WINNIPEG — Manitoba's premier and a federal cabinet minister from the province say they haven't talked yet with Omnitrax, the owners of the recently shut down Port of Churchill.
Omnitrax announced more than a week ago it's closing the seasonal subarctic port and scaling back freight shipments on the rail line it owns in northern Manitoba.
Omnitrax has not made any public statements and has refused media requests for interviews about the decision, which has resulted in dozens of layoffs in Churchill.
Premier Brian Pallister says there have been no direct communications with the company, and every relationship has challenges and mysteries.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, who represents a Winnipeg riding, says the federal government has been talking with affected residents and looking for a long-term solution.
Pallister said last week Omnitrax had asked for a bailout to keep the port open this year, but he is not interested in what he called a "band-aid" solution.
