COMMUNITY PROFILE

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he Town of Assiniboia is a peaceful community located T in the Golden South region of . This region, originally encompassed in the ’ District of Assiniboia, is named after the Indians. The word Assiniboia is Salteaux (Plains Ojibwa) and means “one who cooks with heated stones”.

Serviced by Highways 2 and 13, Assiniboia is strategically located within two hours of most major centers in the province. A thriving agriculture sector is driven by numerous high throughput terminals located in the region. Assiniboia boasts one of the nation’s largest livestock auction yards and is home to Flexxifinger QD Industries Inc., the premier manufacturer of harvesting aid attachments with over 300 distributors worldwide.

Assiniboia’s industrial park is home to its manufacturing sector which ranges in variety and complexity, from grain bin construction to custom welding projects. Each enterprise offers a unique service and caters to both ag-related and non ag-related sectors. Farm implement dealerships, grain storage sales and equipment rentals are located within the industrial park.

The diverse nature of the community allows a variety of other businesses to succeed. Assiniboia’s retail and service sectors provide all the amenities of larger centres with over 200 businesses operating.

The community is proud to be part of the Assiniboia Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), which includes the Town of Assiniboia, Village of Limerick, Rural Municipality of Stonehenge, Rural Municipality of Excel , and Rural Municipality Lake of Rivers. Together, we are working to develop an economic area of excellence.

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GOVERNMENT

Mayor: Bob Himbeault Member of Legislative Assembly: David Marit Member of Parliament: David Anderson

UTILITIES and TAXES

 Water, sewer, the curbside compost program, and garbage collection are provided by the Town  The Town manages a landfill that is open 6 days a week  Residential Curbside Recycling is provided by Loraas Disposal  A SARCAN Recycling Depot is located within the town and is open 5 days a week  Electricity Provider: SaskPower  Natural Gas Provider: SaskEnergy  Communication Service Providers: SaskTel; Shaw Cable; Telus, Shaw Direct and Bell Satellite  Residential Municipal Mill Rate: 19.73% PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT

A sustainable economy is a priority for municipal leaders.

The Town of Assiniboia has an Official Community Plan in place to guide industrial, commercial and residential investment. An attractive portfolio of incentives (located on page 12 of this document) support the municipality’s commitment and readiness to work with existing as well as new businesses and investors.

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TRADING AREA Assiniboia is a regional hub in south central Saskatchewan serving a population base of 10,000 within a radius of 80 kilometres of the community in all directions. TRANSPORTATION Assiniboia is extremely well connected with a variety of transportation services available for both business and personal needs. The community is located within a two hour driving to key Saskatchewan centres and only hours away from Calgary, ; ; and Bismarck North Dakota. Travel Distances 105 km Regina 176 km 331 km Calgary 684 km Bismarck (ND, USA) 671 km Winnipeg 674 km

Highway Assiniboia is strategically located at the junction of Highways 2 and 13, which run north/south and east/west. The combined daily traffic count of these highways is over 4,700 vehicles. Rail The community is served by the Canadian Pacific and Great Western Railways. Bus and Freight The Saskatchewan Transportation Company offers passenger and freight service to Assiniboia seven days a week and from Assiniboia three days a week. Purolator; UPS ; Jays and Gibsons Transport provide courier freight services. Airports The Assiniboia Airport is a public facility owned and operated by the Town. The airport sells fuel on site. Regina International Airport (YQR), the second busiest airport in the province, is a two hour drive rom Assiniboia and is serviced by: Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, Sun Wing, Air Transat, and Express Air.

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COMMUNITY SERVICES

Emergency Services Assiniboia has a volunteer fire department that DEMOGRAPHICS provides emergency services all hour of the day. Census The volunteer fire department crew consists of 18 Town Division men from Assiniboia and district.

