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| History | | Historic Dates | | Geography | |
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Sainte-Anne |
With a population of just over 1534 people, the Town of Sainte-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.
The Town of Sainte-Anne is covered by prairie land to the west and the beginning of the wooded Canadian Shield to the east. The picturesque Seine River runs through the municipality and the Town of Sainte-Anne. The municipality is known as Dawson Trail Country because the historical trail ran through the town of Sainte-Anne on its way to Winnipeg. Sainte-Anne is largely a service-based community which offers goods and services to the area at large rather than being a major agriculture centre. The economy is rooted in health care, education and tourism.
The Sainte-Anne Hospital is a designated bilingual hospital offering a wide range of healthcare services, including obstetrics, surgery and acute in-patient care, 24 hour emergency services, palliative care and a full range of laboratory and radiological services. There is a cooperative community approach to health by combining the many resources in Sainte-anne. The education sector is a major employer since the Seine River School Division office and four schools are all found in Sainte-Anne. The tourism industry also thrives in the area with the Quarry Oaks Colf & Country Club, Cottonwood Golf and Country Club and Oakwood Colf & Country Club drawing golf enthusiasts to the area. The Lilac Resort is another tourist destination in addition to the local campgrounds.
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Today, the Town of Sainte-Anne continues to serve the surrounding region with its recreational facilities, municipal and health services, and schools. The education and health sectors are the largest employers in the town. The Town is also a bedroom community for those commuting to nearby Winnipeg for employment.
Residents enjoy the safe and comfortable country lifestyle afforded in the Town of Sainte-Anne and its excellent access to more urban amenities in Steinbach and Winnipeg. When discussing their community, many residents describe it as a good place to raise a family, noting that it has the lowest crime rate in Manitoba and excellent regional medical and educational services.
The Town of Sainte-Anne is one of five communities outside of Winnipeg and Brandon that has an independent police force. The Sainte-Anne Police Department practices a visible, holistic approach to community policing, seeking to integrate with the neighborhoods, residents and community rather than focus solely on crime suppression.
The Town of Sainte-Anne is a regional hub for many health services provided by South Eastman Health / Santé Sud-Est Inc. in the Northern District. The South Eastman Health region encompasses over 10,000 km2 and approximately 60,000 residents. Within this area, the Northern District covers 1,500 km2 with approximately 17,400 residents. The South Eastman Health Authority operates two health facilities, there are several private practice clinics: Seine River Medical Clinic; Seine River Dental Service; Seine Pharmacy; Ste. Anne Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, and Ste. Anne Chiropractic Clinic. In total, the medical sector is the largest employer in the Town of Sainte-Anne. This concentration of regional medical services makes it an attractive community to seniors for the services themselves and to families for the employment opportunities.
In spite of its assets, the Town of Sainte-Anne has experienced moderate growth since approval of its existing development plan. Since 1981, the Town of Sainte-Anne-Village of Ste. Anne until 1997- has grown from 1,338 to 1,543-a growth rate of slightly less than 15% or 0.5% annually. Conversly, during the same period, the growth rates for the Rural Municipality and the Province of Manitoba were nearly 50% and 12%, respectively.
Urban areas develop and grow because of advantages afforded their residents. This is measured either in terms of employment and/or quality of life. A municipality grows either because it creates employment opportunities that retain and attract young people to the community or it offers a pleasant living environment in the community which has good access to an exterior source of employment. This living environment refers not only to pleasant residential areas but also, to the provision of other amenities that enhance one’s quality of life. This includes shopping, educational, recreational, cultural, medical and protective services as well as a clean and attractive natural environment.
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| History |
The area of Sainte-Anne was one of the earliest settled areas in Manitoba. The first settlers to the area were from Québec and are reported to have arrived at Pointe-des-Chênes in 1856. The area was selected for its farmland and forest areas. The 198 families that settled into the area tried to make their living through agriculture. In order to supplement that living, the first industry to spring up in the area was that of supplying lumber for the construction of the St. Boniface Cathedral.
In the 1850's a trading post, a hotel, a general store, and even a jail were erected in Sainte-Anne. From 1868 to 1871, the construction of the Dawson Trail linking Fort William with St. Boniface was completed. This permitted the area of Sainte-Anne to further develop with the influx of travelers along this new Canadian highway.
In 1963, the Town of Sainte-Anne was incorporated. By this time the original settlement of Pointe du Bois was no longer the focal point of the community as the settlement had gradually moved north of the Seine River.
The Town of Sainte-Anne today is a thriving community of some 1534 residents. It boasts all of the amenities of comfortable living. Its residents enjoy fine churches, schools, indoor/outdoor recreational facilities, and municipal services. Situated within easy commuting distance of Winnipeg, the Town of Sainte-Anne will undoubtedly continue to be a community that attracts and retains its citizens.
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| Historic Dates |
This is a brief list of historic dates of the Town of Sainte-Anne
1852-First settlers to establish themselves at Oak Point
1856-Parish of Saint-Alexandre is founded at Oak Point
1857-William Perrault, the first child of Oak Point settlers, is born
1862-The first teacher arrives, Mrs. Jean Baptiste Gauthier, maiden name Rosalie Germain
1867-Blessing of the first chapel, named Saint-Alexandre Chapel Msgr Taché entrusts the parish at Oak Point to Sainte Anne, patron Saint of Breton and Canadians
1868-Construction of the Dawson Trail begins. It is completed in 1871
1872-Construction of the Hudson Bay store
1880-Construction of the first Hotel
1883-Arrival of the Gray Nuns
1884-Arrival of the first doctor, Dr. François-Xavier Demers
1895-The cornerstone for the first church is blessed. Church opens in 1898
1917-Construction of the Redemptorist Monastery begins
1921-Construction of the Piney Bridge
1939-Caisse Populaire of Sainte-Anne founded
1954-Blessing and official opening of the Sainte-Anne Hospital
1959-June 11, 7pm: The worst flood in Sainte-Anne's history. Water rises at a rate visible by eye. the hospital is evacuated. It passes quickly. By morning, all danger is past.
1960-Completion of the Seine River diversion project
1963-Incorporation of the Village of Sainte-Anne
1964-Blessing and official opening of the Villa Youville
1971-Blessing and official opening of the Seine Medical Centre
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| Geography |
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