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The federal government is investing in major infrastructure, promising to expedite “projects of national interest” and pitching them to private investors at a summit in September.

The Manitoba government has its sights set on a pipeline and LNG export terminal at Churchill. Instead, Manitoba should be putting forward feasible, future-facing infrastructure proposals that would leave a positive lasting legacy of energy affordability, independence and security for Manitobans.

A pipeline and LNG terminal at Churchill are not viable for several reasons — the technical challenges of building a pipeline over thawing permafrost; the prohibitive cost of ice-breaking tankers to move LNG through the Arctic; and a forecasted global oversupply of LNG and uncertain long-term export markets.

Given these challenges, a private company coming out of the woodwork to invest seems exceptionally unlikely. Private proponents are also not interested in building oil pipelines to the west, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has now made clear his priority to work with Premier Danielle Smith on a West Coast pipeline, which would cost upwards of $35 billion (on top of the over $34 billion in public funds already spent on the Trans Mountain pipeline). It would seem this pours more cold water on the idea of a third publicly funded pipeline to Hudson Bay.

Thompson RCMP are asking for help from the public to find a 37-year-old woman who has not been heard from since late July.

Melanie Beardy, from Split Lake First Nation, was last in contact on July 26, said an RCMP news release Saturday. Beardy, who was in Thompson, was reported missing last Sunday and RCMP said both police and her family are worried for her well-being.

Attempts to find Beardy have been unsuccessful, said RCMP.

She’s described as 5’4 with a large build and long, black hair usually worn in a ponytail, said Mounties. She has a tattoo on her chest that reads: “Elvis,” and has a tattoo of a dreamcatcher on her left forearm.