Minister of Infrastructure Vince McKay has responded to the Federal Court of Appeal’s judgement regarding the CN rail line between Enterprise and Hay River.
CN Rail began the process of discontinuing their service between the communities in May 2024 after the rail section was damaged in the 2023 wildfire season, saying the cost of repairs outweighed customer demand.
The GNWT brought the case to the Canadian Transportation Agency for adjudication last year. The bid was dismissed that summer, a decision which the territory appealed.
The Federal Court of Appeal made the decision to dismiss the appeal, which McKay says the territory is ‘extremely disappointed by’.
“Losing that connection increases transportation costs, puts more pressure on our highways, and leaves an already vulnerable northern supply chain with fewer options,” said McKay.
McKay spoke on the connection’s importance in the NWT’s past, connecting the national rail network to the marine resupply system that serves remote communities in the NWT, as well as the territory’s future.
“As we work to advance critical minerals projects, grow our economy and attract new investment, we need to be strengthening our transportation network, not losing critical connections,” said McKay.
The Minister said the GNWT will review the court’s decision and consider their next steps, but their commitment to finding a solution has not waned.
“We will continue raising this issue with our federal and provincial counterparts and encourage CN Rail to return to the negotiating table to find a solution to restoring the railway,” said McKay.
