New Rail Deal Boosts Saskatchewan Grain Trade

Invest Tisdale Partners with Arctic Gateway Group

Invest Tisdale has embarked on an ambitious project in partnership with the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), focusing on economic revitalization through the restoration of rail links between Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Churchill, Manitoba.

This partnership, cemented through a memorandum of understanding, aims to significantly reduce transportation costs for grain and agricultural producers in Western Canada by promoting efficient two-way rail traffic.

“The Port of Churchill can offer Saskatchewan grain farmers and other businesses major cost savings with a shorter and more direct route to world export markets, as well as for imports of key products such as fertilizers,” said Chris Avery, CEO of the Arctic Gateway Group.

“By reconnecting Tisdale to the Hudson Bay Railway, we can help grow the economy in Saskatchewan and offer greater supply chain optionality to lessen the impact of strikes and other forms of trade disruption that we’ve seen this year.”

The agreement between Invest Tisdale and the Arctic Gateway Group focuses on several key areas:

• Restoration of Two-Way Rail Traffic: Plans are in place to restore bi-directional rail operations between Churchill and Tisdale within the next five years, which includes evaluating the costs of revitalizing the Tisdale Rail Subdivision with the current line owners.
• Enhancing Business Relations: The MOU aims to foster robust business-to-business relationships, essential for attracting new investments and enhancing communication between AGG and local enterprises.

A recent report from Praxis Consulting outlines the potential economic impact of reopening the rail line, projecting an increase of $69.6 million in annual economic activity and the creation of 195 jobs.

Recent achievements by AGG, including the successful export of critical minerals via the Port of Churchill, underscore the viability of this northern trade route.

Photo Credit: arcticgateway.com