Geography

The Churchill Northern Manitoba area (Census Division No. 23) is located along the southwestern shore of Hudson Bay, and also borders the Province of Saskatchewan to the west, the Territory of Nunavut to the north, and the Province of Ontario to the east. The major north-south transportation routes are Provincial Trunk Highway 6 - to the City of Thompson, and the Canadian National Railway from Thompson to Churchill. Air travel is also used in remote areas that are not connected to the major roads and highways. The major centre within this Census Division is the Town of Churchill. The town of just over 1000 people is approximately 970 kilometres north of Winnipeg by air, and 1700 kilometres by rail. Churchill is the northern terminus of the Hudson Bay Rail Line, and is one of the northern most communities in Manitoba. The community acts as a hub for many communities in Northern Manitoba, and further north to Nunavut Territory. The 1996 population of this Census Division was 9,680. The Census Division area is made up of the Towns of Churchill, Gillam, Leaf Rapids, and Lynn Lake. There are also a number of unincorporated northern communities in the census division area such as Brochet, Granville Lake, and South Indian Lake, as well as, a number of Aboriginal and First Nation communities such as Barren Lands, Northlands, Sayisi Dene, Split Lake Cree, Fox Lake, Shamattawa, and Mathias Colomb.

Economic Base

The Churchill Northern Manitoba economy is very diversified and is based on a number of thriving sectors such as mining, transportation, forestry, commercial fishing, trapping and tourism. Tourism is the most obvious sector to an outsider due to the pristine nature of the local surroundings. Hunting, fishing, camping, boating and canoeing are just a few of the activities that draw thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and amateur explorers to the area annually.

The major urban centres of Churchill, Gillam, Leaf Rapids and Lynn Lake also play significant roles in the regional economy as outlined below.

Churchill

The Town of Churchill has a small but intense business sector. As a transportation hub for the north, the town has a busy rail line and airport, and the only inland saltwater port in Canada. Goods from the south are brought in with air or rail services by a number of different firms, then shipped by barge or sea going vessel to numerous points throughout the north. The area has a strong research presence, with many scientific professionals using The Churchill Northern Studies Centre or the Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology as a home base for their studies. Akjuit Aerospace has refurbished the Churchill Rock Range, and plans to use the facility for upper atmosphere research and to launch small satellites. The port of Churchill is a fully functioning seaport, capable of shipping most bulk commodities, and many other import and export products. The Churchill Grain Terminal can clean store 140,000 tonnes of grain for shipment during the late summer season. Perhaps the largest of all the unique industries in Churchill is its tourism sector. The year in Churchill can be broken down into four distinct tourist seasons. From late May to August, the area is a birdwatchers paradise, and visitors may see a large variety of species including the rare and sought after Ross' Gull. July and August are Beluga season in Churchill, as thousands of the white whales move into the warmer waters of the Churchill River. In September and early November, Churchill is the Polar Bear capital of the World. Hundreds of bears congregate in the area awaiting the onset of winter and the freeze-up of Hudson Bay. Polar Bear season is the mainstay of Churchill's tourist industry. Throughout the winter months, tourists arrive from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. This celestial ballet is far more pronounced in the north than in southern areas, and on most clear nights, the sight is breathtaking. Many of the small businesses in the Churchill area cater directly to the influx of tourists, providing rooms and meals, as well as, tours and information on where to go and what to do. Churchill also has a strong health sector, with the Churchill Regional Health Authority providing services to much of Northern Manitoba and Nunavut Territory. The Northern Medical Unit of the University of Manitoba provides resident doctors, as well as visiting specialists.

Town of Gillam

Gillam struggled with its northern location for many years before the economic boom it experienced with the construction of the generating stations. Today, the economy of the community bustles with numerous businesses and services located through town. The community acts as a retail and shopping center for a large number of small northern Manitoba communities over a vast area of the region. Goods and supplies are brought in by air or truck and re-distributed to the communities that need them. Gillam is located in a wilderness paradise and has built itself a thriving tourist industry. The region is dotted with thousands of un-touched lakes and streams and the opportunities for trophy fishing are almost endless. Numerous lodges and fly-in outposts attract thousands of hunters, fishers and outdoors enthusiasts each year. Many of these travelers pass through Gillam on their way in or out of the wilderness, and many of the town's businesses capitalize on this opportunity providing goods and supplies, as well ad accommodations where needed.

Leaf Rapids

Leaf Rapids is laid out in a semi-circle of residential bays surrounding the unique Town Centre Complex. Many of the town's residents are directly employed by the copper and zinc mine that gave rise to the town. Numerous town businesses provide secondary and maintenance services to the mine and its related operations. A small light industrial area on the north end of town houses many of the businesses, as well as additional shopping outlets and food service establishments. Tourism is an important part of The Leaf Rapids economy. The wilderness areas surrounding the town provide endless opportunities for sports and recreation activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Leaf Rapids also has a strong industry based on providing recreational activities to the hundreds of men and women who work in the mine. These businesses offer many opportunities to unwind and have fun after a long day at work.

Lynn Lake

The Town of Lynn Lake's major economic activity is the gold mine the town was built around. The mine employs many of the town's residents, and provides business for a number of small industrial and service firms providing secondary services to the mine and its workers. The Lynn Lake area is also a hot bed for atmospheric and scientific research. During the summer months, scientists and technicians from all over the world are stationed in Lynn Lake performing various studies on the geology of the area and the natural environment. NASA, the North American Space agency has chosen the town as its site to launch huge balloons carrying equipment to study the earth's atmosphere, ozone levels and much more. Tourism is also a major part of the community and the local area. Lakes and rivers surrounding the town are dotted with dozens of lodges and outposts, many accessible only by float plane. During the summer, scheduled and charter flights from the south bring a steady stream of hunters and fishers to the area, hoping to bag that prized trophy.

Major Private Employers in Area

• Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting (Leaf Rapids)
• Black Hawk Mining (Lynn Lake)
• Hudson Bay Port Company (Churchill) ? shipping
• Northern Store (Lynn Lake) - groceries and hardware
• Calm Air - Churchill Airport air freight and passenger service
• CO-OP Leaf Rapids - groceries
• Whitewater Inn (Leaf Rapids) - hotel
• Northern Stores (Churchill)
• Hudson Bay Railway (Churchill)

Major Public Sector Employers

• Churchill Regional Health Authority
• School District of Lynn Lake
• Leaf Rapids Health Centre
• Leaf Rapids School District
• Lynn Lake Hospital
• Gillam Hospital
• Municipal Government
• Government of Manitoba
• Manitoba Hydro

Major Attractions

Some of the many attractions in the area include:

• Fishing and Hunting - bear, caribou, moose, and fish
• Hydro Generating Stations on Nelson River - power dams
• Wapusk National Park
• Beluga Whales mouth of Churchill River
• Migrating Birds
• Polar Bears
• Hudson Bay Port - mouth of Churchill River
• The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights as they are commonly called, are spectacular in this region of Northern Manitoba. The "dancing skies" leave both hardened residents and visitors constantly in awe. This wonder of nature is one most fascinating and beautiful attractions found in Northern Manitoba.
• Berge Lake
• Churchill River Marina
• Goose Creek Marina
• Turnbull Lake
• For more information on major attractions, festivals and events in the area go directly to the Quality of Life section of this profile.