The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF), which manages rail on Vancouver Island, released last week an initial business case stating the need it sees for safe, efficient, reliable, transit-like rail as the island's population grows.
“When the province is forecasting by 2038 we could be looking at transit times of upwards of two and a half hours from Mill Bay to Victoria, I would suggest that it’s time for us to start exploring other options,” says Larry Stevenson, CEO of the ICF.
The study lays out four distinct operations of rail that can be delivered on the island, and bringing back the day-liner is not included.
Operations would include a commuter train from Langford to Victoria, an inter-regional train running from Courtenay to Victoria twice a day during peak hours, freight trains focusing on Port Alberni and Nanaimo ports, and excursion trains.
Upgrading the 290 kilometres of track from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni would cost approximately $431 million: $381 million to restore the track and another $50 million to purchase rail equipment. The estimated cost is adjusted to 2023 cost projections.
“I don’t think anybody is ready to write the cheque yet, but it certainly gives us the basis from which we can start having those discussions,” says Stevenson.
The business case urges that discussion between First Nation communities and the provincial and federal governments need to happen first and foremost.
ICF says a Supreme Court decision in 2020 that ruled against returning land to an island First Nation has essentially given ICF a deadline of March 2023 to resolve the funding for improvements to the railroad.
In statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Transportation provided the following response to the ICF's report:
“The ministry is committed to finding the best use for the Island Rail Corridor as well as to supporting First Nations interests in these discussions.
The Island Rail Corridor remains under the ownership of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF). The ICF gave the province an opportunity to review the business case prior to its release. However, this business case was developed independently from the province.
The province provided feedback to the ICF on specific elements, noting the lack of First Nations consultation and lack of contingency in the proposed costs. At this time, the province has made no commitments to the future of the rail corridor. Further discussion is required to determine its best use.
The province is also closely monitoring how the federal government responds to a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling related to sections of the corridor that lie within the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation Reserve.
The interests of First Nations are a critical consideration to the province as we continue our work to determine the best use of this corridor.”
The entire business case can be viewed here.
Rail service on Vancouver Island has been dormant since 2011.
Calls continue for a major shakeup at Hockey Canada following recent revelations around how the organization handled past claims of sexual assault.
Organizers of the papal visit say the Vatican has 'clarified' part of Pope Francis's apology to residential school survivors, noting an error occurred during translation.
Tim Hortons has reached a proposed settlement in multiple class action lawsuits alleging the restaurant's mobile app violated customer privacy, which would see the restaurant offer a free coffee and doughnut to affected users.
Across the country, police and fraud-prevention experts are warning Canadians to be vigilant with reports of 'grandparent scams' targeting seniors on the rise.
The Supreme Court of Canada says sex with a condom is a different physical act than sex without one, and that the use of a condom can be a condition of consent under sexual assault law.
A 27-year-old doctor who died after collapsing during a triathlon this week is being remembered as a vivacious and outgoing person with a true passion for medicine.
An obstetrician-gynecologist in Montreal had his licence revoked after he allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments to a patient in labour.
Experts say that while there's no use in postponing vacations indefinitely in the hopes of COVID-19 being eradicated, there are ways to mitigate risks while travelling, from masking indoors to filling the itinerary with more outdoor activities.
A study conducted by the University of East Anglia found face shields are not able to provide high levels of protection against COVID-19.
The current configuration of the temporary bike lane through Stanley Park makes it impossible to stage major events in the park, said a Vancouver event organizer.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has stopped reporting case outcomes by vaccination status on its COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard because the data had become "hard to interpret," according to the Ministry of Health.
After a cooler-than-usual spring, some British Columbians relished in a July heat wave, but after several days of record-breaking temperatures, they may be asking how much more of this we're in store for.
Alberta will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Albertans ages six months to five years starting on Aug. 2, the province announced Friday.
Organizers of the papal visit say the Vatican has 'clarified' part of Pope Francis's apology to residential school survivors, noting an error occurred during translation.
The first woman appointed as chief justice of a province in Canada who has served 30 years on the bench in Alberta is retiring Saturday.
Several Ontario hospitals were reducing service in certain areas over the long weekend due to staff shortages as an Ontario nurses union called on the province to tackle what it called an alarming situation.
A couple from New Zealand who spent more than $4,500 to rent an Airbnb in Toronto were evicted by police in the middle of the night after a man showed up claiming the unit was his.
A 27-year-old doctor who died after collapsing during a triathlon this week is being remembered as a vivacious and outgoing person with a true passion for medicine.
He's been in Calgary for a decade and has had a citizenship application in for three years, but one local teen is still waiting to officially become a Canadian.
As the heat wave continues to grip much of Alberta, including Calgary, it’s been a challenge for many people to not only stay cool outdoors but inside as well, especially for those without an air conditioner.
As someone living with stage four lung cancer, Dave Nitsche says Danielle Smith does not know the first thing about the disease.
A Montreal woman is seeking answers after her 65-year-old father died while waiting over 11 hours for an ambulance.
An obstetrician-gynecologist in Montreal had his licence revoked after he allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments to a patient in labour.
A group of young nurses and their professors say they need to speak out about the mistreatment of Indigenous patients they've witnessed within Montreal's health-care system, particularly involving people experiencing homelessness.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shrugged off allegations of political patronage and nepotism from opposition leaders on Friday.
As many Nova Scotians prepare for a long weekend, Nova Scotia Health is warning residents they will likely face long wait times for ambulances and in hospital emergency rooms if they need medical care.
The Nova Scotia-Prince Edward Island ferry remains out of commission after a fire in its engine room last week, and will be for at least the rest of the summer season, but the federal government is looking at options to replace it.
The number of mayoral candidates is expected to climb to 13 as a current councillor said he will throw his name into the mix.
Officers with the Manitoba RCMP said they were involved in an armed standoff on Wednesday in Ebb and Flow First Nation, which ended with explosives being detonated and a home going up in flames.
Manitoba physicians are more worried than ever about staffing leading to emergency department closures in rural and northern Manitoba.
Police are looking for a 26-year-old man who was last seen falling off his Seadoo into the Grand River Thursday night, according to Ontario Provincial Police with the Brant County Detachment.
With gas prices hitting record highs this summer, many people are curious to know if purchasing an electric vehicle will benefit them in the long run.
As Pope Francis wraps up the final leg of his weeklong Canadian visit, there are mixed emotions among residential school survivors who are reflecting on the Pontiff’s apology and his time in the country.
A Regina woman is facing several charges after more than 6.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during a drug trafficking investigation.
Here are the proposed changes to Saskatchewan's constituency borders ahead of the next provincial election.
With two weeks left until the supposed start of the Ever After Music Festival, ticket holders are still wondering if the festival will even happen.
After two years of cancellations, Kempenfest has returned to Barrie's waterfront for its 50th year.
Several Ontario hospitals were reducing service in certain areas over the long weekend due to staff shortages as an Ontario nurses union called on the province to tackle what it called an alarming situation.
A Saskatoon man is warning pet owners after his dog was attacked at a popular park.
A Prince Albert man now faces more than two dozen charges in connection to child luring investigation.
About 30 Saskatoon students between the ages of nine and 14 learned the ins and outs of running a business at the first Edwards Entrepreneurship Exploration camp at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Northern Himalayan Café, which used to be located in the city’s airport, is moving downtown.
Research is underway in Sudbury about how the city can be a welcoming community.
Raising Monarch butterflies is not only a hobby for Elaine Tremblay, it's also a mission.
© 2022 All rights reserved. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy