TO: The Regional Municipality of York Council and Public Works (Transportation Services)

The Problem:

On April 26, 2026, our community's worst fears were realized. A tragic collision at the intersection of Leslie Street and Doane Road took the life of a teenager and left four others fighting for their lives. This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of the severe safety hazards present at this location.

This was not just an accident—it was a predictable and preventable tragedy.

What makes this loss even more unacceptable is that York Region has known about the dangers of this intersection for over a decade. The Region’s own Environmental Assessment for the area was completed in 2013, and the Doane Road widening and signalization project (Project 64) was originally approved for construction in 2017. Yet, year after year, the Region has deferred the project, leaving us with a dangerous, rural-style crossing that simply cannot handle today’s urban traffic volumes.

It is now 2026. Nearly ten years past the original target date, the much-needed reconstruction of Doane Road is still just a deferred line item in the 2022 Transportation Master Plan.

Furthermore, the situation is about to become significantly more dangerous. On April 27, 2026, the Province announced that the new Southlake Hospital will be built just south of this location. While we welcome the hospital, we cannot allow the Region to wait for another multi-year construction cycle to fix an intersection that is claiming lives today.

Every day, our residents are forced to make high-risk maneuvers just to navigate between Doane Road and Leslie Street. We are tired of "planning phases" and "deferred schedules." We need safety now.

The Solution:

We, the residents of East Gwillimbury and York Region, are respectfully but urgently petitioning York Regional Council and Transportation Services (Public Works) to stop the delays and take immediate action to protect our community. We are calling for:

• Immediate Installation of Interim Traffic Signals: Do not wait for the full road reconstruction to be finalized. We need temporary signals installed immediately to manage traffic flow, eliminate dangerous gap-acceptance maneuvers, and save lives.
• Expedition of the Doane Road Reconstruction: Reallocate resources to advance the long-delayed Doane Road widening and realignment project (Project 64) to this year's active construction schedule.
• Interim Safety Measures: The immediate deployment of enhanced intersection lighting and advanced warning signage while permanent infrastructure is being built.

Why it Matters:

Public safety cannot be continually deferred. Industry statistics demonstrate that signalized intersections can reduce fatal accidents by up to 50%. York Region has had the plans, the environmental approvals, and the land required for the Doane Road reconstruction since 2013. We now require decisive political action to implement these life-saving measures today.

Call to Action:

Please sign this petition to demonstrate to the York Regional Council that the safety of East Gwillimbury residents cannot wait another decade. By adding your name, you are advocating for essential, immediate infrastructure improvements that will protect our community and prevent future tragedies. 

Sign today to demand a safer intersection at Leslie Street and Doane Road, and the immediate reconstruction of the Doane Road corridor, before traffic completely overwhelms our community.

Background Info:

East Gwillimbury roads off region’s long-term plan​

1 dead, 4 in hospital after single-vehicle crash in East Gwillimbury: police