BC’s Minister of Transportation and Transit issued a statement on Monday (July 13) regarding the rail line between Squamish and 100 Mile House.
Mike Farnworth stated that it is committed to keep the rail corridor in public ownership.
“This corridor has long connected communities and supported economic activity throughout British Columbia. Since CN Rail initiated the federal railway discontinuance process in July 2025, we have remained engaged with the company, communities and industry partners.”
Farnworth went on to say that he knows communities, businesses, tourism operators and workers along the rail corridor are looking for certainty about what comes next.
“The first phase of the advance notice period concluded on July 11, 2026, and CN can now advertise the railway line for interested operators to take it over should they chose to proceed with the next step in the federal discontinuance process. CN will inform the province if they decide to move forward with that step.”
He says in the meantime, they will continue to engage with CN.
Farnworth says the lands and rail infrastructure are owned by the BC Railway Company, a Crown corporation, and they intent to keep this rail corridor in public hands for the benefit of British Columbians.
“Although CN has not used this section of the corridor for freight operations since 2020, it remains an important asset with potential future value for communities along the route. CN remains responsible for maintaining the rail infrastructure throughout the federal process.”
Farnworth says the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and the BC Railway Company have been engaging with industry partners to better understand future opportunities for the corridor.
“This rail line is more than infrastructure; it is an asset that could support future goods movement, strengthen supply chains, connect communities and create economic opportunities throughout the region provided commercially viable operations can be established.”
A group of Mayors along the corridor, including those here in the Cariboo, have formed a committee that hired the Northern Development Initiative Trust that then hired a consultant to find a short line hauler for it.
One of Quesnel’s specific concerns is the Rocky Mountaineer service that has been suspended for 2027.
It needs the line to remain open to be able to have an overnight stay in Quesnel.
