Geography

Census Division No.4 is located in southwestern Manitoba and is approximately 156 kilometres southwest of the City of Winnipeg, and approximately 112 kilometres southeast of City of Brandon (Manitoba's two largest urban centres). The United States border straddles Pilot Mound and the State of North Dakota to the south.

The 1996 population of this Census Division was 10,410. The Census Division area is made up of the Town of Pilot Mound, the Villages of Cartwright, Crystal City, Manitou and Somerset, and the Rural Municipalities of Argyle, Lorne, Louise, Pembina and Roblin.

Economic Base

The economic base of the area is deeply based in agricultural production, primarily mixed grains and livestock. The urban centres in the area play an important role as service centres to local residents and the farming community. Tourism and recreation also play an important part of the economy due to the many attractions, events and activities occurring in the region.

Major Private Employers in Area

• Holiday Mountain Resort (Pembina) - alpine skiing, golf, hotel, and restaurant
• Mariapolis CO-OP (Lorne) - retail farm supplies
• Sierens Equipment (Lorne) - manufacturing and hog barn equipment
• Collet Gravel (Lorne) - gravel contractors
• Agricore (Pembina) - grain elevators and bulk chemicals
• Boulet Brothers (Somerset) - concrete, feeders, and pens
• Swansfleet Farm (Lorne) - potatoes

Major Public Sector Employers

• Rock Lake Health District (Crystal City) - hospital and personal care
• Lorne Memorial Hospital
• Baldur Health District
• Cartwright Hospital
• Westmount School (Lorne)
• Cartwright Schools
• Prairie Spirit School Division (Argyle)
• Municipal Government
• Rock Lake Health District (Pilot Mound)
• Prairie Spirit School (Pilot Mound)

Major Attractions

Some of the many attractions in the area include:

• Lakes
• Campgrounds

• Plenty of curling rinks, ice skating & hockey rinks
• Pilot Mound has a scenic and challenging nine-hole golf course

• Cartwright Centennial Heritage Park

• Cartwright's Ponderosa Days Fair (August Long Weekend)

• Holiday Mountain Winter Park (down-hill ski facility)
• Spruce Woods Provincial Park