No. 3 Hutch Ambulance provides reliable medical Total Population 2,420 12,691 emergency services to the Town and is staffed by Males 1,130 6,350 qualified Emergency Medical Technicians and Females 1,285 6,335 Paramedics. 0 to 4 years 115 635 The local RCMP detachment is made up of seven 5 to 9 years 115 645 members serving Assiniboia and the surround district. 10 to 14 years 100 715 15 to 19 years 145 840 Places of Worship Assiniboia Alliance Church 20 to 24 years 125 520 Assiniboia Apostolic Church 25 to 29 years 115 505 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 30 to 34 years 100 560 Messiah Lutheran Church Oasis Outreach Church 35 to 39 years 85 550 Romanian Orthodox Church 40 to 44 years 100 635 St. George’s Roman Catholic Church 45 to 49 years 180 1,015 St. Lawrence & St. Boniface Anglican Church 50 to 54 years 185 1,140 St. Paul’s United Church

55 to 59 years 170 1,165 Newspapers 60 to 64 years 145 905 Bengough/Ogema Star, Gravelbourg Tribune, The 65 to 69 years 140 720 Assiniboia Times, Triangle News, Wood River Free 70 to 74 years 115 525 Press, Prairie Trade and Post, Moose Jaw Time Herald, and Regina Leader Post. 75 to 79 years 140 565 80 to 84 years 135 500 Television 85 years and over 210 555 Shaw Cable Company provides cable television access to Assiniboia. Shaw Direct Satellite service is Median Age: 51 also available. Average Household Income $62,222 Average Value of Dwellings $140,860 Radio Assiniboia has access to over a dozen radio stations.

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EDUCATION

Assiniboia offers high calibre elementary, high school, and post secondary educational education:  7th Avenue School (kindergarten to grade four)  Assiniboia Elementary School (grade five to eight)  Assiniboia Composite High School (grade nine to twelve)  Southeast Regional College Assiniboia Campus. The college offers a variety of programming, such as Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as Another Language (EAL), skills training programs, and full-time programs with institute credit. The Assiniboia Campus offers a power engineering program, providing a steady flow of graduates for a profession that is in demand.

The Palliser Regional Library, Assiniboia Branch is located in the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre. The Library offers over 20,000 items, free wireless internet access, and the Kay Cristo Event Room and Art Gallery. HEALTH CARE

Assiniboia provides a full range of health services. Dedicated professionals are available year round and have established practices within the town. The hospital is fully staffed and houses 16 beds offering in-patient acute care and sub acute care with 24 hour emergency physician on call service and full laboratory services. Assiniboia also offers a personal care home offering Level 1 - 2 care as well as long term care offering Level 3 - 4 care.

A full range of complementary health care services are provided chiropractor, two dentists, two optometrists, four physicians, a denturist, and five massage therapists.

The Town also has an extensive range of programs and services for families, including the Early Childhood Intervention Program. Active Parenting Classes, Healthy Parenting Home Study Program, Parent Chat Groups, Public Health Nurses, and Kidsfirst.

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COMMUNITY AMENITIES

The community is a regional hub for sport, recreation and cultural amenities.

The Assiniboia Agri-Plex is an indoor riding arena that is located on the Assiniboia Fairgrounds along with the Rodeo Arena and Race Track. Both facilities are available for rental use. The Assiniboia Aquatics Centre features a 6-lane outdoor swimming pool. The facility is open June to September and is adjacent to the Assiniboia Civic Centre and Regional Campground The Assiniboia Civic Centre, which hosts an ice rink with a seating capacity of 1,000, is home to a variety of hockey and skating organizations including:

 Assiniboia Senior Southern Rebels

 Assiniboia Junior B Southern Rebels

 Assiniboia Minor Hockey Association

 Assiniboia Figure Skating Club

 Assiniboia Rec’ers Recreational Hockey Team

Assiniboia Regional Park Golf Course features 9 holes and grass greens. A variety of clubs, associations, and organizations are active in the Assiniboia community and are dedicated to maintaining and improving their respective activity. Olympia Theater is located in the Prince of Wales Culture & Recreation Centre. It plays movies every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The facility is available for rental and seats 150. Prince of Wales Cultural & Recreation Centre houses Olympia Theater, a curling club, an auditorium/gymnasium, the Public Library, Regional College, fitness centre, public meeting rooms, and kitchen facilities. The Centre can host a variety of events and is available for rental year-round.

