Geography

Census Division No.13 is located immediately north of the City of Winnipeg along the Red River, and extends to the south basin of Lake Winnipeg. Provincial Trunk Highways (P.T.H.) 8, 9 and 59 are the major north-south routes, with Provincial Trunk Highways No.44, 67 and 101 serving as the major east-west transportation routes.

The 1996 population of this Census Division was 39,420. The Census Division area is made up of the City of Selkirk and the Rural Municipalities of St.Andrews, St.Clements, East St.Paul and West St.Paul.

Economic Base

The Selkirk Census Division area has one of the most diversified economic bases in the province. The City of Selkirk functions as a regional service centre, providing goods and services to area residents and the surrounding farming community. Agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and rural residential living are the primary engines of economic growth here.

Manufacturing is an important part of the district. Employers such as multi-national Gerdeau MRM Steel Mill employs 450 people and is one of the bigger steel mills on the prairies. There are also number of smaller metal fabricating and manufacturing firms in the area.

Tourism thrives in the area due to the abundance of cultural and heritage attractions and activities, boating, Lake Winnipeg beaches, campgrounds and cottages in the district. The Red River also provides some of the best catfish fishing on the continent. Anglers come from the Southern United States and from around the world to compete in organized derbies and to fish recreationally. Many hotels, motels, restaurants and services abound to cater to the needs of these seasonal visitors.

Leading Private Sector Employers

• Gerdau MRM Steel Inc - Selkirk
• Amsco Cast Products - Selkirk
• IGA - East St.Paul
• Duha Color Services - Selkirk
• Blade Cat Blades - Selkirk
• Canadian Tire - Selkirk
• Canada Safeway - Selkirk
• McDonald's - Selkirk
• Mandak - St.Andrews
• Home Hardware - Selkirk
• Steel Town Ford - Selkirk
• Selkirk Linnen
• Canadian Guide Rail Corporation - East St.Paul
• Skinners - St.Andrews
• SAAN Store - Selkirk
• Selkirk Chrysler
• Riverboat Restaurant - Selkirk
• Sowind Air - St.Andrews
• Harris Chev-Olds - Selkirk
• Karrick Industries - Selkirk
• Newport Pontiac-Buick - Selkirk
• Castle Metals - Selkirk
• Selkirk Air - St.Andrews
• Ludwick Catering - East St.Paul

Leading Public Sector Employers

• Lord Selkirk School Division
• Selkirk General Hospital
• Selkirk Mental Health Services
• Manitoba Hydro
• River Personal Care Home
• Tudor House - Personal Care Home
• MTS - Telephone Company
• Betel Home Foundation - Personal Care Home
• Municipal Government
• River East School Division
• Human Resources Canada
• Provincial Interlake Employment Centre
• Child & Family Services
• Middle Church Home of Winnipeg - personal care home
• Selkirk General Hospital

Major Attractions

The Selkirk area is a vacation paradise. Its rich and celebrated cultures and heritages provide for year round celebrations and festive activities. Some of the area's major attractions include:

• The Oak Hammock Marsh Waterfowl celebrations
• The Selkirk Manitoba Highland Gathering celebrations
• The Triple "S" Fair and Rodeo

• The 100 year St. Andrew Church (the oldest stone church in western Canada and it is still in use)
• The 90 year St. Andrews Lock and Dam
• The century old Lower Fort Garry

• Selkirk Marine Museum

• Red River Fishing (Catfish Capital)

• East St. Paul Community Fun Days (last weekend in August)

The Selkirk area's close proximity to Lake Winnipeg also offers miles of clean and sandy beaches along its shores, excellent cottage sites and settings and camp grounds, world class bird watching, over two hundred spectacular caves, many challenging golf courses, excellent accommodation facilities plus two first class resort and conference centres.