News & Reviews News Wire Remote Canadian First Nation-owned railway to receive C$55 million for modernization

Remote Canadian First Nation-owned railway to receive C$55 million for modernization

By David Lassen | July 9, 2021

Canada Infrastructure Bank, along with governments of Canada and Quebec, provide funds for Tshieutin operation in Quebec and Labrador

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Blue locomotive
The remote Tshiuetin railway will receive $55 million for upgrades, along with increased support for its remote passenger service. (Transport Feroviaire Tshiuetin, via Facebook)

TORONTO — The Canada Infrastructure Bank and governments of Canada and Quebec will provide some C$55 million to modernize the remote Tshiuetin railway, Canada’s first Indigenous owned and operated rail operation.

The infrastructure bank will provide $50 million in a long-term, fully repayable loan, while Quebec will provide $5 million, repayable in two years. Transport Canada will provide at least $12 million per year over the next three years for operating and capital expenses under its Remote Passenger Rail Program.

“This railway serves as a lifeline to communities along the corridor,” Catherine McKenna, Canada’s minister of infrastructure and communities, said in a press release, “and funding to modernize the line will help residents travel safely and efficiently while allowing for better transportation of essential goods, creating jobs, reducing emissions, and fostering local economic growth.”

Tshiuetin owns and operates a 217-kilometer (135-mile) railroad, and operates as a 574-kilometer (357-mile) rail passenger service connects remote communities in Labrador and Quebec, providing the only reliable form of land transportation. It is owned by three First Nation groups: the Innu Nation of Matimekush-Lac John, the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and the Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam.

Noah Swapie, chief of the Napaski Nation of Kawawachikamach, told the CBC the investiment is desperately needed.

“Over many many years we’ve faced many difficult challenges with our rail[way] because it’s falling apart,” he said. “This is something really positive that we’ve been waiting to happen.”

The funds will allow extension of the line to serve Maliotenam, currently 15 kilometers from  from the end of the line at Sept-Iles, Que., along with a new station there. It will also pay for a new locomotive and passenger cars, significant upgrades to track infrastructure, and other improvements.

7 thoughts on “Remote Canadian First Nation-owned railway to receive C$55 million for modernization

    1. in 2012 it was almost all former Amtrak equipment. Heritage coaches, buffet car and MHCs. 1400 series, I guess

    2. VIA don’t have that much extra cars to give a away, if it New cars and engines.

  1. This was built to haul iron ore from Sept-Iles and other mines down to the St. Lawrence River over 50 years ago. Has the ore business collapsed or has the line been mismanaged?

    1. Most of the line is still run by Quebec, North Shore, and Labrador; one branch of it went passenger-only after the mine it served closed and they spun off the passenger operation to the First Nation that provided most of the customers.

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