Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Prime Minister Mark Carney met on April 14, 2026, to advance plans for transforming the Port of Churchill into a year-round Arctic shipping hub. The leaders signed a new agreement to speed up the approval process for major infrastructure projects in the northern community, aiming to create more economic opportunities while continuing to protect the local environment and Indigenous rights.
The Port of Churchill is owned and operated by the Arctic Gateway Group, a partnership representing 41 Indigenous and northern communities. As Canada’s only deepwater Arctic seaport connected by rail, the facility is considered a critical asset for the region. To support these long-term expansion goals, federal and provincial governments have committed a combined total of $262.5 million over five years.
Efforts to diversify the port’s activity have already shown progress. In August 2024, the port handled its first shipment of critical minerals in over two decades, moving zinc concentrate for Hudbay Minerals Inc. Building on this momentum, the Arctic Gateway Group partnered with Fednav Ltd. in February 2026 to study the requirements for operating in icy conditions throughout the winter.
This initiative, known as the Churchill Plus project, is a central part of a broader strategy to secure Canada‘s northern trade routes. Prime Minister Carney noted that the new collaboration agreement will help get work started on these vital projects more quickly. The province is also establishing the Manitoba Crown-Indigenous Corporation to coordinate the project and ensure ongoing partnership with local Indigenous leaders.
