$1M in government funding to help Hudson’s Bay redevelopment project

The federal government announced nearly $2 million in funding for Indigenous-led forestry development.

The Government of Canada is taking steps to boost Indigenous participation in the forestry sector, including helping in the redevelopment of the former downtown Winnipeg Hudson’s Bay building.

On Friday, Canada’s Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand announced $5.4 million in federal funding for 28 projects across the Prairies. The goal of the money is to advance Indigenous leadership in the forestry sector, create jobs, and promote the use of wood-based products in construction.

“This will help boost the competitiveness of our forest sector,” Chartrand said at a news conference on Friday.

As part of this funding, Ottawa is giving $1 million to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project—an initiative to repurpose the former Hudson’s Bay building at 450 Portage Avenue into a multi-use facility with offices, commercial space and residential units.

The money, which will be provided through Natural Resources Canada, will go towards the design and construction of a six-storey atrium roof system made using Canadian mass timber solutions.

“This will serve as a model for architects, builders and developers across the country on how to incorporate wood and advance bio-based products in large-scale, high-profile projects,” the minister said.

The government noted that Friday’s announcement builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s promise of $500 million in funding to make the country’s forest sector more competitive.