Government of Canada Helping Reduce Cost of Gas in Churchill, Manitoba

Federal funding will help the community manage increased cost due to ongoing rail line disruption

CHURCHILL, AM, July 20, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to the residents of Churchill through an investment of $129,000 to help reduce the cost of gasoline in the northern Manitoba community affected by the disruption of rail service in May 2017.

Federal funding was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

This investment, supported through the Churchill and Region Economic Development (CRED) Fund, extends the reduction in the price of gasoline at the point of sale. This funding will help address the increased costs of shipping gasoline by sea to Churchill while negotiations continue for restoration of the Hudson Bay Rail line. Indigenous leaders, community members, and the federal government are working together to find a solution to this untenable situation.

The $7.3 million CRED Fund is administered by Community Futures Manitoba for Western Economic Diversification Canada. The community-based management committee approves CRED funding applications that encourage sustainable economic development and diversification of the local economy, facilitate economic adjustment and enable collaboration and partnerships that lead to enterprise opportunities in Churchill and surrounding communities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada continues to be committed to ensuring the economic and social well-being of the residents of Churchill. This funding to reduce gas costs, along with our ongoing funding for food affordability, will help reduce the burden on the residents of Churchill as parties work to find a solution to the rail disruption."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"In the continued absence of rail service, CRED is pleased to renew our gasoline subsidy to Churchill businesses and residents to help offset the significantly higher costs of bringing in the gasoline by sea. We are confident that the subsidy will help reduce the impacts on local business and keep the increase in the pump price at a level similar to that experienced recently by other Canadians."

- Jason Denbow, Executive Director, Community Futures Manitoba

Quick Facts

• Through CRED funding, 36 economic development projects in Churchill totaling nearly $4.3 million have been approved. These projects include food security, gasoline cost reduction, transportation of supplies and northern trade missions resulting in economic benefits to the community.
• The Government of Canada has extended the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) Level 2 to an estimated total of over $260,000, lowering the cost of perishable food in the region.
• Transport Canada works closely with the private supplier of aviation fuel at the Churchill Airport to ensure that the fuel supply needs of air operators continue to be met.
• Service Canada provides affected residents with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits and has an employee in Churchill each month to provide a full suite of services.

Additional Links

• Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund
• Churchill Residents and Businesses to Benefit from Reduced Gasoline Prices
• Churchill, Manitoba to benefit from new funding to help make food affordable and grow the economy

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

For further information: Mallory Clyne, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; John Harper, A/Director, Planning, Policy and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Telephone: [phone], Email: [e-mail]