Restore Cole Road rest area
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to work with British Columbia and Abbotsford to fund an urgent plan to restore safety at the Cole Road rest area on Highway 1, expand federal homelessness and safe‑parking supports, and require humane service‑connected alternatives before displacement.
Why we would sign this petition
- Restores safety and highway function by funding a coordinated emergency plan for the Cole Road rest area and nearby Highway 1 corridor.
- Expands supports for people living in vehicles or encampments by increasing federal homelessness, transitional housing and safe‑parking options.
- Protects dignity by requiring humane, service‑connected alternatives before any displacement, reducing unsafe forced removals.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Requires significant federal funding and coordination, raising concerns about cost, budget priorities and federal–provincial roles.
- Coordinating emergency plans and new supports across jurisdictions may be slow or logistically difficult, limiting short‑term effectiveness.
- Requiring alternatives before displacement could delay clearing hazardous sites, potentially prolonging risks to public safety and infrastructure.
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 Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement The Cole Road Rest Area and adjacent Highway 1 corridor in Abbotsford have been impacted for years by unsafe long-term encampment conditions, including unmanaged waste, fire hazards, environmental degradation, and blocked public access; Vulnerable individuals living in RVs, tents, and vehicles—including seniors, disabled persons, and low-income residents—have repeatedly been displaced without adequate alternatives, and many lack access to sanitation, heat, and basic services; Local residents, truck drivers, businesses, and travelers have reported declining safety and functionality at federally regulated rest areas, and the situation has now escalated into a regional infrastructure and public-health concern; and Municipalities and provinces have stated they lack the resources or jurisdiction to address this crisis alone, and a coordinated federal role is necessary due to impacts on the Trans-Canada Highway system, federal homelessness initiatives, and national transportation infrastructure. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, concerned for the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of all affected, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Direct the Government of Canada to work with the Province of British Columbia and the City of Abbotsford to develop and fund an urgent, coordinated plan to restore safety and functionality at the Cole Road Rest Area and surrounding Highway 1 corridor; 2. Increase federal support for homelessness, transitional housing, and safe-parking solutions for individuals living in vehicles or encampments along federal transportation routes; and 3. Ensure that any displacement of vulnerable individuals from rest areas occurs only with humane, service-connected alternatives that protect public safety and human dignity. 1. Direct the Government of Canada to work with the Province of British Columbia and the City of Abbotsford to develop and fund an urgent, coordinated plan to restore safety and functionality at the Cole Road Rest Area and surrounding Highway 1 corridor; 2. Increase federal support for homelessness, transitional housing, and safe-parking solutions for individuals living in vehicles or encampments along federal transportation routes; and 3. Ensure that any displacement of vulnerable individuals from rest areas occurs only with humane, service-connected alternatives that protect public safety and human dignity.
Government response
No government response is available yet.