Premier Wab Kinew just threw $34 million at Churchill, hoping to transform it into an international shipping hub. That’s a waste of money. He’s focused on headlines, not on what actually works. Churchill is a seasonal port. It freezes solid in winter. The rail line is situated on unstable muskeg. Large ships can’t even dock properly. This isn’t how you build a lasting, competitive trade route. This is how you burn through taxpayer dollars for a moment of political applause.
This highlights the issue with modern politicians. They’re more focused on appearing to be active instead of making meaningful decisions. They hold press conferences, distribute funds, and rely on positive media coverage. However, they often neglect to fully consider their options. They don’t ask, “Is this the most effective use of our money?” Consider how much taxpayer money is funneled into American and China-owned social media platforms, billboards, and radio stations predominantly owned by corporations from Toronto or Vancouver to encourage people to “shop local.” They claim to support keeping money in Manitoba while simultaneously allowing it to flow out the door.
There is a real opportunity to build a northern trade corridor. And no, it’s not Churchill. It’s called NeeStaNan, a project led by northern First Nations, with Fox Lake Cree Nation at the forefront. It would create a direct prairie trade route through Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, cutting our dependence on B.C. and eastern ports. This isn’t a pipe dream. It’s a strategic move that makes economic sense.
And for those who still think Churchill is the answer, let’s be clear: Churchill’s rail line runs over muskeg, which shifts and sinks. No amount of repair work will change that. The port itself is too small for modern ships. Even in the summer, it’s not practical for high-volume shipping. That’s why it has never been a major player in global trade. This is not a matter of nostalgia or good intentions. It’s about logistics, infrastructure, and long-term viability.
Instead, we should be looking at Port Nelson. It’s closer to Winnipeg than Churchill. It sits on a hard land base, meaning a stable rail line could be built. The harbour is large, the water is salty enough that it doesn’t freeze solid, and a floating wharf could extend deep into the bay to deal with silt buildup from the Nelson River. This isn’t fantasy—countries around the world use similar approaches in even harsher conditions. This is how serious nations build infrastructure.
If we want to talk about spending money in Churchill, let’s do it right. Churchill is an incredible place, but it should be developed for what it does best: tourism, ecology, and northern research. People travel from around the world to see its polar bears, beluga whales, and northern lights. The airport was once a backup landing site for the Space Shuttle, any size plane can land there. Churchill should be a major eco-tourism and scientific hub. It should also have a Canadian military post. That would be a real investment—something that would actually return money to the province. Instead, we’re throwing millions at an idea that will never work the way politicians claim it will.
This $34 million is a prime example of what’s wrong with how politicians make decisions. Most of them have never run a business. They don’t understand how to weigh real options. They don’t think about long-term viability. They want quick, easy fixes so they can hold a press conference and tell voters they did something. But good leadership isn’t about looking busy. It’s about making the right call.
To be clear, Kinew is right to be looking north. I’ve been saying for years that Manitoba needs a functional northern port. I’ve written about it in these pages, I’ve talked about it on our video podcast Inside Winnipeg Politics, and I’ve pushed for serious investment in trade infrastructure. So yes, Mr. Premier, you’re listening—but now it’s time to listen to the right people. We don’t need a seasonal port that closes half the year. We need a year-round, fully functioning port that can handle the demands of international trade.
We’re talking about unlocking hundreds of billions of dollars in trade. Investors are ready. They see the potential. All Manitoba needs to do is provide some political backing. The cost of a feasibility study is about $28 million. Manitoba’s share would be just $7 million—about a quarter of that. Alberta and Saskatchewan are already on board. The former PC government had signed on. The federal government would be foolish to ignore it.
This is the moment for Premier Kinew to show strategic leadership skills. This isn’t about short-term optics. This is about setting Manitoba up for economic success for generations. If he backs NeeStaNan, he won’t just be another premier handing out cash for photo ops. He’ll be the leader who made Manitoba a trade powerhouse. This is his chance to put his name on something that will actually work.
We can keep wasting millions on ideas that look good in a press release but fail in reality. Or we can seize an opportunity that will make Manitoba a central player in international trade. The choice should be obvious. The question is whether our leaders are willing to make the right call.