214 km northeast of Edmonton
Agriculture, oil & gas, forestry, and fishing
Approximately 2,284 residents
Kindergarten to grade 12 and post-secondary
Lac La Biche is one of the largest bodies of water in Alberta and set in the heart of Alberta’s “Lake Country.” Surrounded by over 100 lakes, numerous rivers, and vast stretches of forest, outdoor adventurers have numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The waterways themselves offer boating, swimming, and fishing aplenty. If hanging out lakeside is more your speed, you can lounge on one of more than 150 beaches in the region. On land, myriad trails, including the multi-purpose Iron Horse Trail offers over 300 kilometres of abandoned railroad and myriad surrounding trails to explore as hikers, bikers, equestrians, and on off-road vehicles.
The hamlet of Lac La Biche roughly doubles in size on workdays, as people from the surrounding Lac La Biche County come into town for work and school. It is the regional centre for business, health care, education, and government services. Locals enjoy plenty of green space, ball diamonds, and a splash park for the kids. There are public and Catholic schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12. It is also home to Portage College, which has an extensive collection of over 2,000 Indigenous artworks and holds the world’s only permanent collection of works by Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., also known as “The Indian Group of Seven.”
Lac La Biche, and the surrounding Lac La Biche County is one of the oldest communities in Alberta, first named by European settlers in 1797. The local Indigenous heritage goes back much farther, and it honours that heritage as it still uses the French translation of its Cree name, “Elk Lake.”
The nearby 1853 Lac La Biche Mission and regional museums and historic sites commemorate the area’s storied past. It’s also home to a variety of communities that make it a diverse place to live, including First Nations People, Lebanese, French, and Russian populations, and a range of others. The multicultural community features many different clubs and organizations for people of all walks of life to participate, volunteer, and meet new people. Local boutiques and restaurants offer style and cuisine with a local flair.
There’s a widely varied calendar of events, from rodeo and mud-bogging to a unique and intimate concert amid the provincial park’s boral forest, there is truly something for everyone. (Don’t miss the Alberta Wife-Carrying Championship!) Cheer on the local teams at the hocky rink, swim at Portage Pool, or use the wide range of programs and amenities available at the 227,000-foot multipurpose Bold Centre. With plenty of resources, a close connection to nature and room to grow, you can start or grow your career in Lac La Biche!
Visit the Lac La Biche County website or Facebook page for more information.
Alberta Health Services provides healthcare at two facilities within the hamlet of Lac La Biche. The Lac La Biche (William J. Cadzow) Healthcare Centre provides health services from initial diagnosis through active treatment and recovery. You’ll get to know your patients and families, often seeing people through their entire healthcare journey, and get to know your colleagues on a more personal level. Working in a rural community enhances your all-around skills and can give you opportunities to rotate through various departments. Services include Laboratory, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Acute Care, Day Surgery, Obstetrics, Hemodialysis, Continuing Care, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
This facility features 23 acute care beds, including one palliative care bed, and 42 continuing care beds, including one respite bed. In addition to a range of healthcare services, Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre also operates a 24/7 emergency department.
Lac La Biche Provincial Building houses a range of health education and support programs, including child, adult and travel immunizations, parent and child programs, community health programs, the Indigenous Wellness Core, and other Indigenous Supports. The Provincial Building also houses Occupational Therapy and Addiction and Mental Health services. Local addiction and mental health services are supported by the Lac La Biche and Area Community Helpers Program, which focuses on preventative and educational mental health supports for youth.
