The federal government is providing an additional $30 million to support the redevelopment of the former downtown Hudson’s Bay Co. into a housing and cultural hub for Indigenous people, the Free Press has learned.
Multiple sources confirmed the funding will be announced Friday morning by officials from the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, which is leading the project, and the federal government, including regional minister and St. Boniface MP Dan Vandal.
The $30 million is on top of the $65 million already committed by the federal government.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
The federal government is providing an additional $30 million to support the redevelopment of the former downtown Hudson’s Bay Co.
Ottawa, the province and the city have all committed to supporting the redevelopment first announced in April 2022. At the time, the federal government announced it would contribute $65 million, the province $35 million ($25 million for historic preservation and $10 million for housing) and the city said it would provide tax incentives.
The project, named Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, was originally projected to cost about $130 million, but late last year the budget had grown to about $200 million.
In December, the SCO announced it would be collaborating with True North Real Estate Development on both the revamp of the former Bay building and the re-development of Portage Place Mall.
Both organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to co-ordinate their projects, and SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels called the collaboration “true economic reconciliation” at the time.
True North Real Estate Development, an arm of the company that owns the Winnipeg Jets, plans to sell the skywalk linking Portage Place and Hudson’s Bay building to SCO for $1.
“The creation of Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn in Winnipeg will revitalize our downtown and move us from promises to action,” Vandal said in a statement.
“Congratulations to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization on this project that will stand as an example of reconciliation in action to the entire country. I am pleased that our collaboration will make a positive generational impact.”
The Free Press has reached out to the SCO and True North Real Estate Development for comment.
A news conference, hosted by Vandal at Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, on “federal investments in the Southern Chiefs’ Organization in support of a First Nations-led urban development project to advance economic reconciliation and downtown revitalization” has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.
malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca
Malak Abas
Reporter
Malak Abas is a reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press.
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