Interlake

Interlake is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1979, and has formally existed since the 1981 provincial election. Previously, much of the Interlake region was included in the constituency of St. George. As its name implies, Interlake is located between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, in the mid-northern section of the province.

Interlake is bordered to the east by Lake Winnipeg, to the south by Lakeside and Gimli, to the north by Swan River, and to the west by Lake Manitoba. Communities in the riding include Arborg, Riverton, Ashern, Fraserwood and Hecla. The Black and Deer Islands are also located in the riding.

In 1996, the riding's population was 18,653. As of 1999, the average family income was $32,570, and the unemployment rate was 10.60%. Twenty-two per cent of the riding's residents are listed as low-income. Almost 25% of the riding's residents have less than a Grade 9 education.

Agriculture accounts for 22% of Interlake's industry, followed by government services at 13%.

Interlake has been represented continuously by members of the New Democratic Party since its creation, although it is not considered completely safe for that party. In 1995, local members of the Progressive Conservative Party attempted to rig the voting results by promoting a candidate from Independent Native Voice, a minor party. The plan was unsuccessful, but caused a major provincial scandal when its details were revealed to the public in 1998-99.

The current MLA is New Democrat Tom Nevakshonoff, possibly the first MLA in Manitoba's history from a Doukhobor background.