Brighter skies ahead for Manitoba's north?

The fall colours are just starting to show along the highway to The Pas and the region could use a little brightening up.

Most of the news around this part of Manitoba has been dreary at best: the impending closure of the Tolko paper mill, a looming problem with the rail line up to Churchill, and workers at the port being laid off. Even the casino in The Pas is looking at moving south.

When gambling doesn't make money, things are tight.

• The Pas braces for another blow as casino looks to relocate
• Tolko says no thanks to offer of tax break from The Pas
• ANALYSIS | Living on the edge in Churchill

But perhaps the spirits in the trees blew some of their warm colours at northern Manitoba with two distinct bits of news on Monday.

A meeting between most of the stakeholders involved with the paper mill was a genuinely positive affair.

Mathias Colomb Chief Arlen Dumas called it a "historic meeting."

"I think it was something we need to take pride in. You know, it's probably one of the first times in recent history where we had everyone who has an interest in the operation of this mill sitting down at the table together in a collaborative manner," Dumas said.

Manitoba Growth and Enterprise Minister Cliff Cullen tipped his hat to the locals, remarking on their spirit and how they have pulled together.

"We are optimistic something may happen," Cullen said following the meeting.

Even Jim Scott, the mayor of The Pas, who's been under a lot of pressure recently, called it a "great meeting."

Not many specifics

But the smiles gave way to far-off looks when reporters started hunting for details.

There was talk of "tire-kicker" companies interested in buying the mill and not a lot of specifics as to who they are and what they'd want in return for a facility that Tolko Industries clearly wants to see off its books.

Cullen alluded to "previous discussions" with Tolko aimed at convincing the B.C. company to stay in The Pas. But the closest he got to saying words such as "tax breaks" or "subsidies" came out in very, very careful language.

"We are not interested in short-term solutions for short-term political gain. Anytime we would entertain any kind of assistance is if it's going to be a long-term, concrete business plan," Cullen said.

However, he did say the word "assistance," and it is the closest to any tangible offer the Tories have made during this summer of trouble in the north.

So the home team has scrummed on the paper mill challenge, the players are all at least facing the same end of the field, and now some "tire-kickers" have to show themselves.

Churchill deal dead? 'Absolutely not,' says chief

The other movement that may cheer some northerners is news from Dumas that a deal to purchase the rail line from The Pas to Churchill — and the port in the town — is still alive.

• Northern consortium to take over Port of Churchill, rail line, chief says
• Mathias Colomb Cree Nation makes offer to buy Port of Churchill
• OmniTrax blames provincial, federal governments for loss of 2016 shipping season

Several First Nation communities depend on the rail line for supplies and at one point it looked like they had an agreement to buy out the current owner.

"It will happen," said Dumas.

The First Nation leader gave just a slight grin when reporters told him that if Denver-based OmniTrax Rail is talking to him, he was one of few in Canada. (Politicians from both the federal and provincial governments have decried the company's lack of communication.)

Dumas says OmniTrax is "absolutely" taking his calls.

"We are in an arrangement and we are moving forward and we are doing our due diligence and it's going to happen," Dumas said. "Just gotta be patient."

Dumas is taking a big political step here. Not everyone in his community is on board the train to Churchill and he faces an election in October.

• Tensions soar in Pukatawagan over move to buy rail line

Patience is in short supply these days in northern Manitoba. The clock is ticking down to a December close for the Tolko mill and the uncertainty in Churchill is blowing through that town like a stiff wind off the Hudson Bay.

What locals will be patient for is some economic certainty to come out of this; something not on offer by out-of-province companies. 

How the Progressive Conservative government moves on these files will likely be as revealing as anything they've done in their short time in office so far.