Manitoba pledges $9M for Churchill observatory

Manitoba plans to spend up to $9 million to supportthe construction of a new marine observatory in the northern
community of Churchill.

Education Minister Ian Wishart says the University of Manitobaproject will focus on Arctic research.

He says the facilitywill enhance Canada's ability to monitor changein nature and ensure that governments and industry have theinformation needed to respond to economic development pressuresthroughout the Arctic.

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The project is expected to create jobs and bolster tourism in thenorthern community.

Last month Omnitrax Canada announced it was closing the Port ofChurchill and laid off dozens of workers.

Premier Brian Pallister has suggested Omnitrax closed thefacility because the province would not continue giving the companya subsidy for the operation.

Pallister said the previous NDP government gave Omnitrax roughly$800,000 last year to keep the port running under an agreement thatcontained a confidentiality clause.