Island Rail Corridor

TOWARDS A SHARED VISION FOR THE ISLAND RAIL CORRIDOR CVRD

The CVRD is facilitating a shared vision process for the CVRD portion of the Island Rail Corridor lands (not including First Nations reserve lands bisected by the Corridor).

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has provided a grant to support the development of the shared vision process across five Regional Districts and 14 First Nations.

This shared visioning process culminates with a report which includes technical considerations, a summary of public engagement and First Nations consultation, and options and next steps.

TOWARDS A SHARED VISION: PROCESS

The CVRD is working with Stantec to develop a process towards the development of a shared vision. A final report including the following content will be shared with the CVRD Board in Spring 2025. (See Process Timeline on the right)

Key elements and objectives of this project include:

• A comprehensive technical review of rail history, climate change resilience review, environmental constraints, land use planning, transportation & mobility planning, and business case.

• Engage with First Nations bisected and impacted by the Island Rail Corridor.

• Listen to what the community has to say about a shared vision.

• Engage key community and stakeholder groups.

• Summarize the findings and present in a report and video to the CVRD Board.

TOWARDS A SHARED VISION: FIRST NATIONS & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE CVRD

The Cowichan Valley Regional District is in the traditional, unceded territories of the Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe and the Ditidaht, Pacheedaht, Halalt, Stz'uminus, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Lyackson, Malahat, and Pauquachin First Nations.

Tzinquaw Dancers

Watch the Towards a Shared Vision video HERE

The region covers an area of 3,473 km2 on Vancouver Island between Malahat/Mill Bay and North Oyster. On the western edge of the region is the Pacific Ocean; the Salish Sea sits on the region's eastern border.

There are nine electoral areas in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and four incorporated municipalities.

The electoral areas fall within the scope of the Official Community Plan (OCP) for the Electoral Areas. The OCP provides policy direction for the electoral areas within a regional planning context.

The incorporated municipalities of Duncan, North Cowichan, Ladysmith, and Lake Cowichan each have their own official community plans.

For clarity, the portion of CVRD Rail in the Electoral Areas, First Nations, and Municipalities land is as follows:

Table 1 - Length of Island Corridor in CVRD & First Nation jurisdictions

Source bisected Reserve land: Thurber Engineering Limited Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (2024)
Source Electoral Area & Municipal Lands: CVRD GIS

The Island Rail Corridor is the collection of parcels of lands that make up the Corridor, including the Victoria Subdivision, the Port Alberni Subdivision, and the Wellcox Spur. The portion within the CVRD is the Victoria Subdivision.

The CVRD will be working in collaboration with the Capital Regional District, Nanaimo Regional District, Alberni Clayoquot Regional District, Comox Valley Regional District and Malahat Nation, Cowichan Tribes, Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation, Halalt First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation and Penelakut Tribe.

Engagement in relation to the Island Rail Corridor Visioning is intended to inform involved parties on a potential shared vision and support future decision-making. The Province is committed to upholding and respecting Rights and Title as an integral part of the process.

STORY MAP

The Story Map is a visual representation of the Island Corridor. This mapping tool will help you get acquainted, at your own pace, with the Island Corridor in an interactive way. View maps of First Nations Traditional Territories, reserve lands, local government jurisdictional boundaries and land use designations.

It's an immersive resource where you can click, zoom, and explore the Island Corridor through maps and descriptions.

Click here for the Story Map which includes the following individual maps:

1. Island Corridor with First Nations Reserve Lands

2. Island Corridor with CVRD Bisecting Reserve Lands

3. First Nations Reserve Boundaries

4. First Nation Statement of Intent Boundaries

5. CVRD Official Community Plans Land Use Designations

6. CVRD Municipal & Electoral Area Boundaries

ONLINE SURVEY

Thank you to the 4000+ people who completed the survey.

The survey results will be shared in the final report presented to the CVRD Board in spring 2025..