Add Thorah Park Northlander stop
Petitioners ask the federal government to fund and support a Northlander rail stop at 23801 Thorah Park Blvd, in coordination with Ontario Northlander, Indigenous partners and developers. The government responds that Ontario leads the Northlander project, Canada is not currently funding it, and federal support could follow if Ontario applies (e.g., Canada Public Transit Fund).
Why we would sign this petition
- Adds a nearby Northlander stop, reducing travel times for York–Simcoe residents and improving rural rail access.
- Petitioners say the stop would serve 10,000+ annual tourists to Lake Simcoe, supporting local tourism and businesses.
- Promotes public‑private partnerships and developer contributions to leverage funding and share project costs.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- The project is provincially led; federal funding requires Ontario to apply, so the petition may not directly secure federal financing.
- Federal funds are limited and prioritizing this stop could divert resources from higher‑demand transit projects or broader rural transit needs.
- Projected ridership and tourism claims may be uncertain; the stop could be underused, reducing its cost‑effectiveness.
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.