Latest news with #PatrickWeiler
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Push for regional train system in B.C.'s Lower Mainland gaining traction
Support for a regional train system in B.C.'s Lower Mainland is increasing a month after CN Rail announced it would be pulling out of its operations in the Sea-to-Sky region. CN Rail's decision to move out of the corridor between Squamish and Exeter, B.C., just northwest of 100 Mile House, led local MP Patrick Weiler to call for a return of passenger rail service, and the region's MLA Jeremy Valeriote is joining those calls. In addition, Mountain Valley Express (MVX), a local advocacy organization, said it's time for Metro Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland to be connected via regional trains, bringing back a commuter service that was delivered through interurban trams in the 1950s. "We estimate that between Abbotsford and downtown Vancouver, that regional rail will take only about 45 minutes," said Lee Haber, MVX's director of strategy and partnerships. "And, of course, this is going to be much more reliable than driving on Highway 1," he added. "If you want people to use transit, you have got to make sure that it's competitive with driving, and if you can do that, people will use it."MVX, which is funded by private and public donations, calculated in a 2023 report that it would cost around $10 billion to build a 350-km regional rail network that would connect the South Coast from Whistler to Chilliwack and most places in between. Metro Vancouver is lagging behind comparable regions like Brisbane, Australia, when it comes to regional rail, Haber said, adding he's already spoken to provincial and local officials about the proposal. WATCH | The feasibility of regional trains on the South Coast: "Regional rail trains go up to 160 km/h, whereas the SkyTrain is limited to only about 80 km/h," he said. "So it's really serving those longer-distance trips, which existing forms of transit aren't really designed to serve." Haber said a regional train system would be viable, whether it is provincially-run, privately-backed or through a First Nations joint venture, and that local leaders and the public at large support the initiative. Region used to have interurban trams In the early 1900s, the Lower Mainland used to be connected by five interurban tram lines — a fully electric service, run by the B.C. Electric Railway Company, that carted passengers to and from downtown Vancouver all the way to Chilliwack. "It was this really incredible time of transportation, that didn't happen just here in the Vancouver region, it happened right across North America," said Gabrielle Sharp, the museum co-ordinator at the Steveston Tram in Richmond, B.C. "But it seemed to last particularly long here because it really suited our our lifestyle and the geography." The Steveston Tram preserves one of the cars used in the heyday of interurban transit in the Lower Mainland, complete with era-appropriate decor and lighting. But Sharp said the system was dismantled after the Second World War in the 1950s due to a number of factors, including expensive tram maintenance and newly-affluent people moving to the suburbs and buying cars. "Oil companies and motor car companies came together, and they pressured governments to say, basically: 'Rails were the way ... of the past and roads and buses and cars, they were the way of the future,'" she said. "So governments were convinced to to do away with rails." Haber said that it was important to preserve some of the disused train lines and corridors in B.C., and undo the mistakes made in the post-Second World War era when it came to transportation and land development. "I think we have a long ways to go until we're competing with the most livable cities in the world, such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam ... and I think part of that is going to involve realizing some of these corridors, that we used to use and abandoned," he said. MLA wants more public transit Jeremy Valeriote, the MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and interim leader of the B.C. Green Party, said a new rail line specifically in the Sea-to-Sky region would be taken up very favourably by residents. He said there was a dire need for commuter service between Squamish and Pemberton, especially to alleviate congestion along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. But he cautioned that it would be a year before CN Rail advertises the line and offers it for lease, and it could take a minimum of three to five years for a proponent to bring forward a passenger rail proposal there. "This train opportunity is a great thing and I'm excited about it, and many other people are, but it is really medium- to long-term," he said adding more transit to the Sea-to-Sky corridor was part of a list of priorities when the governing B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens signed a co-operation agreement last December. He is pushing the province for a commuter bus service in the area and said he hoped ferries and trains would eventually create more commuting options in the region. "Rail is kind of a separate and nice to have," he said. "It would have a huge impact on tourists and some commuters, but it's kind of a separate thing that should really come ... after getting buses on the road."
