Geography

Census Division No.9 is located in the Central Plains region of Manitoba with its west boundary about 96 kilometres from Brandon, Manitoba's second largest city, and about 48 kilometres from our east boundary to the City of Winnipeg (Manitoba's Capital). The U.S.A. border crossing is approximately 165 kilometres to the south at Maida, North Dakota.

The beautiful winding Assiniboine River flows east-west through the centre of the region and serves not only the agricultural industry, but also the tourism industry. The river's banks have given the province its largest tree, a 115-foot Plains Cottonwood located 18-kilometres southwest of Portage la Prairie. Lake Manitoba, home of the world famous Delta Marsh Research Station, is located in the northern part of the census division area.

The City of Portage la Prairie is located in the centre of the census division and is the major urban centre. The area is serviced by both major rail lines, and the Trans-Canada Highway bisects the region.

The 1996 population of this Census Division was 23,195. The Census Division area is made up of the City of Portage la Prairie, the Village of St.Claude, and the Rural Municipalities of Portage la Prairie, and Grey, as well as, the Dakota Tipi and Long Plains First Nations.

Economic Base

The major urban centre in the area is the City of Portage La Prairie, which is a thriving community home to over 13,000 citizens. The city functions as a major regional service centre to the surrounding rural municipalities and farming community, an estimated trading area of 40,000 people.

Located just south of the city, Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. is home to a number of international high-tech and manufacturing firms.

The area surrounding the City of Portage la Prairie also produces some of the best potatoes in North America, and McCain's Processing Plant provides french fries and related products to companies such as McDonald's worldwide. The local fertile soil also supports vegetable processing and an extensive horticulture industry, selling shrubs and ornamentals.

The beautiful scenery, events and activities around the region also supports a thriving tourism and service industry.

Major Private Employers In Area

• McCain Foods - Food Processing
• Manitoba Development Centre - Extended Care
• Lions Prairie Manor - Personal Care
• K and G Mushrooms - Mushroom Growing and Processing
• Canadian Aviation Training Centre - Flight Training
• Can-Oat Milling - Oat Processing
• Walmart Portage - Retail Department Store
• Portage Consumers Co-op
• Mutual Life Insurance
• Canada Safeway - Grocer
• Crocus Foods - vegetable processors
• Newton - Manufacturing
• Hi-Tech - Manufacturing
• Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.
• Armwood Industries - Window & Door Manufacturer
• Better Air - Ventilation Equipment
• Westward Ford - Auto Dealership
• Enns Brothers - Implement Dealer
• Manitoba Inn - Hotel
• Blights - Implement Dealer
• New Holland - Implement Dealer
• Ag West - Implement Dealer
• Westward Industries - Police Vehicles
• Cargill Limited - Grain Elevator
• Stevenson Aviation - Flight Training

Major Public Sector Employers

• Portage La Prairie School Division
• Portage General Hospital
• Municipal Government

Major Attractions

Some of the many attractions in the area include:

• St. Ambroise Provincial Recreation Park
• Delta Marsh, located at the southern tip of Lake Manitoba, the 17th largest freshwater lake in the world
• Delta Marsh Birding Festival, May
• Portage Industrial Exhibition
• Strawberry Festival
• St. Claude is the proud home of the world's largest smokable pipe!
• Campgrounds, Bed & Breakfasts, Golf Courses
• Plenty of curling rinks, ice skating & hockey rinks
• Delta Beach
• Fannystelle Sportsground
• Floodway Park
• Haywood Parks and Playground Island Park Kin Park
• Morrison Park
• Norquay Wayside
• Yellowquill Wayside
• See the Events & Festivals guide under the Quality of Life section of profile