Following CN Rail’s announcement to end its lease on the former BC Rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House in July 2025, the provincial and federal government are being urged to revitalize the rail line.
This was during a Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) meeting between the BC Rail Corridor Alliance, which included Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Councillor, Clayton Pountney, Prince George Councillor, Trudy Klassen, and other municipal and provincial representatives.
Klassen said the rail line needs to be in operation for economic development.
“Initially we got $100,000 from NDIT (Northern Development Initiative Trust) that helped us fund some of the engagement.”
“We asked the Premier for $600,000 to do some corridor assessments and business assessments to develop what we’re hoping for is to have a co-governance model for this rail line, so that the communities the line goes through, that they have influence and ownership along the line.”
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler said the discontinuation can be an opportunity for other operators if CN Rail puts it forward.
“From the federal government’s perspective, right now we are focused on doing everything we can to diversify trade, and access new markets around the world.” said Weiler. “We’re also doing all we can to make sure that we’re buying more Canadian, and supporting our industries.”
The Alliance is still waiting on the Province to respond on the request for $600,000 for an engineering assessment, economic study, and operations funding.
The 2026 UBCM Convention in Vancouver, began on Monday, and will wrap up on Friday.
