With a court-imposed deadline looming, View Royal Mayor David Screech wants the Capital Regional District to write to the federal and provincial governments to firm up commitments to maintaining the Island Rail Corridor.
“We really need to lobby the federal government to become involved,” said Screech, who chairs the CRD’s transportation committee. “The court clearly identified the federal government as having a role in this, but I also think that we need to lobby the province harder to make them realize that this deadline is fast approaching and that if we don’t act on it, we’re going to lose the corridor entirely.”
In the fall of 2021, the B.C. Court of Appeal gave the federal government 18 months — until March 2023 — to decide whether it wants to restore the rail line and be willing to help fund it.
That ruling came as the court ruled against the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation’s claim to a portion of E&N Railway land that cuts through its reserve.
The E&N used to run between Victoria and Courtenay, with a leg to Parksville. It has not provided passenger service since 2011 due to the poor condition of its tracks.
The Island Corridor Foundation — composed of six members representing regional districts and six members representing First Nations within the corridor — has most recently been in search of federal and provincial support for a $431-million rail system that will offer a passenger and freight service between Courtenay and Victoria.
The foundation released a business plan that suggests construction costs would be $381 million, with another $50 million needed to buy rolling stock.
Money to set up the service and upgrade rail-corridor infrastructure would come from provincial and federal governments if they agree to support the plan.
A staff report to be considered at the CRD’s transportation committee meeting today lays out CRD engagement efforts in support of re-establishing the 295-kilometre rail corridor, ranging from improving partnerships with the provincial Transportation Ministry to engaging with the relevant federal ministries.
“Our board position is to support the rail, but I think the most crucial thing right now is just to protect the corridor,” said Screech.
“The court has made it clear that commitments need to be made to make investments in the corridor. And I think we need the upper levels of government to make those commitments.”
Screech said when he looks at the future of the Island, it would be “sheer lunacy” to let the corridor collapse.
“We really need the upper levels of government to take note and at least come to the table and have these discussions.”
