CHURCHILL, Man. — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew visited the remote town of Churchill on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of major upgrades to the community’s port, which would transform the facility into a global trade hub.

His trip focused on three things: tourism, marine conservation and local perspective, and how they all fit within the Port of Churchill Plus project.

“As we pursue the economic, the international priorities to grow Manitoba into an amazing future economy that we can all envision for ourselves, it’s also about making sure that when we take one step in that direction, we’re taking another step in the direction of the environment,” Kinew told reporters at a press conference.

Kinew announced $250,000 would be put towards exploring the possibility of a national marine conservation area in the western part of Hudson Bay.

Environmental group Oceans North committed an additional $1 million to support community engagement, scientific research and capacity building related to the conservation initiative.

According to Christopher Debicki, vice-president of Oceans North, the western Hudson Bay is a “beluga stronghold,” with roughly 55,000 beluga whales return each summer.

“Churchill’s future can’t be built without recognizing what’s already here. This community is not a one-resource town,” Debicki said.

The province says it will work with Parks Canada, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders on the initiative.

Chief Darryl Wastesicoot of the York Factory First Nation in northern Manitoba says his community is not against industry, they just want to be consulted.

“We’re looking for a balance. We want to protect our areas, but we also want to make sure that we thrive where we are. That’s our main goal,” Wastesicoot said.

Kinew also met with tourism leaders during his visit.

Tourism is the community’s main economic driver. Those in the industry say potential port upgrades that would create a bustling trade facility need to be both balanced and considerate of the ecology and wildlife that bring tourists to the town.

Churchill, located about 1,000 kilometres north of Winnipeg, is considered the polar bear capital of the world. Tourism has three seasonal attractions: belugas in the summer, polar bears in the fall and northern lights in the winter.

Last month, the Manitoba government announced a new tourism subcommittee to “help ensure that northern tourism grows alongside the potential Churchill Plus project,” according to a news release.

“Tourism is a $100-million industry here (in Churchill),” the premier said. “We don’t want to lose that.”