CHURCHILL, MANITOBA, CANADA — The Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) announced Nov. 16 that has halted shipments of grain from The Port of Churchill in Northern Manitoba for the 2022 season while extensive repairs continue to the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR). The Port of Churchill is Canada’s only Arctic deep-water port.

“From the beginning, we have been saying that we are going to get this right once and for all,” said Sheldon Affleck, chief executive officer of the AGG. “Our aim to fix the tracks permanently and pausing grain shipments until that’s done will ensure that we have a permanent long-term solution that will make the HBR safe, sustainable and profitable.”

The AGG said passenger and freight trains carrying essential goods to northern communities as well as all customer carloads will continue along the HBR while the rail bed is being repaired.

In August, the AGG received a C$40 million federal investment through Indigenous Services Canada’s Strategic Partnership initiative toward the rebuilding of the rail line. The AGG has been working on the rebuild since 2018.

The rebuild has included the completion of repairs to the Churchill Grain Terminal to seal the roof and windows against birds and weather, as well as the purchase of 12 locomotives, which are in the process of receiving technology upgrades and new paint.