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Island Corridor Foundation Releases Business Case

Island Corridor Foundation recently released a Business Case highlighting detailed analysis, including data from the Provincial and Federal Governments in support of the full restoration of rail service to Vancouver Island.

The Business Case provides for the upgrading of the entire 290 km rail system on the Island, from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni. The Business Case proposes a mixed-use rail system that would have a peak hour commuter system in the Langford – Victoria corridor, inter-regional passenger service that would operate twice daily between Victoria and Courtenay, as well as freight operations on the entire system, with emphasis on key ports in Port Alberni and Nanaimo. The system will also support passenger excursion operations in the tourist market and special event transportation.

“We are very pleased to bring forward the Business Case as it defines the very real and urgent need for safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transportation options on Vancouver Island. It also demonstrates that the proposed rail system can address those needs, it is financially viable, and can be sustained for future generations” said Larry Stevenson, CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation.

The Business Case estimates the construction costs for the project to be $381 million and $50 million for the acquisition of rail equipment for a total cost of $431 million. Costing for the project is based on the 2020 Island Rail Corridor Condition Assessment updated to reflect 2023 dollars.

“The Business Case is an important step toward having rail restored to the island however there is still a lot of work to be done to make it a reality. The Business Case highlights the unresolved issues emanating from the original land grants that brought the railway to Vancouver Island. We believe the resolution of those issues is critical to bringing rail back to the Island and call on the Provincial and Federal governments to work with Island First Nations to settle those issues as part of this proposal” said Dr. Judith Sayers, Co-Chair of the Island Corridor Foundation.

The Business Case has been provided to the Provincial and Federal governments for their review and consideration with the request for the establishment of a formal working group to begin the work of bringing rail back to Vancouver Island.

The Island Corridor Foundation is a non-profit society and federally registered charity established for the purposes of owning and managing the rail corridor on Vancouver Island.

The Initial Business case can be found on the link below.

Initial Business Case – FINAL

Seaweed Days – June 2 – 8, 2022

Did you know In 2018, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) using its new designation as FTZVI, Canada’s 12th Foreign Trade Zone, developed four business cases to attract Foreign Direct Investment? The business case for Seaweed Aquaculture rose to the top of this list and was quickly pursued by a team of experts and investors to form Cascadia Seaweed Corporation, partnering with Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood LP, to bring Vancouver Island seaweed to rapidly expanding global markets.
Now the second annual Seaweed Days is scheduled for June 2 – 8, 2022!!!!

The purpose of the festival is to expand consumer acceptance of seaweed, and to leave participants feeling inspired to make a positive impact simply by inviting more seaweed into their lives!

The seven days of seaweed will open with a virtual global event called Seaweed Around the Clock and will finish with World Oceans Day.  This hybrid event will include Mindfulness Morning presented by Kove Ocean Foods.

Visit the Events Calendar to learn more about what’s happening during the seven days of seaweed!

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