Mackenzie

Mackenzie, BC, incorporated as a district municipality in 1966, population 3507 (2011c), 4539 (2006c). The District of Mackenzie is situated in northern British Columbia near the south endof Williston Lake in the Rocky Mountain Trench. Williston Lake was created by the flooding of the Peace, Finlay, Omenica and Parsnip river valleys, caused by damming the Peace River at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam. Named after the explorer Alexander Mackenzie, who camped near the townsite in 1793, the district municipality was a preplanned "instant town" with the forest industry being the major economic catalyst (see also Resource Towns). There are now 2 pulp mills, a paper mill and a number of sawmills with the surrounding area offering mining opportunities including the Kemess South gold and copper mine (open 1998). Mackenzie is governed by a mayor and 6 councillors.

Mackenzie quickly developed all the services of typical Canadian towns and today has schools, churches, a recreation complex (that also houses the library), a ski hill, a hospital and health unit and numerous clubs and organizations.