Last week a group of Senators, Ministers and Members of Parliament of the Manitoba Conservative Caucus took a comprehensive tour of Northern Manitoba.  The visit gave caucus members a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the North.

"This first-hand tour of the North has once again highlighted the importance of this region for the Manitoban and Canadian economies and their way-of-life," said Member of Parliament James Bezan, Chair of the Manitoba Conservative Caucus. "It provided our caucus with an essential understanding of this region, its people, its challenges and its opportunities."

The visit began with an announcement in Thompson, Manitoba by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety of $8,670,350 for the Thompson Airport Authority and $478,444 for the Flin Flon Airport, through Transport Canada's Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). While in Thompson, caucus members also met with local residents at a "meet and greet" event, Thompson city council and Chamber of Commerce representatives, and toured the new jet engine test site facility.

Caucus then continued on to Churchill, Manitoba by Via Rail and met with the Hudson Bay Railway on the train.  In Churchill, caucus met with community members over two days. This included meetings with the Port of Churchill to discuss export challenges and opportunities, Churchill residents to discuss the gun registry, Churchill city council, and Parks Canada representatives at the Prince of Wales Fort. Caucus members concluded with a meeting with Chief Joseph Dantouze of the Northlands Denesuline First Nation to discuss issues important to Aboriginal communities in the North.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, no federal Government has shown a stronger vision for the Arctic.  Our Government is also providing unprecedented investments in Northern Manitoba and Northern Canada," said Bezan. "We were pleased to visit these Northern Manitoba communities and assure that our support will continue into the future."

Manitoba Conservative Caucus Members visiting Thompson, Churchill or both were:

James Bezan, M.P. 

Rod Bruinooge, M.P.

Hon. Steven Fletcher, P.C., M.P.

Shelly Glover, M.P.

Candice Hoeppner, M.P.

Hon. Vic Toews, P.C., M.P.

Merv Tweed, M.P                     

Hon. Senator Don Plett

Hon. Senator Terry Stratton

Manitoba Regional Conservative Caucus with CEO of Thompson Airport Authority, Curtis Ross

Manitoba Regional Conservative Caucus with Thompson City Council and Chamber of Commerce Representatives

Manitoba Regional Conservative Caucus visits the Port of Churchill

Manitoba Regional Conservative Caucus with Churchill city council