The view from our master bedroom is a sight to behold as fresh wet snow falls this November morning. I was asking “Why Winnipeg?”
While many wondered why we chose a cold, windy place in the middle of nowhere when other options must have been available, but to us the choice was obvious.
About ten years ago when we felt it was time for radical change and fast, the decision to come to Winnipeg was a result of convergence of factors that made it the most practical choice.
The Reason
Like many recent Filipinos migrants in Winnipeg, our foremost reason is the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) that made it possible to expedite our move as permanent residency qualification is based on background and connection (my brother’s family came ahead in 2009), and the process is streamlined.
Second and equally important, among other countries in our short list, Canada, to us, has the best reputation and most aligned to our values as a family. Having lived for five years just south of its border in Upstate New York, and having visited Montreal & Guelph one Christmas break from graduate school during that same period, I decided that the cold climate is but a minor inconvenience.
Canada’s Edge
Canada’s edge is it’s openness and being a multicultural society that prioritizes inclusiveness, social safety net and care for its environment and rich heritage over profit and imperialistic ambitions.
So Winnipeg became the gateway to our new beginning in Canada in 2011. And “Friendly Manitoba” did not disappoint us and we feel fortunate to be here.
How about you, kabayan, why do you feel blessed to be in Winnipeg?
