5.8 – Introduction deck: Spotlight on Churchill Rail line & the Port
- The Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) and the Port are owned by the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), a partnership among 29 First Nations and 12 northern communities in Northern Manitoba.
- The HBR is the only affordable, year-round transportation option for passengers and freight in remote communities. HBR operability is currently dependent on federal funding.
- PrairiesCan was instrumental in the formation of the AGG, and supported AGG’s acquisition of the assets from OmniTRAX in 2018.
- PrairiesCan also supported the repair, maintenance, and operation of the HBR since 2018, and the remediation of the Churchill Marine Tank Farm. Total federal investment since 2018 is $277M.
- The 2024 Fall Economic Statement allocates $43.8 million over two years, starting in 2025-26, to Transport Canada to support the operations and maintenance of the HBR through the Remote Passenger Rail Program.