The Churchill River is gorgeous during the spring break – up! Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
There’s nothing more awe-inspiring and beautiful in Churchill than the annual Churchill River ice break – up in the spring. This image by Discover Churchill with the sunset flowing across the ice floes is an amazing shot! Looking forward to all the life springing up across the bountiful tundra and waters of Churchill.
The Port of Churchill still vacant while the sale of the business is in limbo. Katie de Meulles photo.
There are no groundhogs in Churchill! So, there really cannot be a “groundhog” day. However, with the recent announcement of the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Line being sold again there seems to be some confusion.
There apparently is another informal agreement that will reestablish ownership of the Hudson Bay Rail line and the Port of Churchill within the northern Manitoba community and keep the facilities under Canadian control.
One North and Missinippi Rail LP have joined forces with Fairfax Financial Holdings and come to an informal agreement to acquire the dormant assets from current owner Denver, Colorado-based Omnitrax.
Fairfax, a Toronto-based investment company, agreed to partner with One North and Missinippi Rail this past November, to purchase Omnitrax’s northern Manitoba assets.
The arrangement includes the participation of 41 First Nations and non-First Nation communities in northern Manitoba as well as seven Kivalliq communities in western Nunavut, along with Fairfax and AGT, the government said.
Omnitrax owner Pat Broe and Fairfax president Paul Rivett negotiated the acquisition, but there are multiple legal issues to finalize before prior to a finalized deal can be completed.
“Priority No. 1 will be rail line repairs in the very near future and to finalize the acquisition,” Spence wrote in a statement.
“This is a historic partnership involving Indigenous and northern communities with industry leaders that now positions the Port of Churchill as an Arctic gateway for future prosperity.”
The Hudson Bay rail line to Churchill was washed out by a flood runoff from two late spring blizzards in May 2017. Since then, Omnitrax has refused to repair the tracks and has been in an ongoing battle with the Canadian Government over responsibilities regarding the repairs. Initially, the costs of repairs were between $40 and $60 million. Omnitrax claimed it was unable to cover those high costs.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated last year that Omnitrax is responsible for getting the train line up and running again. While this is being settled, at this point most likely through new ownership, the federal government has been providing ongoing subsidies to northern residents to help defray escalating costs of goods shipped north.
The amazing Arctic tern is the phenom of all migrating birds. With an annual round trip of roughly 45,000 miles, this stellar specimen is rivaled by no other in endurance and perseverance in seeking out prime conditions fro feeding and breeding for survival of the species. Churchill is a key summer destination with a bounty of food and nesting areas.
Cinnamon Black Bear shows up in Churchill. Rhonda Reid photo.
This cinnamon black bear was “captured” via camera by Rhonda Reid in Churchill. Black bears have been more regularly spotted further north over the last 20 years. Churchill has become quite the melting pot of animal species as the climate changes more and more. We are still quite surprised every time we get a look at another bear beside the King of the North! Polar bears still dominate the landscape though we are surely seeing an increase in these other species of bears.
Polar bear peeking out through its napping area in the Churchill willows. Leah Okin Magowan photo
Polar bears bed down in the willows in the fall polar bear season in Churchill to conserve their energy and waning fat reserves. When they are aroused or catch a waft of some unusual smell they will pop up from their slumber ad shelter. Some of these sightings are the most exciting and memorable of a polar bear adventure to Churchill on the Hudson Bay!
Hearing beluga whales communicating in the water of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay around Churchill is one of my most lasting memories of my tenure as a guide for Natural Habitat Adventures. Nothing in nature, in my opinion, compares to witnessing animals communicating with one another and if you spend enough time with beluga whales you will hear them and see how they act as a group and coordinate their actions as apparently one organism. This short video gives an impression of what you can expect to witness as a traveler on a spectacular Churchill Summer Adventure! Enjoy!
