Skip to content

Federal commitment for Churchill rail service

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the federal government is committed to restoring rail service to Churchill. Flooding has damaged portions of the rail line to the northern Manitoba town, resulting in suspended rail service.
Jim Carr

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the federal government is committed to restoring rail service to Churchill.

Flooding has damaged portions of the rail line to the northern Manitoba town, resulting in suspended rail service. No trains have arrived in Churchill since May 23.

Carr recently said Ottawa is “deeply concerned” that OmniTrax Inc., which owns the rail line, has yet to commence repairs.

Under a 2008 agreement, he said, Ottawa provides financial support to an OmniTrax subsidiary in exchange for its agreement to operate and maintain
rail service to Churchill until 2029.

If OmniTrax is unwilling to satisfy this obligation, the federal government “will work to facilitate discussion for the transfer of the rail line to a new owner and will work with that new owner to restore rail service,” Carr said.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks