Charles Jean-Baptiste Chaboill , a prominent fur trader for the North West Company, established a trading post in the area in 1799 at the mouth of the Rat River. The RM of De Salaberry is located approximately between 25 minutes and 45 minutes southeast of the city of Winnipeg and thirty minutes north of the U.S. border. The municipality's 3,000 residents either live in farms in the region or in the villages of St. Malo , Otterburne or Dufrost . Over half the population in the municipality is bilingual with service provided in both French and English at many local businesses. A strong business ethic, evident by the many successful local businesses serving the area, coupled with a beautiful outdoor setting make the area a memorable place to visit, a great place to live and an economical place to do business.
Agricultural services are available for the area's grain, dairy and hog producers.
Schools, medical facilities, and community services are located throughout the region. Opportunities exist for service, recreation and tourism businesses, and light manufacturing and agriculture-related industry. Explore the region by canoe, walking trail, or snowmobile. Camping, swimming, boating, baseball, golfing, curling, skating, hockey and cross country skiing are other recreation options. Museums celebrating the region's heritage, historic buildings and tea rooms are located throughout the municipality.