Manitoba: a province with a rich history and economic potential

In this article, we'll cover the following topics:

• geographical location;
• climate;
• where to live;
• crime rates;
• education;
• work and salaries;
• in-demand professions;
• prices and taxes;
• healthcare;
• what to see;
• immigration programs.

Geographical Location

The province is located in the southern and western regions of the country, making its lands very fertile. Agriculture is the main economic resource of Manitoba. Other important sectors include transportation, mining, manufacturing, forestry, tourism, and energy.

Fun fact! The province's name is directly related to Lake Manitoba, but there are several theories about its origin. One suggests that "Manitoba" comes from the Assiniboine words "mini" and "tobu," meaning "lake of the prairie." Another theory claims it derives from "maniotapau" in the Cree language, describing the sound of waves hitting pebbles. Legend has it that this sound is made by the spirit Manitou striking a drum.

Manitoba borders the provinces of Ontario to the east and Saskatchewan to the west, the territory of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. states of North Dakota and Minnesota to the south. The province's northeast coast is on Hudson Bay.

Thanks to its moderate climate, low housing prices, utilities, and food costs, Manitoba is recommended for families with children. The province also has a well-established Russian and Ukrainian-speaking community, making it easier for immigrants from these countries to find support, help, and social connections.

As of 2025, the province has a population of over 1.42 million people. The official languages are English and French. The capital city is Winnipeg.

Climate

Manitoba has a continental climate. Temperatures generally decrease from south to north, while precipitation decreases from east to west.

The province has a mostly positive climate, with hot and humid summers. The only downside is the frequent tornadoes that cause significant damage annually. In 2007, Manitoba experienced Canada's most powerful tornado, rated at the maximum level 5. The year before, in 2006, the province recorded 15 tornado incidents.

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Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for select Manitoba cities:

Where to Live

Winnipeg

Over half of the province's population — about 910,000 people — live in the capital and its suburbs. Winnipeg is located just 100 kilometers from the Canada-US border in the Canadian Prairies. Due to its location, the city is prone to flooding. Winters are harsh, with average temperatures between -18 and -23°C, but summers are warm, averaging 18 to 26°C.

Winnipeg is North America's largest grain-growing center. Besides agriculture, finance, trade, education, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors are well-developed. The city is home to the main Royal Canadian Mint factory, which produces nearly all Canadian coins and those for dozens of other countries. The federal government and its educational and medical institutions are the city's largest employers.

Winnipeg has always had a significant Ukrainian diaspora, with about 15% of the city's population being of Ukrainian descent.

The city has many schools, several universities (including one French-language), and colleges.

However, like the rest of the province, crime rates are relatively high. This trend is starting to improve: over the past two years, crime has decreased by 2.2%, though it remains high.

Brandon

Brandon is the second-largest city in the province and consistently ranks among the best cities in Manitoba, though its population is much smaller at around 56,000 people.

The climate is considered moderately cold: winter temperatures drop to -18 to -24°C, while summer averages range from 17 to 26°C.

Brandon has a developed manufacturing industry and agriculture sector. The city also has many educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities.

Springfield

Springfield is a large rural municipality bordering Winnipeg. It's known for its low prices and low unemployment rate. The main economic activity in Springfield is farming. However, many residents work in Winnipeg, making it an excellent option for those who want to combine the benefits of working in the provincial capital with living in a quiet rural area.

Excellent Education Options

Currently, Manitoba has a law requiring children aged 7 to 16 to attend school. Primary education is provided in English or French. The province has 35 government-subsidized schools and 44 non-subsidized schools. These schools are not required to follow the provincial curriculum and can modify it.

Manitoba is also known for its universities:

• Université de Saint-Boniface (French-language);
• Canadian Mennonite University;
• University of Winnipeg;
• University of Manitoba (considered the most prestigious);
• Brandon University;
• Booth University College;
• Providence University College;
• University College of the North.

Studying at Manitoba universities is considered prestigious: degrees from these institutions are recognized in most countries worldwide. Moreover, tuition fees in the province are relatively low: international students at the University of Manitoba pay from $16,000 CAD per year.

Here's the English translation:

A unique feature of the province! Manitoba has a huge number of international students. One in eight students here is from abroad. This is largely due to the fact that if you enroll in any of the universities, your children may be eligible for free schooling.

Great choice for families with children

The province has a wide range of educational programs, so there are many children here and they feel quite comfortable. Diaspora communities, including Russian-speaking ones, also play an important role: immigrants have the opportunity to raise children in a familiar environment.

However, kindergartens, unlike schools where a student's child may be eligible for free education, are very expensive. It's most difficult to place a child between 3 months and 2 years old. For children aged 2-5, it's much easier to find a spot in kindergarten. You can get complete information about available spaces in preschools on the official website.

In general, childcare facilities in the province are divided into 4 types:

• non-profit learning and care centers;
• commercial kindergartens (according to Manitoba residents, they somewhat resemble Soviet-era kindergartens);
• private home daycares (accept a maximum of 8 children up to 12 years old, including the owner's children);
• unlicensed home daycares (also 8 children up to 12 years old).

