What is the population?
Ste-Agathe has around 500 residents, the majority of them of francophone origin. The village is part of the Rural Municipality of Ritchot, which has a population of 5300. A community of entrepreneurs, Ste-Agathe is also one of the few towns in Manitoba (particularly francophone towns) that consists primarily of young families.

What is the geography of the area?
Situated on the west bank of the Red River, in the middle of the floodplain, Ste-Agathe is surrounded by farmland growing mainly wheat and canola.

How far is Ste-Agathe from neighbouring towns and villages?
Niverville : 10k.
St-Norbert : 24k.
St-Jean-Baptiste : 40k.
Morris : 26k.
St-Pierre Jolys : 30k.
New Bothwell : 15k.

Are there any businesses in town?
Yes, you can find them listed in our site's electronic directory!

Are there good job opportunities?
Jobs are plentiful in Manitoba, especially in Winnipeg. The unemployment rate (5.8%) is one of the lowest in Canada. To find out more about employment, visit the Manitoba WorkinfoNET web site.

Is there lodging available in Ste-Agathe?
Yes, at the hotel Ste-Agathe - 4 rooms - (204) 882-2807

Does Ste-Agathe have any banking services?
Bilingual banking services are available at the Caisse populaire Provencher

A post office?
There is a local Canada Post office: (204) 882-2544

Restaurants?
The local alternatives to dining at home are the restaurant in the Ste. Agathe Motor Hotel. (see business directory)

A grocery or convenience store?
A variety of goods can be had at the Cheyenne Convenience Store (see business directory).

Health services?
Health services are available at the DeSalaberry District Health Centre in St-Pierre-Jolys (204-433-7611), or through South Eastman Health (204-433-7636).

Where is the nearest hospital?
There is a hospital in St-Pierre-Jolys that provides service in French (30k). The other nearest facilities are the hospital in Morris (26k) and Victoria Hospital in the Winnipeg suburb of Fort Garry (30k).

What is there to do in Ste-Agathe?
Ste-Agathe offers plenty of outdoor activities, winter sports and summer hiking.

What sports?
Local sports include hockey, ringette, curling, figure skating, cycling, and cross-country skiing.

What about golf?
There are a number of fine golf courses in the vicinity of Ste-Agathe. In addition to dozens of courses in Winnipeg, you can tee off in St-Norbert, Lasalle (Kingswood), Île-des-Chênes, Lorette, Morris and St-Pierre-Jolys.

Are there any parks?
The Ste-Agathe recreational park is presently under development.

Does the village have a seniors' club?
The Club des pionniers (pioneer's club) meets at the community centre every Tuesday from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

A cultural committee?
Yes, and it arranges a regular program of skit nights and other shows for the entertainment of local residents.

A choir group?
The francophone Roman Catholic church features a choir.

Is it possible to study in French in Ste-Agathe?
It certainly is: the local French school provides French-language education from Kindergarten to Senior 1 (Grade 9). The school also offers French courses for adults.

Who are the Francophones living there?
Many francophone families have settled in the village, and are coming to settle here still. Some of the family names are Robert, Brémaud, Dorge, Lécuyer, Joyal, Péloquin, Alarie, Fontaine, Courcelles, Gagnon, Baudry, Gratton, Bilodeau, Lemoine, and Dumesnil.

Is it possible to set up a business in Ste-Agathe?
The proximity of other francophone villages (St-Adolphe, Niverville, St-Pierre-Jolys) and Winnipeg gives local businesses access to a major source of bilingual manpower.

Are there any residential lots or houses for sale in Ste-Agathe?
Yes, contact the Municipality of Ritchot (204-883-2293) or Sainte-Agathe Community Development Inc (204-882-2155/2337).

What is the average selling price for a house?
A 1200 sq. ft. (3-bedroom) home sells for around $100-200,000.

And the average tax bill?
Here are two examples (these figures are approximate and are intended as a guide only):
$67,000 home: $620 (municipal) + $760 (school)
$80,000 home: $730 (municipal) + $920 (school)

I am interested in moving to Ste-Agathe. Where can I get more information?
To find out more about living in Manitoba, you can browse the excellent guide for newcomers at the web site of the Franco-Manitoban Community (in French only).