Hudson Bay development sought to secure Prairie export routes

Efforts are increasing to develop Hudson Bay as a major northern trade gateway to provide Canadian Prairie exporters with sovereign access to tidewater. Currently, exporters rely on distant marine terminals and rail corridors, often passing through jurisdictions like Quebec that have resisted pipelines from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The Port of Churchill serves as Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port connected to the North American rail network. The Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), owned by 29 First Nations and 12 northern communities, operates the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill, estimating that $2 to $3 billion is needed for a heavier railway and usable port.

Additionally, NeeStaNan, in partnership with the Fox Lake Cree Nation, is studying a multifunctional port at Port Nelson. Their regional partner, Northern Prince LNG, has proposed liquefying natural gas at that location.