Unidentified industrial project in Ontario has the family-run cheese firm fearing confiscation

A family-owned cheese farm in Wilmot Township, Southern Ontario, is under pressure from the regional government to sell its land for a project shrouded in secrecy.

Adam van Bergeik, the owner of Mountainoak Cheese, which operates a 140-hectare farm located about an hour west of Toronto, expressed his frustration: "We feel harassed. This is our life. Our life is farming, and that’s what we’re good at."

If the van Bergeiks refuse to sell, their land may be expropriated, putting their family farm and way of life at serious risk.

Van Bergeik joined over 300 protesters at a Wilmot Township council meeting on Monday, demanding an immediate halt to the expropriation of 311 hectares of farmland. They argue that the Region of Waterloo's "forced acquisition" would have devastating consequences for Ontario's food security, farmers' livelihoods, and the environmental health of the community.

The Region of Waterloo's website states that the land assembly aims to "create a large-scale, shovel-ready site that is attractive to a major employer," promising "generational investment" that would result in thousands of well-paying local jobs and boost economic prosperity in the region.

The selection process focuses on factors such as large contiguous space, highway access, existing hydro and water infrastructure, and proximity to a skilled workforce and educational institutions.

Van Bergeik is among five landowners and several advocates calling for the Region of Waterloo to abandon its expropriation plans. The proposed acquisition would strip the van Bergeik family of about one-third of the land they have farmed since immigrating from Holland in 1996.

“It’s not just about losing land,” van Bergeik told Canada's National Observer. “It’s about the future of our farm and our ability to sustain our operations. We never expected that this would ever happen to us.”

If the land is repurposed for industrial use, van Bergeik would have to find alternative land, which is not easily available. This uncertainty complicates future planning and investment in the farm.

“We’re not getting clear answers about what’s coming next,” he said. “There are concerns, and we need to know what we’re dealing with. This is a lot of secrecy, a lot of NDA [non-disclosure agreements], and conflict of interest.”

Van Bergeik recalled that when the Region of Waterloo first approached him about purchasing his property, he made it clear he had no intention of selling. Despite his refusal, the region insisted on buying the land. A few days later, in March, he received an offer significantly below the current agricultural value.

Van Bergeik has three children, all involved in farming, and 11 grandchildren, many of whom wish to continue the family tradition. He added that this uncertainty is affecting the entire family.

The family’s dairy operation, which includes over 500 animals, with approximately 250 milking cows, relies heavily on the land in question. The milk they produce is used to make their cheese and dairy products, which are sold across the province.

Monday’s rally was organized by Fight for Farmland, a group representing residents and landowners opposed to the proposed industrial development in Wilmot Township.

Kevin Thomason, a local environmental advocate and one of the rally organizers, told Canada's National Observer that the event sent a clear message of the community’s unwillingness to support the project.

“We had over 300, and likely 400, people in attendance,” Thomason said. “All were expressing horror at the process so far, the lack of even a single public meeting.”

Despite multiple attempts by Canada’s National Observer to obtain information, the Region of Waterloo chair and councillors, along with Wilmot Township officials, refuse to disclose details of the project, citing the Municipal Act, which keeps closed-session discussions confidential.

All decisions about the land selection process have been made behind closed doors.

The region has already purchased some of the land and stated it’s needed for future industrial use, though details remain undisclosed.

Earlier this month, the Region of Waterloo council unanimously passed a motion brought forward by Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen to ensure that no more unharvested crops would be destroyed on land acquired by the regional government for the undisclosed project.

This decision followed public outrage after the Region of Waterloo destroyed 64 hectares of corn on land purchased from one of the six farmers and landowners, sparking backlash among local farmers, the community, and even two township councillors.