The mayors of Squamish and 100 Mile House, B.C., want to see the railway linking their two communities preserved.

CN Rail is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a portion of B.C.’s rail network between Squamish and Exeter, just northwest of 100 Mile House.

In July 2025, the national rail operator said it provided notice of its intent to discontinue those operations.

100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney says her town is working with several other municipalities to make a business case for the railway, and have hired a consultant to research the details.

“Rail is safer, it’s more efficient, and we really need to save this rail line and find some new providers,” she said.

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The rail line goes through an industrial park in 100 Mile House, explained Pinkney, connecting industries like forestry.

The town’s oriented strand board plant shut down in 2019 and West Fraser closed its lumber mill at the end of last year, but Pinkney said there’s still fibre that can be utilized for other wood products.

“We are definitely open to some other kinds of fibre uses, whether that’s pellet plants or some kind of biodiesel,” she said.

Industrial land in 100 Mile House is more affordable compared to the coast, according to Pinkney, who says the town is open to small manufacturers setting up shop.

Pinkney also feels there’s an opportunity for passenger service and tourism using the rail line.

“It’s not just about industry, it’s about tourism, it’s about safety, getting more trucks off the road would be better for everybody, if we got back to using the rail system again,” she said.

District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford said his community has a long history with the railway, both as a seaport and former repair hub for B.C. Rail.

“A lot of our economic development work sort of highlights this aspect of having this access to international markets via the deep seaport and the rail network,” he said.

Hurford wants better leadership from the province on the railway and is asking for a process that would allow communities along the tracks to provide input on its future.

“Every community along the way has a story to tell about about their interaction with the rail, either historically or their aspirations for such,” he said.

“I really think it’s important that all those, all those pieces get surfaced an appropriate decision gets arrived at. And we don’t just leave this to a federally mandated process.”

CN Rail spokesperson Ashley Michnowski provided a statement by email to CBC News, and said the company is maintaining engagement with government partners, key stakeholders and customers.

“As a leading supply chain enabler, CN makes operational decisions in a manner that is beneficial to both our customers and our supply chain partners,” they wrote.

“Rail operations remain normal, and CN continues to serve customers and move goods to market.”

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit says CN must maintain the route’s infrastructure while the discontinuation of service happens, including the tracks, ties, bridges, and vegetation control.

However, the process is federal, overseen by the Canadian Transportation Agency under the Canada Transportation Act.

The agency said CN Rail amended a three-year plan and progress report to reflect its intention to discontinue operations in compliance with the regulations on July 11, 2025.

Vincent Turgeon, a media relations manager for the agency says if CN takes further steps to formally discontinue operations on the line, a report should be available to the public on the process, including advertising the line for sale, lease or transfer, or offering it to other levels of government.