A new building will be popping up in Churchill in 2017 and it will bring in even more researchers to the polar bear capital – but to research an entirely different subject.
On July 6, Shelly Glover, federal minister responsible for Manitoba, and Premier Greg Selinger travelled to Churchill to make a funding announcement regarding the new Churchill Marine Observatory.
Manitoba will invest nearly $9.7 million over four years to help build the research facility, which will be located in the Port of Churchill. The federal Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is providing $12.4 million.
This conservatory is going to bring together university researchers and government department workers to research what to do when oil spills happen.
CJ Mundy, co-leader of the project, says it’s happening in Churchill because of the changing climate, and the ice cover being open for longer, which could open a new passageway through the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay and the Port of Churchill.
Mundy says since there could be more shipping, there could be a greater risk of accidents and pollution.
Construction on the new building will begin next year.
