Winnipeg - People, Work & Recreation

Ukrainians first settled in Winnipeg in 1893. The city's Ukrainian population increased from an estimated 5,000 permanent residents in 1914 to 21,500 in 1931 and 42,000 in 1951. Prior to the Second World War most Ukrainians worked as unskilled labourers. Many found employment on city street, sidewalk, sewer and street railway construction crews. Others worked in railway yards and repair shops; in the city's iron shops; and in meatpacking plants. Few Ukrainians went into business and fewer still managed to build large and successful enterprises. Most Ukrainian businessman owned grocery stores, meat markets, boarding houses, restaurants, pool halls or steamship ticket agencies. A handful of tailors, shoemakers and carpenters also had their own businesses. The first Ukrainian professionals opened their offices during and immediately after the First World War. By 1940 most of the Ukrainian doctors, lawyers, engineers, journalists and musicians in Manitoba were concentrated in the city.