Rail should be an election issue
The Island railway survey demonstrates solid support for rail service on Vancouver Island.
Of course as in any healthy debate, there will be a few highly vocal dissenters or passionate detractors. Several pleas have been made over the years to improve and restore rail service on Vancouver Island. Both federal and provincial governments have made unfulfilled promises to restore rail service or have reneged upon them. During this provincial election let’s hold the candidates accountable to make rail a reality on Vancouver Island.
Rails with trails is by far the best alternative for reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion, uniting communities, providing commuter transport for the CRD, encouraging recreational tourism and economic development, giving jobs to regions and indigenous communities. If our senior government elected officials are serious about stimulating the economy due to the pandemic; please listen to the elders, mayors and people of Vancouver Island and restore rail service.
Ron Starkie
Nanaimo