CBC
04-08-2025
- Business
- CBC
Push for regional train system in B.C.'s Lower Mainland gaining traction
Support for a regional train system in B.C.'s Lower Mainland is increasing a month after CN Rail announced it would be pulling out of its operations in the Sea-to-Sky region. CN Rail's decision to move out of the corridor between Squamish and Exeter, B.C., just northwest of 100 Mile House, led local MP Patrick Weiler to call for a return of passenger rail service, and the region's MLA Jeremy Valeriote is joining those calls. In addition, Mountain Valley Express (MVX), a local advocacy organization, said it's time for Metro Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland to be connected via regional trains, bringing back a commuter service that was delivered through interurban trams in the 1950s. "We estimate that between Abbotsford and downtown Vancouver, that regional rail will take only about 45 minutes," said Lee Haber, MVX's director of strategy and partnerships. "And, of course, this is going to be much more reliable than driving on Highway 1," he added. "If you want people to use transit, you have got to make sure that it's competitive with driving, and if you can do that, people will use it." WATCH | Advocates say regional rail is viable in Lower Mainland: B.C. group proposes railway to connect most of the South Coast 8 months ago MVX, which is funded by private and public donations, calculated in a 2023 report that it would cost around $10 billion to build a 350-km regional rail network that would connect the South Coast from Whistler to Chilliwack and most places in between. Metro Vancouver is lagging behind comparable regions like Brisbane, Australia, when it comes to regional rail, Haber said, adding he's already spoken to provincial and local officials about the proposal. WATCH | The feasibility of regional trains on the South Coast: How plausible is a Sea-to-Sky or Lower Mainland rail system? 2 days ago CN Rail says it intends to discontinue operations between Squamish and 100 Mile House. And that's renewed talks of re-establishing a commuter train along that stretch. Early Edition story producer Caroline Chan looks into how plausible it is to run a regional railway, not only in the Sea-to-Sky region but also around the Lower Mainland. "Regional rail trains go up to 160 km/h, whereas the SkyTrain is limited to only about 80 km/h," he said. "So it's really serving those longer-distance trips, which existing forms of transit aren't really designed to serve." Haber said a regional train system would be viable, whether it is provincially-run, privately-backed or through a First Nations joint venture, and that local leaders and the public at large support the initiative. Region used to have interurban trams In the early 1900s, the Lower Mainland used to be connected by five interurban tram lines — a fully electric service, run by the B.C. Electric Railway Company, that carted passengers to and from downtown Vancouver all the way to Chilliwack. "It was this really incredible time of transportation, that didn't happen just here in the Vancouver region, it happened right across North America," said Gabrielle Sharp, the museum co-ordinator at the Steveston Tram in Richmond, B.C. "But it seemed to last particularly long here because it really suited our our lifestyle and the geography." The Steveston Tram preserves one of the cars used in the heyday of interurban transit in the Lower Mainland, complete with era-appropriate decor and lighting. But Sharp said the system was dismantled after the Second World War in the 1950s due to a number of factors, including expensive tram maintenance and newly-affluent people moving to the suburbs and buying cars. "Oil companies and motor car companies came together, and they pressured governments to say, basically: 'Rails were the way ... of the past and roads and buses and cars, they were the way of the future,'" she said. "So governments were convinced to to do away with rails." Haber said that it was important to preserve some of the disused train lines and corridors in B.C., and undo the mistakes made in the post-Second World War era when it came to transportation and land development. "I think we have a long ways to go until we're competing with the most livable cities in the world, such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam ... and I think part of that is going to involve realizing some of these corridors, that we used to use and abandoned," he said. MLA wants more public transit Jeremy Valeriote, the MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and interim leader of the B.C. Green Party, said a new rail line specifically in the Sea-to-Sky region would be taken up very favourably by residents. He said there was a dire need for commuter service between Squamish and Pemberton, especially to alleviate congestion along the Sea-to-Sky Highway. But he cautioned that it would be a year before CN Rail advertises the line and offers it for lease, and it could take a minimum of three to five years for a proponent to bring forward a passenger rail proposal there. "This train opportunity is a great thing and I'm excited about it, and many other people are, but it is really medium- to long-term," he said. WATCH | CN Rail to pull out of Sea-to-Sky region: CN Rail to end operations from Squamish to 100 Mile House, B.C. 11 days ago Valeriote said adding more transit to the Sea-to-Sky corridor was part of a list of priorities when the governing B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens signed a co-operation agreement last December. He is pushing the province for a commuter bus service in the area and said he hoped ferries and trains would eventually create more commuting options in the region. "Rail is kind of a separate and nice to have," he said. "It would have a huge impact on tourists and some commuters, but it's kind of a separate thing that should really come ... after getting buses on the road."
