Population trend in the area:

The following population tables show a relatively consistent decrease in population for urban centres of the Stephenfield Watershed Area. 

There is no separate population data available for the unincorporated centre of Roseisle which has a population of approximately 295 (2001). 

Table 1: Population Statistics for: Stephenfield Watershed Area

Source: Statistics Canada 

General Characteristics:

Chart 1: Population age cohorts of Stephenfield Lake Watershed Area in %

  Table 2: Treherne

Chart 2: Population projection for Treherne

Table 3: Notre Dame De Lourdes                         

Chart 3: Population projection for Notre dame de Lourdes

Table 4: Population projection for Stephenfield Watershed Area

Chart 4: Population projection for the Stephenfield Lake Watershed

Table 5: Stephenfield Watershed Area Economic Characteristics

Source: Statistics Canada ( derived from tables Treherne, Notre Dame de Lourdes and Dufferin)

Notes:

The number of employed persons in the Town of Treherne and Village of Notre Dame De Lourdes is greater than the principal population. There is an influx of individuals that live outside the area. This group of individuals is solely in the 20-54 age cohort categories.

Income: 

Notre Dame de Lourdes and Treherne are analyzed as no data is available for Roseisle. A dramatic income rise was recorded from 1981 to 1986  followed by a significant slow down in growth in the past decade. 

The region is in south-central Manitoba’s Prairie and owes much of its existence to agricultural activities. Most of the residents of the communities and surrounding areas are directly or indirectly employed in the agriculture industry. 

The region’s rolling hills and flat plains produce some of the finest crops in the world. All types of cereal grains including wheat, barley and oats are grown along with oilseeds such as flax and canola. Several farms in the area grow different types of specialty crops including corn, sunflowers, potatoes, and many vegetable crops. Many of the communities businesses strive to support the agricultural community, supplying goods and services to area farmers.

Table 1: Average Household Income Comparison for Notre Dame de Lourdes & Treherne

Source: Statistics Canada ( as quoted by Lombard North Group report on South Central Planning District Inventory Analysis:)

13.  Culture, Heritage and Tourism

The Town of Treherne was established in 1881. The railroad came to the community around 1886.  

The first inhabitants in the region surrounding Notre Dame de Lourdes were the Ojibway Indians. The first pioneers arrived from Quebec around 1880. In 1891, numerous pioneers came from France, some of them with Dom Benoit, the first parish priest of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish. Notre Dame de Lourdes was established as a dynamic franchophone community consisting of inhabitants of French, Swiss and Quebec origins.

Heritage

Figure 1: Charmers Presbyterian Church (Treherne United Church) 186 Boyne Street, Treherne

Former Charmers Presbyterian Church (Treherne United Church) 186 Boyne Street, Treherne is designated as Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 9. The 1908 church building is an ambitious interpretation of a typical L-shaped plan with a handsome tower set at the apex of the ell. The Gothic revival styling for protestant churches is seen here in pointed Tudor windows and in the main door.

Ste. Thérèse Roman Catholic Church at SE 24-6-9W in Cardinal has been listed as Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 36.  Built in 1920 this Roman Catholic Church is serving faithful in the Cardinal area. With its towering, slender spire, the church is a local landmark. It is also a fine example of Roman Catholic architectural traditions, which demanded a large, formal tower and spire, broad nave and an overall symmetry that recalled the classically inspired churches of France and Quebec.

Figure 2: Ste. Thérèse Roman Catholic Church

In the 1990s the local community and la Société Historique de Notre Dame de Lourdes undertook an ambitious restoration project, moving the building onto a new foundation and restoring exterior and interior woodwork.

Figure 3: Former Roseisle School

Built in 1921, is one of the finest examples of that aspect of our educational history.

Former Roseisle School 1st Avenue, Roseisle listed as Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 32. Roseisle School.

Built by E.D. Tuttle of Winnipeg, the basic form is given dignity by the use of brick and by the incorporation of various elements from the Classical Revival style of architecture, like the columns and arched canopy that give access to the building. The design confirms the sense that this school was an honored place for learning.

Tourism:
 

Stephenfield:
The Stephenfield provincial park offers a beach, cooking facilities, fishing, kitchen shelters, modern sanitary facilities, boat launching ramp, drinking water, sewage disposal and 177 schedule campsites including 44 seasonal sites. The Stephenfield Reservoir is 5-km long, 0.5 km wide and over nine-meter deep. It produces excellent catches of Northern Pike summer and winter.

Notre Dame De Lourdes:
Musee des Pioneers et des Chanoinesses, located in the centre DomBenoit, features more than 1,000 historical and cultural artifacts of pioneer and houses the artifacts of the Chanoinesses who celebrated 100 years of religious life in the community in 1995.

St. Lupicin:
St. Lupicin Craft Gallery offers the works of the artists who exhibits here.
The winding scenic drives through hilly country to Roseisle equally attractive both in winter and summer.

Roseisle:
Birch ski: A network of ski trails, both cross country and downhill. Used also in the summer  for cross country running and mountain bike races. 

Campbell’s General store: One of the last old style general stores left, everything from boots to groceries available. 

Learys Brick Company: Operated by the Leary family from 1910-1917 and from 1947-1953, produced ‘Leary’ bricks using local clay.
 

Cardinal:
Cardinal is situated in the picturesque Pembina escarpment; the community of Cardinal is attractive to the tourist for its Ste. Therese Chapel which stands as the last reminder of the early settlers.

Land Use Planning: 

The Stephenfield Watershed Area encompasses all or portions of the rural municipalities of Dufferin, Lorne, South Norfolk, Thompson and Victoria. It also includes the Town of Treherne, Village of Notre Dame de Lourdes and other smaller settlement communities. Lands within the watershed area are primarily rural/agricultural in nature. 

South Central Planning District Development Plan 

The R.M.s of Lorne, South Norfolk and Victoria and the Town of Treherne and Village of Notre Dame de Lourdes have formed the South Central Planning District.

In their jointly shared Development Plan, it is proposed that all lands outside of the major settlement areas be designated agriculture. The general objectives of the Plan are designed to: 

a) provide clear direction for the diversification of agriculture and management of livestock production, by addressing concerns associated with environmental protection;  

b) protect the agriculture resource base and encourage agricultural development and growth which is sustainable; 

c) protect the natural groundwater and surface water resources and the environment; and 

d) preserve, connect and enhance natural areas in recognition of their value for eco-tourism, agriculture, health and recreation. 

South Central Planning District Zoning By-laws 

The zoning by-laws of the rural municipal partners of the South Central Planning District propose that all lands outside of the major settlement areas be zoned agricultural. As such the zone is intended to: 

a)     Support and strengthen the agricultural industry in the South Central Planning District and to provide flexibility and opportunity for farm operations to engage in a variety of farming practices; and 

b)  Protect the agricultural industry and its land resources in recognition of agriculture’s contribution to the economy, lifestyle and character of the South Central Planning District.

Similar land use planning provisions apply for the most part to the R.M.s of Dufferin and Thompson. In the R.M. of Dufferin the area to the south of Stephenfield reservoir is designated as  “Seasonal Recreation Policy Area” in its Development Plan and “Seasonal Recreational Zone” in its Zoning By-law. These and other provisions provide certain safeguards and limitations to how land is used around the reservoir. In the R.M. of Thompson certain protection is afforded to the Birch Ski Area which is partly zoned “ER” Environment/Recreation Zone.