The news has left residents and the administration of Christina Lake feeling outraged, as the province has announced plans to decommission the 67-kilometre long Columbia Western Rail Trail, which will be returned to its wilderness status.
According to a letter from Tracey Ronark, Director of Authorizations for the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Ministry of Forests, dated June 27, the trail will no longer receive preventative maintenance or funding from the province.
| Key Points | • The trail will be returned to “wilderness status” without preventative maintenance or funding. |
| • Signs will be installed to warn users of potential rock falls and unstable conditions. | |
| • Selkirk Resources District engineering staff will respond to any immediate environmental or safety issues on the grade. |
The decommissioning of the trail has sparked a strong reaction from the community, with a petition being circulated to call on the Province to maintain the trail’s status, fund its upkeep, and formally recognize its value to British Columbia’s communities, tourism sector, and national trail network.
A physical petition was made available for people to sign at the Christina Lake Homecoming on July 12, which garnered several signatures.
- The petition is being circulated by Christina Lake Gateway, Christina Lake Tourism, and Christina Lake Trails Alliance through change.org.
- Letters have been sent to several government offices, including the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Environment and Parks.
- Efforts are being made to engage user groups and explore other options for trail maintenance and funding.
“The next steps are to continue to garner support,” said Tracey MacGregor, Economic and Community Development Manager for Christina Gateway Community Development Association.
“The more I think about this, the more gravely cornered I am over what could become of this section were to become a dead end on this trail,” she said.
The trail runs from Rock Creek to Christina Lake and could have a significant impact on regional development, said MacGregor.
“This goes from Rock Creek to Christina Lake. This could have a lot of regional impact if this is allowed to go ahead,” she said.
The trail is a crucial link for residents, as it provides the only means of access to several homes and camps in the area, said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” the letter stated.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people,” Worley continued.
The trail has a significant impact on local economies, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“It would eliminate the potential for looped routes or point-to-point travel between the Boundary and West Kootenays—options that are essential to both trail-based tourism and local outdoor recreation,” she said.
“This corridor is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“It would eliminate the potential for looped routes or point-to-point travel between the Boundary and West Kootenays—options that are essential to both trail-based tourism and local outdoor recreation,” she said.
The Province’s decision to discontinue maintenance of the trail has been met with criticism, as it is a vital connection in the Trans Canada Trail, stated a letter from The RDKB and Christina Lake Gateway.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“This corridor is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“The Province’s priorities are contradictory, investing $3 million in a new, provincially-led strategy for ecological corridor stewardship in partnership with Parks Canada, but moving to discontinue its obligations to maintain the federally-initiated and internationally recognized Trans Canada Trail,” said McGregor in the letter.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“This goes from Rock Creek to Christina Lake. This could have a lot of regional impact if this is allowed to go ahead,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people—whose only route to this monument is via the Rail Trail,” Worley continued.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia. More importantly, historic and ongoing access to titled land must never be cut off—by any entity, for any reason,” Worley stated.
The trail has a complex past, with its original purpose as part of the Canadian Pacific Railroad line between Castlegar and Midway.
It was acquired by the Trans Canada Trail Foundation in 1993 and donated to the province in 2004.
At that time, it was managed by Tourism BC.
It was designated a recreational trail in 2010 under the Forest and Range Practices Act and managed by the Recreation Sites and Trail Branch.
The 67-kilometre stretch trail was re-designated a non-status rail grade in 2020 due to “the route’s challenging terrain; multiple competing users and the complex infrastructure,” according to the letter.
However, according to a joint letter from McGregor, Christina Lake Gateway and Christina Lake Trail Alliance, Recreation Sites and Trails BC assured the public that access would continue with “no impact to the Great Trail designation,” and public access would remain the same.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
The trail has had a significant impact on local economies, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people—whose only route to this monument is via the Rail Trail,” Worley continued.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia. More importantly, historic and ongoing access to titled land must never be cut off—by any entity, for any reason,” Worley stated.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“It would eliminate the potential for looped routes or point-to-point travel between the Boundary and West Kootenays—options that are essential to both trail-based tourism and local outdoor recreation,” said McGregor in the letter.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“The Province’s decision to discontinue maintenance of the trail has been met with criticism, as it is a vital connection in the Trans Canada Trail, stated a letter from The RDKB and Christina Lake Gateway.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“The Province’s priorities are contradictory, investing $3 million in a new, provincially-led strategy for ecological corridor stewardship in partnership with Parks Canada, but moving to discontinue its obligations to maintain the federally-initiated and internationally recognized Trans Canada Trail,” said McGregor in the letter.
“This corridor is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“This trail has had a significant impact on local economies, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia. More importantly, historic and ongoing access to titled land must never be cut off—by any entity, for any reason,” Worley stated.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“The trail is a vital connection in the Trans Canada Trail, stated a letter from The RDKB and Christina Lake Gateway.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“The Province’s priorities are contradictory, investing $3 million in a new, provincially-led strategy for ecological corridor stewardship in partnership with Parks Canada, but moving to discontinue its obligations to maintain the federally-initiated and internationally recognized Trans Canada Trail,” said McGregor in the letter.
“This corridor is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
The Trail’s Impact on Local Economies
The trail has had a significant impact on local economies, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people—whose only route to this monument is via the Rail Trail,” Worley continued.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia. More importantly, historic and ongoing access to titled land must never be cut off—by any entity, for any reason,” Worley stated.
The Trail’s Designation
The trail was originally part of the Canadian Pacific Railroad line between Castlegar and Midway.
It was acquired by the Trans Canada Trail Foundation in 1993 and donated to the province in 2004.
At that time, it was managed by Tourism BC.
It was designated a recreational trail in 2010 under the Forest and Range Practices Act and managed by the Recreation Sites and Trail Branch.
The 67-kilometre stretch trail was re-designated a non-status rail grade in 2020 due to “the route’s challenging terrain; multiple competing users and the complex infrastructure,” according to the letter.
However, according to a joint letter from McGregor, Christina Lake Gateway and Christina Lake Trail Alliance, Recreation Sites and Trails BC assured the public that access would continue with “no impact to the Great Trail designation,” and public access would remain the same.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“It would eliminate the potential for looped routes or point-to-point travel between the Boundary and West Kootenays—options that are essential to both trail-based tourism and local outdoor recreation,” said McGregor in the letter.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“The Province’s priorities are contradictory, investing $3 million in a new, provincially-led strategy for ecological corridor stewardship in partnership with Parks Canada, but moving to discontinue its obligations to maintain the federally-initiated and internationally recognized Trans Canada Trail,” said McGregor in the letter.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“This trail has had a significant impact on local economies, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people—whose only route to this monument is via the Rail Trail,” Worley continued.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia. More importantly, historic and ongoing access to titled land must never be cut off—by any entity, for any reason,” Worley stated.
“We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
“The trail is a vital connection in the Trans Canada Trail, stated a letter from The RDKB and Christina Lake Gateway.
“Turning it into a dead end in a tourism-driven region, as well as climate-centred travel and lifestyle options like walking and cycling, would be a mistake,” said McGregor in the letter.
“The Province’s priorities are contradictory, investing $3 million in a new, provincially-led strategy for ecological corridor stewardship in partnership with Parks Canada, but moving to discontinue its obligations to maintain the federally-initiated and internationally recognized Trans Canada Trail,” said McGregor in the letter.
“This corridor is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” said McGregor in a letter.
“If you think about it, we (Christina Lake) is left out in the Boundary between the Kootenays and the rest of the Boundary Region,” she said.
“So this trail is crucial to linkage to everything that we sell that we sell in Christina Lake. We need to sit down and figure this out, before we end up with huge issues,” she said.
The Trail’s Impact on Rural Development
“The trail has had a significant impact on rural development, said Grace McGregor, RDKB Area C-Christina Lake Director.
“This trail is more than just a trail—it’s a vital connection for rural residents, a nationally recognized recreation route, and a key part of our local economy,” she said.
“Beyond tourism, this Rail Trail is essential to the safety and well-being of the residents who live along and near it,” said Linda Worley, Director for RDKB Electoral Area B-Lower Columbia/Old Glory.
“It is a living piece of the region’s history and provides access to a sacred worship site and memorial for Lordly Peter Verigin, a site of deep significance to the Doukhobor people—whose only route to this monument is via the Rail Trail,” Worley continued.
“The public must never be restricted from accessing historical sites on Crown land in British Columbia.
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