Churchill, Manitoba to benefit from new funding to help make food affordable and grow the economy

Government of Canada further supports northern Manitoba by announcing nearly $3 million for new initiatives

CHURCHILL, MB, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to the people of Churchill and northern Manitoba and is making a significant investment to assist Canadians with the cost of food and to generate economic growth.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.

The federal government continues to recognize the importance of the Hudson Bay Railway Line and Port of Churchill to communities in northern Manitoba and in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut.

The Government of Canada is committing an additional $2.7 million to support economic growth. The new funding will be provided to the Churchill and Region Economic Development (CRED) Fund to contribute to the creation of jobs, support local businesses and help diversify economic activities.

On November 1, the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) Level 2 subsidy was extended, providing an additional estimated $260,000 to help the people of Churchill with food costs between now and next spring. As well, the Government of Canada will continue to work with the Province of Manitoba to ensure adequate fuel supply through the winter months.

In addition, funding support is being provided from key programs and initiatives to advance the interests of the Churchill region. The University of Manitoba's Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO) is receiving more than $1.5 million through the Western Diversification Program (WDP). Over the course of the project, it is anticipated that 13 full-time and 20 trainees will be hired.

Under initial CRED funding, five projects pertaining to Churchill, totaling $575,600 were recently approved. These projects will create 19 jobs to grow fresh healthy food options, support a new winter ice road, and bring northern trade missions resulting in direct economic benefits.

Over and above these support measures to address pressing community needs, the Government of Canada is equally mindful of the long term prosperity of Churchill. The Government is currently engaging with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, and communities regarding a new strategy for the future of the Arctic. As the Arctic Policy Framework is being developed over the coming months, the role and opportunities for Churchill and the Hudson's Bay Rail line in serving as a transportation and supply link to Canada's North will be considered.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the long-term prosperity of the people who live and work in Northern Manitoba, as well as the economic development of the region. The funding announced today demonstrates the wide range of opportunities that exist."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"Today's announcement is an example of the Government of Canada's commitment to the people of northern Manitoba. We are working together to address the challenges and create new and exciting opportunities to move forward."
- The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources

"We thank the Government of Canada for this support to a critical piece of infrastructure necessary for this project to move forward. The Churchill Marine Observatory will play a key role in learning more about the impact of oil and other contaminants under realistic ice-covered conditions."
- Dr. Digvir Jayas, Vice-President (Research and International) and Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba

"Food security is an important issue for all communities but since the rail line closure this has become an increasingly essential priority for Churchill. The Growcer Hydroponic unit installed at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) will improve our community's access to fresh healthy food."
- Stephanie Puleo, Interim Executive Director, Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Backgrounder

Churchill, Manitoba to benefit from new funding to help make food affordable and grow the economy

Government of Canada furthers support to northern Manitoba by announcing nearly $3 million for new initiatives

December 1, 2017 – Churchill, Manitoba – Western Economic Diversification Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to the people of Churchill and northern Manitoba and is making new investments of almost $3 million to assist with the cost of food and to generate economic growth.

Churchill and Region Economic Development (CRED) Fund
The $2.7 million increase in funding for the Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund raises support under the program to a total of $7.3 million for economic development and diversification of the local and regional economy.

The following projects pertaining to Churchill have recently been approved under the CRED Fund:

Churchill Northern Studies Centre	Improve food security and provide healthy, locally grown, fresh food options to residents.	$ 276,350
Remote Area Services	Provide freight delivery service on winter ice road from Gillam to Churchill.	$ 100,000
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce	Host a series of two-day trade missions in northern Manitoba.	$ 149,250
Gypsy's Bakery	Assist with incremental business expenses due to rail service disruption.	$   25,000
Churchill Home Hardware	Assist with incremental business expenses due to rail service disruption.	$   25,000
TOTAL		$ 575,600

Western Economic Diversification Canada works closely with municipal, business and community leaders on medium- and longer-term economic development opportunities. The department has entered into an agreement with Community Futures Manitoba to administer the CRED fund. Community Futures Manitoba has established a community-based management committee to review and approve projects that encourage medium- and long-term sustainable economic development and diversification of the local economies; facilitate economic adjustment; and enable collaboration and partnerships leading to enterprise opportunities in the Churchill and surrounding communities.

For more information on the program and a complete list of approved projects visit Community Futures Manitoba.

Nutrition North Canada (NNC)
On July 7, Churchill was temporarily added to the list of eligible communities for the Nutrition North Canada program in order to support the immediate needs of residents for more affordable access to perishable, nutritious food. The temporary addition complements the Government of Manitoba's Affordable Food in Remote Manitoba (AFFIRM) food subsidy program.

On November 1, the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) Level 2 subsidy was extended bringing the NNC food subsidy support to local residents between now and next spring to an estimated total of $260,000.

Propane Supply and Storage
The Government of Canada has been and continues to work with the Province of Manitoba regarding securing, shipping and storing propane fuel in Churchill to ensure adequate supply through to next summer. This emergency support measure aims at ensuring the residents of Churchill remain safe and secure and that their homes are heated during the winter months.

The University of Manitoba Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO)
The Churchill Marine Observatory is a unique, highly innovative multi-disciplinary research facility. With support of $1,571,567 through the Western Diversification Program (WDP), the CMO will investigate oil behaviour under realistic, ice-covered sea conditions. Over the five years of the project, it is anticipated that 13 full-time and 20 trainee Highly Qualified Personnel will be hired. 

Additional Links

• Government of Canada Announces $4.6M Fund for Churchill and Region
• Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund
• Nutrition North Canada
• University of Manitoba
• Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

For further information: Alexandre Deslongchamps, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Lorne Pelletier, Director, Planning, Policy and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]