Manitoba: Is it part of the east or west?

Only The Lonely.. · #1 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:39 AM**

I had to start this thread, this question has been bugging me for way too long.

Technically speaking the government recognizes Manitoba as being the 'Gateway to Western Canada'. Although in my experience most Westerner's, even those from Saskatchewan, don't really consider Manitoba as being part of the 'west'. Even in the CFL, the Bombers occasionally find themselves playing in the east.

My question is, do you consider Manitoba to have more in common with the east or the west?

Greco Roman · #2 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:45 AM**

Oh oh, your asking for trouble!

jk

I know what you mean. We are the keystone province that unites east and west; quite unique and something to be proud of. I don't mind being affiliated with the east; I"ve always loved NW Ontario myself; it truly is Manitoba's playground. We do share an ocean body with two eastern (central, depending on your pt. of view) provinces, plus we have lakes that can, IMO be considered as "Great Lakes". But we are considered a "western province" by definition, so it really does depend on the point of view. When I am in the Canadian Shield, I feel like I'm in the east (since it's so close to Winnipeg, I was there quite often), but once on the prairie, it feels west. Basically, "east" is east of Winnipeg, and "west" is west of Winnipeg".

This should be interesting!

Only The Lonely.. · #3 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:48 AM**

What got me thinking about this is that in the U.S they define the west as starting much further east. For example, many Americans consider places like Detroit and Milwaukee to be midwestern cities.

However, in Canada i've never really gotten the feeling that the rest of Western Canada thinks of us as being part of the west.

Conversely, i'm not sure may Ontarians think of NW Ontario and MB as being part of the east.

Politically Manitoba probably has more in common with Ontario, provincial politics here tends to drift anywhere from center to left of center. Even our PC party is still much more liberal than their counterparts in the rest of the country.

Taller Better · #4 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:50 AM**

Even when I lived there, I considered it part of the West. Still do.

CCF · #5 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:50 AM**

I consider Manitoba to be in the west, but I do see what you are getting at.

It is on a fine line between east and west. I think the way of life in Manitoba resembles the west moreso than the east.

dubiousmike · #6 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 6:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

However, in Canada i've never really gotten the feeling that western canada thinks of us as being part of the west.

Not really, no. But we don't really consider you part of the east either.

Let's just say that Winnipeg is the monolithic nexus of central Canada.

big W · #7 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 7:05 AM**

mike are you saying that Manitoba is just there?

I personally see Manitoba as central Canada.
To me the West is BC, AB , SK
East is ON, QC and then Atlantic is the 4 Atlantic provinces with the North being the 3 territories.

1ajs · #8 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 7:25 AM**

winnipeg is somthing like 30 miles away from the center of north amarica.....

were the midle whats rong with that we get everything here

salvius · #9 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 8:08 AM**

Yeah, I'd say Manitoba is central.

softee · #10 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 8:12 AM**

Definitely West.

harls · #11 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 12:56 PM**

I've always considered it West, up until you pass the eastern edge of Winnipeg.. that I consider East.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCF

I think the way of life in Manitoba resembles the west moreso than the east.

Especially the part of Manitoba where I'm from.

MolsonExport · #12 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 2:27 PM**

West. Why? Because of all that near-emptyness that exists in the Western half of Ontario. Then you hit the Manitoba border...and there are farms...big ass farms of the sort that you would only expect in the West. This will be familiar to those that have driven across Canada, as I have. Manitoba seamlessly flows into Saskatchewan (land of "Corner Gas" and MooseJaw)...and you really have to say that you are definitely in the West. Sask flows without pause into Alberta. And Alberta is more 'West' than British Columbia, irrespective of what a map might tell you.

caltrane74 · #13 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 2:50 PM**

Winnipeg/Manitoba is west. Dammit London Ontario is western Canada to me. Why the hell did they name thier school "Western"?

harls · #14 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:10 PM**

This screams 'west'.

Now I'm sure someone will post pics of the Canadian Shield and serene lakes, but this is the Manitoba I grew up in.

ReginaGuy · #15 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:15 PM**

Manitoba is west in my mind, never thought of it as anything else. JUst like "northern" Ontario isn't really that northern

Greco Roman · #16 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:15 PM**

^^ But just to be fair, the Canadian Shield and boreal forest area make up more of Manitoba than the prairie does.

WhipperSnapper · #17 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:19 PM**

best to follow the CFL

Habanero · #18 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:19 PM**

The west. Mabitoba's culture and history is definitely 'the west'

feepa · #19 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albertaboy

^^ But just to be fair, the Canadian Shield and boreal forest area make up more of Manitoba than the prairie does.

Oh lets not start that arguement/discussion again about Manitoba not being a prairie province. I thought we came to some sort of conclusion that all of the "prairie provinces" were not strickly prairie.

Taller Better · #20 Posted: **Jan 19, 2007, 3:32 PM**

Strangely, there never was really a "central" part in the lexicography of Canada. Nor a "mid West". It has always been just West and East. I'd say most people consider Manitoba to be part of the West as it is considered a Prairie Province (despite a recent thread to the contrary! LOL!)