Hon. Marty Klyne: In August, the Prime Minister indicated that new port infrastructure projects would soon be announced in the next tranche of nation-building projects, including in Churchill, Manitoba.

You’ve spoken of the tremendous potential to expand Churchill into a major export hub linking Prairie resources to Europe and other global markets. With strong support from Prairie provinces, this could enhance trade, resource development and Canada’s energy transition. Northern Manitoba, rich in critical minerals and rare earth elements, is seeing record investments in exploration to support green technologies and NATO’s supply chains.

However, previous efforts were stalled by sea ice conditions and outdated insurance policies limiting the shipping season. Given that climate change has reduced those ice barriers, has the insurance issue now been resolved, and is the federal government ready to advance Churchill’s expansion?

Hon. Tim Hodgson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: Ships getting insurance is the responsibility of a shipping company. I don’t see the federal government stepping in and becoming an insurer of shipping. What we are certainly prepared to do is work with the Port of Churchill to make it an attractive place for many Canadian industries to ship their natural resources, their agricultural projects and other commodities through.

You mentioned the shipping season. Canada has 20 different icebreakers on order. Those icebreakers should help extend the shipping season. With the warmer weather and the icebreakers, I suspect that we can deal with all of these problems.

Senator Klyne: Thank you. To clarify, my question was regarding the icebreakers.

You have mentioned the potential for expanded shipping for most of the year, thanks to the procurement of that new fleet of icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Given the implications for northern ecosystems and Inuit land titles, could you confirm whether relevant Indigenous communities have been meaningfully consulted about potential year-round ice breaking and whether they’ve expressed support for this plan?

Mr. Hodgson: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada would take the lead on that. I know there has been consultation. Obviously, the Port of Churchill is owned by a group of First Nations, and I believe they are in consultation and are taking the lead on consultation with affected Inuit. I know that Minister Chartrand and Minister Gull-Masty have been intimately involved in any obligations with the federal government from a consultation perspective, and my understanding is that we are meeting all of those obligations.

Senator Klyne: Thank you.