Protect the Columbia Western Rail Trail (part of the TransCanada Trail)
Restore Safety, Access, and Provincial Stewardship

We, the undersigned, are calling on the Province of British Columbia to reinstate proper management of the Columbia Western Rail Trail (CWRT), also known as part of the Trans Canada Trail or Great Trail, between Castlegar and Christina Lake.

In 2019, the Province promised there would be no change in access when this section was removed from the Recreation Trail system. Today, that promise is being broken. The trail is currently designated as a non-status rail grade and is being managed to “wilderness status” by the Province—meaning there is no funding, no planning, and no preventative maintenance. While engineering staff may respond to immediate safety or environmental hazards, the lack of active management and the posting of warning signs will do nothing but deter public use and putting the trail's future at risk.

This trail is a vital part of BC’s heritage, tourism, and outdoor recreation economy. As a historically significant section of the Trans Canada Trail, it receives international recognition as a premier outdoor destination. It is also the cornerstone of significant small business investment in the region. The CWRT deserves better. Let’s be clear: this is not stewardship — it is abandonment, and it directly contradicts the Province’s past commitments made in 2019.

Once again, rural communities are expected to  showcase themselves as tourism destinations while being denied the very infrastructure that draws visitors. We cannot attract visitors or investment when the Province is quietly stepping away from its role as steward. We cannot pretend this trail is an asset if we allow it to crumble into disuse.

We urge the Province to:

1. Reinstate a management plan for the CWRT;
2. Undertake detailed engineering and geotechnical assessments of critical structures such as trestles and tunnels;
3. Provide funding for maintenance and public safety;
4. Coordinate with local communities, industry users, and recreation groups;
5. Honour its 2019 commitment to protect public access and CWRT/Great Trail continuity.

This isn’t just about trails—it’s about trust, safety, and rural equity. Don’t abandon the CWRT. Let’s work together to ensure the Columbia Western Rail Trail is not quietly lost — but rightfully restored as a core part of our shared tourism, recreation (and industry) landscape.