Saskatchewan and Manitoba have joined forces with Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) to revive and expand the port of Churchill, signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at building a northern trade corridor that could reshape Canadian export logistics.

The agreement, unveiled this week by premiers Scott Moe and Wab Kinew alongside AGG CEO Chris Avery, sets out a five-year roadmap to upgrade infrastructure, extend the shipping season, and streamline access to global markets via Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port. Central to the initiative is a revitalised Hudson Bay Railway, which links prairie producers to tidewater some 1,600 km closer than Vancouver.

“This joint commitment from premiers Kinew and Moe is a clear signal that Canada’s Arctic Trade Corridor will play a major role in this country’s trade and transportation future,” said Avery, adding that increased traffic through Churchill will benefit indigenous and northern communities that co-own AGG.

Saskatchewan will mobilise exporters through its trade offices, while Manitoba will lead on securing federal funding and regulatory support. 

The initiative aligns with Canada’s broader push to diversify trade beyond the US, especially in food, fuel, and minerals. While no cost estimate or timeline was revealed, both premiers stressed the port’s strategic potential for mining, agriculture, and energy exports.