CN Rail has decided it will not fix a damaged section of rail line between Enterprise and Hay River, drawing the ire of NWT Infrastructure Minister Vince McKay. 

He described the railway's lack of action as "abandoning its responsibility to maintain this critical part of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 supply chain," adding that the company's refusal to act leaves the territory in a precarious situation and deepens an already severe infrastructure deficit.

The 2023 wildfire season severely damaged a 30 km stretch of the rail line between the two South Slave communities. That track is used to help deliver fuel to remote communities, particularly those reliant on barging services. McKay said that without the line, communities will face increased costs and reduced access to fuel.

"It plays a key role in advancing CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 critical minerals supply chain, supporting economic and infrastructure objectives both regionally and beyond," the minister said.

CN first announced in August 2024 that it would not fix the stretch of track and would be ending its service between both communities.

Then-Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek said the GNWT would not cover the estimated $15 million price tag, saying it wasn't an

Compared to the rest of Canada, McKay said the NWT lacks year-round transportation infrastructure. He added that CNSA国际影视传媒檚 decision to leave the rail line in disrepair also disproportionately impacts smaller, Indigenous communities.

"The GNWT is calling on CN Rail to recognize the devastating impacts their inaction has on the North and to take immediate steps to restore this essential infrastructure," said McKay.

"To put this matter in perspective, CN Rail is a multi-billion-dollar company with substantial financial resources. The estimated cost required to repair the stretch of rail is a negligible fraction of their revenue. It is especially concerning that a company of this size, with such substantial resources, has chosen to neglect its responsibilities," McKay stated on April 7.

He added that this issue is also about protecting the livelihood of NWT residents. CN RailSA国际影视传媒檚 choice to abandon this infrastructure undermines its commitments to reconciliation and corporate responsibility, he said. 

"CN Rail must fulfill its obligations, as their inaction is already having a profound and detrimental effect on some of our most remote and vulnerable Indigenous communities who depend on fuel transported by this rail line to the barging services it supports."

The GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 application for adjudication has been accepted by the Canadian Transportation Agency.

"While adjudication is underway, I will not comment further, but I assure NWT residents that the GNWT will continue to advocate for the repair of this critical rail line and ensure that the infrastructure needs of the North are not ignored," said McKay.