Crossword Genius

Where, in Canada, a boatman can get out of line (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

manitoba

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'where in canada' is the definition.
The answer is a location as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

'a boatman can get out of line' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found within the answer.
'boatman' could be 'i' (where the crossword setter is 'Boatman') and 'i' is located in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for manitoba that I've seen before include "Canadian territory" , "part of N America" , "Province of central Canada" , "place in the prairies" , "State" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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