Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan, says the federal government is ready with its share of the 20.4 million dollar cost of the upgrades needed to restore passenger rail on Vancouver Island.
The statement from Duncan follows a similar confirmation from the province earlier this week.
The NDP had criticised the provincial announcement as meaningless without the federal money.
Despite the confirmations, the Island Corridor Foundation still needs to put the work out for bids, and show it can be done within budget.
There’s no firm timeline to get it done.
Passenger train service was suspended on the E&N more than four years ago, because of poor track conditions .
“Our Government is pleased that the Province of British Columbia has confirmed its commitment to this project. We also stand by our commitment to fund this project. The repairs to the Vancouver Island Railway will create local jobs and economic growth, re-establish important passenger rail service for Island residents, and offer another route for visitors to this beautiful region. We look forward to working with the province and Island Corridor Foundation to ensure all the remaining conditions of the funding are met so the project can begin in earnest,” said Duncan.
