Island Corridor Foundation Application Letter

July 30, 2025

Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 1A6

For the Attention of Steven Vella, Director of Finance

Please find attached the Island Corridor Foundation’s application for a Permissive Tax Exemption for lands within the jurisdiction of View Royal.

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) is a federally registered charity that owns the E&N Corridor on Vancouver Island. Since acquiring this asset in February 2006, the Foundation has worked to ensure the long-term viability of the corridor for the benefit of all Vancouver Island residents. These actions include an interim operating agreement with Southern Rail of Vancouver Island, installation of utilities such as water, natural gas, and fibre optics to serve communities along the corridor, and collaboration with members to increase recreational access to the corridor.

ICF is currently engaged in a Shared Vision Process with our members to re-assess the corridor and identify potential future uses.

As a non-profit organization, property taxes for the corridor would account for a significant portion of the Foundation’s overall operating budget. Reducing this tax burden is central to the sustainable future of this corridor. In this regard, your favourable review of this Permissive Tax Exemption application would be a significant step in confirming the long-term sustainability of this vital island asset.

Included with this completed application for your review are:

1. Completed application form
2. Signed financial statements prepared by MNP as of December 31, 2024
3. Title search results for the 6 PID’s within the Town of View Royal
4. PTE About the Island Corridor Foundation – a description of the programs/services/benefits delivered from the subject lands.
5. Copy of the Licence of Occupation between the Capital Regional District and the Island Corridor Foundation
6. Statement of grant-in-aid received from the Town of View Royal for the current year

We greatly appreciate your time and consideration of this application. If you have any questions or comments, please contact our General Manager Debbie Mann at (250) 668 8799 or debbiemann@islandrail.ca

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Bevan Chief Executive Officer Island Corridor Foundation thomasbevan@islandrail.ca

ICF serves the communities of Vancouver Island and gratefully acknowledges that we work on the traditional and unceded territories of many diverse First Nations, including the Kosapsum, Songhees, Malahat, Cowichan Tribes, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Halalt, Stz'uminus, Penelakut Tribe, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As, Qualicum, K'ómoks, Hupacasath, and Tseshaht. We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have stewarded these lands since time immemorial and are committed to strong Indigenous partnerships and relationships based on principles of Reconciliation.