Feds approve Nutrition North subsidies for Churchill

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This article was published 26/06/2017 (3038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal government has approved Nutrition North subsidies for the stranded town of Churchill.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs MInister Carolyn Bennett said in an interview in Winnipeg Monday afternoon that federal officials will soon move money to Churchill retailers.

“Within my department, and with (Health Minister Jane) Dr. Philpott, we can confirm we will open up Nutrition North for as long as the railroad is not in operation,” Bennett said.

She had scant details, but said there would “very quickly” be federal subsidies paid to retailers to offset higher costs of flying in essential supplies after the rail line to Churchill was flooded out May 23. Denver-based owner Omnitrax says the line will be closed indefinitely.

Bennett said her regional office will begin dealing with people in Churchill promptly.

“This is a relief,” Mayor Mike Spence said in a phone interview from Churchill after getting the good news from federal officials earlier Monday. “We knew this was coming, it’s just a matter of when it was coming. Next is to work out the mechanics.”

Spence said Nutrition North addresses the costs of shipping in enough food by air, but didn’t immediately know the money involved. “We know there’s going to be significant savings,” the mayor said.

A spokeswoman for Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said the province is pleased to learn Churchill will receive the food subsidy.

“Provincial officials are analyzing the anticipated impact this program extension will have on food prices,” said Olivia Billson. “We continue to work collaboratively with… Churchill officials and local businesses to address the immediate and long-term needs of the community imposed by the rail line outage.”

Bennett said dealing directly with Omnitrax is not part of her ministerial file, nor could she speculate on the possibility of bringing fuel, food and other materials to Churchill by sea before the freeze-up in early October.

“There needs to be a long-term solution,” said the minister.

She said federal ministers are constantly in contact with the province and with Churchill, searching for solutions. However, Bennett could not comment Monday on other possible federal financial support.

Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid pointed out that “there’s been treacherous sea ice,” which has delayed possible supplies shipped by freighter from Montreal.

The province talked last week about bringing in supplies by barge from Moosonee, Ont., but made no commitment to financial help.

She was not meeting with the provincial government while in Winnipeg, Bennett said.

The minister was in the city to attend an event at the Manitoba Metis Federation.

MMF president David Chartrand was far more aggressive than Bennett — he demanded Omnitrax get the tracks fixed.

At the very least, Chartrand said, Omnitrax should run trains as far north as the flood-damaged areas to serve indigenous communities along the line.

The MMF is building a new office in Churchill and needs to get its construction materials into the town, Chartrand said.

“We’ll be pushing to get some answers from Omnitrax,” Chartrand said.

Chartrand said that he has not met with Omnitrax in Winnipeg since the rail line was closed.

They haven’t been to Churchill either, said Spence.

“No, of course not, that’s not what they do,” the mayor scoffed. “Do they come to our community? Of course not.”

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca