Regional Differences

Figure 1a (Source: Environment Canada)

Figure 1b (Source: Environment Canada) In Figure 1a above, it is clear that Winnipeg experiences much colder climates in the winter, and hotter climates in the summer compared to Calgary. They have similar peak periods (June, July & August), and similar low periods. There is more precipitation in Winnipeg, and it is constant throughout the year, whereas Calgary experiences the most precipitation during the middle of the year (May-September) and hardly any in the winter season.

Figure 2a (Source: Statistics Canada)

Figure 2b (Source: Statistics Canada)

In Figure 2a, Winnipeg presents a higher population percentage of people who are 65 – 85+ years old (with a more women than men) when compared to Calgary (Figure 2b). In Figure 2b the shape of the graph is an inverted hourglass figure. Calgary appears to have a baby boom with a high percentage of children from 0 – 4 years old. Winnipeg’s highest population percentage is of people within 45 – 49 years old, while Calgary’s highest population percentage is of those who are 25 – 29 years old.

Additional Graphs:
Figure 3a (Source: Statistics Canada, 2012)

Figure 3b (Source: Statistics Canada, 2012)
When looking at the location of the two cities, both are located in the Interior Plains. They have many similarities, both being in the same main physiologic region but at the same time many differences, especially in appearance and recreational content. As stated earlier, Calgary is located in the Interior Plains along with Winnipeg however; Winnipeg is also near the borderline of the Canadian Shield. In Alberta, there are many National parks that are around the area that will attract large populations. Very popular and well-known parks in Alberta include “Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, and Elk Island National Park” (Kanada News, 2000-2003). There are many different recreational activities that take place in these parks, which make the region of Alberta as a whole a more appealing place to live. In Manitoba, there is only one National park that is not very well-known, which is Riding Mountain National Park. There is only one park in Manitoba that is advertised compared to the four popular parks in Alberta heard about from all around Canada. Also, the region of Winnipeg in general has an “extremely flat topography” (Natural Resources Canada, 2007). To most people, when comparing the two cities, Winnipeg would not be an ideal place to live because of its appearance and landscape. Much of the younger generations like to travel and base their future stay on a place that is attractive to them. Calgary is near the mountains, and has great scenery. Also, looking at Figure 1b, Calgary does not have much precipitation in the winter season, those who dislike rain or snow will find this to be a great characteristic to their potential living situation. Leisure activities that are popular in Calgary include many outdoor sports such as snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing and canoeing, many of which are because of the mountains all around the area. Winnipeg leisure activities involve other types of events such as hockey, ice-skating and golfing. To the younger generation, Calgary is more appealing with their types of available activities.
According to Statistics Canada, there is a significant difference between average hourly wages in Manitoba, compared to Alberta. In Manitoba, people aged 15 – 24 years are making around $13.78/hr and those aged 25 – 54 years old are earning $23.39/hr, whereas Albertans are earning $17.04/hr and $29.36/hr respectively (refer to Figure 3b). These statistics are evident in comparing Figure 2a and 2b above. Calgary’s highest population percentage is in the age range of 25 – 29 years old due to the high wages that are drawing the youth. The reasons for the significant difference in wages are because of “low levels of unemployment and high