Uncertainty After CN Releases Rail Line
- kc dyer
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Squamish — 100 Mile House stretch up for grabs
CN Rail has made good on its promise to divest itself of the Sea to Sky rail line that runs north of Squamish to 100 Mile House. And as of July 11, the stretch of track that is pivotal to many small BC communities is up for grabs.
Earlier this year, CN Rail made public its 'discontinuance plan' for the section of rail line north of Squamish. Last week, provincial Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnsworth made a statement acknowledging the importance of the rail line to local communities.
"This corridor has long connected communities and supported economic activity throughout British Columbia. Since CN Rail initiated the federal railway discontinuance process in July 2025, we have remained engaged with the company, communities and industry partners. I know communities, businesses, tourism operators and workers along the rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House are looking for certainty about what comes next."
Farnsworth noted that CN will notify the province if they decide to advertise the line to operators interested in managing it, but said that in the meantime, the province continues to "engage constructively" with the rail corporation.
“Our government is committed to protecting the long-term public interest. The lands and rail infrastructure are owned by the BC Railway Company, a Crown corporation, and we intend to keep this rail corridor in public hands for the benefit of British Columbians," Farnsworth said. "This rail line is more than infrastructure; it is an asset that could support future goods movement, strengthen supply chains, connect communities and create economic opportunities throughout the region provided commercially viable operations can be established. Our focus remains on following the federal process, engaging with CN and partners and ensuring the interests of British Columbians are protected every step of the way."
Local MLA and Green Party member Jeremy Valeriote applauded Farnsworth's recognition of the importance of the line to local residents and First Nations, and the statement that the line would remain in public hands, but acknowledged frustration with the process.
"The open-ended timeline allowed by the federal Canada Transportation Act is frustrating, so we are seeking a commitment from CN Rail to work collaboratively with the Province for a smooth transition to a short-line operator," said Valeriote.
"Further delays will only deepen the impacts already being felt. Local businesses have repeatedly requested freight services from CN Rail along the Squamish-100 Mile House section, only to be let down and have to resort to more costly truck transport. The Rocky Mountaineer taking a 2027 hiatus from this route will have lasting economic and reputational impacts."
Valeriote noted that with such universal support from local municipal, regional and First Nations leaders for a shared vision for the rail corridor, "it is exactly the kind of project that should be supported through Prime Minister (Mark) Carney’s Trade Diversification Corridors Fund."
He also emphasized the importance of passenger rail along the corridor, calling it a "lifeline" for connecting people to education, employment, and mental health supports. Valeriote also sees passenger rail as a "potential relief valve for the Sea to Sky corridor, as highway congestion, crashes and closures increase in frequency."
Meanwhile, a small U.S. rail company says it is investigating taking over operation of the line. CBC News reported last week that a representative from Washington-based Columbia Rail confirmed his company has been looking into the viability of the corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House.
In May, Northern Development Initiative Trust consultant Peter Scholtz told Lions Bay Council that if no qualified and interested parties are prepared to bid on the line by September, the section of track will be offered to the federal government to purchase. If they are not interested, the track will revert to the province.
At that time Scholz said Columbia Rail was in the final stages of its due diligence and said the company was confident on the long-term prospects of the corridor from Williams Lake to the Port of Squamish, as long as interchange functions at either end were fully supported.
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We joined the train in Lions Bay in the 1970’s when this was a flag stop and travelled to Williams Lake. We were going dog sledding at Krueger Lake near Wells.
It was a magical journey with the snow covered mountains and the driver stopping the train on a couple of occasions to show us mountain goats high above us. The food they served us was delicious and we still remember the friendliness of the crew.
I am uncomfortable with an arrangement that apparently gave control of the BC Rail network to CN Rail without any expectation that it would maintain that rail network during the life of the agreement.
This omission appears to have given CN Rail the right to keep the most profitable parts of that network and to cast aside those sections that don't contribute positively to their financial statements.
Thank you Gordon Campbell. 😠