WSO recognized with formal resolution at the Manitoba Legislature

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Cindy Lamoureux, MLA for Tyndall Park, presented a resolution in the Manitoba Legislature on behalf of the WSO: “Calling on the Provincial Government to recognize the valuable role that the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra plays in Manitoba communities”.

The WSO is deeply grateful for this recognition and proud to serve the people of Manitoba through music, education, and community programs. Below is a record of the process.

RESOLUTION

MLA Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I move,

WHEREAS Manitobans acknowledge and express deep gratitude for the treaties concerning the land and waters of the province that have provided a home to so many; and

WHEREAS Manitoba has always been home to many peoples: Ojibwe, Cree, Oji-Chree, Dene, Dakota, as well as being the birth place of the Métis Nation; and

WHEREAS Manitoba celebrates the arts and cultural practices of its citizens including Indigenous, alongside people from many lands who have subsequently come to the province; and

WHEREAS the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) has, over more than 75 years, been recognized as one of Canada’s finest orchestras, attracting world class musicians to the province, who practice, perform, teach and serve Manitobans and who call Manitoba home; and

WHEREAS annually, the WSO produces over 60 inspiring and entertaining concerts and events to well over 100,000 Manitobans in Winnipeg’s downtown, in other neighbourhoods, in schools and in many other parts of the province, and

WHEREAS the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra provides educational programming and training and fosters and showcases the talents and skills of many Manitobans, working with local and regional performers in music o f many styles and from many diverse cultures: and

WHEREAS live music experiences lift the soul, combat isolation, and create a safe haven for people from many walks of life and points of view, bringing people together to foster a sense of community, belonging, friendship and citizenship.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba celebrate the historical, cultural and economic significance and contributions of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and be urged to recognize and support the WSO as an integral and necessary component of the province’s cultural infrastructure.

Motion presented.

COMMENTS FROM MLA LAMOUREUX

“Honourable Speaker, I rise this morning to speak on a matter of great significance to our province: the celebration, recognition and support of one of Manitoba’s most treasured cultural institutions, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Allow for me to begin by sharing where this resolution came from. In July of 2023, I happened to be sitting beside a musician from the WSO at a wedding I attended, and they first put on my radar how stretched thin the WSO is and how, unfortunately, Manitoba is at risk of losing exceptionally talented musicians. This conversation caused for me to reach out to the WSO, and I began talking about ti just in my everyday conversations with Manitobans, neighbours, even some of my colleagues here in the House.

It’s important to state that the arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity. They’re stories of who we are, where we come from and where we are going. And today more than ever, with heightened threats to our sovereignty, the arts brings us together to celebrate our unique identity as Canadians.

In this case, the WSO is not just a collection of musicians. It is a bridge between cultures, a beacon of creativity and a stronghold for economic and social prosperity right here in our province, and they contribute significantly to our community’s well-being in many ways.
For example, we know that music education enhances cognitive development in children, that participation in the arts combats isolation and improves mental health, and that cultural institutions like the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra strengthen our economy by drawing visitors and investment into our province.

Every single dollar spent on the arts generates substantial economic activity, supporting both jobs and businesses. There’s a strong cultural sector enhancing the liveability of Manitoba, making it a place where people want to work, live and raise their families.

Now, while the orchestra is based in the city of Winnipeg, it serves all of Manitoba. Musicians travel to schools, rural communities and Indigenous communities, providing musical education and performances that reach far beyond our city limits. They produce over 60 inspiring and entertaining concerts and events, reaching over 100,000 Manitobans every single year, including over 20,000 school children.”

“WSO events include everything from classical music with Manitoba’s world-renowned James Ehnes, to Crash Test Dummies with the WSO, to kids’ concerts, to a wide array of popular movies with orchestra concerts for families and movie lovers.

The WSO’s New Music Festival brings music lovers from all around the world to the festival each January. And their touring program ensures that people in many corners of our province have access to world-class music. They collaborate with artists across different disciplines, fostering partnerships that enrich our entire cultural landscape rather than competing with it. Manitoba’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and opera could not be what they are today without the contributions of this community institution.

The WSO works with performances alongside Indigenous artists, collaborated with Manitoba’s Filipino, Chinese and African Canadian communities and developed programs like Sistema Winnipeg, which provides free music education, five days a week, to children in Winnipeg’s North End schools.

As an agent of collaboration, the WSO has also been instrumental in mobilizing prairie art organizations to attract more federal investment into the performing arts in the prairie region.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, for over 75 years, has been recognized as one of Canada’s finest orchestras. They draw world-class musicians to our province and exceptionally talented musicians who practise, perform and teach and serve all over Manitoba. They have actively embraced the evolving cultural makeup of our province and has become an institution that welcomes all Manitobans, reflecting upon our collective identity and shared future.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a few performances at the Centennial Concert Hall with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Honourable Speaker. I know, more recently, I had the opportunity to go to The Handmaid’s Tale, which was a performance with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, played forth by the orchestra. It’s something I had first read the book, I had watched a couple of the episodes on Netflix and to see it in person brings it into a whole another level, a whole new full-body experience.”

“As I wrap up, allow for me to introduce the executive director of WSO, Angela Birdsell, who is here along with members of the WSO’s exceptional staff. musicians and board: a dedicated team that continues to deliver enriching experiences despite the very challenging times faced by the orchestra. I ask that my colleagues allow for this resolution to pass unanimously this morning to formally celebrate the historical, cultural and economic significance to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, an integral component of our cultural infrastructure, and to better ensure that future generations can continue to experience the inspiration, joy and unity that live music provides.”

Point of Order

Following questions and a debate, Acting Speaker Diljeet Brar officially passed the resolution through unanimous agreement of the House at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, April 15.