The provincial government says it intends to keep the historic rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House under public ownership, even as a federal process that could see the line discontinued moves forward.
In a statement released Monday, Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth said the province has stayed in close contact with CN Rail, local communities and industry groups since the company began the federal railway discontinuance process in July 2025.
“This corridor has long connected communities and supported economic activity throughout British Columbia,” Farnworth said, adding that he knows “communities, businesses, tourism operators and workers along the rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House are looking for certainty about what comes next.”
The first stage of CN’s advance notice period wrapped up on July 11, clearing the way for the company to advertise the line to other operators interested in taking over its operating rights, a required step before CN can proceed further with discontinuance. CN has not run freight service on this stretch of track since 2020, though the company remains responsible for maintaining the infrastructure while the federal process unfolds.
Farnworth noted the corridor’s lands and infrastructure belong to the BC Railway Company, a provincial Crown corporation. “Our government is committed to protecting the long-term public interest,” he said. “We intend to keep this rail corridor in public hands for the benefit of British Columbians.”
He said the ministry and BC Rail have been talking with industry partners about the line’s future potential, describing it as “more than infrastructure” and “an asset that could support future goods movement, strengthen supply chains, connect communities and create economic opportunities throughout the region,” provided a commercially viable operation can be established.
The minister said the province will keep working with CN, local communities and First Nations, and will share updates as the process continues.
One way to make this corridor “…an asset that could … connect communities and create economic opportunities throughout the region” would be to turn it into one of the most amazing long-distance rail trails on the planet.
People would flock to it from all over the planet.