Minister Duguid announces federal investments to secure affordable transportation in the North, and strengthen trade opportunities for Canada
Summary
It is why the Government of Canada is a proud supporter of Manitobas economic vision as a clean energy global trade hub.Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan, on behalf of the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, announced an investment of over $43 million for Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), to continue reliable, affordable and safe rail service to 33,000 northern Manitobans. The result will increase economic and business development opportunities, facilitate the export of Prairie products to more global markets, drive job creation, strengthen workforce resilience, and empower Indigenous economic leadership.Minister Duguid also announced more than $2.3 million for partnerships with Indigenous governments and University College of the North (UCN), which will accelerate the development of Manitobas ability to produce critical minerals the world needs. Sagkeeng First Nation is receiving $218,500 to help key initiatives aimed at building workforce capacity and training for members to participate across the sector in support of the Tanco Mine and several early to advanced mineral exploration project partnerships. Marcel Colomb First Nation is receiving $390,000 to deliver a workforce readiness training program to their community members to bolster the Alamos Gold mining development. University College of the North is receiving $1,154,129 to expand Indigenous Training at University College of the North.A full list of projects can be found in the linked backgrounder.Funding for these investments is provided through Transport Canadas Remote Passenger Rail Program (RPRP), PrairiesCans Community Economic Development and Diversification program (CEDD) and Indigenous Services Canda through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI).