Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA): Recent Episodes
Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs
SACPA seeks to promote a sense of community and citizenship amongst the public. It is strictly non-partisan in its political outlook and encourages the expression of divergent viewpoints. SACPA does not take sides on the issues debated at its sessions. The opinions expressed by speakers are their own and are not necessarily shared by the Board of Directors.
This year marks the 24th ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. The speakers will share some of the festival’s early beginnings. What is it about, and how did it start? The abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team has, for 25 years, provided a social and recreational environment that embraces a full and active lifestyle for cancer survivors. An overview of their history and how that helped to inspire the development of the Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival will also be discussed.
Speakers: Karen Johnson and Wendy Aitkens
Karen Johnson is the Festival Chair for Dragon Boat Canada, President of the Dragon Boat Association of Southern Alberta, and coaches the Coulee Cruisers and the u24 Junior Cruisers. She joined the sport as a team-building activity with other City of Lethbridge employees in the first year of the festival, 2002, Dragn’ R Butz. Finding a new passion for the sport, Karen was instrumental in starting Team ID just after the 2003 festival in hopes of paddling through a longer season and traveling to other festivals. Karen was the assistant coach of Team ID for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2008, the Rotary Festival made a concerted effort to improve the skills of local dragon boaters and decided to “beef up” the training provided to the festival teams. With fellow coach Dave Hunt, Karen agreed to take on the Head Coach. Karen has been the ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival race chair since 2010.
Wendy Aitkens was conscripted into the abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team in 2007. She had never even seen a dragon boat, but the first time she rode in one, she was impressed by the women around her and decided to join. She has been active on the Board and in the boat since. In her other life, she worked in the museum community at Fort Calgary and the Galt Museum & Archives, and currently volunteers at the Lethbridge Military Museum.
An inclusive and engaging journey that brought together all aspects of its internal and external communities has culminated with the recent release of the new strategic plan for University of Lethbridge — a shared vision that addresses the changing landscape of post-secondary education provincially, nationally and globally. The new plan for Iniskim; the Blackfoot name gifted to the University of Lethbridge, defines its values and commitment, and sets the course for the next 10 years.
The values, as enunciated in the Strategic Plan, informs what the University does and supports strategic directions such as relationships, belonging, respect, courage, quality, access and sustainability. The speaker will discuss how the plan provides for a long-term framework to enhance academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement, setting the University on a path to continued success, one that will create an even better student experience and enrich the University’s substantial contributions to bettering society.
Speaker: Dr. Digvir Jayas, ULethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor
Born and raised in India, Dr. Jayas earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, and went on to complete a graduate degree and PhD in agricultural engineering at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, respectively. He began teaching at the University of Manitoba in 1985, eventually ascending to the position of Vice-President (Research and International), which he held for 12 years.
An internationally renowned researcher, Dr. Jayas studies the drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds, and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the agri-food industry. From 2002 to 2009, he was a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems, and in 2009 was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018, Dr. Jayas was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is the 2023 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in Manitoba and will be invested into the Order of Manitoba this summer, recognizing his significant contributions to the Manitoba agri-food industry.
This talk will give a brief history of Environment Lethbridge, the Living Cities initiative, the Lethbridge Living Cities Pathway (and why we need it), and Environment Lethbridge’s role in pursuing the Pathway through education and engagement with citizens in the community.
Speakers: Kathleen Sheppard and Amber Murray
Kathleen Sheppard joined Environment Lethbridge as Executive Director in November of 2015. Originally from southern Alberta, Kathleen has more than 25 years experience working for non-profit organizations in BC and Alberta. Prior to coming to Environment Lethbridge, she was the Executive Director for Social Planning Cowichan, located in Duncan, BC. Her previous experience includes work in land conservation, wildlife rescue, wilderness protection and environmental sustainability.
Amber Murray is an Urban Watershed Ambassador with Environment Lethbridge. She has over 20 years of experience in landscape management and design in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, including turfgrass management, aesthetic gardens, edible landscapes, permaculture design, resiliency farming, deer resistant gardens, composting, plant retail, and water harvesting. When she’s not working in the dirt, she can be found writing and/or speaking about the dirt.
Lethbridge and southern Alberta are considered particularly vulnerable to a trade war with the United States, especially due to their strong trade ties with the US, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce identified Lethbridge as the 10th most vulnerable city in Canada to potential U.S. tariffs. To mitigate the negative effects on this region, a Lethbridge Region Economic Resilience Task Force has been established, focusing on developing strategies to support businesses in the region and ensure they can navigate the challenges posed by the tariffs, implemented by US President Donald Trump.
The Lethbridge Region Economic Resilience Task Force is made up of nine organizations, including Economic Development Lethbridge and SouthGrow Regional Initiative, that are looking to find ways to navigate the impact of these tariffs. The speaker will define the role of that task force, including the gathering of information specific to this region and hear from industry what their concerns are. The task force will also advocate to all three levels of government for changes in policies that may help businesses overcome this crisis. Due to the dynamic nature of the current situation, as it can change on an hourly basis, the task force has to be responsive and try to figure out what is going to make the biggest difference.
Speaker: Trevor Lewington CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL)
Trevor Lewington is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge. Together with a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote the Lethbridge region as an excellent place to live, work, experience, invest and do business. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) through CPHR Alberta. He also holds a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) designation from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation as well as the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
With over 20 years of executive management experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor was recognized by Economic Developers Alberta for “outstanding dedication and service” to the profession as “2019 Economic Developer of the Year.” Trevor is very engaged in his community and currently serves in the role of Mayor in the Village of Stirling.
Many Canadians may be seeing red, but nearly as many are seeing blue. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Mark Carney will form a new minority government in Canada after his Liberal Party secured the most seats in parliament in the recent federal election, completing a remarkable political turnaround amid a growing confrontation with President Trump and the United States.
Although opposition leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, the Conservatives grew their proportion of the popular vote substantially and made inroads in Ontario with 44 per cent of the vote there. In Saskatchewan and Alberta, only a few Liberals were elected and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already amplified her hostility towards Ottawa. The speaker will evaluate the election results and speculate on whether or not Mark Carney can keep the minority independence movement in the West from gathering steam.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics.
Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and proclaimed 21 March the annual World Day for Glaciers. Related initiatives are highlighting the importance of glaciers worldwide, including their role in freshwater supplies and sea level rise, and the increasing threats of glacial hazards, while illustrating the impacts of climate change on the critical role that glaciers play in our Earth’s systems.
Professor Hester Jiskoot will present the trends and future projections in receding glaciers and ice sheets worldwide and the related implications for humanity. Examples of vanishing glaciers will be exposed, as well as ways to slow down the melt and to ultimately preserve glaciers. She will also speak to the sheer beauty of the cryosphere and the importance of snow and ice for the Canadian identity, all while mourning several iconic Canadian glaciers that are now drowning in their own tears. The presentation will be richly illustrated with photos.
Speaker: Dr. Hester Jiskoot
Dr. Hester Jiskoot is Professor of Physical Geography & Glaciology in the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Lethbridge. With a BSc and MSc from the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) and a PhD from the University of Leeds (UK), her main research interests are in glacier-climate-landscape interactions, with an emphasis on ice flow dynamics and glacier edge effects. Since 1991, Prof. Jiskoot has been a member and leader of glaciological expeditions to Arctic and Alpine regions, while in 2019 she sailed the Northwest Passage on a historic ketch.
At the University of Lethbridge, Professor Jiskoot leads the Glaciology and Geoscience Lab and teaches courses in physical geography and the geosciences. She has been funded broadly, is well- published and collaborates with glaciologists worldwide. Currently Chief Editor of the International Glaciological Society’s scientific publications Journal of Glaciology and Annals of Glaciology, Prof. Jiskoot has previously been in various executive functions of national geographical associations. Prof. Jiskoot is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Tea’s origins are widely believed to be in China, with the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, native to the southwest of the country, particularly the Yunnan province. It’s an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia Sinensis. While tea has been initially considered as a “beverage” it is no longer considered just a “beverage” by itself but rather a drink with medicinal value. The speaker will introduce the history, tea manufacturing process, the types of genuine tea varieties, and the distinction between these genuine teas and “non-tea” types.
Speaker: Dr. Sampath Walgama
Sampath is originally from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), a country famous for the quality teas it produces. He graduated from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka specializing in Environmental Science and pursued his studies at the University of Queensland, Australia to obtain a PhD in Agriculture with a focus in Entomology. He worked at Sri Lanka’s Tea Research Institute as an Entomologist, gaining overall knowledge of Tea Science.
Sampath migrated to Canada in 2010 to do a Postdoctoral Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge). He made Lethbridge home and continued at the Lethbridge College as an agriculture Instructor. He then moved North to Fort Vermilion for a Research Manager position at the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA). He is enthusiastic about tea and despite the fact he doesn’t have an opportunity to work on tea, he continues to study, learn and talk about tea because of his passion and enthusiasm.
At least one-fifth of all food produced in Canada is (avoidably) lost or wasted during harvesting, packing, storing, handling, transporting and processing. Lethbridge Polytechnic received grants in 2021 from different sources to study the issues and the speaker will provide evidence of promising results.
Lethbridge Polytechnic was also on the receiving end of part of a large grant this year that will be applied towards using cellular agricultural research to improve food security across Canada well into the future. In particular, sugar beets will be used as an energy source for cell culture medium to facilitate this research to possibly diversify the long-term market for sugar beet producers in southern Alberta.
Speaker: Dr. Chandra Singh
Chandra Singh joined Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) in 2019 as the first Applied Research Chair in Agricultural Engineering and Technology. As a Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) funded research chair, Singh and his team focuses on minimizing post-harvest losses, adding value to local crops and developing products and technological solutions to meet the needs of Alberta’s agri-food industry.
Raised on a small family farm in India, Singh completed an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering, a master’s degree in Postharvest Engineering and a PhD in Biosystems Engineering, giving him a rare and sought-after combination of expertise in both equipment and technologies, as well as an understanding of the science of agriculture. Before arriving at Lethbridge Polytechnic, he was an Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Southern Australia jointly co-appointed by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Australia’s national research organization.
In November 2023, Singh appeared virtually before the Senate’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (AGFO) to share his expertise on grain drying and grain storage as it pertains to Bill C-234.
This is the Question that inspires Imagine Lethbridge, a grassroots organisation of residents passionate about a prosperous and sustainable future for our community. To answer this question, Imagine Lethbridge centres its thinking, activities, and processes around a unique and fresh perspective on economic activity known as regenerative economics by academics, and affectionately called “Doughnut Economics” by communities worldwide adopting and applying its principles.
Our speakers will present the core principles and visual framework of Doughnut Economics, and share perspectives from a global, provincial and municipal viewpoint on practical considerations for ethical community prosperity and sustainability. Imagine Lethbridge is pleased to coordinate its work with the City of Lethbridge’s strategic goals including being: economically prosperous, healthy and diverse, culturally vibrant, well designed, environmentally responsible and regionally supportive, but are there barriers?
Lethbridge is a great place to live, and we have much to be grateful for and proud of. Can we make our city even better? What does “the Lethbridge we want” look like in the future? How can we make this happen? Today we explore how each of us can take responsibility to shape our city.
Speakers: Jason Shriner & Kathy Lewis
Jason Shriner owns and operates a land use consulting and commercial property management company called Impresario Inc. He is a lifelong contributor to our city. He currently sits on the City of Lethbridge Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, the U of L Senate, Food for Thought, and Art Acquisition committees, Co-Chairs the Upper Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association, and is a member of the steering committee for Imagine Lethbridge.
Kathy is a long-time resident of Lethbridge. She has been an active member in the community since moving here; serving on many community boards and as a community volunteer with many organizations. She is concerned about poverty, inequity and the ‘diseases of despair’ that have gotten worse in our community over the past few years. While there are many, many positive things about Lethbridge, there is always room for improvement. Learning about movements such as Blue Zones*, Healthy Cities, Reimagine Nanaimo and the Doughnut Economy, has provided the stimulus for her to take action to work in the community to make a positive difference. She is a past board member of Healthy Lethbridge and is a founding and active member of Imagine Lethbridge.
