Mayors from Squamish and 100 Mile House in British Columbia urge the preservation of the railway connecting the South Coast to the Interior. CN Rail handles maintenance on the line from Squamish to Exeter, northwest of 100 Mile House. In July 2025, the company notified regulators of its plan to end operations on this segment.
100 Mile House Builds Business Case for Rail Future
100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney leads efforts with nearby municipalities to develop a strong business case for the line. The town has engaged a consultant to explore viable options. “Rail is safer, it’s more efficient, and we really need to save this rail line and find some new providers,” Pinkney stated.
The route passes through an industrial park in 100 Mile House, supporting sectors like forestry. Although the oriented strand board plant closed in 2019 and West Fraser shuttered its lumber mill late last year, Pinkney highlights untapped fibre resources. “We are definitely open to some other kinds of fibre uses, whether that’s pellet plants or some kind of biodiesel,” she added.
Pinkney notes that industrial land in the area offers affordability compared to coastal regions, attracting small manufacturers. She also sees potential for passenger services and tourism. “It’s not just about industry, it’s about tourism, it’s about safety, getting more trucks off the road would be better for everybody, if we got back to using the rail system again,” Pinkney said.
Squamish Seeks Provincial Guidance and Community Input
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford emphasizes the district’s deep rail history as a seaport and former B.C. Rail repair hub. “A lot of our economic development work sort of highlights this aspect of having this access to international markets via the deep seaport and the rail network,” Hurford explained.
Hurford calls for stronger provincial leadership and a structured process allowing input from trackside communities. “Every community along the way has a story to tell about their interaction with the rail, either historically or their aspirations for such,” he said. “I really think it’s important that all those pieces get surfaced and an appropriate decision gets arrived at. And we don’t just leave this to a federally mandated process.”
Regulatory Process and CN Rail’s Stance
The discontinuation follows CN Rail’s decision to relinquish its long-term lease on the former B.C. Rail line north of Squamish to 100 Mile House. CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski confirmed ongoing engagement with governments, stakeholders, and customers. “As a leading supply chain enabler, CN makes operational decisions in a manner that is beneficial to both our customers and our supply chain partners,” Michnowski wrote. “Rail operations remain normal, and CN continues to serve customers and move goods to market.”
B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit requires CN to maintain tracks, ties, bridges, and vegetation during the process. Oversight falls to the federal Canadian Transportation Agency under the Canada Transportation Act. The agency notes CN amended its three-year plan on July 11, 2025, to reflect discontinuation intentions. Media relations manager Vincent Turgeon indicates that further steps would trigger a public report, including advertising the line for sale, lease, transfer, or offers to other governments.
