Whereas BCR Properties Ltd. owns surplus lands not required for railway and port operations and has a mandate to dispose of those lands at the highest price attainable; And whereas for many local governments, these lands can represent critical opportunities relating to diverse social, recreational, economic, environmental and infrastructure needs and purposes: Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure review and amend the mandate of BCR Properties Ltd. such that it be directed to dispose of its surplus lands with consideration to local government land needs for critical infrastructure, environmental needs, community recreation and economic development, as well as for social needs such as affordable housing lands at significantly less than fair market value prices.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Government values partnership with local governments to develop social, recreational, economic, environmental and infrastructure opportunities on public, surplus lands. BC Railway Company BCRs mandate, as a subsidiary of the Ministry, is to acquire and hold railway corridor and strategic port lands on behalf of the Province and make related infrastructure investments to provide benefits for the people of British Columbia. Through their subsidiary company, BCR Properties Ltd., BCR is also mandated to sell surplus properties commercially, at market rate. Ministry staff regularly assess BCR Properties surplus sales mandate and remaining properties in the program in consultation with BCR and BCR Properties.