Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 130th anniversary of the creation of my province of Manitoba. Thanks to the efforts of Louis Riel and his provisional government, the province was carved out of what was then the North-West Territories.
Since May 12, 1870 Manitoba has grown and prospered. Its ethnically diverse population comes from every corner of the world, a fact celebrated in Winnipeg's annual Folklorama festival.
As the gateway to the west, Manitoba has grown from its early dependence on agriculture to one of the most diversified economies in the country with strong manufacturing, transportation, financial and high tech sectors. Despite the growth, Manitoba remains a land of unspoiled natural beauty. It is a land where the lakes and forests of the Canadian shield meet the tall grass and wheat fields of the prairies. It is a land that truly bridges east and west.
Please join me in congratulating Manitoba on its 130th birthday.