It's Island's Time - Vote for Rail - BC Green Party only party to commit to Vancouver Island Rail

We sent a list of questions to each of the political parties in the BC Election, but only the BC Green Party has committed to Vancouver Island Rail on their platform. 

We expected better from the rest! Why? There's something in it for every party... 

Economic development: Reliable rail can attract businesses, encourage investment, and help communities grow.

Jobs: Restoring and operating rail creates opportunities in construction, maintenance, operations, tourism, and supporting industries.

Reduced emissions: Moving more people and goods by rail can help reduce our dependence on roads and lower transportation emissions.

Comfort and dignity: Give Islanders another way to travel, one that offers a more comfortable, accessible and less stressful alternative to sitting in traffic.

Resilience and reliability: An additional transportation option for moving people and essential supplies when highways are congested, disrupted or closed.

Better-connected communities: Link towns, cities, ferries, airports, buses, trails and local businesses through an integrated transportation network.

A future-proof corridor: Protect a unique, publicly owned transportation asset that future generations may desperately need in an increasingly crowded and space-constrained Island.

Island Rail isn't a benefit for just one political party, one region, or one group of people. It's an opportunity to strengthen our economy, improve mobility, support communities and give Vancouver Island more options for the future.

So why wasn't rail on every party's radar?

As the transportation challenges on Vancouver Island get worse and worse, it’s concerning that only one party included support for Island Rail in its platform. The lack of clear commitments to rail overlooks a significant opportunity to address congestion, improve connectivity, and build a more sustainable transportation future, not just for Islanders, but for British Columbians, Canadians, and visitors.

We need leadership willing to consider all the solutions and to make the most of the corridor we already have.

Petitioner,
Warren Skaalrud