The Rural Municipality of Cartier, located in the Central Plains and Metro Regions of Manitoba, Canada, is a picturesque region that offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Bordered on the west by the RM of Portage la Prairie, to the east by the RM of Headingley, and to the north by the Assiniboine River, this rural municipality is primarily composed of flat, rich farmland. The main town in the municipality is Elie.
The Rural Municipality of Cartier is named after Sir George-Étienne Cartier, a leader instrumental in bringing Quebec into Confederation. Until 1914, it was part of the larger municipality of St. François Xavier, adding a layer of historical significance to this rural municipality.
The Cartier Regional Water Co-op is responsible for managing the water supply in the Rural Municipality of Cartier and other nearby RMs such as Headingley, Rosser, and Macdonald. The Cartier Water Treatment Plant sources water from the Assiniboine River, where it is cleaned of silt, debris, and other toxins before being distributed within the RM and sent out to other nearby communities.
The Rural Municipality of Cartier is home to several communities, each with its unique charm. These include:
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Rural Municipality of Cartier had a population of 3,344 living in 811 of its 850 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease of -0.7% from its 2016 population of 3,368. With a land area of 552.94 km2 (213.49 sq mi), the municipality had a population density of 6.0/km2 (15.7/sq mi) in 2021.
