WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Act received Royal Assent on May 12, 1870, creating the fifth Canadian province, and 144 years later, it remains the place where “Canada’s heart beats.”
Yet many Manitobans who spoke to Global News on Monday didn’t know it was Manitoba Day.
“Do you know what today is? No idea,” one person said.
“I didn’t know today was Manitoba Day,” another said.
Manitoba is attempting to rebrand itself as a tourism destination. Winnipeg was recently named a Top 10 must-see Canadian destination by Maclean’s magazine.
Manitoba historian Gerald Friesen pointed out the province is second in population growth, only beat by Saskatchewan, with its oil and potash resources.
“(Manitoba has) brought in more people, found ways to ensure that they find productive ways to live, and the consequence for us all is that we’ve been growing more rapidly than many of the others,” he said.
Canada is split in two, Friesen said — the four largest provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia) and the remaining six.
“Of the six that are smaller, I’d say we are a leader among those six,” Friesen said.
After a cold winter and so far dreary spring , many Manitobans may be asking themselves why they live here — but those who spoke to Global on Manitoba love the province they call home.
“My favourite thing about Manitoba is the amazing history. It was the opening of the Canadian West began here in Manitoba, in Winnipeg,” one woman said.
“My favourite thing about Winnipeg is the people,” another fan said. “It’s a big city — like, I’m from a tiny town — but they’re still really really welcoming and it’s got a diverse community.”
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