WINNIPEG – Rumors have been running rampant that Canadian National is on the verge of announcing one of four companies will take over operation of the troubled rail line to Churchill.
Officials at CN are tight-lipped about details. Scott Roberts, manager of public affairs for the railway, said confidentiality agreements prohibited him from giving details.
Roberts said CN hopes to have selected its preferred operator by the end of the month. He said CN would prefer to sell the line, but the operator wouldn’t necessarily be a buyer.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
“What the final arrangement looks like will depend on what happens in the next two to three weeks, let’s say,” Roberts said.
“We want a partner that we can work with, that provides a good, solid, long-term railway operating option in Northern Manitoba.”
Included in deal
Graham Dixon, a consultant working on the issue, said the port and grain terminal at Churchill will hopefully be part of the deal with the successful rail operator.
“We’re certainly linking the negotiations,” he said, adding he expects an announcement on the whole package soon. But he thinks the rail line will come first.
“Next week I think we’ll be able to announce a proud new owner of the lines,” Dixon said.
