More than 30 people turned out for a 'Restoration of the Railway' rally at the Cowichan Valley Museum earlier today.

The message at the rally was one of encouragement, as Spokesperson for the E and N roundtable Jack Peake urged those in attendance to send letters to the provincial and federal governments, pushing for the recommissioning of a passenger rail service from Nanaimo to Langford and Victoria.

Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley referenced the massive delays on the Malahat last week as one of the main reasons alternative modes of transportation are now in the spotlight.

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The main message from the rally took was a call to action.

Peake urged those in attendance to write letters and call the provincial and federal governments about the need for a rail service.

Construction projects on the Malahat and MacKenzie Interchange are north of $110 million dollars combined and Peake says a rail service makes way more sense and costs less.

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Routley says BC Ferries is looking at the feasibility of a ferry from Mill Bay to Swartz Bay.

That ferry service would connect with bus service, taking people into Victoria.

Routley says Premier John Horgan is committed to addressing this problem, but as it stands right now, there is no business plan in place.

The post Rail Advocates Push for Alternative to Malahat appeared first on My Cowichan Valley Now.

Our local M.P. recently pushed Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Dominic Leblanc to make good on his promise to protect local communities from climate change through green infrastructure funding.

Cowichan-Malahat-Langford M.P., Alistair MacGregor is pushing for the Trudeau Government to protect local communities from climate change.

While in the House of Commons MacGregor addressed a number of issues surrounding the challenges brought on by the low water levels and subsequent threats to salmon populations that is a reality in the area.

MacGregor says many groups, including the Cowichan Valley Regional District and Cowichan Tribes, have come together and are partnering in the quest to get the funding to build a new weir.

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Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Terry Beech says the federal government is working with many partners in the hopes of finding a solution to the problems this outdated infrastructure is causing.

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MacGregor says a number of groups, including Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are coming together in an effort to find a solution to problems associated with the weir.

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Beech says the federal government is looking for the best long-term solution that addresses the issues central to the Cowichan watershed.

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Beech adds that other priorities and investments are underway on the Cowichan River, including salmon stock assessment projects and habitat restoration.

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