The Land Use Bylaw is the rule book that regulates development on private land in the city and the last time it was comprehensively reviewed and rewritten was 1986. The Land Use Bylaw Renewal project is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a city and establish regulations to shape the future of Lethbridge.
This presentation will examine how the Land Use Bylaw shapes where we live, work, and play, and how the new Land Use Bylaw will be created. This is a great opportunity to ask any land use-related questions and share your past experiences and ideas for the future.
Speakers: Genesis Molesky and Ross Kilgour
Genesis works as a community planner with the City of Lethbridge and has 8 years of experience in land use planning. She completed her undergraduate studies in urban and regional planning at the University of Saskatchewan. In her role with the City of Lethbridge, she works on all levels of long-range planning projects from guiding parcel-specific redevelopment proposals to developing neighbourhood and city-wide planning policy documents.
Ross earned his degree in Urban & Regional Planning in Edinburgh, Scotland. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is a Senior Community Planner, focusing on the redevelopment of older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling walkable neighbourhoods.
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen (LSK) has been serving meals to the less fortunate for the past 40+ years and will continue to do so as long as there is a need. LSK is blessed to have a great core of volunteers from many churches and service clubs in Lethbridge and surrounding area, many of whom have served for as long as the soup kitchen has been in existence.
Upwards of 800 volunteers representing all ages and walks of life are gratefully doing much of the daily work to compliment the many suppliers, who provide most of the supplies needed to prepare the meals that are served three times a day, seven days a week. The speaker will account for how the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen has evolved since 1984 and speculate on its future - while giving BIG thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors.
Speaker: Bill Ginther
Bill Ginther is currently the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, a position he has held for almost 8 years, his third post-retirement job. He came to this role after having spent most of his career in International Relief and Development with a focus on food security, primarily in Eastern Africa.
Prior to choosing that career path, he completed undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Psychology & Theology from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Bill’s REAL “Claim to fame” is that he has been married to his wife Joan for almost 55 years and is a Papa to 12 grandchildren. His deepest desire in life (other than his Christian faith) is to treat and encourage others to respect and enhance the lives of our neighbours without a place to call home here in Lethbridge.
Friday afternoons in a southern Alberta classroom, youth may be learning how to keep their troubles in check. Leaning over chess boards at the ULethbridge, teens and young adults who are at-risk or have been convicted of various crimes are taught to think, think again, then think some more as they move their pawns, kings, queens and rooks across 64 black and white spaces. The founder of Chess for Life says the program helps them learn how to accomplish short-term goals, like completing community service hours, following a curfew and staying out of trouble.
In 2018, Alberta Justice approved a request to make Chess for Life an official referral program for probation officers to recommend for young offenders sentenced to community service. Since then, participants have gone on to secure full-time jobs, enrol in post-secondary education and rekindle broken relationships. The speakers will recount how that came about and argue there is a lot of opportunity to think about chess in ways that go beyond the board itself and expanding the program to correctional facilities across Alberta has been beneficial.
Presenters in order of appearance:
Dr. Lance Grigg: introduction and brief history of Chess for Life at University of Lethbridge, Joel Fortier (senior undergraduate student at U of L): Overview of Chess for Life sessions on campus and the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, Jade Oldfield (doctoral student in Neuroscience):current research project on the impact of Chess for Life on executive functions, program expansion opportunities across Alberta.
When we think about how storytelling shapes our understanding of community, we often turn to historians, musicians, and other public commentators to help us make sense of our shared narrative. However, the role of policymakers and journalists in shaping this understanding is often overlooked.
This presentation explores how two key institutions—the Lethbridge Herald and Lethbridge City Council—have shaped public discourse about local homelessness. The speaker will explore how their framing of this issue has influenced the community's ability to respond.
Speaker: Yale D. Belanger, Ph.D.
Dr. Yale Belanger is Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge, and Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (2017-2024). He has written numerous articles, book chapters, and reports about housing and homelessness.
Sustainable practices, by definition, seek to maintain the same, whereas regenerative practices recognize that natural systems are currently impacted and it applies management techniques to restore the system to improved productivity. Regenerative and sustainable actions can use essentially the same practices, the difference is the application and the management of those tools.
Farmers are faced with skyrocketing input costs, declining product efficiency and industry pressure to implement sustainable and regenerative practices. The speaker will argue that revolutionary biological products have the ability to increase input efficiency, reduce reliance on chemical products, restore soil health and enable farmers to produce higher quality crops, sustainably.
Speaker: Joshua Day Chief
Joshua Day Chief is Chief Executive Officer of AdvancedAg (AAG). Since 2013, he has propelled the company’s growth through groundbreaking research projects that have helped redefine biological technology in the agriculture industry. Collaborating closely with dealers, suppliers, and end-users, Joshua addresses soil and water remediation with a collaborative team approach, positioning AAG as a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions.
Joshua advocates for a future where Canadian agriculture thrives sustainably. As a visionary leader, environmental advocate, and community builder, Joshua is steering AdvancedAg towards a future where innovative solutions coexist with the principles of sustainability. An unwavering advocate for environmental stewardship, Joshua’s leadership extends beyond AAG. Recognized with the Honouring Excellence – Rising Star Award in 2020 by Lethbridge College, Joshua was later elected to serve on the Lethbridge College Board of Governors, contributing to the development of future leaders. In 2018, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation, solidifying his commitment to advancing environmental technologies.
There is significant interest in establishing metallurgical coal mining operations throughout the eastern slopes of Alberta. The areas residing within the Oldman watershed are no exception. Currently, there are four companies exploring potential mining operations in the region. All of the currently proposed coal mines are open-pit “mountain top removal” mines and are located in the Crowsnest Pass area. Coal mining exploration is also happening along the Livingstone Range and in the Bighorn area west of Red Deer.
On May 15, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced it was rescinding the long-standing provincial Coal Policy, which was implemented by the Peter Lougheed Government in 1976. Since then, Crown coal rights have been sold on land where coal mining was previously not considered, in order to protect the watershed and wildlife.
On March 4, 2022, the Government of Alberta announced restrictions on coal development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. The restrictions on new development will be in place until directions on coal activities are incorporated into updated regional land-use plans.
On January 15, 2025 Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean wrote to AER that he had decided to cancel three previous ministerial orders from 2021 and 2022 to reduce regulatory confusion. The letter went on to say that the AER must lift the suspension on all coal project approvals that were put on hold under the rescinded orders. Expiry dates for the approvals would also be extended to account for the time they were suspended, the letter states.
Panel members: Chris Spearman, Agri Food Processing, Mandy Olsgard, toxicologist, Gavin Fitch, Environmental Lawyer, Elliot Fox, Kainai First Nation (Blood Tribe)
Neighbourhood connections are the foundation of a resilient city. They enhance safety, well-being, and local engagement, strengthening Lethbridge as a whole. This session explores why these connections matter, insights from the Neighbourhood Engagement Project, and the role of neighbourhood associations—like the League of YQL Neighbourhoods—in fostering community.
Beyond discussion, this is a call to action: whether by engaging with neighbours, supporting local initiatives, or simply being a friendly presence, small efforts make a big impact. Let’s build stronger communities together.
Speaker: Jerry Firth, Community Development Officer
Jerry Firth is a co-founder and the Chair of the League of YQL Neighbourhoods and the Lethbridge Uplands Neighbourhood Association. He previously worked as the Neighbourhood Development Coordinator for the City of Lethbridge, fostering his passion for connecting neighbours. Jerry now works as a Community Development Officer with the Community Engagement Branch of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, supporting the non-profit sector and is the President of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic.
He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. Jerry enjoys dad jokes and is a street-performing mime known as “Rufus”. He is married to Tammy and has two children, Addy and Caydence. Family and community are at the heart of everything Jerry does.
Canada has experienced a disruptive start to 2025, with PM Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, prompting a leadership campaign and a prorogued parliament . With a federal election looming, Canadians, among other problems, are facing affordability issues and to top it off, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada and 10-percent tariffs on oil and gas.
Those US tariffs were set to begin Feb 4, but have been delayed by at least 30 days as the countries work together on border security and trade imbalance. However, for many Canadians, the potential for a trade war between two longtime allies continues to fuel anger, despair and confusion over what may be coming next.
The speaker will try to make sense of it all, while analyzing the response from governments and political leaders including Liberal leadership contenders.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips
Shannon brings over two decades of experience in public policy, governance, and leadership in energy and the environment to her role as a partner at Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips. Her experience includes serving as the Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office in Rachel Notley’s government, where she was responsible for climate policy, conservation expansion, and Indigenous reconciliation efforts. She also established Alberta’s first standalone Ministry for the Status of Women.
From 2015-19, Shannon was the driving force behind Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan. Phillips led the coal phase-out, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency programs that boosted Alberta’s GDP and created jobs across the province. Shannon also represented Alberta on the national and international stage, including leading delegations to UN climate conferences in Paris and Marrakech. Phillips won three elections as a progressive woman candidate in Southern Alberta – an accomplishment most would have dismissed as far-fetched just a decade ago. She is an experienced and successful campaigner, organizer and grassroots leader. She continues to focus on mentorship and training of a new generation of activists and candidates.
Shannon is a strong communicator in both of Canada’s official languages, a skill that serves her well in her extensive policy and advocacy work on the national and international stage. Deeply committed to her community, Shannon continues to strengthen her relationship with the Blackfoot people of southern Alberta and is a Blackfoot Headdress holder and recipient of a Blackfoot name. In addition to her work in the community, Shannon serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge and was recognized as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2017. Shannon enjoys spending time with her two sons outdoors, particularly in the Canadian Rockies.
Since 2017, the Secure Your Food Program (SYF) has known that food prices will rise due to systemic issues. Other contributing factors such as history, war, climate change, etc., will also keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future. SYF can confidently summarize for you and your family why this is happening and why it’s important to prepare during these volatile times. SYF works at all levels of society to improve food security. Food security is your access to nutritious foods to support healthy living. SYF employs sustainable and mitigative food security solutions for individuals, families, large groups, and municipalities.
The Secure Your Food Program is consulted on growing projects, designs food systems, advises on food initiatives, collaborates with local groups, advocates for vulnerable populations, and participates in academic and community research, all focused on food. Due to its wide range of activities and sought after solutions, the Secure Your Food program is transitioning to a Not-for-Profit society in 2025. The program was so successful that it has grown from a plan to a myriad of options to increase food security.
Speaker: Derek Melting Tallow, Program Director of Secure Your Food (SYF) Program.
Derek Melting Tallow grew up in Raymond and is ½ Blood, ¼ Shoshone, and ¼ Navajo First Nations. Derek graduated from Raymond High School and then attended the University of Lethbridge (BA - 2010) and developed an interest in public health and disaster management. Derek completed his Social Work Diploma (2017) at Mount Royal University and is a regular presenter at the IFW’s Joint World Congress on social work, social policy, and education.
The presenting topic is social work and disaster management, of which Secure Your Food (SYF) was created using these perspectives. Secure Your Food was created as a sample program to address food insecurity while Derek performed his final social work practicum at the City of Lethbridge’s Community Social Development.
Recently, Mayor Hyggen presented his annual State of the City address for the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and he highlighted our rapid population growth and the challenges and opportunities. What are our current needs? What do we foresee in the near future and beyond? How do we pay for it? Who should pay for it? The speaker will talk about the issues, costs, priorities and realities.
Speaker: Blaine Hyggen, Mayor of Lethbridge
Blaine Hyggen was first elected to City Council in 2013 and was elected Mayor in 2021. He has owned and operated various businesses throughout the community for the past 28 years. He studied Business Law and Accounting at Lethbridge Community College.
Some of Blaine’s past and current volunteer experience includes: School Councils, Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, Lethbridge Volleyball Association, Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association and The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, to name a few.
Blaine’s family is his number one priority. His wife Jennifer is a Registered Nurse and they have two daughters: Jayden and Jelayna. Blaine enjoys attending local theatre and staying active by running, biking and playing hockey.
As a proud parent and successful business owner, Blaine loves Lethbridge and wants to see it remain the best city for families while ensuring it is a great place to do business.
Overwhelmed hospitals. Overcrowded schools. Threats from Donald Trump. Coal mines that could contaminate our water supply. If all that wasn’t enough for Albertans to worry about, Alberta wages and living standards are also falling. Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will explain what’s behind the disappearance of the Alberta Advantage – and what we can do about it.
Speaker: Gil McGowan
Gil McGowan is a passionate labour leader, advocate for workers’ rights, and dedicated champion of social and economic justice. Since 2005, he has served as the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), Alberta’s largest labor organization, representing more than 175,000 unionized workers from diverse industries across the province.
Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been a powerful voice for workers, spearheading campaigns to improve workplace safety, secure fair wages, and protect public services. His leadership has been pivotal during times of economic and political change in Alberta, particularly in advocating for workers affected by the province’s shifting energy and economic landscapes.
With decades of experience in labor activism, McGowan continues to inspire and lead efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive Alberta, ensuring that workers have a strong voice in shaping the province’s future.
Community television programming is considered an important source for information and provides a reflection of local realities that few other television services currently showcase. All programming on Rogers TV must be “Community Programming”, which is defined by CRTC regulations as programming that refers directly to the community, which could be defined as the station’s contours, broadcasting distribution undertakings service area, municipality, census metropolitan area or census agglomeration; and is produced by the personnel of the local station, independent local producers or members of the community for the local station.
The CRTC oversees broadcasters and television service providers and has determined that the role of the community channel should be primarily of a public service nature, facilitating self-expression through free and open access by members of the community. The speaker will delve into more of the details, but among other policy goals, the Community Television Policy states that the community channel should engender a high level of citizen participation and community involvement in community programming and provide a reasonable, balanced opportunity for the expression of differing views on matters of public concern.
Speaker: Ryan Cradduck
Ryan is an experienced producer with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications and retail industries. Skilled in Management, Customer Service, Voiceovers, Creativity Skills, and Knowledge Sharing. Strong arts and design professional with a Diploma focused in Broadcast Journalism from Lethbridge College.
Lethbridge Polytechnics’s Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) has been embracing Klose’s (2024) re-definition of evidence-based policing approach that entails decision-making, “which integrates the best available evidence, professional judgement and community values, preferences and circumstances”. CPSAR currently supports over 14 different research projects, 15 researchers, 14 student researchers that involve meaningful collaborations with over 28 Canadian policing, public safety, academic, and community partners across five provinces. We hope to share the benefits and potential of using “research-informed, practitioner-centred, and community-oriented” (Klose, 2024) evidence-based policing practices overall.
We will share the research questions, objectives, methods, and initial data collected and analyzed for a 3-year project based in Lethbridge, which is currently SSHRC/NSERC funded (Community Integration Through Art – Pissatsinaskssini), that has emerged from this redefinition of evidence-based approaches in public safety in Canada. Findings regarding policing, community, and academic partnerships will be shared including current trends, challenges, and opportunities shared by police services. These findings have served to inform current research projects, collaborations, and grant applications.
Key findings from our CITAP project, which aims to reduce recidivism and facilitate reconciliation, will be shared about our priority population, including their self-reported preferences and input from service providers on the social-recreational gatherings we are implementing. Practically, we aim to show how co-created, multi-disciplinary, research-informed applied research projects that reflect community values and circumstances can result in meaningful societal benefits.
Speakers: Dr. Kirsten Fantazir, President’s Applied Research Chair in Public Safety and Dr. Jami Albright-Tolman, Principle Investigator, Researcher and Faculty, Lethbridge Polytechnic
Dr. Kirsten Fantazir is an experienced instructor, curriculum developer, researcher, chair, graduate supervisor and mentor at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Kirsten is currently researching the re-integration of marginalized populations through art, technology-facilitated gender-based violence in youth, and authentically assessing police applicants through virtual reality. In 2022, she was named the first President’s Applied Research Chair in Public Safety. Kirsten has since led the Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) which is supported by faculty researchers and student research assistants who currently oversee numerous applied research projects with public safety, community, technology, and academic partners.
Dr. Albright-Tolman is an instructor and researcher at Lethbridge Polytechnic in Lethbridge, Alberta. Her research focuses on enhancing public safety by improving social determinants of health in marginalized populations. Currently, she is researching the re-integration of marginalized populations through art and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in youth. She has also designed, implemented, and evaluated an online gambling harm reduction program for offenders called Hedge Your Bets.
Our human body comprises 20,000 different essential proteins, each made up of a unique sequence of amino acids, unique in length, composition and three-dimensional structure. If our genome, or epigenome, fails to nourish us with one or more of our own proteins, say insulin, to whom do we turn in order to acquire such essential biomedical proteins or biologics? If our industries require biocatalysts like food processing enzymes or biomaterial proteins such as silk, how easily could our Prairies produce such otherwise expensive and exclusive proteins?
Plant Protein farming is developing green sustainable technology to lower the production costs and simplify purification processes to enable cereals like barley and rice to supply recombinant proteins on a global scale. Dry Phission technology tethers or “paints” specific proteins onto the surface of starch granules in seeds. From harvested grain the starch granules are isolated by milling and air-classification allowing for dry gas liberation and collection of the pharmed protein.
Speaker: Illimar Altosaar
Illimar is Founder and CEO of Proteins Easy Corp. He has been working with cereal genetic engineering and plant proteins at Macdonald College, the Quebec Provincial Seed Farm, the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa and the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridge. He has been innovating the molecular expression mechanisms and functional properties of proteins in genome-engineered plants. His diverse experience in genomics and biotechnology led him to envision PEC’s protein purification technology using dry flour streaming and dry fractionation.
Illimar was first to integrate a useful agronomic gene into the genome of the world’s number one cereal crop, rice. A strong believer in the potential of molecular farming, he is revolutionizing the production of commercial proteins. Current knowledge of genomics and protein production in rice is developing genome-engineered rice lines with high yields of Synthetic Spider Dragline Silk for athleisure textile applications.
What is the difference between a college and a polytechnic and how long has this change been in the works? How much will this change cost and will it change the funding the institution receives from the Government of Alberta?
Other changes at Lethbridge Polytechnic will be addressed by the speaker - among them, what does it mean for applied research and will programs be modified from present teaching methods? For example, will more programs be compatible - and or transferable with the University of Lethbridge?
Lethbridge Polytechnic is about to release its new Strategic Framework – The Road Ahead – which will also be discussed
Speaker: Dr. Brad Donaldson
Dr. Brad Donaldson was named Lethbridge Polytechnic’s ninth president and chief executive officer (CEO) in August 2022. With more than 19 years of senior leadership experience in Alberta’s post-secondary system, he specializes in shaping organizational strategies, fostering learning cultures and driving innovation through systems thinking. His work is supported by ongoing research in these areas, keeping him at the forefront of educational leadership.
Donaldson’s career in post-secondary began at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) where he served as dean of the School of Manufacturing and Automation before moving to Red Deer Polytechnic, where he spent four years as vice-president – academic. He then returned to SAIT as vice-president – academic, a role he held for six years before joining Lethbridge Polytechnic. He has served on numerous academic and business committees and boards provincially, nationally and internationally. Donaldson is a current member of the Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board and has held positions with the Senior Academic Officers and Provosts Committee in Alberta, Alberta Association in Higher Education for Information Technology Committee, and the Chair Academy, a leadership development organization.
Prior to moving to academic leadership, Donaldson spent more than 20 years working in engineering and in senior leadership roles in the global manufacturing sector, enabling organizational transformation and responsiveness. His focus was on meeting the needs of those served through effective systems and engaged and enabled workforces.
Donaldson holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Calgary, a Master of Engineering focusing on workplace design, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Toronto. At Lethbridge Polytechnic, Donaldson looks to continue developing the institution’s many strengths in student success and community support, enabling the polytechnic’s ongoing contribution to future prosperity.
This talk will focus on who voted and why. It will dispel several interpretations of the outcome. It concludes that the election is best seen as a reflection of a crisis facing the American political and party systems.
Speaker: Trevor Harrison
Trevor W. Harrison is a retired professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He was formerly Director of Parkland Institute (2011-2021) and a member of both the Canadian political science and sociology associations. He is best known for his studies in political sociology, political economy, and public policy. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of twelve books, including the recently published Tales This Side of the Elysian Fields. He is a frequent and well-known contributor to public media, including radio and television.
Nothing is more important to Albertans than our kids, but too many are struggling. Teachers and parents both know our schools don’t have the support kids need. Alberta’s per-student spending on education is the lowest in the country. Teachers are leaving the profession, kids are falling behind, and parents are worried. We can make things better, by investing in smaller classes, more support in classrooms, and manageable workloads to be able to recruit, retain, and respect professionals in public education.
Speakers: Kevin McBeath, Danielle Gareau and Derek Resler.
Kevin started teaching social studies at Winston Churchill High School in 2003, and has never stopped. Outside of the classroom he coaches basketball, coordinates the Interact Club at WCHS, and serves as the Political Engagement Officer for ATA Local 41. When he’s not working, Kevin spends his time with his wife and four children.
Danielle is a teacher at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI), where she teaches French immersion social studies, science, and legal studies. After graduating from Simon Fraser University, she began her teaching career in British Columbia before settling in Lethbridge seven years ago with her husband and children. In addition to her teaching role, Danielle runs the D&D club at LCI and serves as the Lethbridge ATA Local treasurer, where she also contributes to the political engagement, communications, and teacher welfare committees.
Derek has been a teacher in the Lethbridge School Division for 25 years, teaching in several schools as both a classroom teacher and learning support teacher, and is currently teaching Shop at Wilson Middle School. As well, Derek has been the President of the ATA Local 41, Lethbridge Public Schools, for the past 10 years.
There has been a recent spike in downtown fires. The speaker will discuss why fire prevention is essential, how we can minimize fire risks and hazards, and the importance of regular checks and maintenance.
Speaker: Troy Hicks, Chief Fire Marshal, Lethbridge Fire & Emergency Services
Mr Hicks has been with the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Fire Prevention Bureau for 13 years and has been the Chief Fire Marshal since Feb of 2024. Originally from N.B. he has been in the fire service for 21 years, military fire fighter for 8 years, and with Lethbridge for 13. He is married with a 24-year-old son.
Parents today likely won’t be surprised to know their children have far less freedom to travel in their neighbourhoods than they did. But what they might not know is how that could affect their children’s physical activity and mental health.
Most children and adolescents worldwide are not active enough to obtain optimal benefits for health and development. Among the many factors associated with physical activity, children’s independent mobility (CIM), which is their freedom to roam and explore their neighbourhood without adult supervision, is gaining increasing attention. CIM has declined over the past 50 years in many countries at the same time as mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and suicide among children and adolescents increased.
In his previous research, the speaker found that children with greater CIM are more active. More recently, he explored how CIM related to parent-perceived child distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. When CIM was assessed as how far children could travel without adult supervision (home range), he observed that children with the highest home range had 39 per cent lower odds of having elevated distress. This is a notable difference given that just over half of the children met the threshold for elevated distress at the beginning of the study (December 2020).
The results suggest that supporting CIM may be a no-cost, equitable approach to promote physical activity and support child development and mental health. The speaker also investigated the factors associated with CIM at the beginning of the study and these results support the old adage that “it takes a village to raise a child”…
Speaker: Dr. Richard Larouche
Dr. Richard Larouche is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the U of L where he serves as the director of the Physical Activity, Transport & Health (PATH) Research Group. Dr. Larouche is committed to assisting students develop understanding of key concepts and issues in population health, health promotion and research methods. He encourages his students to develop an ethos of evidence-based practice and a desire to engage in knowledge translation activities to bridge the gap between research and practice.
