Manitoba’s interim Premier Kelvin Goertzen will spend part of his last two weeks as Manitoba’s leader in the province’s north.
Goertzen, who will be succeeded as premier by the next Progressive Conservative leader at the end of October, will meet with foreign diplomats stationed in Canada and tourism professionals while in Churchill, which has been badly affected by international travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As people from around the world begin to safely travel again, we are eager to promote Churchill and Northern Manitoba as a unique tourism destination and help build on our provinces’ brand as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’,” said Goertzen.
The premier will meet with elected officials, First Nations leaders and industry representatives to talk about the economic challenges and opportunities presented by the coronavirus pandemic while in Thompson.
“As we look toward a post-pandemic Manitoba, we want to hear from local leaders and community members about the challenges they face, and how we as a government can help position them for recovery and strong economic growth,” said Goertzen. “With its rich natural resources, vast territory and incredible wildlife, Northern Manitoba plays an important role in our province’s tourism industry, which is a key contributor to our provincial economy.”
The visit to the north comes just six days after another nod to the region from the provincial government, which has introduced legislation to designate polar bears as one of Manitoba’s official emblems.
“Northern Manitoba is known internationally for its polar bears, tourists come from around the globe to see and learn about these majestic animals in their natural habitat in Churchill,” Goertzen said in an Oct. 8 press release. “Recognizing the polar bear as an official symbol of Manitoba would help build on our province’s brand as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’ and a must-see, one-of-a-kind tourism attraction for visitors of all ages.”
Polar bears would join the bison as Manitoba’s official mammalian emblems. Other official natural emblems of the province include the great grey owl, pickerel, white spruce, prairie crocus, big bluestem grass, Newdale soil and the mosasaur.
