St-Pierre-Jolys (formerly Rivière-aux-Rats/Rat River, St-Pierre/St. Pierre), pop. 1,170 is a village 50 km (31 mi) south southeast of Winnipeg on Highway 59 near the Rat River, in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry. The nearest communities are Steinbach, St. Malo, Morris and Niverville.

Agriculture is the dominant industry: primarily dairy farming and livestock. Being important sectors for the life of the community, the local businesses, services, and hospitality are strong.

Tourism is also important to the village: the former Crow Wing Trail is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail, and St. Pierre-Jolys hosts several popular festivals, such as la Cabane à Sucre (maple syrup festival) in April; le Festival Chantecler, a celebration of Francophone arts; and the signature St-Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies and Ag Fair (les Folies Grenouilles et Foire Agricoles), a village fair featuring the Canadian frog jumping competition.

There are 3 schools, a hospital, and a sizable Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment in the village.

Bilingual St-Pierre-Jolys has collaborated with nearby St. Malo on several ventures, including a trade show and a hockey league.

The dramatic sequences for the 2012 documentary We Were Children were shot there.

 

Source: http://www.villagestpierrejolys.ca