CBC
23-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
MP wants passenger rail in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region as CN Rail pulls out
The MP representing B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region wants to see passenger rail introduced in the booming region north of Vancouver, just weeks after CN Rail said it intends to discontinue its operations in the area. CN Rail is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a portion of B.C.'s rail network between Squamish and Exeter, just northwest of 100 Mile House. On July 11, the national rail operator said it provided notice of its intent to discontinue those operations, potentially opening the door for another operator of the railway line that is ultimately governed by the province. While the announcement potentially jeopardizes an existing long-haul passenger service, the local MP and two mayors say it opens the door for commuter service in a rapidly-growing region and the option to ensure its resiliency going forward. "I would say that Highway 99 is very much at capacity. We're seeing major congestion. We're seeing frequent, often fatal crashes in the area," said West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler. "And it's having a major impact on the communities — not just in the Sea-to-Sky, but actually all the way down to creating congestion into Metro Vancouver. So ... there is a major need for alternative transportation options." Weiler said the Sea-to-Sky region, which has been seeing an influx of residents ever since Highway 99 was expanded for the 2010 Olympics, has had its population grow by 60 per cent since then. He said the region had regular passenger rail until 23 years ago, when provincial Crown corporation B.C. Rail ended operations. A year later, the then-B.C. Liberal government leased much of the province's operations to CN Rail. Weiler said that the time was ripe for passenger rail in the area, given the existing infrastructure and the growth in the Sea-to-Sky region. "That would have a huge impact — whether that's people commuting, tourists being able to visit, and otherwise," he told Amy Bell, guest host of CBC's On The Coast. "And with this news of CN deciding that they want to discontinue the operations, it gives a year for people to come forward with ideas on how to do that." Weiler noted that adding more transit to the Sea-to-Sky corridor was part of a list of priorities when the governing B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens signed a co-operation agreement last December. "The region's been studied to death about what exactly needs to be done," the Liberal MP said. "We just really need to see some action right now." A spokesperson for B.C.'s Transportation Ministry said it would review CN's decision before considering its options. Long-haul service could be in jeopardy One passenger rail service already exists in the Sea-to-Sky area, but not on a commuter route. The Rocky Mountaineer operates a luxury long-haul rail service called the Rainforest to Gold Rush route from North Vancouver to Whistler and further on to Quesnel, B.C., and then Jasper, Alta. A spokesperson for the company said it was aware of CN's decision to eventually discontinue its operations in the Sea-to-Sky region. "CN is responsible for maintaining the rail infrastructure along this route, including the rail, ties, bridges, and vegetation control," they wrote. "Without CN's management of the rail line, we would be unable to travel on the route." The spokesperson added that the company was reviewing its long-term options along the route, but the 2026 season of the long-haul train service would proceed as planned. Mayors want conversations to happen Jack Crompton, the mayor of Whistler, said that the loss of the Rocky Mountaineer would constitute a loss of a "tremendous tourism partner" for the resort municipality. He said, however, that CN's decision to pull out of the corridor represented a big opportunity for the Sea-to-Sky region and that Whistler was paying close attention to what would happen next. "Recreation is important, but for us, commuting and ground transportation is number one as it relates to this decision," he said. Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford noted that the district has a major history of railway travel, with the Railway Museum of B.C. located there. He said that it was important to ensure continued rail access to Squamish's port, which served as a critical route to transport cargo during the 2021 floods in southwest B.C. "I think it's really important that we maintain operational status there, because this line does run through some incredibly challenging terrain," he said. "And if the maintenance drops off, I think the fear is that it just will become cost prohibitive to reinitiate the service." WATCH | CN Rail looks to pull out of B.C. region: CN Rail to end operations from Squamish to 100 Mile House, B.C. 8 hours ago A major railway has announced plans to end part of its operations by discontinuing its route north from Squamish till 100 Mile House. As CBC's Amelia John reports, there are now questions and concerns about the future of the tracks in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region.