In 2020, Dr. Larouche was nominated as Board of Governors Research Chair in Children’s Physical Activity. His research is focused on physical activity from a population health perspective, with a particular interest in active transportation, independent mobility, and outdoor play. He has published his first book, Children’s Active Transportation, in 2018 and has contributed to the development of the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play – a document which has inspired many to encourage children to be active outdoors. He is currently leading an international study focusing on physical activity among children and adolescents.
The Wilson Hutterite Colony has been in existence in its present location since 1918 when the original settlers arrived from North Dakota. Originally they came from Europe where people in parts of Austria speak a language similar to theirs even now. Today there are 128 people residing on the colony, located south of Coaldale.
The successful farming operation includes livestock and poultry production as well as beautifully crafted goods for colony use sold both locally and even internationally. Some of their products include broiler chickens, fertile eggs and dairy milk. They manufacture custom made western saddles, saddle pads, chaps, gloves, handmade shoes and boots for men as well as furniture, kitchen cabinets, grandfather clocks. From the wool of their Merino sheep they made in-soles.
Our presenters will discuss life on the Colony as well as the farming operation and variety of agricultural-based industries. This presentation will be a panel format and out of respect for our speakers, please do not take photos at this session.
Speaker: Paul Wurz
Paul Wurz has been financial and supervising manager of the Wilson Hutterite Colony for 8 years. He was born in the colony and held the positions of carpenter and shepherd before becoming manager. He and his wife have seven children, six girls and a boy.
logans and populism cliches can become dangerously powerful when not critically examined. Does their persistence, despite lack of merit, speak to their utility for some dominant power? Two examples are: ” There is no such thing as society.” and “The government has no money of its own.”
The speaker will explore these examples on their own lack of merit, while touching more broadly on human responsibility for our world today and tomorrow.
Speaker: James Moore
James Moore has been an instructor in Justice Studies at Lethbridge College, a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant, and a contributing writer to the Manitoba Keewaitinowi Okimakanak . He is a self-motivated philosopher with interest in the possibilities of positive social change.
The argumentative exchange of reasons is often seen as the most equality-affirming, respectful way in which parties can engage with each other’s minds. But for argumentation to fulfill this promise, we often have to invest extra effort.
One of the places where such extra effort may be required is when we try to understand the reasons that the person we are arguing with is trying to communicate to us. This can be difficult, especially when they are not very good speakers, or when we strongly disagree with their worldview. To capture this, we often say that arguing requires us to interpret the other charitably. But what does that mean? And is charity always helpful, or can it even be harmful to the person we are trying to understand? In this talk, we will explore all the ways that charity can go wrong … and what is required for it to go right.
Speaker: Dr. Katharina Stevens
Katharina Stevens has worked in the Ethics of Argument for seven years. She is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, where she holds a Board of Governors Research Chair on the Ethics of Argumentation. She is also a co-editor of the Argumentation journal Informal Logic. She is developing a non-ideal role-ethics for argumentation and a textbook on ethical arguing and has published in virtues of argumentation and the role of adversariality in argument.
The speaker, a game warden with 38 years of experience in Alberta, will share stories about his work in protecting the region’s fish and wildlife. He will highlight the delicate balance between humans and nature, the diverse wildlife in Alberta, and the challenges faced by conservation efforts. This presentation will showcase the dedication required to safeguard these natural resources and provide insight into the tireless work of individuals committed to conservation.
Speaker: Jim Mitchell
Jim Mitchell is a retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officer, commonly known around the world as a Game Warden. Jim retired in Lethbridge, 2019 after 38 plus years of dedicated service for the Alberta Government. After retiring, he worked at the Lethbridge College for three years, instructing Conservation Enforcement classes he had taken at the college 40 years prior..
Jim was stationed in 5 different districts throughout the province, finishing his career as the Superintendent for Southern Alberta, in Lethbridge. During Jim’s career he was a Predator Response specialist, Firearms Instructor and a Surveillance Team member for Justice and Solicitor General, along with all his other duties as a district officer. Jim is married to his wife Joyanne, who retired the same date from the Advancement section at Lethbridge College and their daughter Kaitlyn, who is an educator in Calgary.
Jim enjoys travelling, hikes in the mountains, fishing and staying busy on their 3 acres on Glen Lake, near Eureka Montana. After retiring, Jim spent 5 years writing a book, Alberta Game Warden - Behind the Batch of 172 which contains 34 short true stories housed within 8 chapters about his often very exciting and challenging career as an Alberta Game Warden. In his book he talks about his role in Conservation and stories involving all aspects of his career.
Albertans are no strangers to disruptive restructuring of our health care system. Decades of austerity have left us with reduced services, creeping privatization, and worse care conditions. None of this, however, can fully prepare us for the harm that may be caused by the provincial government’s ongoing dismantling of Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Danielle Smith’s government is undertaking a massive restructuring of health care delivery. As the government continues to roll out their plan, it has become increasingly clear that this isn’t actually about improving patient care or local input, but arguably, a systematic overhaul designed to benefit the profits of the government’s private sector friends.
The speaker will argue we do not have to succumb to this ploy. As we begin to better understand what this restructuring will mean for our health care, it’s on us to stop the destruction and push for better. One of the most powerful responses we have is to work together and establish certainty amidst the chaos. We CAN rebuild our public health care system. There are solutions to our challenges if we choose to build the collective power to make them happen.
Speaker: Chris Gallaway
Chris Gallaway (he/him) is an experienced community organizer and advocate for public health care. Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, he has since spent most of his adult life living on Treaty 6 territory, first in Saskatoon, and for the last decade living in Edmonton. His past experience includes working for the Alberta Federation of Labour, in three provincial legislative assemblies, and for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work Chris is an active volunteer and community member engaged in social justice and the arts.
YWCA Lethbridge & District has been rooted in Lethbridge for 75 years, continuously adapting to the needs of the community. In 2024, the organization continues to play a crucial role in addressing the escalating social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable women, children, and youth. With rising housing and rental costs, many families are unable to secure affordable, stable housing, driving them to YWCA services. The rising cost of living further deepens financial instability, leaving individuals at greater risk of homelessness and domestic violence.
In the face of many challenges, including an ever-evolving political landscape, the YWCA remains one of the few organizations offering comprehensive, gender-focused services that address the intersectional nature of these complex issues. The speaker will discuss how the organization is navigating these current challenges, preparing for the future, and YWCA staff members will share first-hand experiences about the organization’s evolution and the direct impact its services have on individuals’ lives.
Speaker: Jill Young
Jill Young is an innovative leader with a diverse background that spans the non-profit sector as well as sports, science, and the entertainment industry. Joining YWCA in 2022, her career is distinguished by the seamless integration of her experiences across these various sectors, all driven by a commitment to community empowerment and engagement. As the CEO of the YWCA, Jill leverages this wealth of experience to drive impactful change.
Jill is particularly passionate about addressing issues related to domestic & gender-based violence, homelessness, and social inequality. With over 20 years in management and leadership positions, she can be characterized by a collaborative approach, ensuring that after 75 years in Lethbridge, the YWCA remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
There’s a whole new vehicle technology out there - electric vehicles. When you’re in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle a question arises. Is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) right for you?
This presentation looks at the pluses and minuses of fully electric vehicles. Amid the flood of information and disinformation out there, we’ll pick out some of the more important things you need to know about BEVs.
Speaker: Tom Moffat
Tom Moffat is a retired Information Technology Manager, where he spent lots of time investigating new technologies. Prior to landing in the computer field, he worked in a large variety of industries, including oil and gas, mining and tax assessing for the Canada Revenue Agency.
Since retiring, he’s been following his passions, such as novel writing, presenting concerts with the Lethbridge Folk Club, travel, and exploring the new world of electric vehicles.
The speaker will present the latest strategies for reducing methane emissions in cattle, focusing on how advancements in rumen microbiome research and optimized nutrition can lower environmental impact. He will highlight new data and technologies that improve feed efficiency and sustainability in cattle production.
Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister, Lethbridge Research and Development Research Centre
Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist at AAFC’s Lethbridge Research Centre. His research focuses on microbiology, nutrition and beef production and on food and environmental safety issues related to livestock production, strategies for mitigation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, prion inactivation within the environment, antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in feedlots and investigating the discovery and characterization of fibrolytic enzymes from rumen microbes. He also has extensive research experience in GHG emissions within animals from manure and the impact of manure handling procedures, such as composting, on emissions. He is the author or co-author of over 950 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 90 reviews, as well as over 1200+ abstracts and conference proceedings.
A continued focus on strengthening research partnerships and strong performance in federal grant agency support sees ULethbridge among Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities spurred by a second-place ranking amongst all undergraduate universities in the growth of research income as it relates to industry partnerships.
The partnerships forged in recent years highlight the fact that ULethbridge researchers are helping solve important issues facing small and big businesses, industrial partners, agri-food, tech and many other sectors. ULethbridge have long excelled in fundamental research, something that continues to earn strong support from federal granting partners, and more recently have garnered the attention of valuable partners who recognize researchers have answers to issues they need addressed.
The speaker will define the flow of different research funding streams at ULethbridge and argue for the importance of collaboration between post-secondary institutions, governments and businesses.
Speaker: Dr. Dena McMartin
Dr Dena McMartin is the Vice President (Research) at the University of Lethbridge. She is a leading researcher focused on rural, agricultural, and industrial water resources management and treatment, as well as impacts of freshwater climate extremes on communities and economies. Dena joined ULethbridge in 2021, having previously served in academic leadership and faculty roles at both University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina.
For the past several months, Kathleen Ganley, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Sarah Hoffman and Naheed Nenshi have been battling it out to see who will replace Rachel Notley as leader of Alberta’s NDP.
Each leadership candidate faced an entrance fee of $60,000 and a spending limit of $500,000. Initially, David Shepherd registered his candidacy early, but did not pursue it further. Rakhi Pancholi also announced her candidacy early, but withdrew from the leadership race shortly after Naheed Nenshi entered the race. She then endorsed Nenshi. Gil McGowan also announced his candidacy later in the campaign, but withdrew for financial reasons.
Our speaker will elaborate on the leadership campaign and speculate on the influence, power and support from within, the new Alberta NDP leader will be able to muster.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics.
Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
The speaker will share his views on Bill 18, which deals with a potential limitation of municipal-federal agreements - an overview of the bill, its intentions, and the potential impacts on municipal autonomy, operations and how this bill could redefine the relationship between municipalities and the federal government, and what this can mean for local governance and decision-making.
Regarding Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, the speaker will examine the amendments proposed in this bill, their significance for municipal administration and highlight key changes. He will discuss how these amendments are designed to improve municipal governance, accountability, and service delivery.
How are these legislative changes expected to affect the Town of Coaldale? The speaker will analyze the potential challenges and opportunities that comes with adapting to new legislative frameworks. Insights on the steps Coaldale is taking to navigate these changes effectively will be given and from a local governance perspective the broader implications of Bills 18 and 20 will be discussed.
Speaker: Jack Van Rijn, Mayor of Coaldale
Jack Van Rijn was born in Taber, Alberta, and grew up on a family farm in the Readymade area before moving to Coaldale in 1966. As the youngest of 18 children and the only one born in Canada, Jack has made Coaldale his lifelong home, where he raised his three children:
Jack has dedicated over 40 years to volunteering with various organizations to enhance the quality of life in Coaldale. He firmly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and making a real difference. Jack is the former co-owner of Van Rijn Electric, a business he successfully ran with his brother Hank for over 35 years. He believes Coaldale is an ideal place to grow a business and has been an active promoter of local businesses through his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce for the past 38 years, currently serving as Vice President.
Jack’s volunteerism is extensive. He served as an active firefighter for 33 years, including 21 as Deputy Fire Chief, and worked as a Paramedic for Coaldale & District Emergency Services for 27 years. His contributions to the Kinsmen Club of Coaldale over 37 years have helped raise over $3 million for local projects, such as the Coaldale Community Centre, Kin Picnic Shelter, Skateboard Park, Spray Park, Cottonwood Estates Kinship Park, Eastview Park Revitalization, Mountain Bike Park, and he is currently chairing the new $1.2 million all-wheel skate park.
