Last week OmniTRAX Canada donated $25,000 to five charities in Churchill as part of its ongoing commitments to the community. The day included a tour of the Port of Churchill for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) as ships were being loaded with prime Canadian wheat. After the tour, officials from OmniTRAX Canada and the CWB boarded a tug boat and went onto the Hudson Bay to tour the ship berths and the Port’s navigation routes.
OmniTRAX marked the coming together of community and business in a special presentation on board the business car of the Hudson Bay Railway parked at the Port.
“The CWB is honoured to take part in an event that helps raise awareness and monies for people who need our help in Churchill,” said CWB President and CEO Ian White. “Churchill is an important economical shipping port for western Canadian grain farmers. This visit also enables the CWB to meet with our partners and continue in our commitment to ensure the Port of Churchill stays viable.”
The CWB and OmniTRAX Canada are long-time partners in the area and recently welcomed the first ship of the season at the Port of Churchill with several officials.
Gary Long, President of OmniTRAX Canada said, “It has been a tremendously positive experience to support these invaluable charities and this community, where the CWB and OmniTRAX Canada have been so well received.”
The $25,000 in donations was presented to the Churchill Kids Christmas Fund, the Dancing Sky Personal Care Home, the Churchill Joint Group Committee (Scouts Canada and the Girl Guides of Canada), the Northern Lights Choir and the Churchill Minor Hockey League.
“To have two of the largest businesses in Churchill show such support for the needs of community is wonderful,” Louise Lawrie, spokesperson for the Churchill Joint Group Committee said. “On behalf of all the recipients of these donations, please accept our heartfelt gratitude.”
CWB representatives included CWB President and CEO, Ian White; COO, Ward Weisensel; Vice President, Logistics, Rick Steinke; and Manager, marine supply chain, Byron Johnson.
Representatives from OmniTRAX Canada included Pat Broe, Founder and President of The Broe Group; Gary Long, President and CEO; Mike Peters, SVP & Chief Commercial Officer; and Pat Avery, Vice President of Energy and Commodities.
The Port of Churchill is owned by OmniTRAX Canada, Inc. (http://www.omnitrax.com/ http://www.omnitrax.com/) and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Port is Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port and it is served by its affiliate, Hudson Bay Railway Company (HBR). The Port and HBR make up a transportation system geared to provide service to and from northern Manitoba and Nunavut. In addition to the Port of Churchill, OmniTRAX manages transportation businesses located in three Canadian provinces and 10 US states and offer a full range of transportation and logistics services. These services include railroad, port and freight terminal operations. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group (http://www.broe.com/ http://www.broe.com/) and its managed companies, OmniTRAX has the unique capability of offering customers specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the OmniTRAX network.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the Canadian Wheat Board is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.
Media note: High-resolution photographs of the cheque presentation and tour are available by contacting:
Mike Ogborn OmniTRAX Tel: (204) 953-3684 [email protected] John Lyons CWB media relations managerTel: (204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 223-4281
[email protected]
