WEDNESDAY
June 29, 2011
A division of
Vol. 26 No. 51
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COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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ANNIVERSARY
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NCE 1986
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
Premier announces railway funding
THE MUSIC BIZ
Scott Stanfield
and Infrastructure will contribute up to $500,000 for an engineering inspection on the condition of E&N passenger rail service is about 40 rail bridges and trestles back on track because the province on the line. The balance of $7 is providing $7.5 million, Premier million will help the ICF, which owns the railChristy Clark way, repair announced the track and Tuesday in ensure pasNanaimo, in The E&N rail line has been in senger safety. response to operation on Vancouver Island for The $7 mila $15-million 125 years. lion, however, request for • It runs 225 km, between Victoria and Courtenay. is conditional essential • Before passenger service was upon the final repairs from suspended earlier this spring, service bridge inspecthe Island consisted of one self-powered pastion and ICF Corridor senger car running daily between Victoria and Courtenay and a freight matching the Foundation. service. other $7.5 “This is a • Freight service on the line continmillion — great day for ues to operate. which will Va n c o u v e r • The railway is owned by the ICF and operated under contract by the come from the Island,” Clark SRVI. VIA Rail owns the passenger federal govsaid. “Vancar equipment and provides ticketing ernment — couver Island services. that it needs mayors have • The ICF is a partnership of First Nations, five regional districts and 14 to ensure all told us loud municipalities. repairs are and clear • The governments of Canada and completed that this rail British Columbia assisted in the creand passenservice supation of the ICF by allowing CP Rail to donate the corridor to the ICF as a ger train serports their charitable donation. vice can safely economies • In 2008, the Province forgave resume. by creating $4.5 million of taxes owed by the ICF “Not only jobs, which in when it acquired the railway corridor and contributed $500,000 to a study is the E&N turn supports of the future viability of the E&N rail an important many famiservice, which was released in July part of the lies along the 2010. heritage of route.” the Island, She described the corridor as a “treasure but its role in transporting agricultural products and other for every single citizen.” Funding will be provided in freight is vital to many people and businesses,” Comox Valley two parts. The Ministry of Transportation MLA Don McRae said. Record Staff
QUICK FACTS
Musicians came to learn lessons about the business. ■ B1
CANADA DAY
PROVISIONAL FUNDING announced today means this scene might return to the Courtenay train station someday. FILE PHOTO Courtenay Mayor Greg Phelps represents the Comox Valley Regional District on the ICF board. Though he appreciates the province is stepping to the table with $500,000, he is concerned about the other money that is contingent on the federal government. “What we have right now is a promise, and a promise doesn’t
Posties legislated back to work Record Staff Letter carriers are expected back on the job this week after the Senate approved Sunday a bill ordering locked-out Canada Post workers back to their jobs. The government tabled back-to-work legislation last Monday after Canada Post locked out the union in the midst of rotating strikes that began early in the month. The legislation provides members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers slightly lower
wages than the last offer from Canada Post. Talks between the two sides collapsed last Wednesday, and in a last-ditch effort Saturday. The union started rotating strike action June 3 after eight months of failed negotiations. The main issues, according to CUPW, are unsafe work methods, a 22-per-cent wage reduction for new hires and the elimination of a short-term disability plan. Canada Post says changes are necessary due to declining letter volumes — 17 per cent per household in the past five years — and a $3.2 billion pension shortfall.
build a railway,” said Phelps, noting North Island MP John Duncan and Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney have advocated on behalf of the ICF. “But until we actually have a commitment from them, we still only have $500,000,” Phelps said. “I hate to say it, but show me the money. We need the commitment of our other partner in there.” The rail operator, Southern Railway on Vancouver Island, suspended passenger train service in the spring when it determined the line was no longer safe and funding was not available to make repairs. Inspections identified decaying wooden rail ties, worn or loose bolts and vegetation overgrowth. The E&N rail line has operated on Vancouver Island for 125 years. It runs 225 kilometres between Victoria and Courtenay. Before passenger service was suspended, there was a self-powered passenger car running daily and a freight service. The latter continues to operate.
There are so many Canada Day festivities in the Comox Valley that there aren’t enough hours in the day to fit everything in July 1. Simms Millennium Park is the scene on Thursday evening of a night-before concert starring Chevy Ray and the Fins. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Thousands of people will enjoy the main event Friday. For details, see a four-page wrap around today’s B section as well as a four-page pullout section starting on B11.
FINDER ■ Lottery
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■ Editorial
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