Manitoba is unique among the Prairie Provinces because it has access
to international waters through the deep sea port of Churchill. The
port can be reached by rail, air or sea. The CN railway connects to
the Hudson Bay Railway at The Pas and continues on to Churchill. The
line has been upgraded to carry 263,000 lbs., the same as all main
line track. Calm Air provides daily service (Monday through Friday)
from Winnipeg to Churchill during the peak summer months.
Churchill is only 3,380 nautical miles from Liverpool, U.K. which is
a much shorter route to European markets than by the St. Lawrence
Seaway and Great Lakes. Extended shipping seasons on Hudson Bay are
encouraging use of the northern port, as are public and private
sector investments in the port and rail line, leading the port to
break its record by shipping 735,000 tonnes in the year 2000 (Source:
Manitoba Trade and Investment). Storage and warehousing are
available in the Churchill area through leases from the Canada
Department of Public Works, as well as freight-handling services
from local firms.
Approximate
Distances from Lac du Bonnet to Major Ports
Kms
Miles
Churchill, Manitoba (Hudson
Bay) - via Railway from Winnipeg
1608
965
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(Mississippi River)
752
451
Thunder Bay, Ontario (St.
Lawrence Seaway)
631
379
Vancouver, British Columbia
(Pacific Ocean)
2346
1408
The tourist industry is the greatest beneficiary of the rivers
and lakes of the region. Boating, fishing, racing and
water-skiing are popular tourist and recreation activities in
the area. All North Eastman communities situated on the
southeast shores of Lake Winnipeg and on the Winnipeg River have
boat dockage available for local transportation. Lac du Bonnet
has boat launches in town and throughout the nearby cottage area
and Pinawa has a large marina. Communities such as Pinawa and
Victoria Beach both have sailing clubs for local boating
enthusiasts.
North
Eastman Region
