Saskatchewan highways are better than Manitoba highways.
Alberta highways are better than Manitoba highways.
Two-lane mountain pass highways in BC that are already covered in snow are better than Manitoba highways.
The Calgary Sun is almost like a real newspaper.
Even the Regina Leader-Post is better designed than the Winnipeg Free Press.
Dear Saskatchewan, a few more distance signs wouldn’t kill you.
Despite the economic crisis, Western Canada’s tallest building is currently being built in downtown Calgary. When finished, The Bow will be the new corporate headquarters for Encana. The foot of the tower will feature two public art pieces by Jaume Plensa, who created the Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park, which is awesome.
Another fantastic public space is Prince’s Island Park in Calgary. The highlight: the number of people using it for running, walking, soccer, etc. on a weekday. I so wish Winnipeg had a legitimate park adjacent to downtown. Let’s put that on the rebuild list if we ever get wiped out by a big tornado.
Kelowna (metro population 166,000) has high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. People would seriously lose their shit if the City of Winnipeg ever attempted to do the same (even though it wouldn’t be a half-bad idea).
My grandfather was complaining about how the hospitals in Penticton get over-run by tourists in the summer. He recounted a tale of having to wait for 3.5 hours in the ER this past summer for his wife to get attention for a sore shoulder. I was thinking it might actually take less time to fly to Penticton for medical service than wait at HSC.
110 km/h speed limits are awesome. Sorry planet, they just are.
Regina has a Chili’s and an East Side Mario’s. Not only is its economy stronger, but Saskatchewan is even beating us in the chain restaurant race. [Sarcasm Alert!]
Speaking of which, how come our Starbucks aren’t serving those delightful little english muffin breakfast sandwiches?
And on a completely unrelated note:
Can we fire Mike Kelly now?
Filed under: winnipeg blog | Tagged: manitoba
Some very good points.
Spent some time at Prince’s Island Park last summer, and was impressed by how active it was, especially in the middle of a weekday like you said.
As for the fast food race, Medicine Hat is also beating us with their East Side Mario’s. Although I’m sure it won’t be long until someone responds to my comment with, “Yeah, but we’re getting an IKEA!!”
re: Kelly
If the man had any integrity a firing wouldn’t be necessary- he’d leave town on his own accord!
Comparisons are inevitable any time you travel. I know Saskatchewan people who become envious of some of the stores and restaurants that Winnipeg has when they travel.
The Forks still evokes marvel.
Still, the criticism on Manitoba highways and roads is legitimate. The NDP government back in 2006 realized that it was one issue that could hurt them and have put money into them ever since.
Still, we have a long way to go before they are up to snuff,
Last I heard, East Side Mario’s was looking to open a franchise in the city. Chili’s has 14 franchises in Canada and I think it is a matter of time before one opens here,.
The PC convention was this weekend. Perhaps they can focus on some of the meatier issues such as infrastructure and other issues like a Chii’s or NHL franchise will take of themselves.
We had an east side marios. It closed after a few years.
Yes, I remember the East Side Mario’s. I think we might have had two of them (Polo Park and downtown?). For the record, I couldn’t care less if we ever get another one, or a Chili’s. I likely wouldn’t eat at either. It was just an observation, given our apparent love of all things chain.
Now, a P.F. Chang’s though, I might be able to get behind that.
Yes, we had two. York and Garry (?) and Polo Park (in that Hooters area).
Totally agree with the road comparisons. Loved driving in BC this summer. Aside from the odd construction between Banff and Golden the roads were awesome. 110km/h speed limits are definitely the way to go. If they can do 110 safely through the mountains, we sure as hell can do it in Manitoba where the roads are straight and flat .
O green one ,,,,,, you make a good point that to define how Manitoba is doing, comparisons are absolutely required. Too often Prozac laden blinders created by government officials or self indulgent mass media prevent us from making the comparison and by so doing prevent us from getting better ourselves.
But the Chicken Ffried Steak at Chilis is one good tasting heart attack!
Spent many nights at East Side Marios when it was here, nothing special. Perhaps that is why it isn’t here anymore.
You could blind fold me, spin me around for two days to disorient me, put me in a car and I may not be able to tell if we were driving through SK, AB or BC but I could sure as hell tell you once we got into Manitoba.
I’m a veteran prairie driver the highways here are a disgrace. No worries though there is always a friendly RCMP constable hiding behind a bush a few minutes past the border coming into Manitoba to alert you off the road conditions as he is giving you the official “Welcome to Manitoba” certificate.
It’s easier to hand out speeding tickets when the limit is 100. We were supposed to get 110 on all double-lane divided hwys, that is until photo radar cash started dwindling.
Sure, but will these new pieces by Jaume Plensa explore his themes of dualism, light, and water, extending the use of video technology from his prior works?
Okay, I got that last bit from Wikipedia.
The streets are paved with gold in Calgary.
Don’t forget, Saskatchewan also beat out Winnipeg to host this year’s World Junior Hockey Tournament.
Winnipeg: It just gets worse every day!
Instead of drawing comparisons to the sprawling freeway cities of the west, let’s take a page from Canada’s eastern cities and get people OUT of their cars. Nothing gets people onto the buses like crumbling infrastructure and high gas prices – just ask Montréal.
There used to be a Chili’s on Regent.