Canada

FORM AA-3: Notice of Intent to Receive a Child for Adoption

Court File Number: 2026-MNITOBA-001

Court of King's Bench (Family Division)

Judicial Centre: Winnipeg

Applicant(s):

          The Province of Manitoba ("Friendly Manitoba" / "Land of 100,000 Lakes")

Address for Service:

Manitoba Legislative Building

450 Broadway

Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8

friendship@manitoba.ca

Any partnership between Manitoba and Minnesota must center the Indigenous peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

The Nations:

Manitoba:

• 63 First Nations
• Significant Métis population
• Treaty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 territories
• Languages: Cree, Ojibwe, Dakota, Dene, Oji-Cree

Minnesota:

Winnipeg and the Twin Cities will naturally dominate headlines. But the partnership's success will be measured in smaller communities too.

Manitoba's North:

• Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas, Churchill
• Mining, hydroelectric development, tourism (polar bears, northern lights)
• Significant Indigenous population
• Challenges: Healthcare access, transportation, economic diversification

Minnesota's North:

This might be the most natural area of partnership—because the water doesn't care about borders.

The Shared Watershed:

Manitoba and Minnesota share critical water systems:

Let's be clear: what we're proposing doesn't fit neatly into existing legal structures. That's kind of the point.

The Legal Reality:

Canadian Constitutional Position:

Winnipeg to Minneapolis: approximately 700 km (435 miles). Currently about 6-7 hours by car.

That's not far. But it could be closer.

Current Infrastructure:

• Highway 75 (Manitoba) connects to I-29 (US)
• No passenger rail service
• Limited bus service (Greyhound discontinued, Jefferson Lines limited)
• Flights exist but are expensive for the distance

The Vision:

Phase 1: Highway Enhancement

Before any paperwork is signed, before any treaties are negotiated, we should probably spend more time together.

Current Cross-Border Reality:

Manitobans and Minnesotans already cross the border constantly:

• Shopping trips (Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis)
• Lake vacations (Lake of the Woods, boundary waters)
• Sports events (Jets/Wild games, NCAA tournaments)
• Family visits (many families span the border)

But these are individual choices. A formal Cultural Exchange Program would deepen understanding systematically.

Let's address the elephant in the room: money.

Current Reality:

• Manitoba uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Minnesota uses the US Dollar (USD)
• Exchange rates fluctuate (currently ~$1 CAD = $0.70-0.75 USD, though this changes)

The Options:

Option A: Full CAD Adoption Minnesota transitions to Canadian Dollar over defined period.

Hockey isn't just a sport here. It's identity. It's culture. It's Saturday nights and frozen ponds and dreams of the NHL.

Manitoba has the Winnipeg Jets. Minnesota has the Wild. Both have passionate fanbases, proud traditions, and a shared understanding that hockey matters.

The Proposal:

Rather than rivalry, partnership. Here's what we're envisioning:

Professional Level:

Both Manitoba and Minnesota know how to throw a party. The question isn't whether we'd celebrate—it's how many celebrations we'd have.

Minnesota's Greatest Hits:

• Minnesota State Fair (late August-early September): 2 million+ visitors, cheese curds, everything on a stick, Miracle of Birth Center
• Winter Carnival (St. Paul): Ice palaces, parades, embracing the cold
• Aquatennial (Minneapolis): Summer festival, water-focused

Manitoba's Offerings: