durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 38 223 King St. W. (905) 432-2066 rocpal.com Let Your Dreams Become reaLitY New Showroom NoW oPeN In one of her final queries in Question Period in the House of Commons, Durham MPP Lindsey Park asked when the GO train is coming to Bowmanville. "As commuting patterns resume, more people will be wondering about the status of the GO train to Bowmanville," Park told the minister of transportation. "The people of east Durham have been waiting a long time for this project to come to fruition. Metrolinx has openly mused about it as a priority project for decades. As our community continues to grow -- and, I note, as gas prices rise -- the need for more and better transportation options is clear. There is a plan for the extension. When will we have the rail deal finalized and construction contracts signed so we can get these stations built?" Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney answered, saying that the government shares the desire to see the project move ahead as quickly as possible. She said discussions are still underway with CP to finalize a commercial agreement for the use of its tracks for the preferred route. A memorandum of understanding between Metrolinx and the Region of Durham has recently been formalized. Metrolinx also recently completed geotechnical work in the CP-owned corridor, a necessary preliminary step before any construction. In an interview after the question period, Park said there hasn't been a public announcement on all the work underway to bring the GO train east. The proposed GO Lakeshore East Extension will bring the GO train east through Oshawa and into Clarington, with new stations at Thornton's Corners, downtown Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville. "I'm excited about that. It's going to totally change how we live in the community," said Park. "It's a long time coming." Ontario's Conservative Government recently pledged $61.6 billion over 10 years for public transit, including things like new subway transit for the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and improving the GO Transit network in Bowmanville, London and Niagara. The funding wasn't specifically for the GO train expansion in Durham and the 2022 budget won't be approved until after the upcoming provincial election. Park has been Durham's first Independent MPP, since resigning from the Progressive Conservative caucus last fall over a "breakdown in trust" about her vaccination status. She is not be seeking re-election in the June Provincial election and is now winding down her term in office. "I will forever be grateful to my constituents for giving me the chance to serve at just 30 years of age as Durham's first female Member of Provincial Parliament," said Park in a farewell statement. THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF DURHAM'S FIRST INDEPENDENT MPP JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@ durhamregion.com NEWS AS PROVINCIAL ELECTION GEARS UP, MPP LINDSEY PARK WINDS DOWN HER TERM Durham MPP Lindsey Park on her last day in the Ontario Legislature before the election is called. Office of Durham MPP photo