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REGIONAL RECREATION

A number of outdoor recreation venues are available to residents and visitors. The following regional parks are located within a one hour drive of Assiniboia: Assiniboia Regional Park A spacious park that has three distinct sections. 1. Campground, swimming pool, beach volleyball and new children's playground right in the town of Assiniboia. 2. Nine hole grass greens golf course 3.2km southeast of the community. 3. Willows Dam fishing and canoeing area 8 km east of the town.

Jean Legare Regional Park This wonderful park is set in dense trees and boasts a large picnic and play area as well as a golf course. It boasts some of the great coulees that are a part of the Big Muddy Valley and is a great place for camera buffs and bird watchers. Thomson Lake Regional Park The park sits on gracefully treed, well grassed lakeside land and features a nine hole grass green golf course. The lake is great for boating and fishing and has a marina and a boat launch. The lake offers walleye, jack and perch. Shamrock Regional Park Shamrock Regional Park is one of the first Regional Parks in the province, and a natural beauty for those who enjoy the outdoors. Shamrock Park is a small, friendly family park with all amenities in easy walking distance. Wood Mountain Regional Park Wood Mountain Park is anchored in heritage. It was home to the first European settlers during the 1870's and become the first North West Mounted Police post in 1874. Sitting Bull took refuge here after the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. Ogema Regional Park A quiet family park with playground, heated outdoor pool, tenting and trailer sites. Indoor group facility accommodates up to 1,000 people.

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TOURISM

The Town of Assiniboia is surrounded by a variety of destinations including St. Victor Petroglyphs Provincial Historic Park, Willow Bunch Museum, Big Muddy Badlands, Grasslands National Park, Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park, Gravelbourg's Our Lady of Assumption Co-Cathedral and Ogema's Deep South Pioneer Village, Southern Prairie Railway - Tourist Train. Assiniboia & District Museum is owned by and located within the Town. The museum has 17 vintages cars on display as well as a large pictorial history and photo archive. Local Accommodation includes:

 Bar-B Motel (306) 642-5951

 Franklin Motel (306) 642-3377

 Wheel Inn Motel (306) 642-3308

 121 Motel & Steakhouse (306) 642-4662

 CANALTA Hotel (306) 642-1010

 Olive’s Garden Bed & Breakfast (306) 642-5476

The Shurniak Art Gallery A must see for cultural lovers. The Art Gallery houses the founder's private collection of original paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from around the world. Opened in July 2005, Seven gallery rooms, named after former and current villages in the area, showcase the permanent collection. International art provides an interesting dimension to the collection, acquired during a lifetime of travel and working abroad. Paintings, scrolls and furniture from China and Southeast Asia are quite prominent. Several hand-knotted carpets from Iran, Kashmir, and Afghanistan as well as tribal rugs from Tibet are on display from time to time. A substantial Australian collection includes many paintings and carvings by Aboriginal artists. European artists represented include Bernard Cathelin (France), Jacob Esselens (Holland), Phillipe Ancellin (France), Carlos Nadal (Spain), Archie Forrest (Scotland), Athos Faccincani (Italy), and David Paskett (England), just to name a few. Solid glass sculptures by Loredano Rosin of Venice are truly outstanding. A cafe and gift shop are on site.

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LABOUR FORCE BY INDUSTRY

REGIONAL Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting 2615 Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction 195

Utilities 270 Construction 325 Manufacturing 135 Wholesale Trade 285 Retail Trade 475 Transportation and Warehousing 150 Information and Cultural Industries 65 Real Estate, Rental and Leasing 25 Professional, Scientific, Technical 135 Administrative Support, Waste 65 Management, Remediation Services Educational Services 370 Health Care and Social Assistance 530 Arts, Entertainment and Recreation 205 Accommodation and Food Services 195 Public Administration 240 Other Services 245

Source: Statistics Canada 2011

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Local Regional Labour Force Labour Force No certificate, diploma or degree 685 2,830 High school diploma or equivalent 460 2,990 Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 900 4,215 Total 2,045 10,035 Source: Statistics Canada 2011 10

BUSINESS SECTORS

Over 300 Assiniboia businesses serve a large trading area with an inclusive array of products and services in the following industries: Accommodations Accounting & Legal Services Animal Care and Services Automotive Sales & Services Beauty & Health Services Child Care Construction, Trade Services. Landscaping Family Services Financial & Lending Services Grocers Insurance & Real Estate Services Lottery Services Manufacturing Services Restaurants Retail Services Specialty Services Recreational & Photography Services

BUSINESS COSTS MAJOR EMPLOYERS Flexxifinger QD Industries Inc. Low business costs, proximity to major markets, and a Five Hills Health Region highly-educated workforce make Assiniboia an Prairie South School Division attractive community in which to do business.

