Metrolinx Sacrifices Thorncliffe Park for Wealthy American Developers in Leaside

The Province, City of Toronto and Metrolinx claimed that if the train yard was placed in Leaside too many jobs would be lost. To date, Metrolinx and the City of Toronto has refused to release backup for their employment data conclusions.

 What they did not also share with the public, was that a significant number of these properties were owned by American companies and to no surprise, a significant number of these properties were sold in 2021.  The sold properties total over 22 acres and could have accommodated the train yard.  Instead 80% of the lands were sold to American developers.

 In that area of Leaside, there is a sealant and chemical plant, and a concrete aggregates operation, and is not directly located next to 30,000 residents. Actual employment numbers at these businesses are low and could have been relocated to more suitable areas. Metrolinx intentionally passed on the opportunity to purchase these sites to build the train yard. 

Metrolinx sacrificed the future of the residents of Thorncliffe Park in exchange for appeasing wealthy, mainly American, land owners.

Properties sold include:

50 Beth Nealson Dr, Leaside              3.75 acres        Sold September 2021

215 Wicksteed Ave, Leaside              6.40 acres        Sold September 2021

220 Wicksteed Ave, Leaside              7.97 acres        Sold September 2021

235 Wicksteed Ave, Leaside              4.67 acres        Sold May 2021

Metrolinx was already working with Infrastructure Ontario for their lands that are adjacent to the above properties.

Here’s how YOU can help out today:

 Email Premier Ford (premier@ontario.ca), Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney (minister.mto@ontario.ca) and Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma (kinga.surmaco@pc.ola.org) and state the following:

 Stop the secret deal and backroom tactics of paying off places of worship and “community leaders” in Thorncliffe Park and other communities.  The Province and Metrolinx needs to hit the reset button on the location of a train yard in Thorncliffe Park, especially when viable lands and alternatives exist. 

To contact SaveTPARK:

Email: notrainyard@savetpark.ca  or Phone: 1-855-657-2750