The shortage of childcare spaces is so severe that parents register their child for preschool at birth. You can do this through the official form.

All kindergartens in Manitoba are fee-based. Depending on the facility, service package, child's age, and length of stay, the monthly price can range from $500 to $900 CAD. If the childcare center receives support from the provincial government, families may be eligible for subsidized services at $10 CAD per day under a new federal project that Manitoba has joined.

Crime

Despite many advantages of Manitoba, it should be noted that there is a high crime rate here. There are about 10,600 crimes per 100,000 people, and this number has been increasing over the years. The crime severity index is also rising, currently at 146.5 points.

Winnipeg has made it into the top 10 most dangerous places to live in Canada.

What about jobs and salaries?

It's relatively easy to find work in the province. The unemployment rate here is only 5.9% – lower than the Canadian average. The minimum wage in the province is $16 CAD per hour as of October 2025. The average annual income in Manitoba is approximately $56,550 CAD.

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In-demand professions

According to the news portal CTV, based on the province's market analysis up to 2026, the most in-demand professions in Manitoba will remain:

• truck drivers;
• retail and wholesale trade managers;
• nurses;
• elementary school teachers and early childhood educators;
• auto technicians and mechanics.

Prices

Housing prices vary depending on the city. On average, real estate costs:

• Winnipeg: $407,000 CAD;
• Portage La Prairie: $235,000 CAD;
• Brandon: $310,000 CAD.

Gas prices in 2024 range from $1.37 to $1.53 CAD per liter. Currently, this is the cheapest in Canada.

Overall, the cost of living in the province is quite low. People don't spend exorbitant amounts on housing, utilities, insurance, energy, or even education. Moreover, Manitoba is among the provinces with the lowest such expenses in Canada. At the same time, people are not forced to give up anything; they can afford to live comfortably.

A unique feature of the province! One of the significant indicators of the low cost of living in the province is that Manitoba residents are among the leaders in spending on charity and volunteer work.

Taxes

In addition to the main federal tax, Manitoba has provincial rates:

• 10.8% on the first $47,000 CAD of taxable income;
• 12.75% — from $47,001 to $100,000 CAD;
• 17.4% — above $100,000 CAD.

The value-added tax in Manitoba consists of the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) — 5%, and the provincial Sales Tax (PST) — 7%. The total tax is 12%. This is the average for Canada: there are provinces where the tax is higher, and some where it's lower.

Healthcare

As in other provinces, for comfortable living in Manitoba, you need to purchase insurance that will cover doctor visits and medical care. However, all medication costs are borne by the patient. Dentistry is also paid, but Manitoba has joined the federal dental plan, which certain groups of people may be eligible for. It's important to note that the province is characterized by fairly long waiting times for doctor appointments and scheduled surgeries. A unique feature of Manitoba is the presence of several cancer treatment centers.

Where to relax and what to do

• Lockport Provincial Heritage Park

The 5.5-acre provincial heritage park, established in 1997, was home to the Kenosewun Centre, which in Cree means "there are many fish." This refers to the fact that for millennia, indigenous people fished in the section of the Red River now occupied by the lock and dam built between 1908 and 1910 to allow ships to pass through this treacherous part of the river.

• Birds Hill Provincial Park

Year-round, the park is a venue for many recreational and sporting events. Every July, Birds Hill hosts the Winnipeg Folk Festival, one of the largest folk music events in North America. It also hosts horse shows, polo tournaments, and cycling races.

• Kingsmen Lake

A closed area with a paid beach. The lake itself may be small, but it's deep – up to 10-15 meters in some places.

In addition, in the vicinity of Winnipeg, you can visit: Morton Provincial Park, Gimli beaches, Reynolds Ponds for fishermen, and Grand Beach Park.

A unique feature of the province! Due to the absence of heavy industry, the only environmental polluter in Manitoba is livestock farms. There's also rich wildlife here: you can even encounter polar bears, and the Churchill area is rightfully called the Polar Bear Capital!

Attractions

• Winnipeg Art Gallery;
• The Forks National Historic Site;
• Manitoba Legislative Building;
• Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site;
• Shaw Park;
• Saint Boniface Cathedral;
• Churchill Northern Studies Centre;
• Mennonite Heritage Village;
• Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.

Immigration Programs

Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program is divided into several streams.

Skilled Workers:

• Skilled Workers in Manitoba — for those already in the province;
• Skilled Workers Overseas;

International Graduates:

• Career Employment Pathway for Manitoba graduates who found work in their field;
• Graduate Internship Pathway for Manitoba master's and doctoral graduates who completed an internship in the province;
• International Student Entrepreneur Pilot for Manitoba graduates planning to start a business in the province.

Business Streams:

• Entrepreneur Pathway for those wanting to start a business in Manitoba;
• Farm Investor Pathway for those planning to run a farming business in rural Manitoba.