What I like about Winnipeg?

There is a lot to like about Winnipeg. It has been my home for 51 years. When I tell people where I came from, there reaction is " What the bloody heck are you doing here"? When I say I came along for the ride, they say "Why do you stay"?

My father got a professorship teaching history at the University Of Manitoba. In the marketing package he was given while being wooed the University described the Winnipeg winters as cool and invigorating.

I can attest that in January when the wind is howling and it is -30, there nothing cool and invigorating about it.

We immigrated in 1968 from Australia. In 50 years the city has changed. The vibrancy, the flavour of the city has evolved. We are 800,000 people strong and diverse. We have the largest Filipino population in Canada. We have a strong Ukrainian prescence. On some streets you can find a wide variety of languages other than English and French being spoken. Speaking of our French community, we have the largest population west of Quebec.

We are community minded, always prepared to help out whenever needed. We are rich in sports, culture, the arts. We are rich in parks, green space, largest per capita concentration of golf courses in North America. Assiniboine Park is the cities largest and houses our world famous zoo with its magnificent Journey to Churchill exhibit. A leader in Polar Bear research.

Our Forks area at the junction of the cities rivers is a vibrant meeting place with market, shops, restaurants. The children's museum and world class museum for Human Rights. Across the river is the St boniface cathedral. My favourite place in Winnipeg. At sunset the magical colours of the night light up the cathedral. It's cemetery is the resting place for many of Western Canada's founders including Louis Riel. A multi kilometre river walk stretches along both rivers.

I speak to middle and high schools sharing my mental health story. I have seen the ethnic diversity of our city through the eyes of the students. How diverse and rich the city is. The beauty of a city is the people who live here and we are a beautiful city. We are kind, generous and conservative and liberal all at the same time.

Years ago, I felt like leaving and going back home, not anymore. I love living here.