$60M announced for Churchill’s railway, port
Northern Manitoba’s economic future is getting a $60 million boost.
On Friday, the provincial and federal governments pledged $30 million a piece to finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway and to start redeveloping the Port of Churchill.
The funding will be distributed to Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) – a partnership between 41 First Nations and Bayline communities in the region. AGG owns both the railway and port.
According to a joint news release, The Hudson Bay Railway serves about 29,000 residents in northern communities. It is the only year-round transportation available for passengers and freight traffic. It also links the Port of Churchill as the only deep-water Arctic port to North America’s land-based transportation network.
“The Port of Churchill makes Manitoba a maritime province, and that is absolutely crucial to the future of our provincial economic success,” Premier Wab Kinew said Friday. “Not only do [the Port and railway] allow supplies to reach these communities and to Nunavut, but this is also going to help increase our status as a trading province.”
Kinew and Dan Vandal, the federal minister for PrairiesCan, made the announcement in Churchill.
“Simply put, Hudson's Bay railway is the backbone of Northern Manitoba,” Vandal said. “The rail line is essential for Northern supply chains for local food security, and for small businesses and tourism operators.”
The railway investment is expected to enhance supply chains, food security, and regional connectivity in the north. Work to repair and upgrade the rail line from The Pas to Churchill has been going on for the past two years.
Meantime, the Port of Churchill’s redevelopment aims to expand critical mineral and natural resource trade through the Arctic. The joint release notes Manitoba has 29 of the 31 critical minerals essential to net-zero transitions. In December, the Arctic Gateway Group and Hudbay Minerals Inc. announced an agreement to ship zinc concentrate out of the port in 2024.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence, who also chairs the Arctic Gateway Group, welcomed the investment with open arms.
“They share the vision that we have… recognize the value of investments into this national strategic asset in Canada's North,” Spence said. “Today's investment will allow us to complete major capital improvement on the rail line and will allow us to shift and focus on redeveloping our port.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.