3.10 – Introduction deck – Early discussion items: Hudson Bay Railway & Port of Churchill
- The Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) and the Port of Churchill (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 operations are currently dependent on federal funding.
- The Port is Canada’s only deepwater port in the Arctic connected to the national railway network and has potential to enhance access to global trade routes.
- PrairiesCan was instrumental in the formation of AGG and supported their acquisition of the HBR and Port from the previous American owner (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 $320 million. This has leveraged $140 million from the Province of Manitoba since 2022.
- Shipments through the Port currently include critical minerals to Europe, resupply to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, and agricultural products to Europe and the Middle East.
- In February 2025, Transport Canada and the owners of the HBR, the Arctic Gateway Group, signed a 2-year, $43.8 million contribution agreement to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of the rail line.
- In March 2025, the Government announced $175 million over five years (including the $43.8 million from February 2025), starting in 2025-26, to support the operations and maintenance of the HBR through Transport Canada and pre-development activities at the Port through PrairiesCan.
- [Redacted]
- With additional time and investment, there is potential to further expand use of the HBR and Port of Churchill to grow and diversify trade opportunities.