UBCM RESOLUTION ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR
A resolution calling on senior governments to invest in preserving the Island Corridor for passenger and freight rail.
UBCM RESOLUTION
ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
WHEREAS the E&N Rail Corridor, now known as the Island Corridor, which has connected Vancouver Island communities, businesses and services for more than 135 years is at risk of being lost forever by March 15, 2023 without the financial support and commitments of the provincial and federal governments.
AND WHEREAS, because 80 per cent of Vancouver Island’s population lives within five kilometres of the corridor, it presents viable options for commuter and inter-regional passenger rail, as well as strong economic opportunities for excursion and freight services that will reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM call on the Provincial and Federal governments to make the necessary investments to preserve the Island Corridor so that it can continue to connect communities, establish safe and environmentally sound passenger and freight rail service, and strengthen economies up, down, and across Vancouver Island.
ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
The E&N Rail Corridor – now known as the Island Corridor – has provided vital freight and passenger rail service on Vancouver Island since 1886.
In its latter years, while owned by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, rail maintenance fell into decline and lands in the corridor risked being sold off. To maintain the integrity of the rail corridor, First Nation and local government leaders rallied to save it and formed the Island Corridor Foundation in 2003.
As a registered charity, the Foundation negotiated with CPR to acquire the corridor lands in exchange for a tax receipt, which the Foundation was then able to issue.
The corridor runs north-south from Victoria to Courtenay and east-west from Nanaimo to Port Alberni and from Duncan to Lake Cowichan. It serves 14 First Nation territories and is an essential part of community and business development plans in those communities.
Passenger rail service along the corridor ended in 2011 due to maintenance concerns and has required federal and provincial government funding in order to be restored. A simultaneous funding commitment from both levels of government has not been forthcoming.
The Foundation’s main goals are to maintain the continuity of the corridor and establish modern rail options for commuters, passengers, tourism and freight while respecting First Nation interests.
Such a service would be a welcome and viable option to traffic congestion on the island’s one highway route and would lesson greenhouse gas emissions.
In September 2021, the BC Court of Appeal ruled lands that make up the corridor couldn’t be held indefinitely and the federal and provincial government must decide by March 15, 2023:
- that maintaining the corridor is in the public interest and
- that they would commit to funding necessary improvements along the corridor.