Governments Of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Arctic Gateway Group Sign Agreement to Bolster Northern Trade

HUNTSVILLE, Ont., Robinson-Huron Treaty 61—The governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, along with Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), have agreed to enhance infrastructure, streamline supply chains and boost access to global markets via Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port, Premier Wab Kinew and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced here today at the Council of the Federation’s summer meeting.

“Churchill presents huge opportunities when it comes to mining, agriculture and energy,” said Kinew. “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.”

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and AGG have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a renewed Arctic trade corridor through the Port of Churchill. The MOU outlines a five‑year roadmap with annual progress reviews, formalizing a shared commitment to:

• Expand Infrastructure – AGG will invest in port and rail assets and lengthen the shipping season to support increased freight capacity;

• Activate Trade Networks – the Saskatchewan government will mobilize commodity producers and exporters through its trade offices and regional industry partners; and

• Mobilize Federal Support – the Manitoba government will lead efforts to secure federal infrastructure funding and regulatory support to improve connectivity to northern markets.

“Saskatchewan remains committed to strengthening trade across Canada by supporting and developing new transportation corridors,” said Moe. “Streamlining access to ports, such as Churchill, will allow our goods better access to new and emerging international markets. Today’s MOU between Saskatchewan and Manitoba is another way we are building on that progress and creating new opportunities for our industries.”

“The governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan understand the strategic value of the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway, especially as Canada looks to diversify trade and become an energy superpower,” said Chris Avery, CEO, Arctic Gateway Group. “This joint commitment from premiers Kinew and Moe is a clear signal that Canada’s Arctic trade corridor will play a major role in this country’s trade and transportation future. As an established, efficient link to world markets, with economic reconciliation built into everything we do, the Port of Churchill is actively shipping, open for business and ready to deliver for Prairie producers and Canadian exports – while returning the benefits to AGG’s Indigenous and northern ownership communities.”

This collaboration continues Manitoba’s long‑standing dedication to northern Indigenous and community partnerships, climate stewardship and regional economic growth. The MOU also supports national objectives of Arctic sovereignty and supply chain diversification.

Noah Note: Churchill has been a hot topic lately. The Manitoba government has seemingly gone all in on trying to make it a viable port for export, to the extent of proposing Oil and Gas pipelines running up to the Bay for export.

That, of course is very wishful thinking. Many of you know I am not the world's biggest Churchill hyper, for many reasons. Its frozen for over half the year, the railway is situation on sensitive permafrost traveling through an ecologically sensitive region, and the port itself lacks the depth to support the Tankers required to export O&G without Dredging further.

Even from a defence perspective these issues still arise. Ive never been overly sold on the idea. You are still dealing with a mostly frozen bay, lacking in built-up infrastructure, still hundreds and hundreds of Kilometers away from the entrance of the NWP where you want to be.

That isnt to say there isnt value, and I commend for trying. I am always willing to listen to proposals. Churchill can still be part of a growing network of linking infrastructure on the bay, serving as a southern hub in support of small facilities.

I was recently discussing this proposal with a friend about a container facility in Moosonee to link up with the Ontario Northland rail line, both in support of the Sealift and to connect Critical Mineral operations in the North with easier access to manufacturing in Southern Ontario.

There is also still export potential through things like grain, fertilizer, and critical minerals that could remain viable, perhaps more so in the future if companies invest in the ice-strengthened vessels needed to operate later into the shipping season.

However, while nice, these won't turn the port into a major facility. Churchill will always have its niche, and in turn it's limits as all our Arctic ports do. The Russians have been trying for decades to make the Northern Sea Route work and still struggle, and their situation presents a far nicer set of circumstances than ours.

We have pumped hundreds of millions into Churchill over the last decade to make it work. We continue to pump hundreds of millions, yet the fundamental issues remain and those in power seem keen to ignore them.or pretend that there is some private party coming to fix them.

That of course is another discussion for another time, just as it is anything else in the Arctic, its complex, very much so, and I wont pretend to be the foremost expert on the subject. The same for this good to Doug Fords weird want for a James Bay Port to compete with Churchill. Why? No clue.