Jack served on the Coaldale Town Council from 2013 to 2017, bringing his commitment and passion for the community to the forefront of local governance. In 2021, he was elected Mayor of Coaldale, a role in which he continues to serve with dedication and enthusiasm.
The sense of isolation that Antarctica brings is achieved in part thanks to an international collaboration and treaty that sees Antarctica as an unowned land, open to science and discovery. It is closely and collectively monitored by protocols that visiting parties agree to follow and therefore, it’s a perfect stage for programs focused on leadership and sustainability.
Our speaker, who will account her experience, did her homework, and then some, before embarking on her 19-night tour of Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound global leadership initiative for women with a background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). And yet no amount of preparation could rival the experience of interacting with the beauty and remoteness that is the world’s fifth-largest and least-populated continent.
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Jennifer Copeland is an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Science and a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She completed a B.Sc. in Biology at Mount Allison University and attended graduate school at the University of New Brunswick where she earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology.
Copeland’s research interests focus on the effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on healthy aging. Her doctoral research focused on exercise physiology and she now uses a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to explore both the consequences and determinants of our daily movement behaviours.
A major goal of Dr. Copeland’s program is knowledge translation and she engages regularly in research collaborations with community partners and stakeholders. Her laboratory, the Active Healthy Aging Lab, has received funding from CIHR, CFI, PolicyWise for Children and Families, the Sport Science Association of Alberta, and other agencies.
The session will address the history of CPP, who governs CPP, relationship to QPP, funding methodology for pensions, necessary changes to ensure viability in the 1990s, the unfunded liability, viability of the current plan, fiduciary responsibilities of decision makers, ownership of the assets, who gets the liability on separation, the UCP proposal, gaping holes in their promises, UCP’s ability to manage the referendum, and finally serious questions for Albertans to ponder.
Speaker: David Bruce Carpenter
Chartered accountant, tax emphasis, FCA. Involved in private publishing, printing, real estate. Board Trustee Calloway REIT. Lethbridge City Councillor: 3 terms; additional five terms as Mayor of Lethbridge. Director, Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Vice-Chair, The Special Forces Pension Plan. Chair, WCB-Alberta. Director, Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada. Director, Alberta Capital Finance Authority. Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committees as well as Official Administrator of Alberta Health Services. Alberta Human Rights Commission award for advances in native/non-native relations. Honoured with the Blackfoot name of Piita Poot-Ta (Flying Eagle). Alberta Venture Magazine (July 1998) honoree as one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel 20 Independent Field Battery and Honorary Colonel 18 Air Defence Regiment. Awarded four commemorative medals. Commendation by Secretary of State for contributions to Canadian citizenship. Senate sesquicentennial medal recognizing valuable service to the nation.
There is a wealth of evidence highlighting the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This communication highway, facilitated by many pathways, forms the cornerstone of what we now recognize as the gut-brain axis. But why should we care about this intricate web of connections?
The answer lies in the profound implications it holds for our overall health and wellness. Research has shown that disruptions in the delicate balance of the gut-brain axis can contribute to a wide array of health issues, ranging from gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to neurological conditions such as anxiety and depression.
However, amidst the challenges lie immense opportunities. By understanding how the gut and brain communicate, we can optimize the functioning of this axis, paving the way for improved gut health, enhanced cognitive function, and greater overall well-being.
Speaker: Dr. Chelsea Matisz
Chelsea Matisz obtained a MSc in Parasitology at the University of Lethbridge, and her PhD in Gastrointestinal Sciences at the University of Calgary (2016). She is an NSERC postdoctoral scholar at the Canadian Center for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, where her research seeks to understand how gut health affects brain health and mental health. She has received national awards, including an Alice E Wilson Award from the Royal Society of Canada (2022), and L’Oreal Wilson Women in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Recently, the Alberta government announced an investment of over $200 million to train more physicians for rural areas, with a significant share of that money being invested at ULethbridge for a new rural medical education program training centre, one of two that will be established in the province. ULethbridge will be working with the University of Calgary on the centre here while the University of Alberta will partner with Northwestern Polytechnic to develop one in Grand Prairie.
Capital funding of $43.2 million is being invested at ULethbridge. The speakers will detail the current state of health science education at ULethbridge, the vision for distributed medical education and different successful models that exist, the challenges involved in starting a medical education training centre, but also the many possible benefits to not only ULethbridge and Lethbridge but to rural Alberta and beyond.
Speaker: Dr. Jon Doan
Jon Doan is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Jon completed his PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience at ULethbirdge in 2006 and started his faculty position in the Department of Kinesiology the year previous. Jon’s teaching and research is in the area of biomechanics, with an interest in the intersection between context and movements in the workplace and the community. His work also looks at exercise as movement therapy for people living with Parkinson disease.
This talk will outline the brain bases of age-related dementia. Dementias can be reversed or avoided by modifying specific risk factors. Some are only available early in life, while others can be addressed in later years. A current understanding of the full range of risk factors, modifiable and non-modifiable, will be presented.
Speaker: Dr. Rob Sutherland
Rob Sutherland is Professor & Chair of Neuroscience, Tier 1 Board of Governors Research Chair in Neuroscience, Director of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, and Director of the Hub for Neuroengineering Solutions. He was recently elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was awarded the Donald O. Hebb Distinguished Contribution Award by the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science. He has held faculty positions at the University of Lethbridge, University of New Mexico, University of Colorado Boulder, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Please join us for a session that cuts through the confusion surrounding hearing loss and cognitive health with info on:
- A clear breakdown of the links between hearing loss and cognitive decline.
- How your brain health could be affected by untreated hearing loss.
- Strategies to protect your hearing and minimize risks.
- How to identify misleading marketing and scare tactics being used in the hearing health
- industry.
Speaker: Glenn Hole
Glenn is a published researcher interested in psychoacoustics, hearing aid technology, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Audiology from Bristol University in the UK (2009), an Advanced Studies Certification in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis (2016), and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Audiology from Salus University (2020).
Glenn is undertaking his Doctor of Audiology AuD degree course and will graduate in 2025. Outside work, Glenn enjoys fitness, music, hiking, camping, and spending time with his wife and three young children.
The latest data indicates a concerning increase in drug-related incidents and overdose deaths in Lethbridge. Over the past years, there has been a significant rise in the use of opioids and methamphetamines. The trend mirrors the provincial and national crisis but is exacerbated locally by socio-economic factors unique to Lethbridge. Sergeant Darroch will provide an updated overview of the ongoing drug crisis in Lethbridge. He will explore current trends, the community impact, response efforts, and propose directions for future intervention.
Speaker: Sergeant Ryan Darroch
Sgt. Ryan Darroch is with the Lethbridge Police Service Downtown Policing Unit. He is in 21st year of policing with Lethbridge Police Service with the bulk of his career being in a front line role. He has spent his first 5 years on the street in patrol division, then the Special Operations Unit which morphed into ALERT, patrol again, Intel Section and then into the Downtown Policing Unit in 2017 during the height of the drug crisis.
In 2022, Darroch was moved into the Sergeant role of the Downtown Policing Unit where he currently works. His most important job in life is being a dad of two amazing young ladies and married to a fantastic lady.
In the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada, the purpose of protecting freedom of expression is to enable “the pursuit of truth, participation in the community, and individual self-fulfillment and human flourishing.” However, expressive freedoms can be and have been subject to limits. Where these limits should be located, and for what purposes, is a matter of near constant debate. The speaker will provide an overview of existing arguments for and against limiting freedom of expression.
Speaker: Dr. Susan Dieleman
In 2023, Dr. Dieleman was named the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Before coming to Lethbridge, she taught at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2018-2023), the University of Saskatchewan (2015-2018) and Dalhousie University (2012-2015).
Dr. Dieleman completed her PhD in Philosophy at York University (2011), an MA in Public Policy and Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University (2012), an MA in Philosophy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (2005) and a BA (Hons) in Philosophy at Wilfrid Laurier University (2002).
Join us for an enlightening presentation by Apooyak’ii / Dr. Tiffany Hind Bull-Prete as she delves into crucial topics surrounding the Stolen Children Era. Discover the origins of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and gain insight into why the Calls to Action are relevant to all of us. This lecture is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of these important issues.
Speaker: Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete
Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete (nee Hind Bull) is a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) of the Siksikasitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), located in the Treaty 7 area. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her program of work consists of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on the Blood Reserve.
Dr. Prete earned her bachelors of elementary education specializing in math and science, and completed her master of education and doctor of philosophy in education at the University of Alberta. She held both a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship, and was an inaugural recipient of the University of Calgary’s Provost’s postdoctoral award for Indigenous and Black scholars at the University of Calgary.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently a hot topic — some people tout it as the next best thing for increasing productivity and reducing costs while others are concerned robots will be replacing workers. Every day brings a new headline, and the average person may be left to wonder whether AI is a good or bad thing.
The speaker will argue that AI is in the midst of a big transition. Companies are looking at how to innovate and deliver more value for shareholders, that is, make more money by automating everything. But that can backfire, as has happened with self-checkouts. Overall, AI is just a tool with benefits and drawbacks and the legal system hasn’t caught up with the implications of AI, so it’s unlikely it’ll take over the world anytime soon. A house builder, for example, may find some AI tools helpful with certain aspects of the work, but humans are still needed to build the home.
Until computers get much more powerful, it’s going to be difficult to have AI analyze what people want and possibly transform our lives. Reality is, there’s a lot of hype in AI right now and that hype probably overestimates what we can do with it. AI can certainly be a useful tool, but it doesn’t replace what we can do as people, which is to come up with original ideas. The speaker will elaborate
Speaker: Dr. Sidney Shapiro
Dr. Shapiro is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business. With a decade of experience in data science, he specializes in integrating business intelligence, data engineering, and machine learning. Dr. Shapiro’s academic focus includes teaching data analytics courses and conducting research in AI applications in business.
Prior to his current role, he has led data science teams and contributed to academia as a program coordinator and educator. Dr. Shapiro holds a PhD in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies from Laurentian University focused on social network analytics. He is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the evolving field of data analytics.
oin us for an insightful presentation by Minister Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East and Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities. Minister Neudorf will delve into the details of Alberta’s electricity market providing valuable insights into its current state and discussing key factors impacting electricity affordability.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Alberta’s electricity sector, and discover how government initiatives are working towards ensuring a reliable and affordable electricity grid for all Albertans. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay informed and engaged on critical issues shaping our province’s electricity landscape.
Speaker: Nathan Neudorf MLA for Lethbridge East
Nathan Neudorf was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge East on April 16, 2019, and was re-elected on May 29, 2023. Prior to his election, Mr. Neudorf worked in commercial construction. He has his civil and structural engineering diploma and is a red seal journeyman carpenter as well as a gold seal project manager.
An active community volunteer and leader, Mr. Neudorf served as the past president of the Lethbridge Construction Association and on the board of directors for the Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Construction Safety Association, and Worker’s Compensation Board. Nathan Neudorf was sworn in as Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice Chair of the Treasury Board on June 9, 2023. He previously served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Neudorf, his wife Deanne, and their five children live in Lethbridge. In his spare time, he enjoys running with his wife and pet beagle and spending time outdoors.
Tourism is vital for the success of many economies around the world. It boosts revenues, creates thousands of jobs, helps to develop infrastructure and plants a sense of cultural exchange between visitors and residents. With four UNESCO World Heritage sites and the largest facilities for Sports and Business Events south of Calgary, opportunities are available to invest, grow and capture additional economic impact.
How do we accomplish this and do it in a sustainable way? The Speaker will explore some of the exciting projects happening in 2024 and look at the potential of tourism in our region over the next 10 years.
Speaker: Erin Crane
Erin Crane is the CEO for Tourism Lethbridge. She tells people that this was the position she was born to do! Erin grew up at the Grand Canyon and has spent a majority of her career working in the tourism industry. From managing performing art centres, to coordinating world championship boxing events, to working in hotels, to working aboard the Vulcan Trek Station to encourage business and event growth for the City of Lethbridge, she has seen it all! A traveler herself, Erin loves what she does and looks forward to sharing her passion for tourism with others.
