‘Really important investment’: Manitoba investing $36.4 million into Port of Churchill

Nearly $80 million from Ottawa and Manitoba is going to help support the Port of Churchill. Taylor Brock explains.

More investment is coming to the Port of Churchill to help transport goods to new worldwide markets.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced an investment of $36.4 million from the province to the Arctic Gateway Group, which oversees the port, over the next two years.

“This is a really important investment, and something we’ve been committed to for many, many years,” Kinew said.

“The Arctic Gateway Group is now ready for a larger strategic, important role in strengthening and diversifying our province’s economy,” said Mike Spence, the Mayor of Churchill, who also chairs Arctic Gateway Group.

The province said in a news release the money will be used to help develop the port and railway lines in the area and upgrade freight warehouses and wharves.

“The Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill were important then, but are even more important now,” said Terry Duguid, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “The railway and port are owned by the people of the north, but as prairie Canadians, all of us will benefit when they succeed.”

Last year, the Port of Churchill had a shipment of zinc come through, which the province says establishes the port as a potential supply route for minerals and other goods.

Kinew added it also gives access to other markets for Manitoba goods, which is necessary in the wake of tariffs and trade uncertainty in the United States.

“We need to diversify our export markets; we need to find other countries to sell to,” he said. “The Port of Churchill helps us get to the European Union.”