The petition to Restore Island Rail is nearly at 25,000 supporters!

As you might recall the BC Government made $18 million available to Regional Districts and First Nations to work on a shared vision for the Vancouver Island Rail Corridor. Through 2024 the CVRD and the ACRD held public engagements and hired contractors and consultants to help make an informed decision.

While the ACRD still says their report will be in the "Spring of 2025," the CVRD has updated the Plan Your Cowichan website with a delivery date of 26 February 2025 for a report to the board. We haven't seen anything from the Capital, Nanaimo, or Comox Valley Regional Districts yet, but the BC Government has extended the time for them to engage another year. 

Those that are knowledgeable about the railway know that it can, and does, provide utilities to communities, and it can be the foundation for transit oriented development as we continue to grow in population breaking a million before 2030.  The corridor already has 65km of trails beside it and growing, and it can be moving people and freight via train.

The CVRD's report will be the first hint of what is to come, so let's cross our fingers that they still see the potential of the railway and all its benefits.

We still have until 31 Dec 2025 to grow the petition.  Once all the work is done, we will need a strong unified voice to ensure it gets funded!

Please share, continue to care, and promote the petition however you can!  Much love goes out to everyone that has been helping raise awareness. 

Petitioner,
Warren Skaalrud