The future of the rail line to Churchill, Manitoba

Friday, I attended a meeting of the Northern Manitoba Round Table held in The Pas. The major concern was related to the future of the rail line to the Port of Churchill. Attending the meeting was Reg Meade, President of the Northern Association of Community Councils (together with members of other councils), Grand Chief Sidney Garrioch of the MKO and other members chiefs, and Tim Johnston, Mayor of Thompson together with the Mayors of other northern towns and cities.

Canadian Wheat Board shipments of grain account for 85-90% of the freight which passes along the rail line to be shipped through the Port of Churchill. Northern leaders are very concerned that if the Canadian Wheat Boards loses its single desk selling ability for wheat and barley that there may not be much grain shipped through the Port of Churchill. If this were to happen, then it could put at risk the future of the northern rail line which is so important for many northern communities.

All Manitobans need to understand the importance of the Canadian Wheat Board to northern Manitoba. It is unfortunate that the federal Conservative Party did not carefully consider the impact of their actions to move toward removing the monopoly power of the Canadian Wheat Board on northern Manitoba. At this point there is no alternate plan for the rail line to the Port of Churchill should the Canadian Wheat Board lose its monopoly postion. And the provincial NDP representatives, though they were very upset at the federal Conservatives, did not present their own plan to build a strong future for this important northern rail line. A rail line as important as this one should have a strong plan for its future, and not be left hanging by a thread and at the risk of untoward actions by the federal Conservative government.

In the photo, Tim Johnston, Mayor of Thompson, presides over the meeting of the Northern Manitoba Round Table.

The Trapper's Festival in The Pas

My son Tom and I were at the Trapper's Festival in The Pas the last three days. We took the overnight train from Winnipeg to The Pas arriving Wednesday morning in time for the opening ceremonies. The photos show some of the activities.

1) The Four H Club in the festival parade

2) Members of the OCN Blizzard pose with me just before the start of the parade

3) My son Tom is with Bill Bannock (Walter Koshel) and Duncan from The Pas radio station.

4) I am with Grand Chief Sidney Garrioch and one of his dogs just before he starts in the six dog race.

5) The dogs are off.

6) Whoops - one of the teams left without its driver.

Festival Du Voyageur - the Governor's Ball

The Festival du Voyageur is a time to celebrate Manitoba's heritage. The period of the fur trade in Manitoba was a colourful time. The photos above are from the Governor's Ball last night. In the top photo are Charles and Gisele Brunet. In the second photo are their children Benoit, Celine and Marie-Josee. The Brunet family are the official voyageur family for the Festival this year. In the third photo, we are with Marie-Josee Brunet. In the fourth photo, you can see our full costumes. Thank you Judy McPherson.