Industries and Economic Activity

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) economy is driven by hydroelectric generation, tourism, and limited mining, with a history of forestry and ongoing agricultural activity. Hydroelectric stations provide approximately 10% of Manitoba Hydro's power, while the Tanco Mine is the only operational mine in the region. Tourism is a critical sector, with the broader Eastman region attracting 2.223 million visitors in 2015. While forestry is currently non-operational following a 2009 mill closure, Indigenous communities are exploring new commercial opportunities. The document emphasizes that future economic expansions in mining, forestry, and tourism must be reconciled with ecological and social priorities.

• Hydroelectric generation is a major economic driver in the LWRB, with six run-of-river stations producing about 10% of Manitoba Hydro’s electric power and generating approximately CAD 203 million in revenue for the company in 2018.
• Mining activity in the LWRB is largely inactive, with 19 mine sites in the region, almost all of which are abandoned or non-operational. The only operational site is the Tanco Mine, which produces caesium formate and has historically contributed significantly to the regional economy, employing 150 people at its peak.
• Tourism and recreation are critical to the region, particularly through the Whiteshell Provincial Park and the Eastman Tourism region. In 2015, visitation in the Eastman region accounted for 20% of all Manitoba’s visitors (2,223,000 people), spending CAD 138.4 million.
• Recreational fishing is a primary leisure activity and economic contributor, estimated to have contributed CAD 55 million to the local and provincial economies in 2018, despite the absence of commercial fishing in the LWRB.
• The forestry sector is currently non-operational following the 2009 closure of the Tembec mill in Powerview-Pine Falls, which led to job losses and relocation. However, four Indigenous communities are exploring the creation of an Indigenous-led commercial forestry company.
• Agriculture is a significant economic component, particularly in the RM of Lac Du Bonnet and the RM of Alexander, with agricultural cropland covering 3% of the LWRB.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2021). Industries and Economic Activity. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-10-industries-economic-activity.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Industries and Economic Activity. 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-10-industries-economic-activity.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Industries and Economic Activity |date=May 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-10-industries-economic-activity.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2021industries, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Industries and Economic Activity}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-10-industries-economic-activity.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }