This is Founding of Rotary Week to Celebrate Service and Achievements and Peace

Join us for a discussion with the VITCC (Vancouver Island Transportation Corridor Coalition) on the work they have done towards identifying the need for, and public interest in, reinstating Island Rail Service.

The provincial government is quickly approaching a critical decision point and must provide an answer on the future of the island corridor by March 14, 2023. In this webinar VITCC President, Paul Robinson, will outline the benefits reinstating Island rail service including impacts on many of the socio-economic issues identified throughout the island, tourism, and greenhouse gas emissions. VITCC believes that rail is, by far, the most equitable mode of ground-based transportation as there are no age, health, ability, income impediments, and no requirements for vehicle operator ownership, licensing, and associated expenses.  

The VITCC is a non profit advocacy group who’s goal is to resurrect modern, efficient, and low-environmental-footprint rail service to Vancouver Island as the core of the Island's passenger and freight transportation system, integrated with other transportation modes. One which enables and supports diverse, inclusive, and sustainable community economic development and employment.

Paul Robinson grew up in Victoria until the early 1980s – Since then he has moved many times throughout Canada and after nearly 40 years has finally found his way back home. With a strong passion for Vancouver Island history, institutions, community, and economy, Paul has recently opened a local office for his company, Corporate Oasis and, as President of the Vancouver Island Transportation Corridor Coalition, has also become heavily involved in the resurrection of commuter, freight, and tourist rail service throughout the island.  With this, among other initiatives, he looks forward to many years of Island life and community engagement.

The world has entered an energy transition where the future role of energy sources will depend partially on their greenhouse gas footprint. While that transition is expected to take a generation, some changes will occur quickly. One of the fastest ways to combat climate change is to reduce emissions of methane, not carbon dioxide. Methane is the main component of natural gas and a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Twitter Files confirm what we suspected – agenda trumps truth in social media backrooms.

Scott McDonald, who grew up in Victoria, was a foreign correspondent for 25 years with Reuters News Agency and Associated Press. He reported across Asia from Japan to Afghanistan, covering everything from wars and coups to elections, plane crashes and the Olympics. He recounts his experiences.

Ralph Libby will kick off the Annual Fund campaign.