Transport Committee on Oct. 1st, 2024

[Michael Spence]

Every critical piece has to happen. There's the investment at the airport. Continue with the investment there. Make sure that's done.

In terms of Arctic sovereignty, we've talked about the possibility, going back in time, of being an alternate port for Arctic sovereignty. That never happened, although there have been exercises in Canada's north with Operation Nanook.

There's a lot more we can do by helping investment in the port, for instance. We, as an ownership group, are responsible for investing in that port—

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

I'm running out of time, sir.

The port, right now, is indigenous-owned. Is that correct?

[Michael Spence]

That's right.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Is there any other port in Canada that is indigenous-owned?

[Michael Spence]

No, there isn't. It's the only model.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

That's incredible, and I think that sets a good standard for other pieces of critical infrastructure.

If we were able to export liquid natural gas and other agricultural commodities out of the port, what would that do for local indigenous people?

[Michael Spence]

It's all about the opportunity to prosper. It's all about the opportunity to bring a better life to everybody within the region, including the far north and Nunavut.

How we do that? It's something we have to work toward, and working with government is critical.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Vis.

Finally, for today, we'll turn the floor over to Mr. Iacono.

Mr. Iacono, the floor is yours for five minutes.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Mayor, in the town of Churchill, when was there a decrease in exportation? When did this come about?

[Michael Spence]

I'm sorry. I didn't hear all of that.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

In the town of Churchill, when was there a decrease in operations?

[Michael Spence]

It really goes back to the former ownership of the rail and the port. That would have been in 2015, 2016 and 2014. The lack of investment in the rail and the port really knocked the economy and community down.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

What happened prior to 2015?

[Michael Spence]

What happened prior to 2015 was that we were getting grain and movements of commodities through the port of Churchill. Then the previous ownership neglected to reinvest into the rail line. We had a major flood. Basically, it was a lack of reinvestment into the infrastructure, and we lost 25 years of—

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

I'm sorry to interrupt you. It was thus shut down. Is that right?

[Michael Spence]

It was shut down because of the fact that there was a lack of investment on the rail side, and on the rail side, the line had crumbled. It was a lack of investment.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

How is the tourism industry involved in promoting the town of Churchill?

[Michael Spence]

Tourism is one of the top pillars, and it continues to be a top pillar in terms of driving the economy, but it's only one. Tourism cannot pay the full scale of operating the community, for instance.

The airport is critically important in making sure that we continue to get international travellers into the community. The port on the one hand and the rail line on the other hand are critical, and they need to work alongside tourism to balance an effective community.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you. I think my time is up.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you, Mr. Iacono.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Before we conclude for today, I just want to once again reach out to Ms. Idlout to see if you have any additional questions you'd like to ask Mr. Mayor.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Qujannamiik.

Just very quickly, could you maybe describe for us the effect it has on your community when Calm Air makes decisions about changes to pricing and scheduling? What would you do to help make sure that those kinds of changes they might make would have a less negative impact on Churchill?

[Michael Spence]

I think what's critically important here is the fact that.... The whole aspect of looking at subsidies for airlines may be one model. However, I think the fact of the matter is that, collectively, we need to work together—work with an airline and work with the regulators to make sure the service we're getting is worth what's being charged.

It's a collection of coming together and making sure that collectively we can carry on with a greater future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Ms. Idlout.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We very much appreciate your time today and your testimony contributing to this very important study.

With that, colleagues, this meeting is adjourned.