Prime Minister Mark Carney and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew say they are working together to build a stronger, more competitive and prosperous economy.
In a news release yesterday (Sun), they say Manitoba’s proposed Crown-Indigenous Corporation is in full alignment with transformational nation-building objectives and the importance of conducting consultations in the early stages of project development.
Rooted in partnership with Indigenous peoples, it says the governments of Canada and Manitoba are working together to deliver the Port of Churchill Plus – one of the seven transformative strategies announced by the prime minister that is said to be a core component to the prosperity of the country.
Both levels of government say they are working together to advance how expanded export capacity in the North through Hudson Bay will contribute to increased and diversified trade with Europe and other partners, while more strongly linking Churchill to the rest of Canada.
Based on this direction, since the Port of Churchill Plus was listed on the Transformative Strategies List for the Major Projects Office on Sept. 11, the governments of Canada and Manitoba have been actively working on a project charter and business case to drive this work forward.
Once a board for the Manitoba Crown-Indigenous Corporation (MCIC) is established, the MCIC will be a full partner in the work going forward.
To support this work, the prime minister announced the government of Canada will provide funding to the Arctic Research Foundation to undertake a feasibility study to determine the path forward for future deployment and operation of specialized icebreakers, ice tugs and research vessels at the Port of Churchill.
Premier Wab Kinew announced $51 million for the Arctic Gateway Group to make capital improvements to the Hudson Bay rail line and to build a new critical-minerals storage facility at the Port of Churchill.
This brings the total provincial investment in the project to $87.5 million and means the joint federal-provincial investment over five years amounts to $262.5 million, including $175 million of federal funding announced in March 2025.
Together, Prime Minister Carney and Premier Kinew committed to continuing their work in an expedited fashion, with a view of sharing the strategy and plan for Churchill in spring 2026.
(Canada-Manitoba news release)