The Alberta Government recently announced their intention to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth under the age of 18, despite contemporary research and internationally recognized best practices, as set out by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), agreeing that this could end up hurting many of those vulnerable youth.
Additionally proposed measures for transgender minors also includes a ban on puberty blockers and parental consent for pronoun changes. Teachers and health professionals were largely not consulted, but more importantly, trans youth have had their voices completely ignored.
If legislated into law, these measures could have serious consequences and make Alberta similar to most U.S. states controlled by Republican politicians. The speaker will contend this is blatant government overreach and legislated bias.
Speaker: Katie DeLucia-Burk
Katie DeLucia-Burk (she/her), is a registered social worker with a BSW from the University of Calgary. She is the sole consultant and educator for Queer Consulting YQL, through which she works with an array of service providers and institutions to foster belonging, transform systems and spaces, and address the systemic oppression of 2SLGBTQ+ folks.
A self-identified queer, trans woman, Katie’s work centers around community-based advocacy, trans feminist theory and research, and developing resources and policies to support marginalized communities. She has spoken at several national conferences on topics related to gender and sexuality, including the 2023 Moving Trans History Forward Conference at the University of Victoria where she presented on a teaching resource manual, of which she is a co-author, entitled Teaching Beyond the Gender Binary: A Resource Manual.
The ability to ride your bike off highway and jog or walk safely along a 15 km paved pathway between Lethbridge and Coaldale is something the LINK Regional Pathway Society is working towards. And they have the support of the City and Lethbridge County, St. Mary Irrigation District (SMRID) and the Town of Coaldale. The society has been working on a vision to connect the Henderson Lake area with the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale using the SMRID canal easement running through irrigated farm land.
The total cost of the project, including picnic shelters along the pathway, will be more than $5 million, of which $2 million has been raised so far. It is hoped that within a few years, enough money will be found to complete this pathway, which recently received Trans Canada Trail designation. Construction of the pathway from Coaldale to Hwy 512 started in the fall of 2023 and should be ready for use this year. Funding is also in place to complete crossing under Hwy 512 and further along past Vista Meadows.
The speakers will articulate the LINK Regional Pathway Society’s plans for this exciting, but challenging project and argue that active living options such as this pathway, are increasingly important for our mental and physical well-being.
Speakers: Henry Doeve and Alvin Fritz
Henry Doeve moved to Coaldale from Agassiz, BC in 1981 to operate a dairy farm. Together with his family he ran that farm for 36 years retiring from the dairy industry in 2017. Henry has been an active member of the Southern Alberta community for 20 years, serving on many community boards and among them, Lethbridge County Councilor from 2007 until 2017. Henry quit smoking 18 years ago and bought a bicycle. One thing led to another and the year that Henry turned 50, he had run a full marathon, 3 half marathons and cycled across BC. Henry is currently chairman of the Link Pathway Society, a local not for profit grassroots initiative with the goal of linking the Lethbridge-Coaldale communities with multi use walking and biking trail.
Being the son of a prolific masonry contractor, Alvin Fritz began reading architectural drawings at age 12 in the context of working for his father’s construction company, Otto Fritz Masonry Construction (Leth) Ltd. Alvin began his post-secondary studies at the University of Lethbridge majoring in Fine Arts and received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree 1980. Alvin chose to pursue his career in architecture at University of British Columbia from where he graduated in 1983, receiving the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal, awarded to the graduate with the highest academic standing.
After winning the Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst (DAAD) scholarship to study Heritage preservation and restoration in Munich, Alvin moved with his family to Germany for one year to complete his studies at the Technische Universitat Munchen. Upon his return to Canada he gained a broad range of experience in all aspects of the architectural profession. Alvin was employed in numerous architectural offices, offering his strengths in design, building technology and graphic representation. In 1989, he founded his own independent comprehensive practice.
ALERT’s (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams) ICE (Internet Child Exploitation) teams investigate a range of criminal offences involving child pornography, any computer-related child sexual abuse, child luring over the internet, voyeurism involving underage victims, and child sex trade/tourism. ICE teams also investigate sextortion involving minors.
Intakes and case referrals have nearly tripled over a 6 year period. Since last year, ICE experienced over an 8% increase, in a continued upward trend since the pandemic and continued increase in youth digital dependency. New provincial funding has allowed ALERT to address the increased pressure with additional resources.
Speaker: Heather Bangle
Cst. Heather Bangle has been a member of the RCMP for over 22 years. She served 6 ½ years in general duties before transferring to the ALERT Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in 2008. In 2011 Heather transferred within ALERT to the Southern Alberta ICE unit and has years of experience investigating all child exploitation offences committed online here in Canada and around the world. Heather has received extensive training in regards to ICE, including the Digital Technologies for Investigators course, the Canadian Internet Child Exploitation course and the Advance Internet Child Exploitation course, all hosted by the Canadian Police College.
Heather Bangle has received training for Online Covert Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and Search Warrant Drafting through the RCMP and is a qualified Child Forensic Interviewer. She has also attended several conferences and workshops specific to Internet Child Exploitation across North America where ICE investigators and other agencies committed to the protection of children are able to network and learn best practices for the always evolving world of the Internet and technology.
Through Kainai Peacemaking we continue to strive for quality of life and provide an orderly and acceptable way of conducting our lives within the Kainai community by providing opportunities for individuals to resolve conflicts with the law.
Speakers: Debbie Melting Tallow, Sherry Tailfeathers and Leon Day Chief
Debbie Melting Tallow is administrative support/Intake worker for the Kainai Peacemaking Program. She was employed as the administrative assistant when the program started 15 years ago and as time went on and referrals increased, she attended Cardston court for such referrals, assisted as a facilitator for peacemaker/elder counseling, wrote completion reports, and updated the Crown, Defence lawyers and Native Counseling regarding the referrals.
Sherry Tailfeathers has been employed by the Kainai Peacemaking Program since 2009 and serves as Community Liaison/Facilitator.
Leon Day Chief, MHD, IBSW, is the program supervisor. He facilitates peacemaking and elder counseling and manages the inner workings of the Kainai Peacemaking Program, so that it runs as efficiently as possible.
In January 2024, Rachel Notley announced that she’s stepping down as leader of the Alberta NDP. Notley, the daughter of former NDP leader Grant Notley, was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 2008, representing Edmonton – Strathcona. She won the provincial party leadership in October 2014 and subsequently served as premier of Alberta from 2015 - 2019 after the NDP won the 2015 provincial election.
No matter who follows Notley, her resignation will leave a gaping hole in Alberta politics. The speaker will reflect on Notley’s legacy in Alberta and speculate on where a new leader may take Alberta’s NDP.
Speaker: Trevor W. Harrison
Trevor Harrison is a Professor Emeritus of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He is also a former Director of the Parkland :Institute (2011 - 2021), an Alberta wide research organization, of which he is a founding member. He is best known for his studies in political sociology, political economy and public policy. Harrison is the author, co-author or co-editor of ten books, not including a self-published book of poetry, as well as numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports. He is a frequent contributor to public media, including radio and television.
Combining firm ideological commitments with shrewd political tactics, Jason Kenney was a key figure in bringing right-wing populism to the mainstream of Canadian politics, but in doing so he unleashed forces he couldn’t control, which eventually produced his downfall.
The speaker will argue that from Jason Kenney’s days as an anti-abortion activist at the University of San Francisco, and through his years as a Canadian Taxpayers Federation lobbyist, Reform MP, top cabinet minister in the Harper government, and Alberta premier, Kenney has been single-mindedly driven to bring his harsh moralistic worldview into the mainstream.
Kenney took on the old guard of Canada’s liberal consensus and won, playing a key role in shifting the country’s political discussion to the right. But the very right-wing populist forces Kenney cultivated would come back to haunt him.
Speaker: Jeremy Appel
Jeremy Appel has observed Alberta politics and reported on various aspects of Kenney’s agenda since 2017, when Kenney made his way across the province in his big blue pickup truck to rile up aggrieved conservatives. Appel’s book, Kenneyism: Jason Kenney’s Pursuit of Power examines Kenney’s political beliefs, his rise through federal political ranks, and his ultimate resignation from the leadership of the United Conservative Party.
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if what we’re seeing online is true. With so much information coming from countless different sources the internet can be an overwhelming landscape. There are a lot of tactics misinformers can use to catch us off guard and no one is excluded from getting caught up in it from time to time. ScienceUpFirst is an initiative from the Canadian Association of Science Centres. Our mission is to share good science, giving people the tools that they need to spot misinformation for themselves. I will be discussing this topic and answering any questions that you might have about us, misinformation and being a good digital citizen.
Speaker: Amanda Bigford - English Content Creator, Canadian Association of Science Centres | Association canadienne des centres de sciences
There’s no question our communities face major struggles within the K-12 education system in Alberta - unfunded students, overwhelmed staff, crowded classrooms, and insufficient inclusive learning supports. So is anything actually working in education? Here’s the answer key: “Yes”.
Creating a vision for a successful learning for every student is a critical part of developing our communities. Kristina Larkin advocates for change and also celebrations, and will explore school and education system successes, promising practices, and the excellent learning that takes place in Alberta schools - and ways to encourage more.
Speaker: Kristina Larkin
Kristina Larkin is a Trustee with Lethbridge School Division, Director of Community Programs at the YMCA of Lethbridge, Board Co-Chair at Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, and Auntie to wonderful kiddos. She has worked with and cared for thousands of students through her work in schools, community tutoring and education support programs, supporting refugee students to settle in Lethbridge, working alongside Indigenous education programs, and leading social programs including child care, out of school care, academic and mental health programs, and youth drop ins. She works to make sure their voices are heard at every table.
Dams don’t make water. They store it. Water actually comes from the headwaters landscape and we are squandering our future because of a collective failure to see that the most important water management decisions are actually land use decisions. There is more water to be found, but only if we demand changes to how our Eastern Slopes are managed. And time is running out.
Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem
Kevin has worked in landscape ecology and conservation for four decades, mostly in western Canada’s national parks. His family roots in what is now Alberta go back to 1875.
Since retiring as superintendent of Banff in 2011, he has served on the boards of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Livingstone Landowners Group and has been active in support of numerous conservation causes.
Kevin is the award-winning author of fifteen books on wildlife and nature including Our Place/Changing the Nature of Alberta, Heart Waters/Sources of the Bow River. and Wild Roses Are Worth It. He was granted an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Lethbridge in 2022 and was honoured that same year with a Blackfoot name that translates to Rough Rapid Water.
In a 2015 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously voted that the prohibition on assisted death in the Criminal Code was unconstitutional. This led to Parliament passing Bill C-14 in 2016, amending the Criminal Code to allow legal exemptions for MAiD. Since its passage, MAiD usage has increased every year, with a total of 10,064 MAID provisions in 2021 alone, accounting for 3.3% of all deaths in Canada.
Public polling suggests that the majority of Canadians support MAiD, but their opinions about the service are nuanced and complex. There continues to be stigma, taboo, logistical and procedural challenges, as well as ethical and equity concerns about the practice. In debates about MAiD, very little attention has been paid to the rural parts of the country. There is of course no singular, agreed-upon definition of rural, but the concept often includes a combination of geography, culture, population size or density, and qualitative experience.
Given that rurality is a significant and often overlooked determinant of health, it is arguably important to examine the distinct conditions for MAiD in rural settings. For instance, there are concerns that in rural settings where health services often are limited, residents might feel compelled to use MAiD as a default option. Some scholars have suggested that MAiD may be seen as a good solution for rural and remote patients who want to die at home. Others have called for caution to ensure that geographically isolated individuals are not placed in a position where MAiD will be seen as their only source of respite from end-stage disease. The speaker will elaborate on her research.
Speaker: Dr. Julia Brassolotto
Julia is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Program at the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences. She recently held a 7-year Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) Research Chair in Rural Health and Well-being.
