Visitor Information

Manitoba Climate

Warm, sunny summers and cold bright winters characterize Manitoba's climate. Afternoon temperatures in July and August Average 25ºC with midwinter daytime readings almost always remain well below freezing. Wide variations from average values are common in all seasons. More than half of the annual precipitation falls in the summer months in the form of brief heavy showers. Most of southern Manitoba receives 110-140 cm of snow annually with the heaviest snow falls occurring in the northeast, in the Duck and Riding Mountains. (160 cm).

Manitoba Holidays

The following is a list of Manitoba holidays.
Please note the holidays may vary in private industry and government offices.

Manitoba Population

Manitoba enjoys a rich population mix, with people from every continent and virtually every country in the world providing a wide infusion of cultures and a broadened heritage. The Aboriginal population of Manitoba was joined by the Scottish Selkirk settlers in 1811, English and French Canadians after confederation in 1870, followed by Russian Mennonites, Icelanders, Ukrainians and Germans in subsequent years. Post W.W.II saw additional immigration from Europe and most recently from the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Asia.

Manitoba is one of ten provinces in Canada. It is governed in matters of federal jurisdiction by the Parliament of Canada, as outlined in Section 91 of the Constitution Act, and in matters of provincial jurisdiction by the provincial Legislature as outlined in Section 92 and 93 of the same Act. The government of the province, as provided in the Manitoba Act is organized on the parliamentary system with a unicameral Legislature, as follows:

Manitoba is the easternmost of the three Prairie Provinces. Comparatively level, Manitoba generally ranges from 490-ft./150 m to 980-ft./300 m above sea level. Baldy Mountain is Manitoba's highest point, at 2727 ft./831 m. Agricultural land lies in a triangle, bordering Saskatchewan and the U.S., cutting diagonally across lake Winnipeg. The northern 3/5 of Manitoba is Precambrian Shield. In northernmost Manitoba lies tundra and permafrost (permanently frozen subsoil). All waters in Manitoba flow to Hudson Bay. Before settlement, a large area of southern Manitoba was flood plain or swamp. An extensive system of drainage ditches had to be constructed throughout south central Manitoba to make the region suitable for cultivation.

Official Emblems

Manitoba Flag
		The official flag of the Province of Manitoba is the Red Ensign, bearing the provincial coat of arms. This flag was given royal approval by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in October 1965, and officially proclaimed on May 12, 1966.

The Coat of Arms
		The Coat of Arms of Manitoba, first assigned May 10, 1905 by King Edward VII, was augmented on October 23, 1992 by Governor-General Ramon Hnatyshyn. The 1905 shield is at its centre, while above are a gold helmet, red and silver mantlings, a beaver holding a prairie crocus, and finally a crown. A unicorn and a white horse support the left and right sides. Other elements that symbolize Manitoba's past include maple leaves, the wheel of a Red River cart, and Aboriginal bead and bone decorations. The shield and supporters rest on a base representing a diverse landscape, with a banner below bearing the Latin version of the provincial motto, "Glorious and Free."

The Great Gray Owl
		Chosen to represent Manitoba by numerous naturalists and school groups, the Great Gray Owl was officially adopted by Manitoba as the provincial bird emblem on July 16, 1987. A year- round resident of Manitoba, the Great Gray Owl is North America's largest owl, with a wingspan of 1.3 metres. It can be found throughout the mixed wood and coniferous forests of Manitoba, from the south-eastern corner of the province, west to Riding Mountain National Park and north to the treeline.

The Floral Emblem - Crocus
		The floral emblem of Manitoba was officially adopted when an act respecting its adoption was given Royal Assent on March 16, 1906. Accordingly, "The flower known botanically as the anemone patens, and popularly called the crocus, shall be adopted as and deemed to be the floral emblem of the province." This early spring flower, known as the "Prairie Crocus" was chosen by the school children as the floral emblem of the province.

The White Spruce
		The White Spruce was chosen as Manitoba's provincial tree emblem because of its extensive use by early and modern cultures. It is also easily identifiable and aesthetically pleasing, has a high economic value and is found throughout most of Manitoba. The white spruce is also disease resistant and capable of growing in most climatic and environmental conditions of the province

The Manitoba Tartan
		The Manitoba Tartan, approved by the Lord Lyon King at Arms, guardian of Scottish Heraldry, is registered in Scotland as the official tartan of the province. The design received royal assent May 1, 1962. Each colour has its own significance: Dark Red Squares-natural resources of the province; Azure Blue Lines-Lord Selkirk, founder of Red River Settlement (Winnipeg); Dark Green Lines-the men and women of many races who have enriched the life of the province; and Golden Lines-grain and other agricultural products.