Remarks by
The Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M.
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
CANADIAN CAPITAL CITIES ORGANIZATION CONFERENCE
Government House
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 12 noon
(please check against delivery)
Fellow Canadians, representatives of Canada’s capital cities, welcome to Manitoba and to Government House.
It is a pleasure to welcome you to Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Red River Metis. As Lieutenant Governor, I acknowledge that our province is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Anishininew (ANISH-IN-INEW), Cree, Dakota, Dene and Nehetho (NE-HET-HO) Nation. And I acknowledge that northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
As Manitobans, we respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.
As you know better than me, Canada’s capital cities have an important role to play in building a prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all who call our country home.
Capital cities are magnets for investment, immigration and innovation. They have diverse populations of skilled and educated citizens. And they are home to federal, provincial and territorial offices and institutions that touch on every aspect of life in Canada.
There’s a special atmosphere in capital cities. In part it comes from their connection to history, as the places where generations of leaders debated law and policy, where great crises of the past were addressed. In part it comes from the public art and architecture associated with government.
And a big part of it comes from the many informed and involved citizens who live in capital cities and get involved in public discussion and activism.
But capital cities also face the same challenges as other cities — in matters such as housing, infrastructure, and health and safety.
Bringing delegates from these important cities together to share ideas, experiences and visions provides a pool of brainpower that will benefit Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
I note that your conference schedule includes opportunities to learn about Winnipeg’s history and culture and our city’s work on downtown transformation, transit and urban planning. And you will also have the chance to visit a number of our city’s cultural, historical and recreational landmarks of which we are so proud. I’m pleased that you’ll get to know our city as it is celebrating 150 years since its incorporation in 1874.
To all who have made this conference possible and developed your program of learning and sharing, thank you for working to enhance this great group of cities.
I wish you a productive visit and success in your work in your home cities. And I hope you take back great memories of your time spent in the heart of the continent.
Thank you. Merci. Meegwich. Shalom
