Over its lifetime, Churchill, Man., has been many things — a port, a military and defence hub, a research centre and a tourist mecca known as the "polar bear capital of the world" that's also famous for beluga whale and aurora borealis watching.

Now, the only Arctic deepwater port that is connected by rail is being touted as a nation-building project, an outlet for Canadian exports such as LNG and critical minerals and a lifeline for some of Canada's most remote communities.

Locals say they are both excited about the possibility of jobs and population growth, but also worried about how more commercial shipping could impact polar bears and beluga whales and the tourism industry that relies on them.

David Daley represents how many long-time residents feel as they wait to hear if Churchill

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