Historic Agreement Reached for Vancouver Island Rail just in time for Christmas!
Warren Skaalrud
Dec 15, 2025
Vancouver Island just received a gift of hope!
On Dec 11th, 2025, the Songhees and Esquimalt (Kosapsum) Nations agreed to advance a shared vision exploring passenger rail on the Langford to Victoria section of the E&N!
The agreement establishes an indigenous led exploration of how to realign the corridor to fit the needs of the Lekwungen Nations. The partners will explore broader opportunities such as transit-oriented development and economic development opportunities for the Nations at key areas along the corridor, including on reserve lands where desirable; unused sections would be returned to the Nations. They are calling it “Reconciliation Corridor.”
Having the two First Nations express interest in the railway in such an open and public way is as exciting as it should be enlightening to the critics.
Congratulations goes to everyone involved for establishing good relationships and finding a path forward for this extremely important corridor for Vancouver Island’s future.
This agreement covers approximately 13kms of the 289km railway on Southern Vancouver Island. Let’s hope a similar agreement can be made with the Cowichan Tribes, because the next natural extension would be to bring it up to Duncan. I know, I know, and onward to Nanaimo, Courtenay and Port Alberni too!
Warren Skaalrud
Shawnigan Lake, BC
Founder – Restore Island Rail Society.
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