Functional Responsibility:
In 1965 the government of Alberta entered into an agreement with the Canadian National Railway, which provided for construction of a railway line linking Grande Prairie and the Canadian National mainline to the Pacific ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. In its agreement with Canadian National, the province provided the initial capital for the construction of the rail line to be known as the Alberta Resources Railway.

The Alberta Resources Railway Corporation was created to construct railway service in areas where existing railway service was ineffective, where service could facilitate the movement of natural resources, and where such a service would serve public interest. The general function of the corporation was to construct, maintain, and operate railways within the province of Alberta.

The corporation constructed railways as authorized to construct by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Under the enabling legislation, the Lieutenant Governor in Council could designate any part of Alberta as a resource area when that area was not served, or believed not adequately served, by existing railway facilities. The Lieutenant Governor in Council could also authorize the corporation to construct a railway from an existing railway, pipeline, or highway to a point within a designated resource area.

The corporation's capital assets were sold on January 1, 1995 in anticipation of major changes in how the department would conduct business. The department was moving towards outsourcing work to the private sector and the corporation ceased operation in 1996. The Alberta Resources Railway Corporation remained with what had become Transportation and Utilities until 1998, when the Alberta Resources Railway Corporation Act (R.S.A. 1980, c. A-36) was repealed.

Predecessor and successor bodies:
There are no predecessor or successor bodies to the Alberta Resources Railway Corporation.

Administrative Relationships:
The corporation reported to the minister designated to chair the corporation. The corporation reported to the Provincial Treasurer (1965-1973), Minister of Industry and Commerce (1973-1975), Minister of Transportation (1975-1986), and Minister of Transportation and Utilities (1986-1998). In 1975, the Department of Transportation Act (S.A. 1975, c. 17) amended the Alberta Resources Railway Corporation Act to reflect that the Minister of Transportation was the minister responsible for the corporation.

Administrative Structure:
In the 1965 legislation, the affairs of the corporation were conducted by a board of directors consisting of the Provincial Treasurer and four others appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Three directors of the board constituted a quorum. By 1980, the enabling legislation stipulated the minister that would chair the corporation, the Provincial Treasurer as the vice-chair, and Deputy Treasurer as director. The Lieutenant Governor in Council appointed six other directors. Six directors of the board constituted a quorum.

Names of Chief Officers:
Chairs of the Alberta Resources Railway Corporation Board of Directors
Anders Olav Aalborg 1964-1971
Gordon Thomas William Miniely 1971-1973
Frederick H. Peacock 1973-1975
Hugh Macarthur Horner 1975-1979
Henry Kroger 1979-1982
Marvin Everard Moore 1982-1986
James Allen Adair 1986-1992
Peter Trynchy 1992-1994
Stephen C. West 1994-1996