Northlander stop at Thorah Park Blvd
Petitioners ask the House to secure federal funding and partnerships to build a Northlander stop at 23801 Thorah Park Blvd. The government responds Ontario leads the project and federal funding would require a provincial request.
Why we would sign this petition
- Provides closer rail access for Brock Township, Vallentyne and Jackson's Point residents, reducing their travel to reach Northlander service.
- Serves over 10,000 annual tourists to Lake Simcoe’s south shore, which could boost local visitor spending and support businesses.
- Promotes federal funding and public‑private/developer partnerships to expand rural transit access without relying solely on provincial budgets.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The federal government notes Ontario leads the Northlander project, so without a provincial funding request federal support may not materialize.
- Directing limited federal infrastructure funds to one rural stop could divert resources from higher‑priority or larger transit projects elsewhere.
- The petition’s ridership and demand claims may need independent evidence; station viability and ongoing operational costs could be uncertain.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled Whereas The York-Simcoe area currently lacks a Northlander rail stop, forcing residents to endure excessive travel times to access rail service; Adding a stop at 23801 Thorah Park Blvd would serve residents of Brock Township, Vallentyne, Jackson's Point, and surrounding areas; Accommodate 10,000+ annual tourists visiting Lake Simcoe's south shore; Be more utilized than low-demand stops along the Northlander rail corridor; This aligns with federal priorities under the Rural Transit Solutions Fund and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We, the undersigned residents of the York-Simcoe area and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: Urge the Minister of Transport to prioritize funding for this stop through the federal infrastructure program; Encourage collaboration between Ontario Northlander, Indigenous partners, and the Thorah Park development to ensure the stop is built and services our community; and Support public-private partnerships that leverage developer contributions to expand transit access in undeserved rural areas.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Signed by Jennifer McKelvie, M.P. The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their concerns regarding the lack of access to rail services in the York–Simcoe area. The Northlander Rail Infrastructure project is led by the Province of Ontario, which is managing all aspects of procurement and project management. The Government of Canada is not a funder in this project and as such, the petitioners are encouraged to reach out to the Province to address their concerns. Should the Province of Ontario choose to seek federal funding for the project, and in particular for a station as noted by the petitioners, potential options would include the Canada Public Transit Fund. The Canada Public Transit Fund supports transit in communities of all sizes across Canada, providing funding for public transit projects that are of mutual interest to provincial, territorial and federal governments. Project leads would need to come forward with a specific funding request, in line with program requirements, for the federal government to be able to consider the request.