Peace No. 135, M.D. of
Welcome
Welcome to our community. We hope the information contained within this profile is useful. If additional information is required, please contact our representative from the "Key Contacts" section.
Area Overview
The Municipal District of Peace is a rural municipality located along the north bank of the Peace River, approximately 500 km northwest of Edmonton.
The area was settled early in the 1900's, with the M.D. incorporated in 1916. The first survey was along the Peace River created some 41 river lots of varying sizes, known as the Shaftesbury Settlement. This area, with its unique micro-climate and productive farmland, was once used for several market gardens. Its present use is mainly country residential and agriculture, although a few productive market gardens still serve the area. J.Fred Parker writes in the book, "From East to Western Sea":
The vast 50 thousand square miles of prairie region straddling the Alberta - British Columbia border, 500 miles north of the United States line was truly pioneer territories in the twenties. Before and after World War I, homesteaders poured into this newly opened area at a rate of 500/week.
The District's current population (2002) is 1,496 people, which has remained stable over the last several years, and includes the Hamlet of Brownvale.
Community Services
Municipal
Municipal District of Peace No. 135
Box 34
Berwyn, Alberta
T0H 0E0
Tel: 780-338-3845
Fax: 780-338-2222
Email: mdpeace@wispernet.ca
The Council of the M.D. has five Councillors, who elect the Reeve from among their members.
Planning Services
Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency
Box 450
Berwyn AB
T0H 0E0
Tel: 780-338-3862
Fax: 780-338-3811
Email: info@mmsa.ca
Website: www.mmsa.ca
Provincial
Several provincial departments have regional and district offices in the M.D., including Business Services, Career Development, Provincial Court, Corrections, Environment, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Medical Examiner-Coroner, Northern Alberta Development Council, Metis Settlements Transition, Public Lands, Alberta Opportunity Company, and Transportation. There is also a Provincial Penitentiary located south of the Town of Peace River that houses approximately 240 inmates.
Federal
Several federal departments have offices in the M.D., including Environment Canada, Canada Employment Centre, Transport Canada, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration [PFRA], Canada Post, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Community Lifestyle
Recreation
Nearby recreation facilities include an 88-acre leased recreation area adjacent to Lac Cardinal and Queen Elizabeth Park [large hall, corrals, grandstand and race track, historical village, camping facilities], Strong Creek Park [20 acre municipal park adjacent to the Peace River, free camping], Elk Island Campsite [leased 15 acre site adjacent to the Peace River, free camping], an 18-hole golf course near Grimshaw, privately owned riding area and stable, and a curling rink and library in the Hamlet of Brownvale.
Community Organizations
Several community organizations, sports clubs and service groups are very active throughout the M.D.
Religious Services
Several religious denominations, including the Alliance Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Baptist Church, Catholic Church [Our Lady of Peace], Christian Life Assembly, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Lutheran Church [Prince of Peace], Pentecostal Tabernacle, Salvation Army Church and the United Church of Canada are represented in the M.D.
Special Annual Events/Attractions
The North Peace Stampede is held during the long weekend in August, and Town and Village events abound in the District.
Hospitality
Accommodation
Overnight accommodation is available in the communities and throughout the M.D.
Restaurants
Dining establishments are available in the communities and throughout the M.D.
Economic Base
The main economic base of the M.D. of Peace is agriculture. The total area of the M.D. is 92,610 hectares, most of which is used for grain farming, mixed farming, and game farming [elk, buffalo]. There are also strong cattle farming and beekeeping presences in the District.
Economic Facts
Financial Institutions
While there are no financial institutions in the M.D., The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Royal Bank, Toronto-Dominion Bank, and the Alberta Treasury Branch have offices in the Towns of Peace River and Grimshaw, and the Village of Berwyn. There is also a Commonwealth Credit Union in the Town of Grimshaw.
Education
The M.D. is part of the Peace River School Division [Tel: 780-624-3601], and the North Peace Roman Catholic Separate School District #43 [Tel: 780-624-3956], both of which are headquartered in Peace River.
Public
Public schools are located in Peace River [K-12], Grimshaw [K-12] and Berwyn [K-9].
Separate
Separate schools are located in Peace River [K-12] and Grimshaw [K-9].
Daycare/Nursery
Day care and nursery services are available in the communities of Peace River and Grimshaw.
Emergency Services
Police, Ambulance, and Fire Services can be accessed by dialing 911.
Fire Protection
Fire protection is provided by a volunteer service, with M.D. of Peace equipment at Brownvale, Berwyn and Strong Creek Fire Halls.
Police Services
The M.D. is served by detachments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] at Grimshaw, Peace River and Fairview.
Ambulance Services
The Peace Regional Emergency Medical Services (PREMS) provides ground ambulance service to the M.D. Advanced Life Flight provides air ambulance service to the M.D.
Health Care
The M.D. is in the Peace Country Health Region. The Peace River Community Health Centre has 30 acute care beds. The Grimshaw Berwyn & District Community Health Centre has emergency (24 hour), laboratory, radiology services, including long term continuing care beds. There is a seniors lodge and self-contained units at Berwyn.
Location
The Municipal District of Peace is located along the north bank of the Peace River, approximately 500 km northwest of Edmonton, and approximately 150 km. northeast of Grande Prairie.
Post Secondary Education
Grande Prairie Regional College is located 174 km south of Grimshaw in Grande Prairie. Fairview College is located 45 km west and its Peace River Campus is located 22 km east.
A number of post-secondary education opportunities are available in the Town of Peace River. Fairview College has recently constructed a facility in Peace River which offers numerous post-secondary and upgrading programs. Several of Alberta's universities offer credit courses in the region through various delivery modes, including teleconferencing. The University of Calgary, and Athabasca University offer a wide range of courses to meet the interests of Peace Region residents.
Taxation
Mill Rates [2006]
- Residential 8.9063
- Non-Residential 12.7774
- Farmland 10.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Municipal Tax Rate |
8.9063 |
11.5000 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
4.5837 |
7.0328 |
| Education Opted Out Tax Rate |
4.5837 |
7.0328 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.2679 |
.2679 |
Transportation
Air Services
Peace Air offers scheduled flights to Edmonton, Calgary, and a number of other centres in Alberta and Bristish Columbia, and also offer charter service. Charter Services are also available from Ultra Helicopters, Highland Helicopters, and fixed wing charter from Northern Air Charter. Budget, Avis and Tilden vehicle rentals are available at the airport.
Rail Service
Rail Service is provided within the M.D. by Mackenzie Northern Railway with rail service from Roma Junction north to Hay River, N.W.T., and west to Grimshaw, AB.
Highways
Highway 2 runs through the M.D., along with 4 secondary high ways, 3 of which are paved. The M.D. has a well-developed and maintained local road network.
Trucking Firms
Numerous local and regional trucking firms serve the M.D.
Bus Services
Regularly scheduled bus service is available, with stops in Berwyn, Grimshaw and Peace River.
Couriers and Taxis
Greyhound Courier Express, Loomis Courier, Purolator Courier available in Peace River. Purolator also has a drop off point in Grimshaw at Beyond 2000.
Utilities
Electrical Power
Atco Electric Ltd.
Box 2429
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 4M7
Tel: 1-800-668-2248
Natural Gas
Atco Gas
10035 - 105 St.
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 2V6
Tel: 1-888-511-7550
North Peace Gas Co-op
Fairview [Tel: 780-835-5444]
Telephone
TELUS Communications
Box 2422
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 2S7
Tel: 780-310-2255
Population
|
Population 2006*
|
1,496
|
|
Population 2005*
|
1,496
|
|
Population 2004*
|
1,496
|
|
Population 2003*
|
1,496
|
|
Population 2002*
|
1,496
|
|
Population 2001**
|
1,495
|
|
Population 1996**
|
1,562
|
|
Population 1991**
|
1,481
|
|
Population % change 1991-1996
|
5.19%
|
|
Population % change 1996-2001
|
-4.48%
|
|
Population % change 2001-2006
|
0.07%
|
* Source: Official Population List, Alberta Municipal Affairs
** Source: Statistics Canada Census |
Total Population 1991-2001
|
Age 0 - 4
|
60
|
45
|
105
|
40
|
40
|
80
|
|
Age 5 - 14
|
115
|
120
|
235
|
125
|
115
|
240
|
|
Age 15 - 19
|
55
|
55
|
110
|
65
|
55
|
120
|
|
Age 20 - 24
|
60
|
35
|
95
|
25
|
25
|
50
|
|
Age 25 - 34
|
105
|
80
|
185
|
70
|
60
|
130
|
|
Age 35 - 44
|
150
|
125
|
275
|
140
|
125
|
265
|
|
Age 45 - 54
|
95
|
100
|
195
|
130
|
110
|
240
|
|
Age 55 - 64
|
100
|
80
|
180
|
85
|
95
|
180
|
|
Age 65 - 74
|
60
|
40
|
100
|
65
|
40
|
105
|
|
Age 75 and older
|
40
|
30
|
70
|
35
|
50
|
85
|
|
Total All Persons
|
835
|
725
|
1,560
|
780
|
715
|
1,495
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Peace No. 135, M.D. of Population by Age Group (2001)
Education Statistics
|
People without high school certificates
|
390
|
38.61%
|
|
People with high school certificates
|
70
|
6.93%
|
|
People with trades or non-university certificate or diploma
|
355
|
35.15%
|
|
People with post-secondary education (not completed)
|
110
|
10.89%
|
|
People with university diploma/certificate
|
10
|
0.99%
|
|
People with university degree
|
85
|
8.42%
|
|
Total Population 20 years and older
|
1,010
|
100.00%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Peace No. 135, M.D. of Highest Level of Schooling 2001
|
Agriculture and biological sciences
|
55
|
12.79%
|
40
|
9.09%
|
|
Commerce, management and business administration
|
65
|
15.12%
|
120
|
27.27%
|
|
Educational, recreational and counseling services
|
65
|
15.12%
|
55
|
12.50%
|
|
Engineering and applied science tech. and trades
|
145
|
33.72%
|
170
|
38.64%
|
|
Engineering and applied sciences
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Fine and applied arts
|
20
|
4.65%
|
10
|
2.27%
|
|
Health professionals, science and technologies
|
70
|
16.28%
|
20
|
4.55%
|
|
Humanities and related fields
|
0
|
0.00%
|
15
|
3.41%
|
|
Mathematics and physical sciences
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Social sciences and related fields
|
10
|
2.33%
|
15
|
3.41%
|
|
Other and/or no specialization
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Total people with post secondary qualifications
|
430
|
100.00%
|
440
|
100.00%
|
|
Females with post-secondary qualifications
|
205
|
47.67%
|
205
|
46.59%
|
|
Males with post-secondary qualifications
|
225
|
52.33%
|
235
|
53.41%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Income
|
less than $19,999
|
45
|
11.39%
|
50
|
13.33%
|
|
$20,000 - $39,999
|
125
|
31.65%
|
100
|
26.67%
|
|
$40,000 - $59,999
|
85
|
21.52%
|
75
|
20.00%
|
|
$60,000 and over
|
140
|
35.44%
|
160
|
42.67%
|
|
Total number of families
|
395
|
100.00%
|
385
|
102.67%
|
|
Average family income
|
$51,889
|
|
$66,951
|
|
|
Median family income
|
$50,480
|
|
$57,660
|
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
|
less than $19,999
|
85
|
17.00%
|
80
|
15.09%
|
|
$20,000 - $39,999
|
150
|
30.00%
|
110
|
20.75%
|
|
$40,000 - $59,999
|
100
|
20.00%
|
95
|
17.92%
|
|
$60,000 and over
|
50
|
10.00%
|
245
|
46.23%
|
|
Total number of households
|
500
|
100.00%
|
530
|
100.00%
|
|
Average household income
|
$49,731
|
|
$63,567
|
|
|
Median household income
|
$45,642
|
|
$55,550
|
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Building Permits
| Building Permits Value, Commercial |
$150,000 |
$235,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
$43,000 |
| Building Permits Value, Industrial |
$20,000 |
$450,000 |
$376,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
| Building Permits Value, Institutional |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
| Building Permits Value, Residential |
$557,000 |
$954,000 |
$548,000 |
$965,000 |
$1,255,000 |
| Building Permits Value, Total |
$727,000 |
$1,639,000 |
$924,000 |
$965,000 |
$1,298,000 |
| Total Housing Starts |
6 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
| Source: Statistics Canada 2000-2004 Building Permits (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Total Housing Starts
Value of Building Permits
Dwellings
|
Apartments
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Detached Duplexes
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Movable Dwellings
|
30
|
6.00%
|
60
|
11.32%
|
|
Other single attached house
|
0
|
0.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Row and semi-detached house
|
10
|
2.00%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
|
Single-detached house
|
470
|
94.00%
|
465
|
87.74%
|
|
Total number of occupied private dwellings
|
500
|
100.00%
|
530
|
100.00%
|
|
Private dwellings, owned
|
430
|
86.00%
|
470
|
88.68%
|
|
Private Dwellings, rented
|
70
|
14.00%
|
60
|
11.32%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 1996 & 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
|
Period of construction, before 1946
|
75
|
14.15%
|
|
Period of construction, 1946 - 1960
|
50
|
9.43%
|
|
Period of construction, 1961 - 1970
|
50
|
9.43%
|
|
Period of construction, 1971 - 1980
|
155
|
29.25%
|
|
Period of construction, 1981 - 1990
|
115
|
21.70%
|
|
Period of construction, 1991 - 2001
|
85
|
16.04%
|
|
Total number of private dwellings constructed
|
530
|
100.00%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census (numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Farming
Peace No. 135, M.D. of Total Farm Area : 220 acres
|
Farms - Under 129 acres
|
22
|
10.14%
|
|
Farms - 130 to 239 acres
|
40
|
18.43%
|
|
Farms - 240 to 559 acres
|
47
|
21.66%
|
|
Farms - 560 to 759 acres
|
12
|
5.53%
|
|
Farms - 760 to 1,119 acres
|
31
|
14.29%
|
|
Farms - 1,120 to 1,599 acres
|
28
|
12.90%
|
|
Farms - 1,600 to 2,239 acres
|
19
|
8.76%
|
|
Farms - 2,240 acres and over
|
18
|
8.29%
|
|
Total number of farms reporting
|
217
|
100.00%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
# of Farms by Total Farm Area
|
Farms gross farm receipts - under $9,999
|
45
|
20.74%
|
|
Farms gross farm receipts - $10,000 to $49,999
|
74
|
34.10%
|
|
Farms gross farm receipts - $50,000 to $99,999
|
37
|
17.05%
|
|
Farms gross farm receipts - $100,000 to $249,999
|
43
|
19.82%
|
|
Farms gross farm receipts - $250,000 to $499,999
|
15
|
6.91%
|
|
Farms gross farm receipts - $500,000 and over
|
3
|
1.38%
|
|
Total number of farms reporting
|
217
|
100.00%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Total Gross Farm Receipts
|
Farming, Continued
|
Age - Under 35 years
|
40
|
13.33%
|
|
Age - 35 to 54 years
|
145
|
48.33%
|
|
Age - 55 years and over
|
115
|
38.33%
|
|
Average age of operators
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of operators - Female
|
85
|
28.33%
|
|
Number of operators - Male
|
210
|
70.00%
|
|
Total number of operators reporting
|
300
|
100.00%
|
| Source: Statistics Canada 2001 Census of Agriculture(numbers may not add up due to rounding) |
Age of Farm Operators
Projects
Summary of Projects in Peace No. 135, M.D. of as of December 2007
| Agriculture & Related |
1 |
$6,000,000 |
| Total |
1 |
$6,000,000 |
| This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only.
Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.
|
Value of Projects by Sector (as of December 2007)
| Proposed |
1 |
$6,000,000 |
| Total |
1 |
$6,000,000 |
| This inventory lists projects in Alberta that have recently been completed, are under construction, or are proposed to start construction. Not all projects are listed due to reasons of confidentiality and/or due to information not being available at the time of printing. Project data is obtained from public information sources, where possible, this data has been verified with the project proponent/developer, users of the Inventory may wish to confirm project data with the proponent/developer. The inventory does not breakdown project expenditures by any given year. The cost of a project is the value of expenditures expected over all phases of project construction, which may span over two or more years. Cost of projects listed in the Inventory are estimated values only.
Source: Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry.
|
Largest Projects in Peace No. 135, M.D. of as of December 2007
| Peace Country Tender Beef |
Slaughterhouse and Sausage Packing Plant |
MD of Peace (Berwyn) |
$6,000,000 |
- |
Proposed |
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