Population
Population: 767,500 (City of Winnipeg, 2021)
Climate
Winnipeg experiences a continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Average temperatures range between -12° Celsius (+10.4° Fahrenheit) in the winter months to +26° Celsius (+78.8° Fahrenheit) in the summertime. Due to its northern location, Winnipeg residents enjoy 2,300 hours of sunlight annually and up to 16 hours of sunlight daily during the summer months. Winnipeg averages approximately 51.4 centimetres (20.2 inches) of precipitation each year.
Time Zone
Winnipeg is located in the Central Standard Time Zone (CST). In Manitoba Canada Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 am local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2:00 am. During Daylight Saving Time clocks are turned ahead one hour.
Emergency Information
- Emergencies Only – Call: 911
- Non-emergency Police Services – Call: (204) 986-6222
Language
English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the predominant language spoken in Winnipeg. Old St. Boniface - Winnipeg’s French Quarter, is largely French-speaking. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops and key tourist destinations have multilingual staff.
Currency
The currency used in Winnipeg is the Canadian Dollar. It is recommended that visitors exchange their currency at a bank, a foreign exchange outlet or use a banking machine.
Provincial and Federal Taxes:Goods and services purchased in Manitoba are subject to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST: 7%) and the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST: 5%).
Accommodation Tax
There is a 5% tax on accommodations within the city of Winnipeg. For more information please click here.
Measurement
Canada follows the international metric system. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, and velocity are expressed in metric units.
- Length: 1 kilometre = 0.6 mile, 1 mile = 1.6 kilometres
- Capacity: 1 litre = 1.06 US quarts, 1 US quart = 0.95 litres
- Weight: 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds, 1 pound = 0.45 kilograms
Speed conversion:
- 20 mph = 30 km/h
- 30 mph = 50 km/h
- 50 mph = 80 km/h
Electricity
Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. For those from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.
Internet
There is free public Wi-Fi available at 130 public facilities, including all city community centres, indoor pools, arenas and libraries. To connect, select the "ShawGuest" network wherever it is available, and accept the terms of use.
Liquor Laws
Spirits, wine and beer are available at Manitoba Liquor Control Commission outlets; wine is also available at private wine stores; domestic beer also from hotel vendors. Open liquor must be stored in the trunk. Legal age for consumption of alcohol is 18 years. These laws are strictly enforced. “Please drink responsibly. Don’t drink and drive.”
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all public places including restaurants, bars, malls and sporting events.
Cannabis
The consumption of cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018. You must be 19 years of age to purchase and use cannabis in Manitoba. You can only smoke or vape cannabis in a private residence (which includes backyards).
Driving under the influence of cannabis or consuming cannabis in a vehicle is illegal.
For information on the rules and regulations behind the legalization of cannabis please visit the Government of Manitoba website.
Automobiles
Taxis and automobile rental pick-ups are available at most hotels, the airport, the bus depot and Union Station. Some Winnipeg hotels may also offer airport shuttle service. Limousine transportation is available from airport to downtown hotels and businesses. For contact information for these services have a look at our Getting Around page.
Driving Tips
The use of seat belts, child restraints and motorcycle helmets is compulsory within the province of Manitoba. Right turns are allowed on red lights, unless otherwise posted. Left on red from one way to one way is allowed, unless otherwise posted. Cellular phone use and smoking in vehicles with children is illegal.
For regular updates on City of Winnipeg lane closures, please visit the city’s Regional Lane Closures map. You can also download and use the Waze app for real-time traffic and incident updates.
Watch for no-parking signs and no-turn signs between 7:00am and 9:00pm, and again between 3:30pm and 5:30pm. City of Winnipeg metered parking is in effect Monday through Saturday from 9:00am through 5:00pm. Free two-hour parking is available downtown, and where available, is noted on the meter. To find available spaces, download and use the ParkMobile app to locate and pay for on-street and lot parking. Privately metered parking extends past 5:00pm and is noted on road signs or on the meter itself.
For the best navigation, use the route numbers and remember that avenues typically run east and west and streets are north and south. Numbers begin at the rivers.
Please note: The City of Winnipeg utilizes photo radar technology in an effort to reduce the incidences of red light running and speeding within the city limits. Signage is posted in all areas where camera enforcement is used.
