AVICC Conference Presentation
An early morning ICF/SVI breakfast workshop presentation Saturday April 8th has been scheduled at the AVICC spring conference at Campbell River. The presidents of Southern Rail and Seaspan will participate in the presentation.
Audit & Financial Statements Report
The auditors presented a draft of the 2016 financial statements for board approval. The ICF finished the year with a cash surplus of $163,085. There was a non cash loss of $3,366,320 which included amortization of $3,529,405 on assets of over $330,000,000. The full report will be presented at the AGM.
New President for Southern Rail
Derek Ollmann will take over the controls of Southern Rail as President April 1st. Derek has worked with Southern and directly under Frank Butzelaar. Frank has been promoted to CEO of Seaspan the largest of the Washington Group of companies. Long-time island Roadmaster Al Kutaj has been made Superintendent. The three promotions clearly indicate Southern’s commitment to Vancouver Island rail. The ICF congratulates the three on their respective promotions.
Special thanks to Frank for his very strong representation and development of Southern Rail within the Washington Group and his service to the people and communities of Vancouver Island.
Cowichan Nations Alliance – ICF Pleadings Addressed
The Cowichan Nations Alliance (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt FN, Penalakut FN and Stz’uminus) concerns about the ICF defense pleadings to the Snaw-Naw-As (SNA) claim will be addressed in cooperation with the Alliance. The pleadings will be amended. The SNA has filed a claim against Canada and the ICF with respect to the mile of corridor that passes through the SNA reserve at Nanoose.
Island Milk Producers support rail
In a letter to the ICF, Island dairy farmers wrote that the rail line continues to be very crucial for Island dairy producers as Top Shelf Feeds receives feed commodities by rail. Top Shelf services farms from Victoria to Black Creek and farmers rely on this service to be both viable and cost effective. Agriculture is very important to the Island economy and many agribusinesses rely on the rail line to provide a necessary service to assist in their operational success.
Community Round Table
The community round table meeting held February 3rd at Parksville had a strong turnout despite a significant snow fall. A photo report can be found on our website. The first public draft of the ICF business plan can also be found on the website.
ICF Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held Thursday April 27th at the Nanaimo Conference Centre commencing at 10am. The general public is invited to attend. Meeting business includes election of directors; presentation of the financial statements and reports by the solicitor, the Chair, the CEO and the President of Southern Rail.
ICF Business Plan – Public Feedback
The ICF Draft Business Plan – stage one – ‘public feedback’ form is available for review and comment on the ICF website. The Board is soliciting community comment and ideas and will then set out goals. A five year budget based on the priorities will be developed.