The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and rural Saskatchewan welcomed the significant infrastructure investment as the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan unite to inject a combined $262.5 million into Arctic Gateway Group’s (AGG) Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway network.
The federal government will contribute $180 million, with the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba providing the remaining funding. This investment supports the modernization of a trade corridor connecting prairie producers to global markets, expanding opportunities for Saskatchewan’s grain, potash, minerals and energy exports.
Originally built to ship wheat in 1931, the Port of Churchill is now positioned to move a wide variety of goods, including lumber, petroleum products, sulphur, grains and containerized freight, to and from global destinations. The Port of Churchill corridor creates additional routes for products to reach international markets more efficiently, reducing shipping times and costs for Saskatchewan producers and processors.
“This investment in the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway is welcome news for rural Saskatchewan. It strengthens vital trade links that will help our producers move prairie commodities faster and more efficiently to global markets,” said Bill Huber, SARM president. “Rural communities stand to benefit from the new jobs, infrastructure improvements and business opportunities that come with a modern, reliable northern corridor. SARM is pleased to see all levels of government working together to support rural economic growth and position Saskatchewan as a key player in Canada’s future trade network.”
Partnerships with Saskatchewan communities and industry are also taking shape. The Town and RM of Tisdale, under Invest Tisdale, announced a collaboration with AGG in September 2024 to promote “two-way rail traffic” that will boost local economic activity. In addition, Genesis Fertilizers has signed a letter of intent to import 300,000 tonnes of phosphate annually through Churchill, Man., for blending at its Belle Plaine facility and distribution across the Prairies.
AGG, which owns and manages the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway, has already made substantial progress:
- A second weekly freight train now operates along the Hudson Bay Railway following new conductor training and hiring programs
- A new critical mineral storage facility will triple Churchill’s capacity for strategic resource shipments.
- New monitoring technology, including LiDAR, ground-penetrating radar, aerial drones and AI-powered analytics, is enhancing reliability and safety
With growing trade volumes, cutting-edge technology and strong government collaboration, the Port of Churchill is set to become a key northern hub in Canada’s national supply chain, linking rural producers in Saskatchewan and across the Prairies to global markets.