Alberta
Lac La Biche County to host of the 2021 Distinguished Artist Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2020
Lac La Biche County to host of the 2021 Distinguished Artist Awards
This may be a perfect reason to plan a trip up through the north country to Lac La Biche in June 2021. The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation recently announced Lac La Biche County as the 2021 Distinguished Artist Awards host community. The awards are Alberta’s most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in the arts. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation.
“By hosting the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards, we aim to showcase our community’s long history, vibrant multiethnic quilt, tourism opportunities and the legacy of arts in the Lakeland Region. At the same time, we’re raising awareness of the many gifted artists throughout the province,” says Omer Moghrabi, Mayor of Lac La Biche County.
The 2021 celebrations will connect the themes of cultural diversity and the arts, as influenced by the region’s landscapes and watersheds. Lac La Biche County will be the ninth Albertan community to host the awards since their inception in 2003.

Statue commemorating David Thompson’s arrival in Lac La Biche
The 2019 Distinguished Artist Awards were held in Maskwacis this past September and were considered a massive success on many fronts. Communities in the region celebrated their connection to the arts and their history for an entire month leading up to the awards ceremony and attendance of the award’s patron, Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Lois Mitchell. It was inspiring event and one that will in all liklihood be repeated in Lac La Biche in 2021. Here’s an interesting story that came out of the Maskwasis Distinguished Artist Awards this past fall.
Petrified Buffalo Hearts, Indian Maiden Breasts, Stalagmites and 70 Million Year Old Worm Poop
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards celebrate Alberta’s rich cultural fabric by honouring its most accomplished artists and supporting professional artists in the early stages of their careers.
Alberta
Alberta Provincial Police – New chief of Independent Agency Police Service

Sat Parhar has been appointed as the first chief of the Independent Agency Police Service, marking the next step toward a new municipal policing option.
The appointment of a new chief for the Independent Agency Police Service (IAPS) marks the next step in giving municipalities a new option for local policing and builds on the work already underway for the agency to assume the police-like duties currently carried out by the Alberta Sheriffs. The IAPS will empower municipalities to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing public safety across the province.
Chief Parhar brings more than 25 years of policing experience, including senior roles with the Calgary Police Service, most recently as deputy chief. His frontline policing experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s complex and diverse public safety landscape positions him to lead the agency as it takes shape and begins its work as a new municipal policing option, keeping communities safe.
Once operational, the agency will strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which includes the RCMP, Indigenous policing services and municipal police. It will help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently to meet Alberta’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities.
“Appointing Chief Sat Parhar is a key milestone in Alberta’s plan to give municipalities a real choice in how their communities are kept safe. This is about building a modern police service that reflects the priorities of Albertans, strengthens local decision-making, and ensures every corner of our province, especially rural areas, can count on responsive, effective law enforcement. With his decades of experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s policing landscape, he is the right leader to bring this vision to life.”
“This appointment signifies a significant step forward in our efforts to establish a more robust, community-focused policing model that is better equipped to meet the unique needs of our local residents. Under Chief Parhar’s visionary leadership, we are confident that we will develop a modern, efficient police service that not only enhances public safety but also aligns closely with the priorities and values of Albertans. His experience and commitment are vital in shaping an IAPS that is responsive, transparent, and dedicated to fostering trust and collaboration within the community, ultimately ensuring a safer and more connected society for all.”
Chief Parhar’s immediate priorities will be to hire an executive team and commence organizational planning such as developing key recruitment, training and other operational policies. Chief Parhar’s appointment is the first step of many to establishing the IAPS.
“It’s an honour to take on this role and help shape a modern police service built for Alberta. My focus from day one will be on setting high standards for professionalism, building strong relationships with our partners and ensuring this service reflects the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.”
The Independent Agency Police Service was formally created through regulation following the passing of Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. The agency will operate as an independent Crown corporation, and will be renamed the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service, with its head office located in Calgary. The IAPS will be operationally independent from the provincial government with civilian oversight, consistent with all police services in Alberta.
“When it comes to policing, municipalities like ours deserve a choice – especially when the current system leaves us disadvantaged simply because of our size. We look forward to learning more about what that alternative will look like once an Alberta police agency is fully established and the options are clear. For us, this is about fairness, sustainability, and ensuring municipalities have access to policing solutions that reflect both their needs and their realities.”
Quick facts
- The regulation establishes the IAPS Provincial Corporation and its governance structure including board of directors, board of director powers, financial responsibilities and accountabilities.
Related news
- Expanding municipal police service options (April 7, 2024)
Alberta
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