Winnipeg will officially mark its 150th year as a city on January 19, 2024. The date marks the anniversary of the first meeting of City Council. Throughout the year, the city will honor the milestone with community events and celebrations.

Winnipeg 150 Graphic

To help mark 150 years, the city has unveiled a graphic which represents Winnipeg as we know it, while acknowledging the importance of its Indigenous roots.

Incorporation of the City of Winnipeg

On November 8, 1873 that the City of Winnipeg was incorporated. At the time, Winnipeg covered an area of roughly five-square kilometers and had a population of around 2,000.

The City dates itself back to 1874 rather than 1873, because that’s the year it held its first election and held its first meeting of City Council.

Winnipeg’s First Civic Election

Winnipeg took a big step as a fledgling city 150 years ago on January 5, 1874 when it held its first civic election.

In light of rigid rules around who was eligible to vote, only 398 people, or about 20 per cent of the population of the time, met the qualifications.