Manitoba's inland port expands, with eye on Churchill

Pipes are in, roads paved, where a large expansion of Transportation Hub CentrePort Canada is moving forward. This comes as the federal government is looking for locations for its billion-dollar food hub and terminal program. CentrePort's CEO Carly Edmondson says they're moving food now from places like Peak of the Market and ready to move more. Whether they're moving grains and products that have a longer shelf life using rail, whether it's your more average shelf time on truck or whether it's very quick, short, short shelf life on air, you have all three of those options from CentrePort. Ottawa plans four large food terminals and up to 40 regional food hubs across Canada. The goal is to reduce food prices by relying less on the big grocery retailers' supply chains. Federal MPs were at Centreport's recent meeting with Port of Churchill owner Arctic Gateway and global trading company DP World to discuss more shipping through Canada's north. CentrePort also created a partnership with other inland ports in Alberta last week, meant to relieve seaport congestion during a time of shifting trade partners. Increasingly important to look at the north, to make sure all Canadians have access to nutritious food. Thank you. That is what we are built for, to be at the centre of those supply chains and trade corridors. Edmonton says Winnipeg's airport plays a big role. Construction is coming in the spring at Winnipeg Airport's Authority's Westlands Industrial Park. We kind of operate at that nexus of, you know, private and defense public need. Given that we have a shared airfield with RCAF and the 17 Wing, we're starting to see some good interest from groups that need or want to be close to the military. An announcement on the airport authority's first tenant is expected Wednesday. Part of the expansion also includes Catalyst Park, a three-square-kilometer industrial development ready for businesses to move in next spring. Christopher Garrow. CBC News, Steinbach.