HBRA Goals
- Promote awareness of the need for continued and increased use of the Hudson Bay Route and the Port of Churchill.
- Articulate the economic and strategic reasons why the Hudson Bay Route is of great value to western Canada.
- Convince policy makers of the urgent need for further development of the Port and Railway.
- Advance and improve services, industry, and the quality of life in Canada’s northland through the increased use of the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill.
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HBRA Membership Request
Arctic Gateway Group
2022 AGM
&
CONVENTION
October 17th
The Pas, MB
In Person
and
via ZOOM
October 17th
The Pas, MB
In Person
and
via ZOOM
HBRA NEEDS YOU
AS A MEMBER!
- The Churchill Transportation Corridor is an important regional asset – it needs the support of all regional communities and municipalities.
- The Corridor requires greater grassroots support to assure the Port’s long term survival.
- HBRA is a stronger national voice for Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta when the Association has popular support from all municipalities.
- HBRA is western Canada’s front-line in support of the Churchill Corridor - municipalities need HBRA to make their transportation concerns heard at the national level.
- HBRA is a member driven volunteer organization which takes its direction from resolutions put forward at their Annual General Meeting.
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Municipalities are the backbone of HBRA membership, leadership and program resources We Need Your Support Today!
CURRENT NEWS
August 3, 2022 - “Northern Manitoba railway investment ‘great opportunity for Canada’” - Click here to read the Winnipeg Free Press article.
August 2, 2022 - “Manitoba, Ottawa tab $147.6M for Hudson Bay Railway upgrades” - Click here to read the Winnipeg Free Press article.
November 24, 2020 - “Arctic Gateway Group 2020 Community Update Presentation” - Click here to read the AGG Presentation.
July 23, 2019 - “Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of International Trade Diversification to Address HBRA AGM in Flin Flon on August 7th” - Click here to read the HBRA Press Release.
November 1, 2018 - “Arctic Gateway Press Conference” - Click here to view the Arctic Gateway Group Press Conference in Churchill.
August 31, 2018 - “Repairs to Begin Immediately on Northern Manitoba Rail” - Click here to read the Statement from Western Economic Diversification Canada.
February 4, 2018 - “Churchill’s future up in the air but remains perpetually promising” - Click here to read the Canadian Sailings article.
February 4, 2018 - “Railway to Churchill closed as parties fight over who should fix the flood-damaged line” - Click here to read the Canadian Sailings article.
February 4, 2018 - “Churchill’s history featured fits and starts” - Click here to read the Canadian Sailings article.
October 4, 2017 - “Death of an iconic Canadian city?” - Click here to view the report from The National on YouTube.
May 15, 2017 - “Neighbours battle for a tiny railway that has become a lifeline in northern Manitoba” - Click here to read the Financial Post article.
Visit to Churchill via Train - August 2011 - Click here to view the PDF.
HBRA’s
98 Year History
The “On-to-the-Bay” Association was formed in 1924 to demand completion of the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill in the interests of the people of western Canada. On-to-the-Bay’s successor, the Hudson Bay Route Association (HBRA), continues to play a vital educational and promotional role today in support of the Churchill Transportation Corridor.
All told, the Association has been lobbying governments and influencing transportation policy on behalf of prairie communities for over ninety years.
Resolutions
2019 Resolutions
2018 Resolutions
2017 Resolutions
2016 Resolutions
2016 AGM
2014 AGM
2012 AGM
HBRA Understands Transportation Issues Facing Western Canadians
The Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) needs an even playing field. Like most short lines railways, the HBR cannot act independently, having to rely on mainline railways to use the government-owned grain rail car fleet. Grain rail rates for cars originating off the HBR are set by mainline railways.
Other issues that the Churchill Transportation Corridor faces include:
- Churchill grain is excluded from the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Revenue Cap.
- The multi-car rebate enshrined in grain legislation does not apply to Churchill.
- Tisdale East subdivision from Tisdale, SK to Hudson Bay, SK is not in operation, meaning grain from Prince Albert and east must travel an extra 200 miles, via Canora, to reach Churchill.
- Mainline railways refuse to interchange rail cars for Churchill-bound traffic at the most direct route location, forcing grain to travel in a circuitous route.
- CN is threatening to de-list 53 producer car loading sites across western Canada
- Ongoing need for upgrade of HBR rail line and the Port
- Extend Churchill shipping season: longstanding marine insurance, Coast Guard/ice-breaker, tug service problems must be addressed
- Increase cost-competitive fertilizer imports through Churchill
- Complete dust-free, primary road corridor through Manitoba / Saskatchewan to The Pas.
- Build producer car loading facility at The Pas.
- Independent study needed to help verify Churchill route savings.
Hudson Bay Route Association accomplishments:
- Encouraged sale from CN in the 1990s to save the line.
- Helped bring about reduced freight rates for all producers through Farmer Rail Car Coalition.
- Working to increase volumes through the Port of Churchill.
- Helped found Keewatin Gateway Corridor Inc. to create primary road corridor from Nipawin, SK to The Pas, MB.
- Promoting commodity exports through the Port of Churchill.