Ottawa -The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Honourable Terry Duguid, on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, today announced an investment of $175 million over five years to support operations and maintenance of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) and pre-development activities at the Port of Churchill, owned by Arctic Gateway Group (AGG).
Trade infrastructure and transportation corridors enable Canada to get its products to global markets, Transport Canada said in a press release. “That is why the Government of Canada is making investments to open new potential markets through the Arctic and secure reliable surface transportation through northern Manitoba.”
AGG is a partnership of 29 First Nations and 12 isolated communities served by HBR in Northern Manitoba. The Hudson Bay Railway is critical to Indigenous reconciliation, connecting communities, and economic development, including the development of critical minerals and tourism, in northern Manitoba. Both the HBR and the Port of Churchill play an important role in ensuring supplies reach northern Manitoba and Nunavut.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important to make critical investments in Canadian infrastructure to bolster economic development in Canada’s Northern regions,” said Minister Freeland. “The Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill are important transportation corridors that serve the needs of Indigenous and Northern communities, and this new funding will connect more Canadians and grow our economy.”
“This investment will help move both people and goods, ensuring supplies reach First Nations and remote communities in Northern Manitoba, while also driving our economic growth,” commented Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Quick facts
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- The following funding starting in 2025-26 will be shared between Transport Canada and Prairies Economic Development Canada:
- In total, $125 million will go towards the continued operations and maintenance of the Hudson Bay Railway over five years through Transport Canada’s Remote Passenger Rail Program. This funding is to be offset by $43.8 million previously announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2024.
- $50 million for the pre-development activities at the Port of Churchill over five years will be administered by Prairies Economic Development Canada.
- The Hudson Bay Railway is the only surface transportation option that is available year-round between several remote and Indigenous communities in Northern Manitoba from The Pas to Churchill. It also links the Port of Churchill, Canada’s only deep-water Arctic port, to the North American transportation network. Maintaining this railway link is fundamental to securing our Arctic, protecting good jobs, transporting essential supplies, and ensuring residents can get to where they need to go.
(Image from Prairies Economic Development Canada)