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The Basics of Manitoba

Manitoba is one of Canada's three Prairie Provinces and is home of over 1,200,000 people. Winnipeg, the capital city, is the largest city in the province and Brandon is the second largest. Manitoba has received increasing numbers of immigrants in recent years, and the province has set goals of encouraging 10 000 immigrants annually to settle within its borders.

Economy and employment

Traditionally farming has been a major occupation for Manitobans, and other principle industries are mining, and manufacturing, aerospace and transportation. From this agricultural base a considerable food processing industry has emerged. In Winnipeg, there is a sizable financial and insurance industry as well as government administration and services.

The unemployment rate in Manitoba is presently well below the Canadian average. The economy is expected to continue its recent growth trend.

Standard of Living

One of the most appealing aspects of living Manitoba is the low cost of living, making it possible to enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle. Housing, energy, insurance and post-secondary education in Manitoba are all among the least expensive in Canada. Manitobans have the highest rate of vacation home ownership in Canada. Residents of the province also golf more than anywhere else in Canada.

Manitoba has the 4th highest mandatory minimum wage in Canada and the fourth lowest marginal personal income tax rate in the country.

Manitobans volunteer at a higher rate than any other Canadian province, and they also give the highest proportion of their incomes to charity. This generous spirit helps to create supportive communities that can help new Canadians get off to a good start in the province.

Residential Housing

Manitoba's residential housing market is very competitive and affordable housing is readily available. The average house price in Winnipeg is just below $122,000, the second lowest average of any city in Canada.

Winnipeg has the shortest average distance (under six kilometres) to commute to work of any Canadian city over 500,000 people.

Education

In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. Manitoba offers a well-respected public education system for kindergarten through grade 12 in English schools, French schools, and French immersion schools (for students whose first language is not French). While private education is available in the province, it is not a commonly chosen option due to the high quality of the public system.

Average tuition for post secondary institutions in Manitoba is one of the lowest in Canada. The University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg are each full research institutions with well-respected faculty.

Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. Manitoba, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care.

History

Manitoba has an extensive aboriginal history, including settlement by Cree, Ojibwa and Sioux peoples. The province of Manitoba joined Canadian confederation in 1870, just three years after the establishment of the country.

While Manitoba fell behind some other Canadian provinces in growth for a period, today the province is forging ahead into the future with growing industry and new businesses. Winnipeg is a modern city that is home to some major Canadian corporations such as Great-West Life and CanWest Global.

Culture

Multiculturalism, which is a policy throughout Canada, has been embraced very strongly by Manitobans. Manitoba celebrates dozens of different ethnic festivals each year, highlighting the strength of the various cultural communities in the province.

Manitobans have a reputation for being open, friendly and generous people. The province has very high rates of volunteerism and generosity towards charitable causes.

Winnipeg has also long been a home for the arts. The city hosted the first Royal ballet company in the British Commonwealth, and has an internationally recognized symphony orchestra. There is also a growing independent music, art and comedy scene.

Demographics

Today Manitoba's population is approximately 1.2 million people. With approximately 630,000 people, Winnipeg residents account for over half of the province's population. The rest of the province's population generally resides in smaller towns.

Built on immigration, Manitoba residents claim heritage from every region of the world. Over 100 languages are spoken in the province, as residents retain their cultural heritage. Today people of British, German, Irish, Ukranian, Dutch and Polish descent account for the largest communities in the province. Manitoba is also home to a large population of Metis and First Nations peoples.

Immigration

Many immigrants to Canada are choosing to settle in Manitoba thanks to its low cost of living, good quality of life, and friendly communities The province has targeted an annual rate of immigration of at least 10,000 people as its industries continue to grow. Recently employers in Manitoba have made great use of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program while they encourage greater immigration for Permanent Residency. Individuals with skills and resources to contribute to Manitoba's development may also immigrate to Canada sooner under Manitoba's Provincial Nomination Program.

Government

Canada's government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of Manitoba has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Manitoba Legislative Assembly).

Major City

Winnipeg

The capital of Manitoba and home to over half of its residents, Winnipeg is located very close to the geographic center of North America. The city is home to both government administration and major commercial offices. With several post-secondary institutions in the area, Winnipeg is a major research and development center for the region, a factor which helps draw such companies as Boeing and Bristol Aerospace to locate offices there.

Winnipeg is also known for its long and cold winters, which have earned it the nickname “Winterpeg”. The upside however is that summers in Winnipeg are quite warm. During the warmer seasons, Winnipeggers take advantage of the abundant recreational opportunities provided by the red river and nearby lakes. The summer is a time of many festivals in Winnipeg, celebrating the arts and cultural communities.

For the more traditional arts, one can enjoy the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, or the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The city is also home to the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, the second largest in North America (the largest is found in Edmonton, Alberta) as well as popular jazz and folk music festivals. Canada's Human Rights Museum is located in Winnipeg.