Northern Manitoba is moving forward to become a global hub for trade in critical minerals. The Government of Canada is providing $45,384,634 to maintain rail connectivity and advance Indigenous economic reconciliation in Manitoba.
The Prairies produce what the world needs - energy, food, critical minerals, manufactured products, and advanced technologies. As the global clean energy transition accelerates, the demand for raw materials essential for energy storage and a net-zero economy is rising, and Indigenous Peoples across Manitoba will play key roles in this opportunity.
Manitoba's location, in the centre of North America, provides a powerful competitive trade advantage. Good trade infrastructure, capable of moving heavy loads to new markets, is essential to building momentum. It is why the Government of Canada is a proud supporter of Manitoba's economic vision as a clean energy global trade hub.
Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, on behalf of the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, announced an investment of over $43 million for Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), to continue reliable, affordable and safe rail service to 33,000 northern Manitobans. AGG is a partnership of 29 First Nations, and 12 isolated communities served by the AGG-owned Hudson Bay Railway. This investment completes the revitalization of the rail line. The result will increase economic and business development opportunities, facilitate the export of Prairie products to more global markets, drive job creation, strengthen workforce resilience, and empower Indigenous economic leadership.
Minister Duguid also announced more than $2.3 million for partnerships with Indigenous governments and University College of the North (UCN), which will accelerate the development of Manitoba's ability to produce critical minerals the world needs. These investments support training and skill development for Indigenous people in their home communities, leading to good jobs in a strategic industry.
These projects include:
- Sagkeeng First Nation is receiving $218,500 to help key initiatives aimed at building workforce capacity and training for members to participate across the sector in support of the Tanco Mine and several early to advanced mineral exploration project partnerships.
- Marcel Colomb First Nation is receiving $390,000 to deliver a workforce readiness training program to their community members to bolster the Alamos Gold mining development.
- Norway House Cree Nation is receiving $353,395 to extend delivery training programs that assist ongoing employment opportunities in the sector for their community members in aid of Minago Mine project- the first First Nations owned mine in Manitoba.
- University College of the North is receiving $1,154,129 to expand Indigenous Training at University College of the North.
A full list of projects can be found in the linked backgrounder.
Funding for these investments is provided through Transport Canada's Remote Passenger Rail Program (RPRP), PrairiesCan's Community Economic Development and Diversification program (CEDD) and Indigenous Services Canda through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI).
