Grande Prairie councils are in favour a “highly ambitious” northern economic corridor initiative, especially the aspect that would revive much of the rail system that was pulled out of the region years ago.
Dan Ukrainetz, the chief financial officer for Pisim Power, presented to City of Grande Prairie council May 11, seeking a formal letter of support. He presented to County of Grande Prairie council on May 7; both councils voted to provide letters of support in some form.
Pisim Power is a First Nations-owned corporation, acting as a developer to secure Indigenous equity in projects that will make up the proposed national infrastructure project known as the Canadian Northern Corridor (CNC). The multi-billion-dollar concept establishes rights-of-way for road, rail, pipeline, electrical transmission and communication projects that will accompany the future development of Canada’s north.
“Our company is currently developing a series of major projects with leading edge industry partners,” Ukrainetz said. “These include data centres, critical mineral mining projects, natural gas pipeline build outs, and eventually into nuclear power development across Canada in a number of provinces.”
Pisim is based in Saskatchewan.
Roughly 60 municipalities have already indicated their support, which will show First Nations in the four western provinces under Treaty 5, Treaty 6 and Treaty 8, as well as those in unceded territory in BC and Metis federations and communities, that there is a will to form mutually beneficial partnerships, he said.
“In taking the route we propose, we expect there to be a group of 60-100 First Nations that would be within 25 kilometres of this corridor. Each of these nations, nations should and will be aligned with everything being built and developed,” Ukrainetz said, adding Horse Lake First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation would play a large role.
The concept of a Canadian Northern Corridor has been volleyed around academic circles for more than a decade and if completed will stretch across Canada for up to 10,000 kms. Introducing indigenous equity into the equation provides generational wealth and incentive for those living along the route and could help developers avoid regulatory issues, he said.
Pisim’s proposed route starts in Prince Rupert, winds its way east through Fort St. James and Prince George, and then directly through Grande Prairie, on to Cold Lake, Prince Albert, then further east and north through The Pas and up to Churchill on Hudson’s Bay.
“This is highly ambitious, and I love it, and I love what you’re doing with rail,” said Coun. Grant Berg, pointing out the new life for rail, which seemed to pique city council’s interest.
“There would be advancements, but a lot of it actually will be historic rail that CN Rail pulled up years ago, and obviously one of the main ones will be into Dawson Creek, along the highway there, bringing that back online will be a key part to this,” Ukrainetz said, adding the company has also been meeting with rail groups about making a new rail line into Fox Creek a priority.
The consortium of nations is exploring purchasing the right of way from CN Rail on historic lines that were abandoned, bringing it back online and benefitting from the jobs that will be created.
“One of those include actually the ability to create an Indigenous rail car manufacturing and leasing company, and so there is a lot of spin-off opportunities,” he said.
No from Thiessen
After an 8-1 vote, council passed a motion to direct Mayor Jackie Clayton to write a letter of support for an indigenous-led rail initiative.
“The letter of support would be to express for support for a development of a northern economic corridor … not saying we support this company’s project, just that we support the bigger picture of a northern economic corridor, and that that includes potential opportunities in multiple sectors of industry,” clarified the mayor.
Coun. Chris Thiessen was the lone vote against after previously bringing forward his own motion to accept the presentation as information, which was defeated 3-6.
“I definitely want our indigenous people to have a share of the resources and the economy as well, but I just think that in this round of public engagement there’s a lot of barriers to that, and I’m not entirely certain that you’re going to get 100 per cent buy-in, and regardless of the letter that we write, I don’t know if that’s going to sway anybody, so for those reasons I can’t support making the mayor write a letter on this behalf,” he said.
Berg, who brought forward the passing motion, said not only will a project like this employ indigenous people but it will build pride and investment in those communities too.
“From a local standpoint, I love the idea of potentially doubling the rail out of the region, because we do have strong forestry, agriculture, and oil and gas, and I think the more opportunity that we have to get our products here in the region to port only enhances the region, and so now, whether it’s this initiative or another one, I just want to signal to industry that we’re open for business and that we support expansion.”
County motion
The prospect of a revived rail line was also a huge selling point for county councillors who voted to “provide a generic letter of support”.
“I know a number of municipal governments have had frustrations on getting CN Rail to actually develop these (rights-of-way),” said Ukrainetz. “The First Nations want to get into this space and have the ability to advance industry and opportunity, and are in full support of, as I said, also making this beyond just rail, but also the development of pipelines as well.”
“I know, as an agricultural producer, that line west would give us more options,” said Coun. Karen Rosvold. “So, if you could get that going again, I know a lot of us would be very supportive of that.”
And that’s exactly what Ukrainetz says his group is trying to do, and even though the first steps are just being made, a project of this magnitude will be a giant leap forward for everyone involved.
“We don’t have any fully signed commitments or partnerships quite yet, but where it’s exactly that these letters of support will then show the ability for regional economic alliance work between the existing regional economic development groups and First Nations, as well as municipalities in the local First Nations.”
By Chris Zwick, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on May 21, 2026 at 10:14
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