After 17 years of operation, Denver-based OmniTrax is looking to sell the Port of Churchill and Hudson's Bay Railway.

President of Canadian operations for OmniTrax Merv Tweed says with such a short grain-shipping season, it's hard to operate with any kind of margin during the off-season. However, Tweed says for northern communities, it's important that the rail line runs all year.

"We see it as a public service, to provide those communities with the service they deserve. We think that government should play a role in at least providing some funding toward it. I think that makes perfect sense," Tweed says, nothing they have already talked to some federal government officials about the sale, with more OmniTrax officials contacting the province.

Tweed says selling is not an option they want to consider, but it's something they have to consider.

"We believe we have to make some hard decisions before the new year," he says, "so we're hoping anything that may happen — at least the interest has to happen before the new year."

The port itself employs around 80 to 100 people, with about that many employees on the rail line as well.