Chris Avery is the President & CEO of the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG), an Indigenous- and community-owned organization that owns and operates the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill. Chris is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in the transportation industry. Since his appointment in July 2024, he has championed Churchill and the railway as a critical Canadian infrastructure that unlocks new economic opportunities for northern Manitoba and strengthens national supply chains. Under his leadership AGG has set a vision to be a major port in Canada and a significant set of trade enabling infrastructure in support of our national goals to diversify our trade, become an energy super power, and assert our sovereignty in the North.
As the former President & CEO of Canadian North and First Air, Chris led the successful merger and integration of the two airlines and guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Canadian North was named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and recognized as Regional Airline of the Year (2022) by Air Transport World. He spent 13 years at WestJet in a variety of senior leadership roles and has also held management positions with Alaska Airlines, Canadian Airlines, and other companies in the travel and transportation sectors.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Economics from Western University and an MBA from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University.
Get to Know Chris
Q: What inspired you to join the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce board, and what impact do you hope to make?
A: Manitoba has one of the most exciting and dynamic opportunities ahead. With Manitoba’s established trade and transportation infrastructure, from the Port of Churchill in the north to CentrePort in the south, strong Indigenous partners who are advancing their rights in bold new ways, abundant clean energy and a highly skilled workforce – Manitoba is truly primed to step up and help Canada become a more diversified and resilient county. I’m joining the Manitoba Chamber Board to do whatever I can to help Manitoba businesses meet this moment.
Q: What is one key challenge or opportunity you see for businesses in Manitoba right now?
A: Manitoba is a maritime province. We provide the vast resources in Western Canada direct and efficient access to global markets in support of our national goals; to diversify our trade, become a global energy super power and assert our sovereignty in the North. Thanks to the foresight of governments and AGG’s local, Indigenous ownership group, we have repatriated the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway from its former American owners and today have the chance to build up these assets for the benefit of northerners and Indigenous communities alike – making the entire Canadian economy stronger and more resilient in the process.
Q: What is your favorite local Manitoba company, restaurant or event to support?
A: I’m partial to the incredible tourism industry in Churchill, MB, and encourage everyone to make a trip to Churchill and experience what this incredible community has to offer.
We’re spotlighting the dedicated members of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors in our “Meet the Board” series by sharing their insights, the reasons they’re committed to driving business success across the province and some fun facts. Get to know the faces shaping Manitoba’s future, in the boardroom and beyond!
Read more Meet the Board profiles and watch for more every few weeks!