Cargill Utilities Richardson's Base Water $22.50/month Paterson Grain Additional Water $5.00/1000 gallons Saskcan Pulse Trading Base Sewer $7.50/quarter Additional Sewer $1.32/m3 over 13m3 Young’s Equipment South Country Equipment Sales Tax E. Bourassa and Sons Provincial 5% National 5%

Commercial Property Tax Rates Municipal Mill Rate 25.21% CROP YIELDS School Mill Rate 10.70% 2014 SASK ATCHEWAN AGRICULTURE Minimum Tax $600 RM’S 71,72,73, 102 103,104 Durum38 bu/ac Peas 31.4 bu/ac Corporate Income Tax Rate Mustard 842 lbs/ac Flax 23 bu/ac Federal 15% Provincial—General 12% Canola 34.6 bu/ac Oats 75 bu/ac Provincial—Mfg 10% Lentils 1477 lbs/ac Barley 45 bu/ac Provincial—Small Business 2% Fall Rye 27 bu/ac Chickpeas 1890 lbs/ac Current Commercial Real Estate Market Spring Wheat 34 bu/ac Land $4.39/m2 Winter Wheat 48 bu/ac Building $60.69/ft2 Canary Seed 997 bu/ac

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DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES New Commercial and Industrial Construction A two year tax abatement for new construction to assist in offsetting the costs of business start-up.  First Year -100% land and improvements.  Second Year - 50% land & improvements.  Both years of the tax exemption includes both Municipal and school levies. New Commercial and Industrial Expansion/Addition A two year tax abatement for new construction that serves to increase the commercial assessment of the existing improvements on the land. This includes additions to an existing building, the replacement of an existing building or the addition of a new building. Interior alterations or renovations may qualify if they serve to increase the taxable assessment.

 First Year -100% of the amount of increased assessment on improvements.

 Second Year - 50% of the amount of increased assessment on improvements.

 Tax exemption includes both Municipal and school levies on improvements only. Manufacturing Business in Commercial and Industrial Zones To encourage manufacturing businesses to locate, operate and provide employment opportunities. within the Town of Assiniboia, Council may negotiate and enter into agreement on tax incentives that: 1. Includes abatement of both municipal and school division tax levies up to a maximum of five (5) years. 2. Includes abatement of municipal tax levies in excess of five years. Main Street Revitalization The focus of this matching grant is on the front of buildings within the Central Business District, however the Main Street Revitalization grant may also be made available for rear and side improvements or interior alterations and renovations subject to eligibility. Owners or tenants of properties located within the Central Business District and members of the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce are eligible to apply. Project minimum of $5,000 ($2,500 grant) up to a maximum of $5,000 Town investment (50 % of $10,000 or greater project). Please contact the town office for more details and a list of eligible projects. Public Art The Public Art Grant is offered to Commercial properties that are located on either Highway #2 (Centre Street) or Highway #13 (First Avenue) and are within the jurisdiction of the Town of Assiniboia. Eligible art pieces and displays must be clearly visible to the public and must be pre• approved by the Town or an approved agent of the Town. Owners or tenants of properties located in the aforementioned area are eligible. Project minimum of $1,000 ($500 grant) up to a maximum of $2,500 Town investment (50 % of $5,000 or greater project). Please contact the town office for more details and a list of eligible projects. New Residential Construction This incentive applies to new construction of single family homes, semi-detached homes, duplexes, multi-unit dwellings and apartments. Also included are Ready to Move (RTM) homes and infills. This does not apply to homes moved from one lot in Assiniboia to another lot in Assiniboia or mobile homes. This incentive is for one year only and applies to 100% of land and improvements.

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CONTACT US Town of Assiniboia Box 670 Assiniboia, Saskatchewan S0H 0B0 Phone: (306) 642-3382 Fax: (306) 642-5622 Email: [email protected] www.assiniboia.net

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