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Big News on the South Island!

Capital Regional District pledges decade-old $1.7M grant to Island Reconciliation Corridor initiative.

The Capital Regional District will put $1.7 million toward the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative, subject to establishment of a new grant agreement setting out the appropriate terms and conditions, including reporting and payment provisions. 

The initiative is eligible for the funding, the board agreed during its March 11 meeting. It was decided that the CAO and board chair will finalize the agreement. 

The Island Rail Corridor (formerly known as the E&N Rail Corridor) is a route just shy of 300 kilometres running between Victoria and Courtenay with connections between Parksville and Port Alberni, and to the Nanaimo waterfront. The reconciliation initiative, announced in December 2025, is a shared commitment to look at the corridor through the leadership and rights of the Kosapsum (Esquimalt Nation) and Songhees Nation – exploring passenger rail service between Victoria and Langford.

In 2012, the CRD board set aside $1.2 million gathered over three years from 2013 to 2015 under the grant in aid service specifically for capital upgrades to the Island Corridor rail line, operated by the Island Corridor Foundation. The fund was intended for a conditional grant that required capital commitments from other Vancouver Island local governments, as well as a railway operator agreement. It didn’t come to fruition and has long since expired. Held in surplus for future, unspecified regional grants, the fund is now $1.7 million.

In February, Island Corridor Foundation representatives updated on the Reconciliation Corridor Initiative, including an update on work underway; a summary of next steps; and a grant request. The fund is anticipated to support project coordination work, advance a full technical feasibility study, and obtain federal financial contributions. The Island Corridor initiative is reconciliation in action, said director Barb Desjardins, who ultimately made the motion.

“Kosapsum, Esquimalt, have ideas for their land and they need to have our understanding and have this work move forward so they can realize what their potential is, or if there’s another direction they have to go,” she said, noting the work will help inform the entire region on future transportation potential. “This is maybe about using or losing this corridor.”

Thanks for your help in progressing a vision for this vital transportation corridor!

Petitioner,
Warren Skaalrud