The community of Matheson Island is situated on the island with the same name near the Narrows on Lake Winnipeg. Nearby communities include Princess Harbour, Pine Dock and the Bloodvein Indian Reserve. While Pine Dock is on the same side of the lake as Matheson Island, the other communities are about 16 kilometres across the lake.
An internal road runs the length of the island from the ferry landing. The ferry connects to PR 234, in the part of the community known as Islandview, and an all-weather road with PTH #8 just north of Riverton. Winnipeg lies 224 kilometres to the south of the island.
Matheson Island was recognized as a community in 1969 and is represented by a mayor and council under The Northern Affairs Act.
Community Contacts
Matheson Island Community Clerk
Matheson Island Post Office
Matheson Island, Manitoba R0C 2A0
Phone 276-2150
Fax 276-2196
Office hours are:
Mon to Fri 9:00-11:30, 1:00-2:30
The community also has a volunteer fire chief, and a public works employee.
Community Statistics
Population 1985 150
1991 128
1996 111
Households There are 55 housing units in the community
Bylaws o Employee Benefits
o Speed Control
Boundary Regulation 128/88, as amended, refers to Director of Surveys Plan 19224. See map.
Property Assessment and Taxes 1997 Assessment - based on a fixed percent of the approximate market value of property.
Business 17,700
Real Property 2,499,200
Grants-in-lieu 333,000
Exempt 137,900 Total 2,987,800
Rate of tax levy (mills):
General Municipal 7.00
School Levies
Farm & Residential 8.50
Commercial & Other 18.50
Frontier (Div #48) 18.00
Business Tax 4%
Emergency Services
Fire Fire fighting capability is based on a small "fast-attack" vehicle with limited water supply, hoses and equipment. Additional portable forestry-style equipment is available for grass and brush fires.
Police Police response is from the RCMP detachment at Arborg, phone 376-5251, who have to drive some distance to the community.
Medical Medical response is based on ambulance service from Riverton, about 1 hour away. Hospitals are located in Arborg and Gimli. This community may qualify for the Northern Patient Transportation Program.
Community-Based Services
Airstrip Wamair, a local contractor, operates an unattended limited maintenance 2,500' x 100' gravel strip adjacent to the community. Office is in Matheson Island, phone 276-2410.
Ferry Service o Manitoba Marine Services operate the ferry MV Edgar Wood on a Mon. to Fri. circuit including Islandview (Matheson Island), Princess Harbour and Bloodvein Reserve. Office is in Winnipeg, phone 945-3424.
o The cable ferry C. F. Ingemar Carlson II operates between Islandview and Matheson Island on a daily basis, with connection to PR 234. Phone 276-2150 for schedule information.
Hydro Provided by Manitoba Hydro as land- line electric power. Residential rates are based on zone 3 levels:
Basic charge $ 13.65 /month
First 175 KWH 7.33 cents/KWH
Balance 5.16 cents/KWH
Office is located at Arborg, phone 376-2277.
Telephone Matheson Island is served out of the MTS Pine Dock Exchange. Manitoba Telecom Services provides individual- line service and digital switching with toll-free calling to Arborg, Hecla, Poplarfield, Riverton and Vidir. Call MTS toll-free at 225-5687.
Water There are 37 drilled private wells and some water intakes from Lake Winnipeg.
Waste disposal A solid-waste disposal site is located on the island near the community. Sewage is collected by pumpout truck and treated by an SBR plant located in the community.
Schools Frontier School Division operates the Matheson Island School, located on Matheson Island. There are two techers and three support staff, phone 276-2118
Recreation facilities o ball field
o 3,200 sq ft indoor skating rink
o 2,750 sq ft community hall & office
o 160 sq ft snack stand
o 1,500 sq ft gymnasium
Government Services
Community Economic Development,
Rural Development, regional office, located at Selkirk, phone 785-5005.
Communities Economic Development Fund, head office, located at Thompson, phone 778-4138.
Culture, Heritage and Citizenship, Regional Services Branch, Interlake regional office, located at Gimli, phone 642-6006.
Department of Labour, Employment Standards Branch, Employment Standards Officer, works out of Winnipeg, phone 945-3352.
Department of Labour, Fire Commissioner’s Office, Assistant Fire Commissioner, works out of Gimli, phone 642-6059.
Department of Natural Resources, Operations Division, Central Region, Natural Resources Officer, located at Riverton, phone 378-2945 or regional Office at Gimli, phone 642-6070.
Manitoba Environment, Environmental Operations Division, Eastern-Interlake district office, located at Selkirk, phone 785-5033, or regional office at Steinbach, phone 346-6060.
Manitoba Justice, Regional Courts, Circuit Court sits at Bloodvein Reserve or Arborg, coordinated by the Selkirk Regional Court office, phone 785-5120.
Commercial Services
Accommodation The nearest commercial accommodation is at Biscuit Harbour, Pine Dock, MB. Private overnight accommodation can be made with some residents.
Transportation Both the firms of Fisher Branch-Hodgson Transfer and Riverton Transfer serve the community out of respective freight terminals in Fisher Branch and Riverton.
Businesses o Island Grocery - 276-2224
o Island Delight restaurant & convenience store 276-2166
o Landing Grill & cafe, licensed restaurant, pool room 276-2027
o Matheson Island Co-op - 276-2136
o Matheson Island Development Corp
o Matheson Island Fish Plant - 276-2201
o Matheson Island Lodge (under construction) 12 rooms for accomodation
Economic Overview
Present economic activity centres around commercial fishing, followed by trapping, some saw-logging and local services.
Commercial fisherman deliver their catch to the Islandview fish station, or one of the other fish stations on Lake Winnipeg.
Trapping is done in the Bullhead RTL zone. Snake Island Contractors are the owners and operators of the sawmill, and most of the lumber has been used locally for building purposes. They employ local residents in the operation.
A Community Development Corporation was formed to encourage economic development and growth. One of the local services is the operation of the two ferries, a cable ferry to the island, and a ferry boat to Princess Harbour and Bloodvein.
