The mayors of Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore and Banff are asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to include a passenger rail line from Calgary to Banff as one of the projects in Canada’s national interest under new federal legislation. Read More
’From Calgary’s urban heart to Canada’s first and most iconic national park, this passenger rail line will serve one of the most visited tourism corridors in the country,’ the mayors wrote
‘From Calgary’s urban heart to Canada’s first and most iconic national park, this passenger rail line will serve one of the most visited tourism corridors in the country,’ the mayors wrote
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The mayors of Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore and Banff are asking Prime Minister Mark Carney to include a passenger rail line from Calgary to Banff as one of the projects in Canada’s national interest under new federal legislation.
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A joint letter, co-signed on July 22 by mayors Jyoti Gondek, Jeff Genung, Sean Krausert and Corrie DiManno, expresses collective support for the proposed project, which envisions a hydrogen-powered passenger rail link between the Calgary International Airport and Banff. The train line would be built parallel to the existing CPKC freight rail tracks and include stops in Calgary’s downtown, on the northwest edge of the city, in Cochrane, Mini Thni and Canmore.
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Liricon Capital Ltd. and Plenary Americas are facilitating the project, which is currently under design. A memorandum of understanding has been established between Invest Alberta Corp., the province’s Transportation Ministry and the Canada Infrastructure Bank to fund 50 per cent of the project’s capital costs, with Liricon financing the rest.
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In their letter, the four mayors call themselves the “Bow Valley Corridor Alliance” and dub the passenger rail project a “transformational initiative.” They argue it is “shovel-ready” and would offer economic, environmental and social benefits upon completion.
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“This project holds national, provincial, and local significance and presents an opportunity to deliver sustainable growth, tourism expansion, climate leadershi, and reconciliation through transportation,” they write.
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“From Calgary’s urban heart to Canada’s first and most iconic national park, this passenger rail line will serve one of the most visited tourism corridors in the country. It will connect Canadians and international visitors alike with the majestic Bow Valley, while also serving the growing needs of residents and employers throughout the region.”
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Project fulfils Bill C-5 criteria, says advocate
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In June, Carney’s Liberal government passed the Building Canada Act. Known as Bill C-5, the new legislation intends to fast-track the development of nation-building projects.
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Bruce Graham, executive director of the group Friends of Calgary Airport-Banff Rail (CABR), said the rail project fulfills a lot of the criteria set out in Bill C-5. The act, which received royal assent on June 25, outlines that national interest projects should strengthen Canada’s autonomy, provide economic benefits, have a high likelihood of successful execution, advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples and contribute to clean growth, with respect to Canada’s climate-change objectives.
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