Manitoba Real Estate
Rena Prefontaine
Designated Broker
rena.prefontaine@exprealty.net
Provincial Office
9-196 Osborne St
Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Z3
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About Manitoba
The centermost province of Manitoba is known as a nature-lovers paradise. With over 100,000 beautiful lakes and 124 National Parks, Manitoba holds some of the best outdoor activities Canada has to offer. A majority of the population lives in the prairie south, while the northern region is occupied by lush forests that give way to tundra as you travel farther north. Manitoba is rich in entertainment options and employment opportunities, and the housing is considered some of the most affordable in Canada. Agriculture, aerospace, and construction industries are booming in Manitoba, and the province’s focus on clean energy makes it one of the most eco-friendly places in Canada. The attractions in Manitoba vary from jazz festivals to national parks, so no matter your taste, you are sure to find something for everybody in Manitoba.
Manitoba is a province located in Canada’s prairie region with a population of over 1.2 million people. Manitoba is known for its rich history of First Nations and battles between Britain and France during their struggle to control North America.
Manitoba, once part of Prince Rupert’s Land, is said to be named from the Cree phrase, “Man-into-wahpaow,” which means, “the narrows of the Great Spirit.” When Manitoba became part of Canada in 1870, after being ruled directly by Great Britain for nearly 100 years, the name was selected from a suggestion by the Métis leader, Louis Riel.
The culture of Manitoba stems from the Cree, Assiniboine, and Métis Nations, who traded furs with the French through the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). The economy varied when agricultural settlers moved here in 1811, but the main way of living remained until the HBC’s control of Rupert’s Land came to an end in 1868. Just two years later, Manitoba became a province, and all the land became government property. Homesteads were then granted to settlers for farming. After this shift, much of Manitoba’s economy depended on agriculture. Drought and the Great Depression had a negative impact on farming, and people were forced to find other means to earn a living. Today, Manitoba has a vibrant and growing economy, driven by mining, agriculture, aerospace, food processing, cultural industries, hydroelectric power, and so much more!
English and French are both official languages used in Manitoba. In 1890, the legislature tried to nullify the official status of the French language. Nearly 100 years later, in 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that legislation should be in both French and English. In 2010, the Manitoba government passed the Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act. This act serves as official recognition of the Cree, Dakota, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, Ojibway, and Oji-Cree languages.
The land in Manitoba is generally flat and is known for its sunny skies. The north side of Manitoba is much cooler and has asubarctic climate. This region has long harsh winters and warm summers. Southern Manitoba is in the humid continental climate zone. This area becomes cold and windy and has several blizzards a year due to the open landscape. Summers are warm and at a reasonable length. This part of Manitoba is the most humid of all the prairie provinces. The southwestern part of Manitoba is drier and oftentimes experiences droughts. The southern part of this province is in tornado alley and experiences tornadoes.
Major Cities in manitoba
Manitoba has several cities with a significant population. Winnipeg is the capital city and also Manitoba’s largest. The neighbourhoods there consist of everything from mansions to apartments. The top employers here are the Canadian Armed Forces, the City of Winnipeg, and Manitoba Hydro. There are also five professional sports teams in Manitoba that call Winnipeg home: Valour FC soccer team, Winnipeg Blue Bombers football team, Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team, and the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose hockey teams.
Brandon is Manitoba’s second-largest city, where the economy revolves around agriculture and manufacturing. It has a population of over 47,000 people; however, it still maintains its small-town feel with strong ties to its past and present citizens! Some of the largest companies here to work for are Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Prairie Mountain Health Authority, and the Brandon School Division.
Manitoba’s third-largest city is Steinbach. With a population of about 16,000 people, Steinbach is known for its Mennonite roots, which still have a strong presence today. The Manitoba economy is based around agriculture and manufacturing and is known for its beautiful environment.
transportation in Manitoba
There are a variety of ways to get around this province. Some options are more suitable for inner-city commuting, but there are still many methods available for travelling. In the warmer months, it’s not uncommon to see people biking, rollerblading, or walking around the cities. There are public transit buses in some of the cities that are considered the most affordable and convenient options. Taxi services are also available, but you must call and make a reservation ahead of time. You can always drive your own vehicle too. If you’re a foreigner, you can use your out-of-province driver’s license for up to three months from entering the country, but you must apply for a new one if you’re going to call Manitoba home. If you’re travelling across the country and don’t want to drive, the VIA Rail Canada is a neat alternative. Lastly, there are also a few airlines in Manitoba such as Calm Air, First Air, Frontier North Adventures, or you can even book your flight with an air shuttle.
manitoba fun facts
- Churchill, Manitoba is considered one of the top three destinations for observing the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights. This wondrous phenomenon is available for viewing here almost 300 nights a year!
