The Ontario government has announced it will invest $2.8 million on infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Thunder Bay and the Peninsula Harbour Port Authority in Marathon.

The government says both terminals are key gateways in northwestern Ontario for expanding east-west trade in Canada, strengthening domestic supply chains and creating good-paying jobs in the North.

“By expanding the Port of Thunder Bay and creating a new marine terminal in Marathon, we’re helping Northern Ontario ports increase cargo volumes to ship everything from grain and potash to components for pipelines and critical minerals from the Ring of Fire,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government will continue to invest in Northern Ontario’s vital infrastructure to support local industries, businesses and workers, while driving economic growth across the region.”

Funding for the work is being provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

The Thunder Bay Port Authority (TBPA) is receiving $804,955 to expand its staging and storage area at Keefer Terminal by 10 acres, increasing its capacity for goods such as wind turbine parts, steel and oversized cargo. The expansion will allow the TBPA to increase cargo volumes and retain existing business, while reinforcing Thunder Bay’s role as a resilient and competitive gateway for interprovincial and international trade.

With over 10.7 million metric tonnes of cargo, including grain, potash and natural resources, moving through its facilities in 2025, and the vast majority shipping domestically or to international markets other than the U.S., the Port of Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s critical inland ports and a gateway to western Canada and Europe.

In addition, the Peninsula Harbour Port Authority (PHPA) is receiving $2 million to repurpose unused commercial docks in Marathon at the site of the former Marathon Pulp mill to create a marine terminal for shipping regional materials such as critical minerals, forest products, road salts and components for pipelines and wind turbines, to southern Ontario and customers across the globe.

Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.

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