Federal regulators say OmniTRAX, the owner of the rail line to Churchill, is responsible for repairs to the tracks.
"This is a legally binding order that says OmniTRAX has to fix the rail line,” said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew .
Following a complaint filed by the Manitoba NDP, the Canadian Transportation Agency has concluded since November 2017 the company is in breach of its service obligations.
The agency is ordering the company to begin repairs to the railway by July 3, 2018 and resume operation as “expeditiously as possible."
Flooding more than a year ago forced trains to grind to a halt, leaving Churchill without its major supply route over winter. OmniTRAX said it could not afford the repairs to the line, worth tens of millions of dollars.
Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew said the Pallister government should have helped with the complaint to the CTA.
"They refused to take action they threw up their hands they said there's nothing that we could do, so we took action we stood up for the people of Churchill," said Kinew.
The Province released a statement on behalf of Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler:
"Manitoba's focus remains on ensuring public health and safety in Churchill."
But the agency’s order could be moot.
"It is, you know this should have come about over the winter, last fall," said Churchill Mayor Mike Spence.
A consortium including the Town of Churchill has a deal in principal to buy and fix the rail line, meaning OmniTRAX could be off the hook for the repairs.
"We'll get the line repaired and then onto prosperity, that's where we're going," said Spence.
OmniTRAX has 30 days to appeal the ruling. CTV News was unable to reach the company for comment on its intentions.
