Province Manitoba | ||
The R.M. of Springfield was incorporated in 1880 as a result of changes made to the R.M. of Springfield and Sunnyside (1873-1880). The municipality received its name due to the presence of multiple natural springs found within its borders. Springfield stretches from urban industrial development on the eastern boundary of the City of Winnipeg, through urban, rural residential, agricultural and natural landscapes, to the Agassiz Provincial Forest on the municipality's eastern boundary. Birds Hill Provincial Park nestles into the northwestern corner of Springfield. While farming is still important in the municipality, today many residents are employed in nearby Winnipeg. In the 2011 census the population was 14,069, up 8.3% from 2006.
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Map of Springfield, MB, Canada
The Springfield provincial election district includes all of the municipality and parts of adjacent East St. Paul. From 1914 through 1966 a Federal riding was also called "Springfield" with varying boundaries not always coterminous with the municipality.
Historic sites
The R.M. of Springfield contains many sites of historical and cultural significance such as the Sunnyside cemetery, the Springfield Hutterite colony, North Springfield school, Springfield Agricultural Society and others. In 1996, the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cooks Creek was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Centres in Springfield
Oakbank is the administrative centre of Springfield where the municipal council meets. Other communities include Dugald, Anola, Cooks Creek, Hazelridge and Glass.
Governance
As of 2015, the municipality was governed by a reeve and 5 ward councillors. The government has come under some scrutiny for having the highest compensation to mayor and council ($242,974 total for 2015) relative to all other municipalities in the Winnipeg capital region.