Canada Sucks

[jBirch]

I used to think that Canada was pretty worthless, but now they have one infinitieth the Bush we do, making them infinity times better. Even though their pennies are worth less.

No, no, the entire sub-alpine tundra is COVERED with Bushes in spite of the fact that our pennies are worthless.

[Orangeaholic]

I like the leaf on the flag, but it would be better if it was orange

[ThatReallyHurt]

I can't believe it took me a whole six of your postings to figure out that you are O_O on the rebound...

Oh, and your signature line is mispelled.

I was wondering if I was the only one who was thinking that...

[ThatReallyHurt]

I gotta admit, I do really like Canada. I don't mind visiting the US, but I still feel like this is my home (as silly as that sounds). Mind you, I've never been off this particular continent, so I can't speak for everywhere. I would like to stop in and visit all of the continents at some point in my life...

Except maybe Antarctica.

[scrapinpeg]

I like Canadia. I've got some great friends from there (admittedly, they all moved to the US and have no plans of going back, but they do talk fondly of it). I've had some great skiing in northern Quebec. The beer is stronger. The people are spookily homogenous to a New Yorker's eyes, but then again spooky is good.

It just occurred to me that I know nothing of Manitoba except for an old "Frantics" routine. Anyone got reliable information on it?

[ThatReallyHurt]

It just occurred to me that I know nothing of Manitoba except for an old "Frantics" routine. Anyone got reliable information on it?

What would you like to know? It just so happens I'm sitting on it right now.

[scrapinpeg]

Just the basics... major exports, climate, population breakdown, what people do for fun, what they think of uppity Alberta, etc.

[jBirch]

Just the basics... major exports, climate, population breakdown, what people do for fun, what they think of uppity Alberta, etc.

Exports: Mosquitos the size of jetliners
Climate: Frikken' cold. And by frikken' cold I mean REALLY frikken' cold.
Population Breakdown: Winterpeg (60%), Chur-chill (10% really stupid ones), Speedy Creek (10%) Rest of the province (20%).
What people do for fun: Go south.
What they think of uppity Alberta: No mosquitos and Chinooks = Paradise in Canada.

[mrbiggs]

I can't believe it took me a whole six of your postings to figure out that you are O_O on the rebound...

Really? Wow! Got me! I thought he was like Porno and those other people who create one thread, try to troll, and then leave.

[ThatReallyHurt]

Exports: Mosquitos the size of jetliners
Climate: Frikken' cold. And by frikken' cold I mean REALLY frikken' cold.
Population Breakdown: Winterpeg (60%), Chur-chill (10% really stupid ones), Speedy Creek (10%) Rest of the province (20%).
What people do for fun: Go south.
What they think of uppity Alberta: No mosquitos and Chinooks = Paradise in Canada.

That's surprisingly accurate.

Manitoba has a population of about a million people, about 60% of which live in Winnipeg. The next largest city is Brandon, with somewhere around 40000 people. Manitoba does a lot of farming, but there is also fishery, lumber, mining (lots of that up north around Flin Flon/Thompson), oil (the south-west corner of the province, near Virden), and quite a few others.

Manitoba is a popular destination for sport fishing - there are zillions of lakes up north, many of which are fly-in.

What do we do for fun... that's a good question. There are a lot of small farming communities - every summer, there are a ton of festivals around the province. There's the Morden Applefest, the Brandon Picklefest, Minnedosa has it's "Classic Rock" weekend. There's Grand Beach up near Winnipeg, that's pretty popular in the summer for those wanting to sit out in the sun. There are provincial parks within an hour or two of pretty much all communities, generally well maintained with camping and fishing, that sort of thing.

Every winter, Brandon runs the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, which is a pretty big draw. Winnipeg just recently built a new arena/entertainment complex to replace the old Winnipeg Arena (where the Jets used to play), and there have already been a bunch of concerts and sporting events there.

As to what to do on a regular day... pretty much the same as you'd see in most any other city/town of the same size. Winnipeg has a very active band/music scene, and lots of neat/strange/creepy places to visit and shop at.

Summers often get up to +35C before the humidex is factored in, and yes, there are an awful lot of mosquitoes, and if you wander outside in the middle of summer without bug spray, you're not going to enjoy yourself. At all.

Winters typically get down to -30C before the windchill is factored in. Add 60 to 90km/h winds to that and it can get pretty brisk. I think the coldest I've personally seen it (without windchill) was -44C.

One problem I have with how things here are is that pretty much everyone who lives in Winnipeg (this especially includes the provincial government) never sees anything in the province... besides Winnipeg. It's like outside the city limits, there's nothing until you hit a border somewhere.

As for fencing, Manitoba has five clubs that I know of - all of which are in Winnipeg. There is also a provincial team. If you're interested, the Manitoba Fencing page is at http://www.fencing.mb.ca. It's horribly out of date, but what can you do.

Manitoba is a good place to live if you like change. An hour driving puts you far enough away from civilization that you feel like you're living like a hermit, there are all sorts of different jobs and careers available, the roads are in better shape than in some of the other places I've been to, and the people are usually pretty pleasant.

Manitoba is not a good place to live if you really like the big city feel - Winnipeg tries very hard to be flashy and modern but some day it will realize that it's Winnipeg. Brandon tries really hard to be Winnipeg, but... well, you see where this is going.

I hope this helps, and wasn't too boring.

[Have At You]

Sounds like a pretty good place, actually!

[ThatReallyHurt]

Yeah well, you know...

It's home.

I've had a few opportunities to move, but I'm pretty happy here.

[jBirch]

Sounds like a pretty good place, actually!

NO! Like all places in Canada it's a hole. The women are UGLY, the people rude, stupid, ugly, smelly and confused. ThatReallyHurt is happy because he's confused. When you talk about other places in Canada, Manitoba is a viable, even desirable, place to live. When you talk about Canada compared to a paradise like the US though, it's a rat-hole.

There is absolutely, positively no reason whatsoever for any American to go north of the border except for sheer stupidity. Trust me.

[scrapinpeg]

but... but... but i LIKE canada! can i PLEASE come visit once in a while?

[jBirch]

You're American and as such can do whatever you like. I was merely pointing out how silly a decision it would be if you chose to go to Canada instead of someplace warm. But hey, if you want to come then you're certainly welcome. May I recommend Toronto?

[Sarah]

*snicker* I like Canada. It's nice in B.C. Vancouver island is gorgeous, and so are the forests around Vancouver, as well as the mountains. The people are friendly enough, and it's a really nice place for those with an artistic side. Vancouver films a lot of movies as well. Hmm, I've been to Alberta too, and I enjoyed it there.

[mrbiggs]

You're American and as such can do whatever you like. I was merely pointing out how silly a decision it would be if you chose to go to Canada instead of someplace warm. But hey, if you want to come then you're certainly welcome. May I recommend Toronto?

Dude, are you being serious or sarcastic?

[ReverseLunge]

I would rather die then live in Canada.

[Pancakes]

Absolutely! I want all Americans to take note: Canada is a vile, mockable place. No point in ever going to Canada for any reason.

I like the cut of your jib.

[ThatReallyHurt]

I like the cut of your jib.

It's the only jib he's got...