Churchill project draws interest, premier says

WINNIPEG — Premier Wab Kinew’s dream of seeing a major nation-building project realized in the Port of Churchill has apparently piqued the interest of a major player in Canada’s energy sector, which is now negotiating with the province.

“It seems that Manitoba’s time is coming, and that Churchill will play an important part in that,” Kinew said Thursday, speaking to reporters after a meeting of Canada’s first ministers in Ottawa.

“There is a major energy company interested in what we’re working on with Churchill. Some officials from our government are very soon going to sign a (non-disclosure agreement) so that we can dive into some of the details effectively.”

The premier did not reveal which company is eyeing the port, but said it has been looking into the project. The non-disclosure agreement would allow the company to share “internal corporate info” with the province, without risk of it being disclosed to competitors, Kinew said.

The premier has repeatedly promoted the idea of expanding the port on the shore of Hudson Bay, saying it would drive economic growth in western Canada and bolster trade routes to Europe and India. The plan would require using icebreaking vessels to lengthen the shipping season.

Ottawa has been considering the Churchill expansion as a strategic project, amid a push to diversify international trade partners due to the ongoing trade war with the U.S. The federal government has pledged to study the potential of icebreakers, ice tugs and research vessels at the port.

Kinew said a partnership with the energy company could involve a pipeline and terminal, although nothing has been cemented.

“You could potentially see all sorts of configurations going forward where, maybe, you’re using a rail line and port infrastructure that’s there right now to help build a future generation of infrastructure,” he said. “The approach that we’ve taken with the Churchill project is to say, we know that getting to tidewater in western Canada has a value, let’s just open it up to the private sector and have them tell us what makes the most sense, what would actually attract investment.”

Kinew and Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the progress being made on the project as all of Canada’s premiers gathered for a two-day meeting that began Wednesday in the national capital. Those conversations continue.

Meanwhile, the province has asked Ottawa to fast-track Transport Canada paperwork required for the icebreaker feasibility study, Kinew said, adding Carney was supportive of the request.

“The prime minister is pretty happy with the fact that the Churchill project is actually moving along and crystallizing. This thing is becoming real, and the actual scope of the potential investment is starting to take shape,” Kinew said. “It’s really exciting to see real money, real business stepping forward to pursue Churchill, either as a proponent or potentially as an investor alongside other folks.”

Generations of provincial and federal governments have tried to see the Churchill port realize its potential as a major transportation asset, but decades of shifting political and trade winds have hindered progress.

Kinew argued bringing the port to fruition would be monumental for Carney’s government.

“It’s a win for the prime minister if he’s able to say this thing that’s been talked about for 100 years is now going to see shovels put in the ground because of the moves the federal government has made to lean in to the economy,” Kinew said.

“For us in Manitoba, it’s just exciting to see something that would be of national significance, something that would help connect different parts of the country and put thousands and thousands of people to work.”

The province has also asked Carney to open the floodgates for federal support to the Manitoba Crown Indigenous Corporation, which has begun the process of selecting board members.

The New Democrats plan to introduce legislation for the corporation next spring. The entity would be the first of its kind in Canada to proactively assemble Indigenous leaders for reviews and approvals of economic development projects.

All of this is happening as Manitoba commissions a study on a marine protection area near the port, and Kinew said an environmental non-government organization is slated to announce a financial contribution next week.

Meanwhile, the province is communicating with stakeholders within Nunavut’s territorial government, and Kinew will meet with Premier John Main in person next week, he said. Main has said the Churchill port project should benefit Nunavut, and that he views Manitoba as a partner.

» Winnipeg Free Press

Other topics of discussion during the Ottawa meetings revolved around diversifying export markets, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and strengthening internal trade, Kinew said.

» Winnipeg Free Press