Manitoba premier Kelvin Goertzen’s government has introduced legislation that would designate the polar bear as an official provincial emblem. Bill 76, the Coat of Arms, Emblems and the Manitoba Tartan Amendment Act would designate the polar bear as an official provincial emblem to recognize the important role the polar bear currently plays as an internationally recognized symbol of Manitoba. He noted the province’s tourism industry is a key contributor to the provincial economy and polar bears represent a significant draw to tourists from across the country and around the world.