Trudeau: Hudson Bay Rail Line to reopen by Nov. 30

The Hudson Bay Rail Line in northern Manitoba will resume freight and passenger services by the end of the month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday.

The prime minister made the announcement at the Port of Churchill in Manitoba. The rail line has been out of service since spring 2017 when it was damaged by flooding. Since then, Churchill has been accessible only by air and sea. As a result, the local economy and the community have suffered, according to a press release issued by Trudeau's office.

Trudeau also announced that more than CA$3.8 million would be provided toward 40 projects aimed at increasing tourism and skills training, as well as to help offset the freight costs associated from the rail line's closure.

In September, OmniTRAX Inc. sold the rail line and related facilities to Arctic Gateway and a consortium of First Nations and communities in association with Missinippi Rail LP. The Arctic Gateway Group consists of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. and AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.

The acquisition allowed for repair and restoration of the rail line. Also in September, the Canadian government announced it would provide CA$117 million to Arctic Gateway for the cost of repairing and restoring the rail line's service to the port.

"We have committed millions of dollars over the next decade to ensure the ongoing operations of the line, and made significant investments to increase tourism, support skills training, and empower local businesses, which will bring long-term benefits to the people of Churchill and northern Manitoba," Trudeau said yesterday.