Manitoba, Saskatchewan ink deal to upgrade Churchill port
The deal is positioned as a step toward diversifying Canada’s trade routes.
Key Takeaways:
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan have signed a five‑year deal with Arctic Gateway Group to expand the Port of Churchill and boost exports of Prairie commodities such as grain, minerals and energy.
- The agreement will see investments in port and rail upgrades, a longer Hudson Bay shipping season, and federal funding efforts to improve northern trade connectivity.
- The deal is positioned as a step toward diversifying Canada’s trade routes, strengthening Arctic sovereignty, and generating benefits for Indigenous and northern ownership communities.
The Whole Story:
Manitoba and Saskatchewan have signed a five-year agreement with Arctic Gateway Group to expand infrastructure and boost exports through the Port of Churchill, Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port.
The memorandum of understanding, announced Tuesday by premiers Wab Kinew and Scott Moe at the Council of the Federation’s summer meeting, aims to transform Churchill into a key trade corridor for Prairie commodities such as grain, minerals and energy.
Under the deal, Arctic Gateway Group will invest in port and rail upgrades and work to lengthen the Hudson Bay shipping season. Saskatchewan will engage commodity producers and exporters through its trade offices and industry networks, while Manitoba will lead efforts to secure federal funding and regulatory support to improve northern connectivity.
“Churchill presents huge opportunities when it comes to mining, agriculture and energy,” Kinew said. “Through this agreement with AGG and Saskatchewan, we are going to unlock new opportunities for businesses in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to get goods to market.”
Moe said streamlining access to Churchill will help Prairie exporters reach new and emerging international markets, while AGG CEO Chris Avery called the agreement a “clear signal” that the Arctic corridor will play a central role in Canada’s trade and transportation strategy.
The partnership, which includes annual progress reviews, is also framed as a boost to Arctic sovereignty and reconciliation, with profits from the port returning to AGG’s Indigenous and northern ownership communities.
