Building Northern Manitoba right

I had the privilege of attending the recent festivities that celebrated the return of grain shipments to the Port of Churchill. Accompanying me at the event were business leaders, port workers, community members, and government partners. We were met with a sense of optimism about Northern Manitoba as we recognize this as an important and pivotal moment.

The celebrations highlighted several promising developments in the region, including the Port of Churchill Plus, all-weather roads and trade corridors, new mines and exploration, a transmission line to Nunavut, and significant investments in modernizing our hydro-electric systems. It is clear that Northern Manitoba is poised for potential growth and development.

However, there are concerns about how this growth will impact Northern communities. As we embark on new projects like the Port of Churchill Plus, transportation and energy corridors, and the revival of Conawapa, we must ensure that these developments do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Our history demonstrates that past development has often come at a significant cost to our First Nation communities, including the loss of land base promised under Treaty and the destruction of our traditional way of life.

As we look to the future, it is crucial that Canada and Manitoba address these unfinished commitments. We must ensure that our Nation receives the land base promised for nearly 80 years, allowing us to build sustainable northern communities and a strong workforce. Partnership is key to advancing these opportunities, but it requires Canada to fulfill its obligations from the past. Without meaningful action, the potential benefits of Northern Manitoba's growth may remain out of reach.