October 5, 2007
Canada, Manitoba, Private Sector Announce $68 Million For Rail Line And Churchill Port
CHURCHILL—Premier Gary Doer today joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Hudson Bay Railway Company (HBRC) in announcing $68 million in public and private-sector support for upgrades to the Hudson Bay rail line and the port of Churchill.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $48 million in total, cost shared 50-50. HBRC is committing $20 million for rail-line maintenance as part of a renewed 10-year agreement by its parent company OmniTRAX Canada, which operates both the rail line and the port.
“Manitoba’s port of Churchill is growing in significance each year as Canada’s only deep-water Arctic seaport. And the rail line is an essential link that connects the port and several remote, northern communities and economies to key markets,” Doer said. “Our investment in the port and rail line is a bridge to allow for commercial revenues to continue growing into the future. We are pleased the federal government and private sector are supporting these vital transportation links.”
The $68-million private, public-sector investment includes:
· $60 million in total to upgrade the Hudson Bay rail line to Churchill; and
· up to $8 million, split 50-50 by the federal and provincial governments, to support the port via the Churchill Gateway Development Corporation.
“The Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway are key to the economic stability and quality of life for northern Canada including Nunavut,” said Pat Broe, chair and chief executive officer of OmniTRAX Canada. “I want to salute Prime Minister Harper and Premier Doer for their vision and leadership in forging this private/public sector partnership to ensure the future of this vital rail transportation link to the north. Our record grain season this year is just a beginning in what we can accomplish by working together and we welcome the opportunity to be economic partners with the federal and provincial governments.”
Churchill has seen increasing amounts of grain and agricultural products go through the port in the last four years. Shipments were up to 480,000 tonnes in 2006, an increase of about 20 per cent over 2004. Shipments are projected to surpass 600,000 tonnes in 2007.
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