Last weekB次元官网网址檚 federal budget didnB次元官网网址檛 divvy out funding to repair the E&N rail line, but funding could still emerge, says the MP for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.

NDP MP Randall Garrison said the federal Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities still has the $7.5 million request on its radar, but indicated B次元官网网址渇urther studyB次元官网网址� on a number of rail projects in Canada is needed.

B次元官网网址淭hey havenB次元官网网址檛 said B次元官网网址榥oB次元官网网址�, but they havenB次元官网网址檛 said B次元官网网址榶esB次元官网网址� either,B次元官网网址� Garrison said. B次元官网网址�(The money) wasnB次元官网网址檛 specified in the budget. IB次元官网网址檓 sure if it was, they would have crowed about it.B次元官网网址�

The Island Corridor Foundation has applied for $7.5 million in federal funding to match what the province has committed.

The ICF estimates $15 million could rehabilitate the 290 kilometre E&N track and fund a limited VIA rail service between Nanaimo and Vic West B次元官网网址� and a few daytime trips between Langford and downtown.

Garrison is eager to get commuter rail on track to serve hundreds of people travelling to the Esquimalt Graving Dock for the upcoming federal shipbuilding project. Fixing the track is expected to take a year and the limited VIA rail operation would last about two years, according to the ICF.

Garrison said heB次元官网网址檚 not sure why the feds are leaving the E&N funding in limbo, although the Ministry of Transport could still allocate money in its internal budgeting.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an austerity budget, but I would argue the E&N isnB次元官网网址檛 an expense, itB次元官网网址檚 an investment. Keeping the line viable will create full time jobs, it will contribute to the local economy for the long-term,B次元官网网址� Garrison said. B次元官网网址淎nd in terms of the federal budget, itB次元官网网址檚 not a lot of money.B次元官网网址