2012 Perspectives Magazine - Manitoba Heavy Construction ...

Much of what is great about Manitoba grew from the
creativity of its leading citizens. Moving fresh water
down an aqueduct 100 km away from a thirsty city; building a
park that is a magnet for families who come here from every
corner of the globe; a floodway that has saved billions of dollars
and untold hardships. Our next visionary moment is to see the
North for its limitless potential: commerce, tourism, sustainable
economic development, opportunities for indigenous peoples
and a strategic plan to assure our national sovereignty.
Studying Manitoba’s northern
potential is hardly new. Duff
Roblin established The Northern
Transportation Commission in
1967. Many of its recommendations
await implementation. The federal
government’s focus on the North
and identification of 4 pillars of
strategic importance provides a
new opportunity for Manitoba to
add a constructive voice to the
national discussion. We are the
only province with an inland deep
water port. Mineral development
JIM Carr
in Manitoba’s North and Nunavut
offers significant economic
potential and the Canadian Air
Force, headquartered in Winnipeg,
can help assert Canada’s claim on Arctic sovereignty.
Economic development of Canada’s North is a key element
to Manitoba’s future prosperity and a healthy economy in
northern Manitoba is vital for Canada as well. The North will
require significant investment to build infrastructure and a longterm
commitment from both the public and private sectors if
Canada’s full potential is to be realized. For decades inadequate
infrastructure has limited development of the North. Although
the Port of Churchill offers a one to two-day advantage over other
transportation routes to specific destinations, the Hudson Bay
Railway has suffered derailments and maintenance disruptions
for years, impacting its reputation for reliability. Without reliability
the Port’s advantages and prospects are seriously blunted.
The Business Council of Manitoba, a group of 75 CEOs of Manitoba’s
leading companies offers some thoughts on Manitoba’s north
and the Port of Churchill.
The Port of Churchill is Canada’s Arctic Gateway. The recent
announcement by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of
Agriculture that legislation will be introduced in the fall of 2011 to
end the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly on marketing wheat
and barley in 2012 would impact the Port. In 2010 approximately
95% of the grain shipped through the Port came from the
Wheat Board.
The challenge of ensuring the port’s viability is dependent on
growing the market and finding other product to move through
it. There is no purpose putting money into the Port of Churchill
and upgrading its operations unless the rail line is refurbished or
other modes of transportation to the North are developed, such
as a new road.
The cost of improving the infrastructure to connect southern
Canada with the North to make the Port of Churchill a viable
Artic Gateway will be substantial, a cost that cannot be borne
by Manitoba alone. Federal support is needed. The importance
of the Port ties directly into Prime Minister Harper’s northern
MANITOBA’S
NORTH AND
THE PORT OF
CHURCHILL
strategy which focuses on the following 4 pillars:
1. Exercising our Sovereignty
2. Promoting Economic & Social Development
3. Protecting the Arctic Environment
4. Improving and Devolving Governance
Churchill’s proximity to Nunavut and a direct connection to
Winnipeg and the Mid-Continent Trade and Transportation
Corridor can link goods to and from Canada’s North and
abroad. To realize the full potential of the Port a reliable mode
of transportation must be developed to connect Churchill to
Nunavut. Premier Selinger and Nunavut Premier Aariak signed
an agreement in November 2010 to study the cost-benefit of an
all-weather road to connect Churchill to Rankin Inlet. The cost of
building this road was estimated at $1.2 billion in 2005. A road
link would reinforce Canada’s sovereignty through a stronger
economic region and increased presence in the North.
Northern development will also need new roads to service
isolated mining developments. There are large areas in northern
Manitoba with minerals in remote regions which remain underdeveloped.
Manitoba is expected to see $86 million in exploration
expenditures in 2010 down from $98 million in 2009. The high
costs of transportation in the North are a significant disincentive
to doing business. A strong mining industry in Manitoba will
create jobs and economic prosperity. Private firms benefitting
from infrastructure built for their benefit should participate in
its development. Manitoba Hydro also has a stake in northern
development and should be a major partner.
Construction of the all-season road on the east-side of Lake
Winnipeg has the potential to open up this side of the province.
Not only will there be jobs and economic opportunities for the
residents of the North, but there will be permanent infrastructure
to permit the transportation of supplies in and out of communities
all-year long.
26 perspectives Magazine