- Winnipeg, Manitoba is one of the top five coldest cities in the world!
- Wapusk National Park has the largest denning site for polar bears in the world! Since there are so many polar bears here, it’s not uncommon for people in neighbouring Churchill to leave their car doors unlocked in case someone needs a quick escape from a bear encounter!
- Speaking of bears, Winnie the Pooh was named after a bear named Winnie, who served as the mascot for the Winnipeg regiment of the Canadian Army!
Things to do in manitoba
There are many things to explore in Manitoba that you would never run out of things to do. Here are some of our favourites:
- Assiniboine Park & Zoo
- Assiniboine Park & Zoo began in 1904 and is Canada’s oldest zoological facility. It is home to over 180 species, including polar bears and kangaroos! There are many features including one, Aunt Sally’s Farm, that talks about the welfare and care of animals. The park also has restaurants, hiking trails, and features like a Nature Playground and the Leo Mol Gallery & Schoolhouse. In 2021 Assiniboine Park was even won a Travelers’ Choice Award on TripAdvisor!
- Manitoba Museum
- This museum reflects the legacy of all the original peoples in this province. It is Manitoba’s largest centre for heritage in the province. There are nine interpretive, three-dimensional galleries to delve into the connection between people and their environment. The museum also includes a planetarium that explores our fascinating universe and several interactive, hands-on science exhibits!
- The Forks Market
- At the crossing of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers stands a structure that was once used as horse stables and haylofts during the railway days. Today, it’s a place to eat a wide range of foods and do some shopping! You can even take a guided tour with a Parks Canada interpreter to find out more about the history of the area that dates back 6,000 years!
- Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial
- If you’re into history and airplanes, you’ll want to check this place out! Here you’ll see training, aircraft, vehicles, and other artifacts from the WWII era. You can even book a flight in a working aircraft, get a glimpse at restoration projects, and reflect in reverence by the RCAF WWII Memorial Wall and Chapel.
- Kickin’ Axe Throwing
- Whether for celebrations, corporate events, or blowing off some steam, Kickin’ Axe Throwing offers a unique yet simple experience of throwing axes. This indoor, metropolitan range offers 2 private rooms, with 3 targets in each lane. The facility’s lane marshals provide safety tutorials and share forms and techniques to help you get the most out of your experience.
- Keystone Centre
- As a hub for entertainment and activities, the Keystone Centre is a great place to spend time with friends and family. Enjoy their ice-skating rink, or check out their agricultural events. Keystone Centre is also home to the region’s three largest fairs: Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Manitoba Summer Fair, and Manitoba AG EX!
- Mennonite Heritage Village
- The Mennonite Heritage Village is a place where you can explore a Russian Mennonite street village, tour a housebarn, see a functioning Dutch windmill, and enjoy traditional Mennonite cuisine. You can also admire the historic, heirloom treasures and top off your visit by picking out a souvenir at the Village Books and Gifts Shop!
- Steinbach Aquatic Centre
- Come enjoy the water any time of year at the Steinbach Aquatic Centre! This indoor water facility offers a Junior Olympic pool, water slides, diving boards, a lazy river, a children’s water play area, and so much more! During the summer months, you can enjoy the water outdoors with a pool, deck area, and splash park. There is something here for everyone to have a good time!
- Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club
- This 18-hole golf course is community-owned and provides benefits to its members and offers tee times to public golfers. This course has sand traps, water hazards, and more!
- Spruce Woods Provincial Park
- This unique park has both lush spruce trees and sand dunes with cacti. Come visit for the summer and enjoy boating, swimming at the beach, or biking trails. If you visit during the winter, you’re in for quite the thrill with the options of skiing, ice skating, tobogganing, and so much more!
