Churchill Residents and Businesses to Benefit from Reduced Gasoline Prices

Federal funding of more than $132,000 will help address increased costs due to the rail line disruption

CHURCHILL, MB, Feb. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to the residents of Churchill by helping to reduce the cost of gasoline in the northern Manitoba community affected by the disruption of rail service in May 2017.

Federal funding of $132,870 was announced today by the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

This investment, funded through the Churchill and Region Economic Development (CRED) Fund, will enable Exchange Petroleum to reduce gasoline prices back to pre-disruption levels. Funding will help address the increased cost of shipping, storing and distributing gasoline to the community, where gasoline prices significantly impacted businesses and residents in Churchill.

The $7.3 million CRED Fund is administered by Community Futures Manitoba for Western Economic Diversification Canada. The community-based Management Committee approves CRED applications that encourage sustainable economic development and diversification of the local economy, facilitate economic adjustment and enable collaboration and partnerships that lead to enterprise opportunities in Churchill and surrounding communities.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the economic and social well-being of the residents of Churchill. This funding will provide much needed support to Churchill residents and businesses during this difficult time."
-       The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources

"Exchange Petroleum appreciates this support from the Government and CRED. We are pleased to say that it means that we are able to sell gas to customers in Churchill at the price they paid before the rail disruption. We are stakeholders in the community so were able to use some of our existing Jet fuel storage to make sure there would be a supply of gasoline in the community. Now, thanks to this funding the price will not be negatively affected."
-       Gary Bell, Exchange Petroleum and President and CEO, Calm Air International LP

"When Churchill was faced with the prospect of running out of gasoline mid-winter, Exchange Petroleum stepped forward to purchase gas to assist the community in their time of need. The CRED Fund is proud to partner with Exchange to make their fuel available to Churchill residents and businesses at the same price as it was before the rail line closure. This project is a great example of how collaboration and partnerships can help lessen Churchill's acute economic hardships, restore quality of life, and keep its entrepreneurs in business. We look forward to continuing to work with the people of Churchill as they address this crisis."
-       Jason Denbow, Executive Director, Community Futures Manitoba

Additional Links

• Churchill and Region Economic Development Fund
• Exchange Petroleum
• Churchill, Manitoba to benefit from new funding to help make food affordable and grow the economy

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada