The federal government announced funding of $117 million, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, to facilitate the sale and begin repairs of the flood-damaged rail line to Churchill, Manitoba and to ensure that propane supply is restored to the community.

 

Recently, Arctic Gateway Group LP, a private-public partnership that includes Missinippi Rail Limited Partnership, Fairfax Financial Holdings and AGT Foods Limited Partnership, concluded a transaction to purchase the rail line. The close of the deal has allowed for work to repair the rail line to begin immediately.

 

Manitoba MP Jim Carr, minister of International Trade Diversification, was "happy to say that repairs have begun and all efforts will be made to restore service before winter freeze-up.”

 

The Manitoba government has indicated they expect repair crews to start and work seven days a week on the line before the freeze sets in this fall. In the event that work is not completed, the Manitoba government has announced their plan to cover the incremental costs of having Superior Plus LP transport up to three million litres of propane to Churchill to ensure the fuel is available to the community for the winter season.