The deMeulles Auto Gas Bar in Churchill reflects the price of gas prior to the rail line washout. Dale deMeulles photo.
Churchill’s gas prices have been reduced by fifty cents a litre thanks to the federal government accessing the economic stimulus fund once again. With petrol prices nearing the $10/gallon mark, this latest reprieve will keep the cost at about $8/gallon. And we complain about gas prices when they reach $3/gallon or more? Kind of puts things in perspective a little, eh?
With federal findings of a probe of Omnitrax, owner of the Port of Churchill facility and the defunct Hudson Bay Line, due to be released soon, residents are enduring rising prices and increased isolation leading to economic strife.
Last week, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr confirmed that the Ottawa government would allocate $132,870 for Exchange Petroleum to lower gasoline prices to prior levels before the Hudson Bay Rail Line was devastated by flooding last May. Shipping on the railway was the only way to keep costs for supplies and fuel low. Now, ten months later, the pressure is causing long-time residents to move south in search of a more affordable lifestyle.
In September 2016, Ottawa approved the Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund, intended for the diversification of northern Manitoba’s economy following Omnitrax laying off most of the port’s workforce that summer. Businesses have benefitted from the money by offsetting rising shipping costs of materials shipped by barge or airplane.
Last December Carr visited Churchill and announced the government would add $2.7 million to the existing $4.6 million relief fund. After seemingly turning a blind eye to the issue the federal government now is coming to the rescue.
The new windfall of cash will be transferred to Exchange Petroleum, owner of the Calm Air fuel-storage tanks located at the Churchill airport. These tanks are being used due to issues with the port’s storage tanks related to the viability of winter storage of the fuel.
Churchill Port tank farm is unable to store fuel for the town through the winter. Churchill Tank Farm photo.
“This project is a great example of how collaboration and partnerships can help lessen Churchill’s acute economic hardships, restore a quality of life, and keep its entrepreneurs in business,” Exchange CEO Gary Bell wrote in a statement.
Churchill Mayor Mike Spence expressed thanks to Ottawa for its leadership and funding while conveying optimistic thoughts that rail line repairs would commence in the spring.
“This announcement means real savings for residents and businesses of Churchill during these difficult economic times,” Spence wrote. “It’s important to also give a great deal of credit to Exchange Petroleum who stepped in last fall.”
One of the incredible Sea Walls murals with northern lights behind. Eddy Savage photo.
Great White Bears touring bus on a Nat Hab mission to see the northern lights. Eddy Savage photo.
The infamous Ithaca shipwreck surrounded by ice and snow in the Hudson Bay. Andre Brandt photo.
Abandoned tour bus imprisoned by the winter freeze and magical northern lights in Churchill. Eddy Savage photo.
These four photos from Eddy Savage and Andre Brandt show the beauty of northern lights even while accompanied by the most mundane things such as vehicles! In the north, everything tends to become part of the landscape since the cost to remove for recycling purposes is too high. We find these images beautiful in their own way. There is a sense of time stoppage in these images that is widespread in a land where time is seemingly more abundant. The allure of northern lights makes everything unique and full of character.
Aurora season is going strong and the northern lights have been amazing as usual. These shots by Alex De Vries – Magnifico in Churchill capture the incredible scenery juxtaposed with the scintillating aurora borealis overhead! Alex’s Discover Churchill images are the most amazing we have seen over the last few northern lights seasons! We are sure there will be more in the next month or so from the northern lights mecca! Travelers from Natural Habitat Adventures have been awed with the incredible light show above Churchill this season. Enjoy!
Northern lights above an Inukshuk in Churchill. Dorota Walkoski photo.
Churchill and the Hudson Bay region is experiencing some good ole northern Arctic cold these days. However, the aurora borealis and even brighter than ever due to high auroral sun spot activity. The Aurora Domes and the Aurora Pod with their comfortable warm controlled climate are crucial to the northern lights viewing experience for Natural Habitat Adventures travelers these days! This photo from Dorota Walkoski of Great White Bear Tours in Churchill is quite a stunner!
Check out this cool, short video by National Geographic on the “Unicorns of the Sea”, the beautiful Narwhal. These unique animals have a tooth that grows up to 10 feet and extends from the upper jaw. New research through drone footage has discovered that the tooth is used for hunting fish in addition to other things. One of the Arctic’s most prized animals, they are quite hard to see in the wild unless you go far north!
Veronica Puskas’ quilt Pillars of Strength. Canadian Quilters’ Association photo.
Veronica Puskas, a former resident of Nunavut’s Kivalliq region, recently won an award for Excellence in Work by a first-time exhibitor Quilt in St. Catharines, Ont. at Canada’s national juried show.
Pillars of Strength, is based on a 1950 photograph of her grandmother and mother near the Meliadine River by Rankin Inlet.
The quilt honors her grandmother, Puskas says, though making it also helped her to deal with some heavy emotions.
Veronica Puskas uses Nunavut and the north as inspiration for her quilts and art. Veronica Puskas photo.
“I hope to encourage people that are going through difficult times that through doing some artwork or doing something to make something beautiful is very cathartic,” she says. “It helps you deal with the emotions and the hurt while doing it.”
Puskas says the project, which she began years ago and selected from over 80 entries, was truly a labor of love and family tribute.
“Mom used to tell us you can do better than that and that’s all I kept hearing.”
Chair of the event, Marilyn Michelin,says Puskas’ skill is outstanding.
“To do people in a picture is just unbelievable,” she says. “The talent that people have for that.”
Puskas, who now lives in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, will continue to use the north and particularly Nunavut as her inspiration for future quilting projects.
