WHEREAS railway dedication or rights of way in urban areas provide excellent opportunities to develop multi-use pathways or trails for alternate, active and green transportation; AND WHEREAS feasibility studies have shown that these multi-use pathways can be developed safely so as not to cause significant conflicts with the routine operation of the rail system; AND WHEREAS the development of off-road multi-use pathways for non-motorized vehicles is in the interest of all levels of governments to reduce motor vehicle use, improve the health of Canadian citizens and reduce emissions from transportation which contributes to climate change; AND WHEREAS these multi-use pathways on active rail corridors are referred to as Rails-with-Trails corridors: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial and federal governments be asked to support joint-use agreements with railway companies for Rails-with-Trails corridors; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government be asked to undertake legislative amendments to the Canadian Transportation Act to recognize the need for parallel corridors to be provided within rail rights of way and authorize provincial and local governments to apply to the Canadian Transportation Agency, in absence of agreement with the railway company for authority to place trails within rail rights of way.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE THE ARTS Rails with Trails differs from Rails to Trails projects by aligning transportation trails within active rail rights of way. The City of Kelowna received funding from the LocalMotion Provincial program which allowed construction of the first phase of a Rails with Trails Project in cooperation with CN Rail. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced its commitment to cost share the design and construction of Phase 3 of the project The Province supports inter-government collaboration on developing a sustainable recreation and transportation trail network in B.C. as described in the draft Trails Strategy for BC. Provincial support for Rails with Trails would be considered where all parties are in agreement and the trail can safely be accommodated along the rail corridor. Prior to supporting a request to the Federal government for amendments to the Canada Transportation Act, the Province would require a more detailed examination of the effectiveness of any proposed amendments.
Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific places a great deal of importance on its relationships with municipalities across the country and in particular in British Columbia. We interact with municipalities in many different ways, always with a view toward positive outcomes for the municipalities, their residents, the company and the public at large. However, in the case of resolution B17, CP cannot offer support for what, unfortunately, is a flawed approach. The resolution is based on a view that multi-use pathways, within rail corridors, can be developed safely and would not cause significant conflicts with railway operations. This is not an accurate basis for the recommendations in your resolution. There are a number of reasons why we have defined rail rights of way but the most important of those is the safety of both the public and rail employees. Safety is the most important consideration in decision-making at CP and the UBCM resolution, if implemented, would create an unacceptable environment for safe railway operations by bringing municipal residents in too close contact with day to day rail operations. Recent work by the federal governments Rail Safety Act Review Panel reaffirmed the need, where possible, to minimize the risks of proximity when trains and people interact. In addition, railway rights of way are critical to meeting the needs for future infrastructure improvements to ensure the ability to meet customer demand. CP is not in a position to remove assets from our rights of way for alternate uses such as bike paths on a general basis. Our future planning needs will be compromised, which will erode our ability to meet the needs of our customers looking to compete successfully in a very competitive global marketplace. The benefits to BC from a trade perspective require us to continuously plan for growth based on initiatives like the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. Preserving our rights of way is essential to meeting this objective. Trade growth and economic expansion require growth in the transportation corridor. While consumer goods and bulk products can move by truck on provincial highways and roads, these same products can be transported by rail in a very efficient way. Efficiencies are such that some trains can replace as many as 250 trucks.