CN Rail Poses Opportunity

MP and MLA call for investment along Sea to Sky

In a first-of-it's-kind event, both federal and provincial politicians have joined forces to seek government support for passenger rail service along in the Sea to Sky corridor.

Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky and Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, have issued a joint press release calling for investment in a rail plan for the corridor.

As a part of their 'Three-Year Network Plan', CN Rail has announced they have already begun the "discontinuance process" on a number of rail lines across the country. This includes the stretch passing from Squamish through Lillooet to 100 Mile House.

According to Jatinder Sidhu, Valeriote's Constituency Lead, the discontinuance process requires CN to keep the lines on its Rail Network Plan for a period of 12 months before taking any further steps. During that period, CN will continue to operate the lines for customers. Once the lease is discontinued, management of the lines returns to BC Rail, which is owned by the BC provincial government.

Said Weiler: “The potential transfer of this rail corridor marks a pivotal moment for the Sea to Sky region. Over the 23 years since regular passenger rail service was discontinued, the region’s population has grown by more than 60%, and recreational traffic has increased significantly."

Added Valeriote: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take over a lease that has nearly 40 years remaining on it, and to restore the rail line for public use and benefit as it was before it was controversially privatized by the BC Liberal government in 2004.”

Beginning in July 2026, the lines will become available for "interested parties" to take over rail services from CN Rail.

The Canada Transportation Act will be invoked in the event that there are no interested parties, and the segment of line will be offered for net salvage value to different levels of government.

Valeriote see this time as an opportunity. "This gives us a one-year window to build a business case, secure support from all levels of government, and make an offer to acquire the lease, via an operating entity,” he said in the joint statement. “This summer, the Sea-to-Sky highway is clearly showing itself to be at capacity, even without closures due to tragic crashes. Regional bus and rail transit can ease the pressure on Highway 99 and give people affordable options for travel in the corridor.”

Weiler said that along with a regional bus system, restoring passenger rail service is worth serious consideration. "Passenger rail would reduce traffic

congestion, lower emissions, and better connect communities – enhancing both economic resilience and quality of life.”

Other consequences of CN Rail's decision include the possible suspension of the high-rail bus that supports daily travel for N’Quat’qua and Shalath Nation members to and from Lillooet, which also will need to be addressed.

Weiler and Valeriote say they plan to work closely with local governments and community leaders to explore all the options.

Sidhu says the implementation of a regional transit system is expected within the next year, which will be a "necessary stepping stone" and demonstrate the increasing demand for further services.

He says that residents of the Sea to Sky can make a difference by advocating from the ground up. He suggests that having both community members and Council write the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in support of passenger rail is a good place to start.

Valeriote said that decisions like this one can shape the region for decades. "If senior levels of government are serious about investing in infrastructure to create jobs and strengthen our economy, this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss."

What are your thoughts about a rail line along the Sea To Sky?

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