Rail Corridor Interest Heats Up

Private operator investigating short-haul potential: Consultant

A consultant working on behalf of the Northern Development Initiative Trust is stressing the importance of a Prince George-to-North Vancouver Rail Corridor.

In a brief presentation to Council on February 17, Peter Scholz said a public or private sector partner needs to take over the rail line from Squamish north to 100 Mile House. He noted that in virtually every case where rail lines across Canada have been abandoned and sold for scrap, they have never been replaced.

"Once those tracks have been taken up, they are gone forever," he said.

CN Rail announced earlier this year that it plans to discontinue its lease on the rail line between Squamish and 100 Mile House in the Cariboo region. Last summer, local MP Patrick Weiler and MLA Jeremy Valeriote released a joint statement highlighting how essential rail transportation and shipping is for communities along the Sea to Sky corridor and further north. Communities and First Nations along the corridor, including the District of Squamish, have been vocal about the importance of continuing the rail service along this line.

The Northern Development Independent Trust (NDIT) is an independent regionally-operated economic development funding corporation for central and northern British Columbia. On its website, NDIT states that they are in the business of identifying and pursuing opportunities for stimulating economic growth and job creation within the region. 

The organization administers their program with funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and says it is "working with communities, First Nations, local government and businesses to build a stronger North by investing in economic development."

In his Zoom presentation to Lions Bay Council, Scholz outlined a brief history of rail in Canada with a focus on short-haul lines. He noted that several stretches of disused tracks in Alberta and Saskatchewan have been bought by groups of prairie farmers and run as successful short-haul shipping operations. He added his group is in talks with a private operator, who is currently completing due diligence with regard to stepping in as a short-haul provider along the existing lines.

Scholz also noted that in the event of failure of the national rail line (which runs through the Fraser Canyon, making it vulnerable to landslides, earthquakes and other hazards) the only viable Canadian transport rail line to the west coast is the one running through Lions Bay.

He has identified a number of goals for this project:

• A credible railway investment partner actively engaged in due diligence and business planning.

• A letter of interest from all or most First Nations confirming their interest in future involvement, ownership and management of a new railway organization.

• Common understanding among communities and senior governments of the railway’s strategic and economic importance.

• An end to discussions about dismantling the railway for salvage.

Scholz added that he plans to re-engage with Council over the next couple of months as more information becomes available.

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