Julia’s research program looks at aging and dying (as they pertain to continuing care settings, age-friendly communities, and MAiD). She completed her doctorate and post-doctoral fellowship at York University in the Health Policy & Equity program. By training, Julia is an interdisciplinary social scientist and a qualitative health services researcher.
The Lethbridge Historical Society (originally the Whoop-Up Chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta) has been publishing occasional papers/books since the 1960s. The Society’s current publication – Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now – is the Society’s 62nd publication. The book is an update of the LHS’ 1980 publication: Reflections: Lethbridge Then and Now, written by Warren Hall and Barb Goodman.
The captions in the new book were researched and written by Belinda Crowson, and the new photographs taken by Mike Jensen and Belinda Crowson. Upon Further Reflection shares the story of the grand and the mundane buildings in all parts of the city, showing how sites have changed and providing readers a glimpse into the development of some areas of the community.
Belinda Crowson will outline the LHS’ book publishing program and its role in supporting local history and historians. She will also explore the research and work that went into this publication and how the stories of local history are captured and shared by the Society.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is the president of the Lethbridge Historical Society, a local historian and public speaker. She has published seven books with the Lethbridge Historical Society, including the newest publication: Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now, as well as numerous articles on a wide variety of Southern Alberta subjects.
The Indigenous Recovery Program is dedicated to proactively addressing the opioid crisis by implementing a comprehensive and collaborative approach rooted in cultural sensitivity, compassion, and harm reduction. Our mission is to reduce opioid-related deaths, raise awareness about opioid misuse, enhance access to culturally relevant, compassionate, and non-judgmental services, and forge a holistic path forward for First Nations living in urban areas.
Goals are to: Foster open dialogue on opioid-related issues to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention. Expand and enhance culturally sensitive treatment and support services for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Educate healthcare professionals and service providers in culturally competent care to ensure a supportive and understanding environment. Facilitate collaborative efforts involving community leaders, elders, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to address the opioid crisis comprehensively. Develop a holistic framework that integrates traditional healing practices, mental health support, and addiction treatment services.
Speaker: Jacen Aubrey, Director, Urban Indigenous Recovery Coach Program
With over 38 years of experience in the health care, first responder, and firefighter profession, Jacen has dedicated his career to emergency services. He has actively collaborated with Indigenous communities, demonstrating a genuine passion for assisting those in vulnerable situations. He played a crucial role in significant events, including the Slave Lake Fire in 2011, the Southern Alberta Wildland Fires in 2011 and 2012, the Southern Alberta Floods in 2013, the Fort McMurray fire in 2016, and most recently, the Kenow “Waterton” Fire. He has been recognized with both provincial and federal accolades, including the 12-22-32 year provincial service medal and the 20-30 year Federal Exemplary Service Medal for Fire. He has been honored with the Queen Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding service to others. Beyond his contributions to emergency services, Jacen has a wealth of experience in municipal, provincial, and federal government. Currently serving in his third term as a town councilor in Coaldale, he continues to dedicate himself to public service. Jacen upholds the values of honesty, transparency, and integrity in all aspects of his life, embodying these principles as he serves and supports others. His insights and experiences have been shared in the documentary “Kimmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy,” showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
While Opioid addictions and overdoses is a crisis across the country and provincially, the statistics are staggering for Southern Alberta. The speaker will provide context and put a face to these statistics. The presentation will address Policies developed to stem the tide of addiction and drug poisonings. Policies purported to assist individuals to treatment and support will be reviewed. The advocacy of “Moms Stop the Harm” and the policies and solutions the group would like to see implemented will be discussed.
Speaker: Amber Jensen
Amber Jensen is a member of Moms Stop the Harm and a social justice advocate in Southern Alberta. She has 13 years experience working in the human services field and holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. Amber is the co-author of “I Am the Opioid Crisis: Stories from Southern Alberta”. She also started a non-profit organization called Sweetgrass Youth Alliance that strives to support youth transitioning from youth to adulthood that are involved in the currently broken systems.
Pro-Choice YQL’s goal is to empower individuals in Southern Alberta with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed choices about their reproductive health and sexual wellness. We are dedicated to advocating for access to safe and legal abortion services, contraception, and comprehensive sexual education.
Our vision is a future where reproductive justice is a reality for all. We firmly believe that every person in Southern Alberta deserves the reproductive care they require, free from judgment, discrimination, and stigma.
We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive future by championing the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. We aim to foster a community where reproductive healthcare is readily accessible and celebrated as a fundamental component of overall health and well-being.
Speaker: Jenn Prosser, Pro-Choice YQL
Jenn Prosser is the Community Access Coordinator and WAGE Project Coordinator for Pro-Choice YQL. Jenn has two decades of experience working in the feminist movement and political advocacy. She has worked across Turtle Island in partisan politics, the labour movement and community building. Jenn lives and works across Blackfoot territory in southern Alberta, and calls the settler community of Lethbridge home.
Despite its seemingly objective stance towards history, rooted in the analysis of material remains of past societies, archaeological interpretation is often contested and invoked to make arguments about the present. Archaeology acts, in some ways, as a metaphorical fault line in contemporary societies, upon which power and identity is negotiated through reference to past peoples and things. Because of this, how people treat cultural heritage can be used as a barometer for different kinds of political sentiments, from the rights of women and minorities to public mistrust of vaccines. In this talk, the speaker will explore how archaeology and the treatment of cultural heritage has related to the political and social movements from the 18th century to the present. He will discuss how Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt prefigured the extractive colonial regimes of the Victorian era.
The treatment of First Nations bodies by museums in the same period reflected genocidal policies of settler colonialism. More recently, the rise of Islamist ideologies were first evident through iconoclasm towards ancient architecture. Likewise, spurious treatments of antiquity in the mainstream media, such as crediting aliens with the construction of ancient monuments, foreshadowed the emergence of alternative media outlets and the breakdown of widespread agreement on objective facts. In the current political sphere, the rise of right-wing populism throughout North America and Europe has also seen extremist groups adopting ancient symbols and justifying their stances through reference to spurious visions of history.
Speaker: Kevin McGeough
Kevin M. McGeough is Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of Lethbridge and holds a Board of Governor’s Research Chair in Archaeological Theory and Reception. An alumnus of the University of Lethbridge, McGeough has excavated in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Canada and is currently a co-director of the University of Lethbridge archaeological excavations at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, UNESCO World Heritage Site. He has been the editor of the Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, ASOR’s Archaeological Report Series, and is currently co-editor of the Alberta Archaeological Review.
McGeough is the author of a three-volume series on the reception of archaeology, called The Ancient Near East in the Nineteenth Century. McGeough has also written extensively on economic issues at the Late Bronze Age site of Ugarit, including two books, Exchange Relationships at Ugarit and Ugaritic Economic Tablets: Text, Translations, and Notes. He is the author of Representations of Antiquity in Film: From Griffith to Grindhouse a study of the ancient world in cinema. McGeough’s next book, Readers of the Lost Ark: Imagining the Ark of the Covenant from Ancient Times to the Present, is due from Oxford University Press in the fall of 2024.
Energy transition — moving away from fossil fuels toward more renewable sources of energy — is well underway, even in Alberta. For example, Alberta will move completely away from coal-fired electricity by the end of 2023. Despite this, energy transition is sometimes presented as, and for some genuinely perceived as an “existential” threat to economic prosperity, particularly for provinces like Alberta. This presentation outlines public opinion about energy transition; knowing this helps explain and understand how and why energy transition is politicized by elite and partisan political actors.
Speaker: Melanee Thomas, PhD Professor - Department of Political Science - University of Calgary
Melanee Thomas is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research addresses the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality, focusing on Canadian political parties, elections, and political institutions; gender and politics; and the politics of energy transition. Her scholarship appears in Electoral Studies, Political Communication, Politics and Gender, Political Behavior, Energy Politics, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.
Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw has served our community since 1986. During this time, several amendments have been undertaken to this Bylaw to address market demands and resident aspirations. However, since its creation almost 40 years ago it has not undergone a comprehensive renewal. The Land Use Bylaw sets out the rules for what kind of building or activity can take place on private property and outlines the process for issuing Development Permits that give approval for new buildings and activities.
In July 2023, the City of Lethbridge initiated a project to comprehensively renew its Land Use Bylaw to address current issues faced by the community. This is a three-year project with an anticipated completion in 2026. Phase 1 of this project focuses on addressing Land Use Bylaw regulations related to various social uses such as housing with social support and social services. This presentation will provide a full overview of this project and questions will be encouraged following the presentation. Project webpage: https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/lub
Speaker: Ross Kilgour
Ross Kilgour earned his first-class honours degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for the Top Final Year Graduate. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector as a planning consultant with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating to Canada in 2013, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is now a Senior Community Planner, focusing primarily on the redevelopment of Lethbridge’s older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ specific passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling active transportation and walkable neighbourhoods. His research has been published in Planning Practice and Research journal.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Take Back Alberta supporters in the United Conservative Party arguably want to take Albertans out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and substitute an “Alberta Pension Plan” (APP). Given its possible long-term effect on the lives of Albertans, this should have been one of the more important issues in the recent election campaign. Instead, the Premier refused to discuss it at all, and now the provincial government is spending more than 7.5 million dollars promoting the plan. This means that Albertans don’t have meaningful information about the proposed new plan. The benefit structure is likely to be similar to the CPP (although probably not identical), but the risks are many …
Join us to hear Brad Lafortune discuss the specifics about how the CPP works. He will also discuss what civil society, businesses, seniors, and many Albertans are doing to come together to make sure CPP is there for all Albertans – and all Canadians – for generations to come.
Speaker: Brad Lafortune, Public Interest Alberta
Brad has worked most of his life on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta as an advocate for worker rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. Before becoming ED at PIA, Brad served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Labour for the Alberta New Democrat government, where he helped implement Alberta’s $15 dollar minimum wage and set up North America’s first Coal Workforce Transition Fund.
Organizing, advocacy, and political action that centers on real stories and builds power are the principles that guide Brad’s work. He is committed to building diverse, inclusive, and equitable networks with Public Interest Alberta to help shape our province’s future. When he’s not working on campaigns or advocacy work, you can find Brad running around with his brilliant daughter Maven and their dog, Rufio.
Arguably, Alberta’s hydrocarbons are not ethical, at least no more so than what is produced in most other oil and gas producing jurisdictions. The speaker will contend that both UCP and NDP governments have subscribed to some version of “ethical oil,” which holds that Alberta’s are some of the most environmentally responsible hydrocarbons in the world, bolstered by democratic institutions and a “world class” regulatory regime.
In fact, “ethical oil” is a facade to hide the truth: that oil companies, the provincial government, and Alberta’s various energy regulators have long conspired to put profits above the public interest, with the province now potentially on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars to clean up abandoned wells and leaking tailings ponds.
Speaker: Markham Hislop
Markham Hislop is an energy journalist and publisher of Energi News (formerly North American Energy News). Hislop uses a technology adoption model of his own design to analyze and report upon all the facets of the energy industry, from oil and gas to EVs and renewables.
Over the past seven years, Hislop has probably reported about the Energy Transition more than any other North American journalist. His work has been published in Canadian Business, Alberta Oil Magazine, Hart Energy Publications, World Oil, Vancouver Magazine, and other publications. Hislop’s most recent book is The New Alberta Advantage: Technology, Policy, and the Future of the Oil Sands.
In October 2022, the Town and MD of Pincher Creek collaborated with the Piikani Nation land department to begin developing a Climate Resiliency and Adaptation plan. This process was enabled due to funding provided by the Municipal Climate Change Action Center. The plan development focused on a stakeholder-driven methodology to identify key climate risks in the region and develop plans to adapt to those risks within a changing environment. The project was led by a team consisting of members from the Town, MD, regional emergency management organization, and Piikani Nation. The outputs included full climate models for the MD of Pincher Creek to identify what may change based on a 3-degree global warming level, an economic analysis of the cost of not adapting to climate change, and finally a risk assessment and adaptation plan. This presentation will describe the key outcomes, the process for developing them, and lessons learned that can be leveraged by other organizations looking to undertake similar processes.
