, has been a key part of local communities for years.

In 1976, the Snyders moved the operation from Waterloo to their current location in Wilmot.

“Ironically, we moved the farm because Waterloo was expanding, and we were worried about losing our land to urban expansion. We moved to Wilmot, thinking it was far away from development.

“Apparently, nowhere is safe now.”

Today, the farm milks 90 cows, a mix of Holsteins and Dual-Purpose Shorthorns, housed in a tie-stall barn. The operation spans 500 acres, where the Snyders produce hay, corn, wheat, and soybeans, vital crops for both feeding their livestock and generating income.

The farm isn’t just about cows and crops – it’s about preserving a way of life, Snyder says.

“Farming is in my blood. It’s not just a job for me – it’s who I am.

“This isn’t just land to us. It’s where my family has lived, worked, and thrived, and it is our way of making a living,” Snyder explains.

Now in his 70s, Snyder was working on succession planning with his son Martin to take over the farm.

He says, “All plans have come to a halt. How am I supposed to continue when everything I have worked for is at risk? How can I make decisions about the future now?

“What will I be left with to succeed to my son?”

Challenges

The trouble for Snyder began in early 2024 when the Region of Waterloo made an unsolicited offer to purchase the farm. The Region was looking to expand industrial lands, and Snyder’s property was identified as part of a potential development zone. The initial offer was $35,000 per acre – a sum Snyder felt didn’t reflect the true value of his prime farmland.

“I knew that offer was too low,” he says. “It didn’t even come close to reflecting the value of what we’ve built here over decades. You can’t replace farmland like this, and the offer felt insulting.”

While subsequent offers were proposed, Snyder, along with other local farmers, was eventually told that if they did not agree to sell their land voluntarily, it could be seized through expropriation.

Snyder has voiced concerns about the lack of transparency throughout the entire process.

“The whole thing has felt shady from the start,” he says. “They refuse to meet with us, they won’t provide clear answers, and when we ask questions, we’re met with silence.

“It’s been a political game from Day 1. We don’t even know who’s behind this or what their real motivations are. There’s a complete lack of accountability.

“It appears to be a political hot potato.”

As of January, the Region had spent over $18 million to purchase four properties, including rural residences (Regional Chair Karen Redman has stated that expropriation remains an option but is not the preferred route).

Critics continue to argue that the lack of transparency and non-disclosure agreements surrounding the project have fueled public distrust. The timeline for completing land acquisitions remains uncertain, with ongoing legal and community opposition.

Snyder says there should have been an open and transparent selection process to select a site that best fits the criteria.

“No such process has been used to identify the proposed Wilmot site.”

Instead, he points out, the entire process was conducted behind closed doors without any public consultation.

He also predicts there will be severe negative impacts on farmland – not only to these 770 acres to be developed but also to over 1,000 acres of adjacent prime farmland.

“They know we’re just a few farmers trying to make a living. But we aren’t some faceless corporation. They’re making decisions about our livelihoods without even considering the human cost.

“This is causing real damage. We have our own businesses to run, same as anyone, and now these are being put at risk.

“Expropriation is a word no farmer ever wants to hear.”

Snyder explains this isn’t just about losing a business.

“For myself and my neighbours, this is our entire lives. This land has been in families for generations. It represents our legacy. To have that simply taken away goes beyond any words I can express.”

The threat of expropriation has disrupted Snyder’s farm planning. “We can’t make any long-term decisions. I can’t invest in new buildings, I can’t change the crops we’re growing, and we can’t even plan properly for the next season. It’s all in limbo.

“This situation has completely stalled our operation.

“Even something as simple as a crop rotation plan is on hold right now,” he continues. “We’ve always planned years ahead, but right now, we don’t know if we’ll be here next year. That’s not how farming works. It’s about looking at the long-term, and this situation makes that impossible.”

Snyder explains that all his neighbours are in the same situation and don’t know how to plan for the uncertain future.

“We feel like we are at a standstill; We can’t invest or expand our operations, let alone plan for succession.”

He says that if he were to sell, the compensation would not match the cost of starting over.

“This is the same for all of us in this situation; if we were to relocate, the compensation for our land would be significantly undervalued and insufficient for us to continue farming in the same capacity as before.”

A look at the future

Looking at the future, Snyder says he’s going to keep fighting.

“My affected neighbours and several members of the community have met on Fridays to discuss issues and updates and find ways to keep pushing the fight forward, and we have set up the Fight for Farmland group.”

He explains that this also sparked the creation of another group called WilmotCan, consisting of other farmers and community members who explore legal avenues to halt further land acquisitions and advocate for a return to planning that preserves the region’s agricultural heritage.

“If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” Snyder warns.

“This isn’t just about my farm – it’s about the future of farming in Ontario. If we let this happen, how many more farms are going to be sacrificed for industrial use?”

He points out that the future of Ontario’s farmland is becoming increasingly uncertain.

With only six per cent of Canada’s land suitable for farming, the importance of protecting agricultural land in places like Wilmot Township cannot be overstated.

“The pressure from industrial development threatens not just individual farmers like me, but the entire farming community.”

Snyder’s concerns about the broader implications of losing farmland are shared by many other farmers in Ontario.

“We’re already losing 319 acres of farmland every single day in Ontario,” Snyder points out.

“We can’t keep sacrificing prime land like this. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

“They say the economy needs this, but what about the economy of feeding our population? We are losing valuable farmland every day, and at what cost?” Snyder asks, stressing that economic growth shouldn’t come at the expense of agricultural heritage.

The ongoing threat to Snyder’s farm is a stark reminder of the challenges farmers face in preserving their land.

Snyder calls on fellow farmers to take action and stand together to protect farmland. “We have to speak up,” he urges.

“Farmers need to know what’s happening in their communities and be prepared to fight for their land. We can’t let things like this happen without pushing back.”

Snyder’s advice to others: “Get in-volved with organizations such as the OFA and other farm organizations and be informed of your local community politics.

“Wake up and don’t get snowballed like us.

“It’s important to ensure our voices are heard. We need to speak up.”

Snyder’s fight is far from over, but his message is clear: “Don’t let this happen to you. Be prepared, get involved, and fight for what’s right.

“We’re all in this together, and if we stand united, we can protect our farmland for future generations.” BF