About the Island Corridor Foundation

About the Island Corridor Foundation

Purpose of the Organization:

The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) is a federally registered charity established for the purposes of owning and managing the former E&N Corridor on Vancouver Island. The foundation recognizes the importance of this corridor as a link that connects communities economically, socially and spiritually, today, and for all time. The foundation represents First Nations and Local Governments adjacent to the corridor.

ICF has been working diligently to secure a stable and prosperous future for the corridor for the benefit of all Vancouver Island Residents. In 2006 ICF achieved a significant milestone, concluding Asset Donation Agreements with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Rail America (RA) to acquire full ownership of the former E&N Corridor.

General Statement of Activities:

Through the sustained efforts of elected leaders of both First Nations and Local Governments who have accepted a mandate to work towards the preservation of the corridor, the charitable objectives of ICF are to:

• Acquire, preserve and develop for purposes of the Foundation and its objects, but for no other purposes, the Island Corridor which lies north-south from Victoria to Courtenay, east-west from Duncan to Lake Cowichan, and east-west from Nanaimo to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island together with ancillary lands, structures and all other property rights attached thereto (the “Island Corridor”) and the infrastructure and other assets that constitute the E&N Railroad and are located on the Island Corridor (the “Railroad”)
• Maintain the Island Corridor as a continuous special use connection for all communities, while respecting and supporting First Nations interests and traditional lands and uses
• Contribute to safe and environmentally sound freight rail service within active sections of the corridor
• Encourage flexible infrastructure along the Island Corridor which will encourage a wide range of economic and trade activity for the benefit of all communities lying adjacent to the Island Corridor
• Preserve archaeological resources, historic landmarks, structures, artifacts and historic routes along the Island Corridor for historical purposes and for ongoing and future use by the community
• Create trails, parks, gardens, greenways and other public areas for use of members of the public along the length of the Island Corridor
• Conserve the environmental and spiritual features and functions of the Island Corridor in respect of the land, water and natural resources for the general benefit of the public, and
• Do all such charitable activities which are incidental to and beneficial to the attainment of the purposes stated above.

Description of Population Served:

A 12-person Board of Directors governs ICF. Six Directors represent the Regional Districts and six directors represent First Nations. Membership is limited to local governments and First Nation governments whose territories are wholly or partly within the geographic area of the Corridor. ICF operates under the by line “.............connecting Communities”. This is identified to describe physical connections, but also economic and cultural connections. The following charitable actions of the foundation are undertaken for the benefit of all Vancouver Island Residents:

• First Nations: There are 14 First Nations groups along the corridor who play a strong role in ICF by selecting nominees to serve on the Board of Directors. The Foundation supports First Nation-owned businesses by contracting their services for corridor improvements, vegetation management, and by booking their venues for meetings and events.
• Industry: The maintenance and protection of the corridor will benefit existing and new industries through the provision of viable alternatives to truck traffic
• Freight Rail Users: Provide safe and environmentally sound freight rail service to local businesses
• Trail Users: Recreational users, tourists, and commuters
• Utilities: The corridor provides a continuous connection to essential utilities such as fiber-optic cable, water, sewer, hydro, and natural gas.
• Adjacent Communities: The corridor plays a crucial role in adjacent communities, providing a key resource and a valuable asset.

Description of Community Benefits:

• Continuing Freight Service: Rail is the safest, most cost-efficient and most environmentally friendly form of surface transportation available. The ICF presently has an Interim Operating Agreement with Southern Rail of Vancouver Island (SVI). One of their many functions is to unload barged rail freight which is then distributed to residents and businesses throughout Vancouver Island.
• Potential Future Commuter Rail or other Active Transportation Opportunities: The east coast of Vancouver Island is among the fastest growing areas in Canada. A continuous corridor will play a critical role in any transportation strategy aimed at meeting the needs of future generations.
• Tourism Benefits: The ICF believes there is significant potential for greater and more efficient integration with transportation services. Coordinated connections such as bus shuttles from train stations to airports, cruise ships, and ferry terminals combined with expanded excursion rail options like hi-rail bus tours or targeted ultralight train service, could greatly enhance the tourism experience. Linking these services would enhance Vancouver Island’s appeal as an accessible destination for tourists from the mainland and abroad.
• Rails-with-trails: It is the intention of the ICF in cooperation with our members and local governments to eventually construct a trail running the length of the corridor. The ICF has signed access agreements with almost every Regional District and Municipality along the corridor. Trails have been constructed from Victoria to Langford, Shawnigan, Cowichan Valley, Duncan, North Cowichan, Lake Cowichan, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Courtenay, and most recently Port Alberni. These integrated trail systems enhance communities by promoting healthy lifestyles, offering safe non-motorized travel, and creating tourism opportunities.
• Long-term employment for First Nations: The corridor lands require continuous monitoring, maintenance, and repair. The ICF is committed to ensuring these employment opportunities are available to our First Nation members.
• Integrity of the Corridor: The corridor runs within 30 minutes of more than 80% of all Island residents and represents an irreplaceable asset and invaluable resource to the economic vitality of Vancouver Island communities. Its role for transportation, recreation and tourism will only grow in importance as communities along the corridor continue to expand and develop.

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