Winnipeg – The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), alongside partners including the Manitoba government, the Major Projects Office (MPO), and the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), today announced the launch of a market sounding study to gather industry input on the long-term growth potential of the Port of Churchill Plus project.
The study will complement the ongoing business development efforts of the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG). As owners of the port and Hudson Bay Railway, AGG is actively expanding import and export activity through Churchill, including working with Western Canadian commodity producers and resource developers, as well as engaging with international ports and potential customers around the world.
Building on this progress, the market sounding exercise will engage senior executives across key sectors — including mining, energy, potash, grain and northern resupply — to better understand how transformative infrastructure investments could shape long-term planning. In particular, the study will explore how extended or year-round shipping supported by icebreaking, a modernized Class 1 railway, an all-season road connection, as well as a potential energy corridor could influence future import and export strategies, supply chain decisions, and private sector investment.
The findings will inform future decision-making in partnership with the federal and provincial governments as well as Indigenous leaders and support the continued development of Churchill as Canada’s Arctic and Northern trade gateway.
“The Port of Churchill Plus advances a vision for a robust, more unified Canadian economy — with real opportunity for Western Canada and Northern Manitoba in these challenging times,” said Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
“Churchill is Canada’s strategic northern gateway and by working with the federal government, Indigenous nations, the Manitoba Crown-Indigenous Corporation, and the private sector, we’re building a more resilient and free Canadian economy,” said Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba.
Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, stated: “The Port of Churchill is set to play a central role in our government’s vision to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy that is better connected to global markets. By ensuring that we are investing strategically, we are creating new opportunities for northern communities and Canadian businesses, supporting Indigenous economic leadership and strengthening our sovereignty. These efforts continue to position Canada as a forward-looking country, by seizing the opportunities of global trade.”
(Photo from Arctic Gateway Group)