Who We Will Be Meeting

In our last post, we talked about the kind of research we would like to perform to advance regional rail.

Today, we're going to talk about the other vital piece to making regional rail a reality: advocacy.

There's the expression "It's not what you it's who you know" and to an extent, it applies to the work we are doing. We could have the most brilliant plans but if we're not working with people who have the power to make it happen, it won't go anywhere.

Let's go over the various actors who we will be meeting with to turn regional rail from a pipe dream to shovels in the ground.

The BC Government

The BC Government will be the ultimate approving authority of regional rail. Several of our network's corridors run on provincial highways or alongside them and provincial approval will be required. The BC Government could decide to build regional rail with its own resources if it deemed enough of a priority. Either way, regional rail doesn't happen without the Province saying "Yes".

First Nations

Regional rail could bring significant benefits to First Nations in the South Coast Region of BC. Our network passes by several First Nations communities and could greatly improve mobility for residents of these communities as well as enhance the economic development potential within these communities.

However, we believe that First Nations may have a bigger role to play than indirect beneficiaries. The development of Senakw, a property development on Squamish First Nation land, demonstrated how First Nations can accomplish things that other levels of government struggle with. Regional rail will have to overcome many political and regulatory hurdles and we believe First Nations will be key partners in making it a reality.

Rail Builders

The construction of passenger rail used to be solely the domain of government, especially in North America where the advent of intercity freeways and air travel led to the almost complete collapse of passenger rail.

However, this is changing. In recent years, companies (such as Brightline) and investment groups (such as CDPQ) have entered the mass transportation space, building systems in Florida and Montreal respectively. These organizations see passenger rail as a means of providing reliable returns for their investors. It is possible one of them may be interested in building regional rail here if they deem it a worthy investment.

Freight Rail Companies

Our proposed 342-km network has sections that run along both CN Rail and CPKC Rail corridors. It is worth reminding everyone that it is neither in the interest of freight rail nor passenger rail to have their operations conflict with each other. In most cases, regional rail would only share the corridor and not use the same tracks, though there are some exceptions.

The construction of regional rail would require reaching some agreement with these freight companies for the rail running rights.

Municipalities

It almost goes without saying that our regional rail system will be going through several cities, towns and resort municipalities (that's the point!) Municipalities control the issuing of construction permits and the structuring of development rights around station sites. Though they are not on the same level as the federal, and provincial levels of government, their approval and support certainly aid the advancement of regional rail.

MVX has already met with a few municipalities with the City of Langley recently passing a motion in support of regional rail.

Other Stakeholders

MVX will also be meeting with other key stakeholders such as chambers of commerce, institutions, agencies, crown corporations and more. Though their support may not be strictly necessary for realizing regional rail, it may help in garnering support from the actors listed above.

In late 2023, we brought on the Surrey Board of Trade, an organization that has tirelessly advocated for better transportation in the South Fraser Region.

The Bottom Line

I will end with another expression: "It takes a village to raise a child". If world-class regional rail is the vision we want to grow up into 342 km of track, ties, wires and stations, it is going to require assembling a village of actors.

We aim to bring all these villagers towards this common purpose. And we hope you can help with it.