The Province
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Province
Federal Election Day: Liberal incumbents make victory speeches in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky
Patrick Weiler and Jonathan Wilkinson, the Liberal incumbents in two North Shore ridings, made victory speeches Monday night, with a large number of polls showing they had been re-elected Liberal incumbent Jonathan Wilkinson arrived about 7:30 p.m. at his election-watch party at a Lonsdale Quay hotel in the North Vancouver-Capilano riding, where supporters were feeling cautiously optimistic. Photo by Lori Culbert / PNG The Liberal incumbents in the two North Shore ridings made victory speeches Monday night, with a large number of polls showing they had been re-elected. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'It's an amazing feeling,' said Patrick Weiler, projected-elected in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky. In the neighbouring riding of North Vancouver-Capilano, projected-elected incumbent Jonathan Wilkinson said: 'This is a good day to be a Liberal, and a good day to be Canadian.' With 230 of 231 polls reporting, Weiler had 37,468 votes compared with 20,726 for his Conservative rival. Wilkinson had garnered 36,487 votes compared to 20,722 for his Conservative challenger with 218 of 219 polls counted. Over the past few decades, the two North Shore ridings have swung back and forth between electing Tories and Grits, but have both been painted red since former prime minister Justin Trudeau swept into power in 2015. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At Liberal incumbent Jonathan Wilkinson's election-watch party at a Lonsdale Quay hotel in the North Vancouver-Capilano riding, Chuck Wootten writes a message of support on a giant Wilkinson sign. Photo: Lori Culbert This is a fourth term for Wilkinson, who has been federal environment minister and natural resources minister. He noted that not long ago people wouldn't have bet on the Liberals to form a fourth government, although it appeared late Monday to be another minority. He said Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney is 'enormously capable' to lead Canada at this time of tariff and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. 'I think Canadians made the right decision this evening … This is the best country in the world and it's worth defending,' Wilkinson said. 'The challenges we've had with President Trump have built a renewed sense of what it's like to be a Canadian.' There are other issues, though, that are important to Canadians that the next government will need to address, including climate change, housing and health care, Wilkinson added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Before this wave of red, the riding see-sawed back and forth between electing Conservatives and Liberals since at least 1988. Challengers to Wilkinson, a Rhodes Scholar who ran clean technology companies, included: new Conservative candidate Stephen Curran, a lawyer; new Green flagbearer Andrew Robinson, a sustainability consultant in the film industry; and BCIT instructor and climate activist Tammy Bentz, who ran for the NDP in 2021 too. West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Weiler took this riding in a nail-biter race in 2021, but he won by a much wider margin this time. He attributed the win to a successful ground game in his large riding, which stretches from urban West Vancouver to smaller communities up the Sea to Sky highway, including Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I'm going to be the MP for everybody in this diverse riding, whether people voted for me or not,' he said Monday night. He identified key issues in his riding as affordable housing, transportation challenges and fighting climate change. He insisted he could be affective at addressing those, even as a member of a minority government. He noted past Liberal minority governments have worked with other parties to get things done in Ottawa. 'I think we can find a dance partner if it is a minority,' he said. Weiler's 2021 victory was the third straight for the Grits in this riding. Weiler, a lawyer, was challenged by new candidates, who include: Conservative Keith Roy, a realtor; 18-year-old Gibsons resident Jager Rosenberg for the NDP; and the Greens' Lauren Greenlaw, a Squamish councillor. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. lculbert@ Read more of our federal election coverage in these B.C. ridings: • Vancouver Centre; Vancouver East; Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby; Vancouver Granville; Vancouver Kingsway; and Vancouver Quadra • Delta; Richmond Centre-Marpole; Richmond East-Steveston • Fleetwood-Port Kells; South Surrey-White Rock; Surrey Centre; and Surrey Newton • Abbotsford-South Langley; and Mission-Matsqui-Abbotsford • Cloverdale-Langley City; and Langley Township-Fraser Heights • North Vancouver-Capilano; and West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky • Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam; Port Moody-Coquitlam; and Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge • Burnaby-Central; Burnaby North-Seymour; and New West-Burnaby-Mallairdville • Vancouver Island • Rest of B.C. and beyond Read More
Vancouver Sun
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Federal Election Day: Boundary change in North and West Vancouver means new mix of voters to decide
Article content It's election day across Canada and B.C. residents in North and West Vancouver are heading to the polls to choose new MPs to represent them in the ridings of: Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Over the past few decades, the two North Shore ridings have swung back and forth between electing Conservatives and Liberals, but have both been painted red since former prime minister Justin Trudeau swept into power in 2015. Article content The two Liberal incumbents are running again to try to hold their seats, this time against new challengers from the Tories and most of the other parties. The path to victory in 2025, though, will be different: Both the West Van and North Van riding boundaries were changed in 2022, meaning there is a new mix of voters in each district deciding who will represent them in Ottawa. Article content Article content Article content Liberal Patrick Weiler took this riding in a nail-biter race in 2021, with his narrow victory declared days after residents finished voting because his win depended on the counting of mail-in ballots. Article content He captured 21,470 votes, compared with 19,062 for Conservative John Weston. The NDP candidate tallied 16,262, with just 4,113 for the Greens. Article content Weiler's 2021 victory was the third straight for the Grits in this riding, which was previously held by the Conservative's Weston from 2008 to 2015. Article content This time, however, a significant chunk of the riding has been carved out — the easternmost corner, which includes Park Royal Mall and the Ambleside business and residential districts. That was done to make way for the expanding population in the riding's communities north of West Vancouver, such as Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
