Hudson Bay Railway Archives - Manitoba Co-operator

Churchill shipping resumes but grain still on back burner

MarketsFarm — The first cargo ship in two years left the northern Manitoba port of Churchill on Wednesday, moving supplies to communities in Nunavut. Rehabilitation efforts at North America’s only deep-water Arctic port are still underway, but there are expectations business through the facility will eventually include grain as well. OmniTrax, the previous owner of

The Port of Churchill in 2015. (CNS Canada photo by Jade Markus)

Crops

Proposed deal ‘fallen apart’ for Hudson Bay Railway

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff July 3, 2018

An acquisition deal-in-principle for northern Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Railway appears to have collapsed and the line’s current owners warn the railway may now be down for yet another shipping season. Hudson Bay Railway (HBR), a subsidiary of Colorado-based shortline operator OnmiTrax, announced Tuesday “it now appears that this transaction has fallen apart.” The proposed sale

Grain being loaded on a ship at the Hudson Bay port of Churchill in 2015. Former owner OmniTrax shut down the port facility before the 2016 shipping season began. (CNS Canada photo by Jade Markus)

Crops

Transport agency orders Hudson Bay Railway to start repairs

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff June 16, 2018

The Canadian Transportation Agency has ordered the current owners of the Hudson Bay Railway to get repair work underway by July 3 at the latest. The CTA — the quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator for the Canadian transport sector — on Wednesday granted a request filed by an unnamed representative of Manitoba’s provincial opposition New Democrats

Editorial, Opinion, Other

Editorial: On a (rail)road to nowhere

By Gord Gilmour November 23, 2017

The Port of Churchill and the rail link to the south has been much in the public eye of late, most recently with word a Toronto financial group is partnering with local First Nations groups to buy the line. The tantalizing promise of Churchill has always been just over the horizon, it would seem. On

Crops, Weather

Ottawa threatens suit for Hudson Bay rail line repairs

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff October 13, 2017

The federal government says the owner of the Hudson Bay Railway has 30 days to get the washed-out line repaired and running or will face a lawsuit for breach of contract. Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, the MP for the Manitoba riding of Winnipeg South Centre, said in a statement Friday that U.S. rail operator

Crops, Weather

Feds step in to restore rail service to Churchill

By Dave Sims, GFM Network News September 8, 2017

CNS Canada — The federal government says it’s prepared to restore rail service to Hudson Bay at Churchill, Man. The Hudson Bay Railway, running from The Pas to Churchill, was closed in the spring of 2017 after flooding damaged multiple sections of the route to the northern Manitoba community. U.S. rail operator OmniTrax, the line’s

“What I’ve come to realize is that Hudson Bay Railway is a utility. It is a service to the North and it provides that service to many First Nations communities.” – Merv Tweed, OmniTrax

News

First Nations leaders proving adept at train transition

First Nations ownership and utility-like business model will be key ingredients of a successful transition

By Jack Dawes April 4, 2016

OmniTrax might be pulling out of northern Manitoba, but that doesn’t mean the railway is doomed. Merv Tweed, OmniTrax Canada’s president, told the Hudson Bay Route Associations’ Mar. 23 annual meeting in Yorkton a consortium of First Nations communities is poised to take over the Hudson Bay Railway. Facing tough questions from the crowd about

Crops, Markets, Weather

Man. First Nations seek to buy Churchill port, rail line

By GFM Network News, Manitoba Co-operator Staff December 18, 2015

Manitoba’s northern First Nations have responded to the “for sale” notice on the port and rail line that allow Prairie farmers and handlers to ship grain exports through Hudson Bay. The Canadian arm of U.S. shortline firm OmniTrax confirmed Friday it has a letter of intent in hand from a group of First Nations in

Crops, Markets, Weather

Churchill to move pulses this fall, consider partnerships

By GFM Network News, Jade Markus September 10, 2015

Churchill | CNS Canada –– As its shipping season gets underway, the operators of Manitoba’s Port of Churchill are considering options for keeping the port viable going forward — especially as the end looms for its government subsidy. Churchill has previously relied on the Canadian Wheat Board as its primary supplier of grain, but in

Cereals, Crops, Markets

Late start expected for Manitoba’s Port of Churchill

By GFM Network News, Jade Markus June 19, 2015

CNS Canada — Manitoba’s northern Port of Churchill will start its shipping season later this year, as its operator hopes to lower the cost of maintenance on the railway serving the port. Merv Tweed, president of port and railway operator OmniTrax Canada, said the company expects the first grain vessel will go out sometime in

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures come down from highs

Entomologist tests trap crops and marigolds to repel flea beetles at an Ag in Motion

Canada’s foreign affairs minister spoke with Chinese counterpart, federal government says

Daily Network News