NDP Denies Vote on Tyndall Stone Designation
Manitobans lose opportunity to honour province’s geological history and architectural heritage: Ewasko
WINNIPEG — The NDP government prevented a vote this week on a bill to designate Tyndall stone as the official stone of Manitoba.
Quarried near Tyndall and Garson, Manitoba, since 1895, the unique fossil-rich limestone has garnered global recognition from the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) for its geological significance, earning a spot on its prestigious list of heritage stones.
Despite several NDP MLAs speaking in favour of Bill 201, the government ran out the clock on debate, and denied a vote on second reading to move the bill to committee stage for additional public consultations. PC MLA Wayne Ewasko, representing Lac du Bonnet, expressed his disappointment at the NDP’s actions.
“Designating Tyndall stone as the official stone of Manitoba is a celebration of our province’s rich geological history and architectural heritage,” said Ewasko, who sponsored the bill. “It symbolizes the unique and enduring contributions of this world-renowned stone to Manitoba and Canada’s cultural identity.”
Tyndall stone has played a significant role in Canadian and Manitoban architectural history, with its first use dating back to the construction of Lower Fort Garry in 1832. Prominent landmarks such as the Legislative Buildings of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the Union Railway Station and Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, and Canada’s Parliament Buildings in Ottawa prominently feature Tyndall stone.
With a geological history dating back 450 million years to the Paleozoic era, Tyndall stone showcases a distinct, fossil-filled aesthetic formed by ancient marine life burrowing in the limey seabed that once covered Manitoba. Historical discoveries in 1823 and subsequent developments by Manitobans like John Gunn and August Gillis have contributed to the stone’s prominence in the province and across North America.
Notably, Tyndall stone achieved international recognition as an IUGS Heritage Stone on October 28, 2022, joining the ranks of iconic stones like Carrara marble used to build ancient Rome, Portland stone used to build London, and Makrana stone used to build the Taj Mahal.
“It is the only Canadian stone on the IUGS list of 32 heritage stones, underscoring Manitoba’s distinct geological heritage and its significance in science, architecture, history, and education,” said Ewasko, adding he was proud to see Tyndall stone featured in the Canadian embassy in Tokyo, Japan, while representing Canada at the G7 Education Ministers’ Meeting in May this year.
Manitoba officially recognizes various emblems, including the polar bear, Great Plains bison, great grey owl, pickerel, white spruce, prairie crocus, big bluestem grass, Newdale soil, and the mosasaur as natural symbols for the province.
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca