Push for Sea to Sky passenger rail gains steam as CN plans to halt operations

With CN Rail ending operations on its rail corridor from Squamish to 100 Mile House, some transit advocates see an opportunity.

A renewed push to bring passenger rail service to the Sea-to-Sky corridor is gaining momentum, following CN Rail’s announcement it will end freight operations along a key stretch between Squamish and 100 Mile House.

The development has prompted local politicians and advocacy groups to call on the B.C. government to act quickly, viewing the move as a rare opportunity to reclaim a long-dormant rail line that once connected the Lower Mainland to central parts of the province.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to rethink how people move between communities in this region,” said Jeremy Valeriote, Green MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky

“There’s starting to be more congestion on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, it’s reaching capacity,” Valeriote told CTV News. “There are safety issues, and crashes often close the highway for hours at a time.”

“So, this provides an alternative, and hopefully it would take some of the traffic off that highway,” he added.

The section in question was leased to CN Rail in 2004 after the province privatized BC Rail, which once operated passenger service through the region. That service was scrapped two decades ago due to financial losses, but advocates argue today’s conditions are dramatically different.

“It would help address the cost-of-living crisis by providing an affordable option. Private vehicles cost an average of $10,000 a year,” said Michelle Scarr, director of operations and strategy for Metro Vancouver Transit Riders (Movement).

In 2024, the BC NDP committed to introducing transit along the Sea to Sky Corridor as part of a confidence and supply agreement with the B.C. Green caucus.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure told CTV News it is currently reviewing CN’s plan to cease operations and has begun discussions with local governments and First Nations about the future of the corridor.

The ministry did not commit to restoring passenger rail, only said it is exploring options.