CHURCHILL, Manitoba — The Canadian government will provide more than Ca$43 million for rehabilitation of the Hudson Bay Railway, while the province of Manitoba will invest an additional Ca$36.4 million in the railway and the Port of Churchill, the governments announced Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2025).
The federal funds will go the Arctic Gateway Group, a consortium of 29 First Nation groups and 12 communities that purchased the railway from OmniTRAX in 2018 [see “Hudson Bay Railway sale completed …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 4, 2018]. A press release from Prairies Economic Development Canada says the funding will complete rehabilitation of the 627-mile former Canadian National route connecting Churchill to The Pas, Man.
“Reliable, affordable rail service is essential for the North, and these investments will ensure it remains a lifeline for communities and businesses,” said Minister for PrairiesCan Terry Duguid. “At the same time, we’re creating new opportunities in mining and mineral development — helping Indigenous communities build skills, secure good jobs, and drive economic growth.”
The provincial government said its funds will support Arctic Gateway’s port and rail development plans, including wharf repairs and freight warehouse upgrades. “These new investments will build up Manitoba’s economic strength and open our province to new trading opportunities,” Premier Wab Kinew said in a press release.
“The Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway are ready to make Canada’s supply chains stronger and economy more resilient,” said Arctic Gateway CEO Chris Avery. “We can add both capacity and optionality to help make sure the vast resources of Western Canada get to foreign markets, and we have a proven ability to ship critical minerals, agricultural products, and more internationally.”
It is the third time in four years the railway to the remote community of Churchill — Canada’s lone arctic port — will receive a significant infusion of government funding. The federal and provincial governments invested Ca$147.8 million in 2022 [see “Hudson Bay Railway to get …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 4, 2022], and another Ca$60 million last year [see “Canadian, Manitoba governments to contribute …,” News Wire, Feb. 23, 2024].
