[bomberjet]

Winnipeg and Manitoba reaches world wide. Especially in farming. Manitoba crops are shipped round the world. Manufacturing as well. All the tractors that get shipped to Russia for example.

Winnipeg is also tied to the north quite heavily. Places in Nunavut rely on shipments coming from Manitoba, health services in Winnipeg, search and rescue, etc.

Winnipeg is also tied to places throughout the USA in the shipping world. Winnipeg and Chicago are regional hubs for CN. Traffic to/from Chicago can be quite heavy. Same goes for eastern and western Canada, shipping is huge here of course.

Culturally I think Winnipeg's reach is on the national level. First Nations for example. Winnipeg also has a good music scene that produces well known talent.

So I'd say our 'sphere of influence' is quite far reaching.