Winnipeg, Manitoba – Ongoing marketing of Churchill as a diversified shipping and value added port will continue over the next five years as the Churchill Gateway Development Corporation receives $2 million in funding under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The governments of Canada and Manitoba will each contribute $1 million in funding for this initiative. The Honourable Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), and Manitoba Transportation and Government Services Minister Ron Lemieux on behalf of Finance Minister Greg Selinger made the announcement today. “The Port of Churchill plays a significant role in the economic development and future of Churchill, and the Province of Manitoba,” said Minister Alcock. “As the northern terminus for the mid-continent trade corridor, the port is a vital link in international trade for all Manitobans.” “ The Port of Churchill serves as a strategic link in international trade for Manitoba and this partnership will develop a more diversified and sustainable shipment of goods through the gateway for the benefit of users of the port and our northern communities ,” said Minister Lemieux. The Port of Churchill is located on the west coast of Hudson Bay with shorter shipping distances and times to many parts of Europe, Russia and the Mediterranean. The proximity of the port to the central Arctic region allows Churchill to efficiently ship fuel and building materials to many small communities in Nunavut. The port also provides unique potential for the export and import of manufactured and resource-based products in addition to the grain and other agricultural products already exported through Churchill now . The five-year marketing plan for the Churchill Gateway includes initiatives such as establishing a Murmansk-Churchill Arctic Bridge, increasing Nunavut re-supply volumes and service points, developing containerized traffic flows, and pursuing two-way movement of heavy machinery, fertilizer and ores. Broadening the range of products shipped through Churchill will help provide stable economic growth in the region. The marketing plan will be coordinated by the Churchill Gateway Development Corporation (CGDC). The corporation is a non-profit, non-share Manitoba corporation established in 2003 to market activities designed to diversify and increase shipments of grain and non-grain products through the Port of Churchill. As partners in the CGDC, the Hudson Bay Railway Company, the Hudson Bay Port Company and the Churchill Terminal Company will also contribute a total of $1 million to the project over five years. Together, and in partnership with community stakeholders, Canada and Manitoba are working to strengthen and diversify Manitoba's economy, build on existing economic strengths, enhance the skills of Manitoba's workforce and promote regional development. For more information on this and other projects funded under EPA, visit: http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca. Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 Budget. For additional information, contact: Mark Gale Communications Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada Tel: (204) 983-6243 E-mail: mark.gale@wd.gc.ca Terri Hooper Communications Coordinator, Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (204) 945-7805 http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca Graham Gork Communications Coordinator, Communication Services Manitoba (204) 945-5795 http://www.gov.mb.ca WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
