The Town of Ste. Anne is located just off the Trans Canada Highway, 40 kilometres east of Winnipeg, the provincial capital. The area is known as the heartland of Dawson Trail Country. Many residents commute to Winnipeg to work, but the "bedroom community" offers most necessary retail goods and services. The community was first incorporated as a village in 1967, and changed to a town in 1997.
History
According to the history of the area, Ste. Anne des Chenes was the first parish established in the area dating back to 1856. The early settlers arrived looking for farmland. The first 198 families in the community busied themselves with their first major industry, supplying lumber for the construction of the St. Boniface Cathedral. The Hudson's Bay Company also had a strong presence in the community in the 1800's. Ste.Anne served as a stopover for weary travelers on their journey to Winnipeg, along the famed Dawson Trail. The Seine River runs through the middle of town. The tree-lined river is very picturesque and gives the area a beautiful naturalist look. The areas surrounding the town are mostly flat, agricultural land to the west, and wooded areas to the east.
Economic Base
The largest employers in Ste. Anne are in the health and education services sector. The town boasts a senior's care home that houses 150 residents. The Ste. Anne Hospital serves the town and the surrounding area, and provides emergency medical services 24-hours a day. A medical clinic in the town also has ten doctors on staff, and an onsite pharmacy. The Seine River School Division #14 has its administration building in Ste. Anne, and the town has three schools. Most other businesses in Ste. Anne provide retail goods and services to the town's residents and those in the surrounding community.
Major Attractions
Ste. Anne plays host to two large festivals during the year. The Dawson Trail Days held during the September long weekend is a celebration of the area's heritage and the history of the Dawson trail. Many activities are planned each year, ant the event serves as a windup for local residents after an enjoyable summer. The Ste. Anne Winter Carnival, held the last weekend in January, offers a host of indoor and outdoor activities to take part in.
Other Information
With a population of just over 1500 people, the Town of Ste. Anne is a friendly rural community with a warm, close feeling among residents. The town is proud of its bilingual heritage, and its rich history that dates back almost two centuries.
