Trudeau, Liberals trying to get Churchill rail repairs back on track

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This article was published 19/09/2017 (2951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals say it might not be too late to restore rail service to Churchill before the fall freeze, despite Manitoba moving ahead with propane shipments to help the cut-off town get through the winter.

“We’re confident that we’re going to be able to move forward and help Churchill,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, as the town of 900, located 1,000 kilometres north of Winnipeg, entered its 17th week without its rail lifeline.

Private talks are ongoing as Ottawa tries to facilitate a transfer of the rail line and port from Denver-based owner Omnitrax to two northern Manitoba groups. But an extensive, independent engineering report stressed work must start by early September to get the tracks operational before the November freeze.

Yet, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr suggested the actual deadline could be later. “There are probably various points of view on that,” Carr told the Free Press, but he wouldn’t specify who offered another timeline, and what it was.

“We want to make sure that we’re moving at the quickest pace that the situation will allow,” said Carr, who represents Winnipeg South Centre. “The commitment is unwavering, to the people of Churchill, their future and the future of the transportation links that are essential for the growth of that very important Manitoba region.”

Regardless, the province is proceeding with its shipment of 2.2 million litres of propane.

The $6-million shipment will leave Montreal Sept. 26 and is scheduled to arrive in Churchill Oct. 10, pending weather. Premier Brian Pallister announced the fuel July 21, as a safety measure in case rail line wasn’t restored.

Carr said he isn’t reading too much into that, though he did say Transport Minister Marc Garneau is helping plan necessities in case the line can’t be fixed this year.

NDP MP Niki Ashton, whose riding includes Churchill, says the Liberals need to complete the takeover as the town approaches its vital polar-bear tourism season.

“Maybe Trudeau needs a refresher on what construction season looks like in northern Canada. Maybe it’s time he actually come to Churchill,” Ashton said in an interview.

She noted the two northern Manitoba groups are working together for a takeover, and have laid down their individual chances at full ownership of the line.

“The federal government is failing to show them the political will and frankly the courage to stand up to Omnitrax,” Ahston said. “People have been frustrated with Omnitrax’s games.”

Conservative MP Candice Bergen said the slow pace of takeover talks could bring economic chaos to northern Manitoba.

“Missing the freeze-up deadline is a clear failure on the part of Justin Trudeau and the Liberals,” Bergen wrote. “You can be rest assured that the Liberals would have never let a similar situation occur in Ontario or Quebec.”

In late July, Trudeau pledge to Churchill Mayor Mike Spence that Ottawa would repair the line. When the Free Press asked the prime minister why Ottawa’s missed the early-September deadline, Trudeau blamed the line’s owner.

“Omnitrax is not living up, has not lived up to its contractual obligations, and getting them to accept that we would move forward without them was a challenge,” he said.

Omnitrax Canada head Merv Tweed refused to comment on the ongoing talks with Ottawa. “While we have had some productive discussions, time is running out and we hope to see this process accelerate,” he wrote.

Yet, Spence also said it might not be too late for his town.

“Time is running out, but we have not given up on repairs to get the rail line operational before freeze-up,” he wrote. “The pressure is on for all involved to find a solution.”

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca