Peace No. 135, M.D. of
http://www.mdpeace.com
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 (2006) is 1,487 people, which has remained stable over the last several years, and includes the Hamlet of Brownvale.
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.
Economic Base
The main economic base of the M.D. of Peace is agriculture. The total area of the M.D. is 92,488 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, TD Canada Trust, and the ATB Financial have offices in the Towns of Peace River and Grimshaw, and the Village of Berwyn. There is also a Servus Credit Union in the Town of Grimshaw.
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
Taxation
Mill Rates [2009]
- Residential 7.1387
- Non-Residential 17.0833
- Farmland 13.0037
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|
|
|
|
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| Municipal Tax Rate |
5.4063/10.5000 |
12.7774 |
| Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate |
2.5398 |
4.6437 |
| Education Opted Out Tax Rate |
2.5398 |
4.6437 |
| Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate |
.2398 |
.2398 |
Transportation
Air Services
Northern Air offers scheduled flights to Edmonton, Calgary, and a number of other centres in Alberta and Bristish Columbia, and also offers charter service. Charter Services are also available from Ultra Helicopters and Highland Helicopters. Budget, Avis and National 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 highways, 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, DHL Courier and Purolator Courier are available throughout the area.
Dual Cabs operates a taxi service in the Berwyn, Grimshaw and Peace River area.
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], Mile Zero Evangelical Missionary Church, 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. Lac Cardinal Regional Pioneer Village Museum hosts a Pioneer Days the second Saturday in August, as well as numerous pancake breakfasts throughout the year. They also hold an Old-Fashioned Christmas in December.
Alberta Pond Hockey Championships are held at Lac Cardinal on the long weekend in February, with 80 plus teams attending from across Alberta, vying for the opportunity to represent Alberta at the Canadian Championships.
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.
Education
The M.D. is part of the Peace River School Division [Tel: 780-624-3601], and the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division No.37 [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.
Post Secondary
Grande Prairie Regional College is located 174 km south of Grimshaw in Grande Prairie. They also have a campus at Fairview College, which is located 45 km west of the M.D. Northern Lakes College with a campus in Peace River, provides adult upgrading as well as university studies, and other career programs.
Several of Alberta's universities offer credit courses in the region through various delivery modes, including teleconferencing.
Health Care
The Peace River Community Health Centre has acute care beds, as well as long term care beds. The Grimshaw Berwyn & District Community Health Centre has emergency (24 hour), laboratory, radiology services, including long term continuing care beds. There are seniors lodges and apartments at Berwyn, Grimshaw and Peace River.
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.
Community Services
Municipal
Municipal District of Peace No. 135
Box 34
Berwyn, Alberta
T0H 0E0
Tel: 780-338-3845
Fax: 780-338-2222
Website: www.mdpeace.com
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 area, including Alberta Job Corps, AFSC, Career Development, Children's Services, Provincial Court, Corrections, Economic Development, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, NRCB, Northern Alberta Development Council, Parks Service, PDD, Public Lands, 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 area, including Environment Canada, Oceans & Fisheries, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration [PFRA], Canada Post, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Google Map
Peace No. 135, M.D. of, Alberta, Canada