Moose Jaw

Population: 34,872 (2021 census)

Moose Jaw is the fourth largest city in Saskatchewan. Situated on the Moose Jaw River, it is an industrial centre and a major railway hub. Moose Jaw also has a casino and a spa fed by a healing spring. The Cree and Assiniboine people used the Moose Jaw area as a winter campground. The Missouri Coteau provided shelter and warm breezes to the valley. The narrow river at Moose Jaw made it easy for travellers to cross, and the abundance of game made it a good place to settle. The fur trade and Métis buffalo hunters led to the first permanent settlement at a place called "the turn" in what is now Connor Park.

Ironically, the fact that Moose Jaw has not experienced the same pace of growth as Regina has allowed it to retain a nice selection of heritage buildings that contribute to its charm today. In addition to the Temple Gardens spa and its hotel complex, the Moose Jaw Experiential Tunnels, the Western Development Museum which exploits the theme of transportation in all its forms in an impressive way, the city is pleasant to explore by bike or by foot thanks to its many parks and walking trails, its specialty shops and its welcoming atmosphere.

It is also worth mentioning that to the south of the city is the Royal Canadian Air Force base CFB Moose Jaw, a pilot training centre and the permanent home of the Snowbirds aerobatic team, whose reputation is well established. 15 Wing is comprised of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFT) and 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (CF Snowbirds). The Wing is the primary site for NATO flying training in Canada.