News Release Archives

ICF WELCOMES PROVINCIAL RAIL FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

For immediate release
November 27, 2008

NANAIMO, B.C. – The Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) welcomes today’s news that the provincial government will fund a key study to determine the costs and viability of up-grading the Island Rail Corridor for freight and passenger travel. A total of $500,000 has been committed to fund the study.

“We are delighted that the province has recognized the opportunity for rail renewal on Vancouver Island and agree that this due diligence is required to confirm the business potential.” says Mary Ashley, co-chair of the ICF. “We are confident that the study will fully validate that the federal and provincial governments should join ICF in investing in a $103.8 million upgrade of the rail line. We look forward to a quick but thoughtful review of the business opportunities.”

Ashley was also pleased that the government has confirmed that the ICF will not face a potential tax liability of $4.5 million flowing from its acquisition of the rail corridor in 2006.

Ashley spoke to the current condition of the rail corridor saying that the deteriorated state of the tracks currently impairs VIA passenger service and means only light freight is hauled at slower speeds. Investment in the rail corridor is urgently needed in order to prevent any future service disruptions. ICF, through its operator, Southern Railway of Vancouver Island (SVI), currently operates limited freight traffic on the corridor, as well as a daily VIA Rail passenger service between Victoria and Courtenay. ICF and SVI continue to work together to provide interim service and to develop a long term agreement to support a stable, viable rail service for Island communities.

Ashley spoke to the strength of support for rail on the Island. “Rail renewal is a vision that’s shared by the thousands of supporters who have signed up to become Friends of the Corridor and the many First Nations, businesses, Mayors and councils, as well as economic development, tourism and community groups. They understand the role increased rail will play in preserving our environment and helping the Island economy.”

The ICF vision is for the ICF, the province and Ottawa to cost-share the upgrades, which will be spread over five years.

“The economic benefits of a viable rail structure are unassailable. There is strong support for a variety of rail-based projects, which can only be feasible if we have a profitable rail freight operation. If the rail line upgrading proceeds, the benefits to the Island economy will flow. There’s no question about that”, Ashley said.

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NOTE TO EDITORS – ICF Co-chair Mary Ashley will be available for interviews about the ICF’s Rail Renewal Campaign on November 27. To schedule an interview, please call Dave Traynor at 250-727-7464.

For more information contact:
Dave Traynor, Acumen Communications Group
250-727-7464 (office)
250-516-6232 (mobile)
dave@acumenpr.ca

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The ICF is a partnership of First Nations, five regional and 14 municipal governments which created the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) and took ownership of the $366 million rail corridor asset in 2006 on behalf of the people and communities of Vancouver Island. Under an agreement with ICF, SVI will continue to act as the rail operator for both freight and passenger services. VIA Rail, which offers the current passenger service, is fully supportive of the Coalition’s plan.

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