Speaker: Tristan Walker, Municipal Energy Project Lead for the Town & Municipal District of Pincher Creek
Moderator: Gord Grimes
Tristan grew up in Northwest British Columbia where he developed a passion for playing within the vast natural playground. With a Master’s degree in sustainable energy, Tristan is keen to develop solutions within our way of life to sustain that natural playground so future generations get the opportunity to enjoy it the way we have. In his role with Pincher Creek, Tristan focuses most of his efforts on energy management activities such as energy audits, retrofits, and analysis to the tune of an 8% reduction in corporate GHG emissions over the last two years and a total reduction of $90,000 in utility spending annually. Further to this role, Tristan led the project team for the Climate Resiliency and Adaptation plan that sought to identify pressing climate risks as we move into the future with adaptation measures to address those risks. Currently, he continues to support the municipality in reducing utility costs and is working on implementing items identified in the adaptation plan.
Each year the Government of Alberta acknowledges October as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Recently the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre renovated space in downtown Lethbridge to accommodate the needs of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre – a program that provides coordinated, multidisciplinary approach in a safe, comfortable environment to address the needs of abused children, youth and their families. The talk will explore the prevalence of child sexual abuse, long standing implications of abuse when left unaddressed, and why it is important, as a community, to take action.
Speaker: Kristine Cassie
Kristine has worked in the human services sector for more than 39 years with substantial experience and advocacy efforts in the areas of youth empowerment, housing, domestic and sexual violence. Skilled at the development of programs, policy development, and risk management, Kristine has been instrumental in a number of community networks including: the Sexual Violence Action Committee; Domestic Violence Action Team; Southern Alberta Network of Children’s Services; Social Housing In Action; Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination; YWCA Canada Atlantic Expansion Project; YWCA Canada Integrating Committee; Miner’s Days Historical Association of Coalhurst; Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, Provincial Child Advocacy Centre Network, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and is a member of the Coaching Association of Canada Task Force on Gender Based Violence and Teen Dating Violence which will conclude its work in the fall of 2023. Kristine served one term as a School Board Trustee at Palliser School Division continues to serve on the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College, and currently is the CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre. Kristine is a registered social worker, holds a master’s in leadership and is a certified community traumatologist. Kristine is Metis and a lifelong Albertan, having been raised in Grande Prairie, she currently resides in Southern Alberta in the Town of Coalhurst. Together with her husband of 38 years, they have raised a wonderful young man, Gabriel, who now resides in Ottawa.
Interfaith Food Bank is on the front lines of addressing food security issues in our community, and is an organization that has had to grow and adapt to the ever-evolving food security crisis in order to meet community needs. Food banks in Alberta experienced a 73% increase from 2019 – 2022 and in just the last year, local need has increased again by 30%. This presentation will discuss the rise in food insecurity and how community members can lend support by offering food, funds or free time to food security initiatives.
Speaker: Danielle McIntyre
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Danielle McIntyre has been involved with the non-profit, charitable sector for over 20 years, and has worked as Executive Director with Interfaith Food Bank since 2006. A graduate of Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, Danielle holds a degree in Recreation Administration, with a special focus on leisure and community development from the University of Alberta. Grateful to have the opportunity to work for a cause she believes in, Danielle notes it’s the community nature of Interfaith Food Bank that keeps her excited about coming to work every day – working with great people, on initiatives and projects that make a true difference in the lives of the families they serve.
While many have heard of donating blood, donating plasma is still a relatively next concept. Some people still believe that donating blood and plasma are one and the same, and while both have you sitting in a chair hooked up to a machine, they are different processes with different purposes.
When people think of blood donation, they are typically thinking of whole blood donation. Whole blood donations include all four blood components–red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma and are used to treat blood loss, typically due to injury or surgery. In contrast, when donating plasma, the straw-colored part of your blood, only that one part is collected with the other three parts of your blood returned to the donor.
Plasma is used to create different therapies to help replace missing, deficient, or malfunctioning proteins in individuals with serious, often life-threatening diseases, such as hemophilia and primary immunodeficiency. The speaker will explain further and make clear that right now, there is a global need for more plasma donations as the usage of plasma-based therapies are becoming more widely accepted for a larger number of disorders.
Speaker: Brenna Scott
Brenna is the Business Development Manager at Lethbridge’s Canadian Blood Services Plasma Centre. Canandian Blood Services is a non-profit organization that manages the national supply of blood products for patients across Canada.
The Lethbridge Plasma Centre was the second of its kind in Canada and opened in December of 2020. Brenna helped not only with the hiring of the staff, but the promotion of the Centre to ensure donors would be aware of the importance of plasma and ready to book appointments and support the Centre as soon as it opened. Brenna plays an integral role in ensuring that the organization can continue to provide life-saving treatments to those in need and she has helped bring the Centre to where it is today with over 27,000 donations of plasma collected.
Brenna is now responsible for overseeing the center’s donor base, educating the public about the need for and importance of plasma, and developing partnerships with local businesses and community organizations.
For more than 130,000 years, bison roamed the ecosystems of western Canada and US and while doing so, influenced the lives of Indigenous Peoples and every other species they shared space and time with, before they were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s.
The speaker will talk about his journey to the Bob Creek Wildlands in Alberta’s foothills and finding evidence of past bison existence there, which led a group of hikers to start investigating the possibility of returning bison to this part of the Eastern slopes. Reintroducing bison populations to some areas of their former range can arguably help re-establish relationships to that land and other species while improving ecological diversity.
Speaker: Mike Judd
Mike was born and raised on the East slope of the Alberta Rockies in the Foothills west of Pincher Creek. His education includes book learning and accompanying old Mountain men on their travels. For much of his life, Mike has been a guide and outfitter involved in hunting, trail riding along the continental divide and dog sled tours in the winter.
Mike’s reverence for nature has also led to many attempts to throw sprags in the wheels of progress and the relentless encroachment on our last remaining intact wilderness with occasional success! Currently he is one of the founding members of a new organization, the Foothills Bison Restoration Society. Mike is also a painter
Alberta has a lot of history, but no one has pulled it together. Some say we struggled against an unfriendly land, others say we struggled against eccentric governments, and others against an always evil East. Some say we are just misplaced Americans? But are these just old comfortable sawhorses. What are the alternatives? The speaker will offer one.
Speaker: Frits Pannekoek
Frits Pannekoek has been Director of Historic Sites for Alberta, for 25 years and involved in over a dozen of Alberta’s heritage centers. Today he is Professor of History at Athabasca University. He has published widely on Alberta’s heritage and on Alberta’s Indigenous history. He was awarded an Honorary doctorate from the University of South Africa and an Alberta Order of Excellence for his work in heritage preservation and online learning.
Back in 2004, in a London, England Park, a global fitness and well-being activity, named Parkrun, was born. Parkrun is a network of free and computer timed 5-kilometer runs and walks held every Saturday morning at 9am local time at over 2200 locations in 26 countries around the world. There are over 5 million Parkrunners registered worldwide. Parkruns are community-based events that encourage physical fitness, health and wellness, and socialization for people of all ages and abilities. Parkrun’s mission statement is to help create a “healthier and happier planet’’!
The Henderson Lake Parkrun in Lethbridge is one of 43 Parkruns in Canada. It provides Lethbridge residents and tourists, an opportunity to participate as a runner, walker or volunteer in a free, outdoor activity on a weekly basis. The speaker will describe the many benefits of Parkrun participation, and will review the history of Parkrun and the process for participating in the weekly event.
Speaker: Jim Carter
Jim Carter is the Event Director for the Henderson Lake Parkrun. Jim is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Officer, a Chartered Professional Accountant and an avid marathoner and triathlete. Jim and his wife, Ellen, started Parkrun in Lethbridge in March, 2019.
The 2023 Alberta provincial election is history and the UCP won a majority government. However, their majority was reduced from 63-24 to 49-38, which included several cabinet ministers losing their seat. As expected, the UCP almost swept the rural vote where they have 37 out of 41 seats. The NDP dominated Edmonton and made strong inroads in Calgary to the point where a few thousand total votes in six ridings could have changed who formed government. As a result of the election, Danielle Smith’s UCP is likely to have more rural representation in cabinet than it did in the 2019-2023 term. The speaker will analyze the key elements and results of Alberta’s 2023 provincial election as well as give his thoughts on what another four years of UCP rule means for Albertans.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics. Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Our talk is meant to help people understand the Canadian Bail System better and to explain the newest changes to the system that the government is proposing. We also hope to provoke a discussion as to whether, when we tinker with these systems, we are really achieving the intended goals. Will the public really be safer? Are the proposed changes going to make a real difference in terms of public safety? Will there be other ramifications that might be unfortunate from a public policy perspective?
Speaker: Ingrid Hess and James Rouleau
Moderator: Violet Meekma
Ingrid Hess is a Lethbridge lawyer. She grew up on a farm in the Sunnyside area, between Lethbridge and Coaldale. She is a first generation Canadian born to a mother from the Netherlands and a father from Germany. She left the area at 19 to study at UBC and later to go on adventures around the world, living in Germany, Japan, Toronto and Montreal during her twenties. Ingrid came home to Canada to study law at the University of Calgary with the dream of doing International Human Rights law, concluding her legal studies in the Netherlands at the University of Leiden. But the draw to home was strong and once she started a family, she decided to postpone her dream. She has three sons whom she raised as a single parent. They are all now grown up.
Ingrid has practiced law in Lethbridge for 28 years, focused primarily on criminal defense work. Her most important and memorable cases involved representing people with serious intellectual disabilities in criminal cases. Her career took a detour for 7 years while she represented over 350 claimants from across Canada in the Residential School lawsuit claims process. In that process Residential School survivors participated in hearings to determine the appropriate compensation for the abuse they experienced and the harms they suffered. This work took Ingrid across Canada, including Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. This experience has shaped her as a lawyer and a human in many ways for which she is extremely grateful. In her free time Ingrid gardens, knits, walks her dog and cooks. James Rouleau is a Crown Prosecutor.
Lethbridge & District Exhibition is a pillar in the Lethbridge community. As a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1897, it operates and maintains seventy-two acres of land on the east bank of Henderson Lake and exists to ensure that the people of Lethbridge and district have a community gathering place now and in the future at which to participate in events, conduct business, learn, and be entertained. The new 268,000 square foot Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, one of the largest development projects in the history of Lethbridge, will serve as an economic driver of growth for Alberta’s agriculture, tourism and agri-food sectors. Once completed this Spring, the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre is expected to contribute more than $90 million annually to the regional economy.
Southern Alberta is uniquely situated in Canada’s agriculture community, with an abundance of producers, processors, commercial enterprises, and researchers in the region, which makes Lethbridge an ideal agri-tourism destination. The Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre provides a world class venue for the industry to come together in the heart of this region, while attracting provincial, national and international events to the city, which will provide a boost to restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and other businesses throughout the city. Today, Lethbridge & District Exhibition produces Whoop-Up Days, Ag Expo, the Lethbridge Farmers’ Market, and Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo, and is home to a wide variety of trade shows, and community events that attract nearly four hundred thousand visitors each year.
The speaker will give an update on the construction progress and visualize the numerous possibilities and opportunities Lethbridge will gain through this new venue.
Speaker: Mike Warkentin, CEO of Lethbridge & District Exhibition
Mike Warkentin joined Lethbridge & District Exhibition in 2018 as Assistant General Manager, was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2019 and was named Chief Executive Officer in May 2021.
Warkentin has spent more than a decade in corporate leadership roles through his work in economic development, venue management and major events. Mike now leads team of industry professionals as the organization prepares to open the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre this Spring.
Raised in Lethbridge, Warkentin earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from San Diego State University, where he was named Outstanding Alumnus in 2018. As an active community member, Mike is proud to make an impact across the region.
Secure, Assist, Guard and Engage (SAGE) Clan is a grassroots organization that specializes in engaging those who need it the most in our community. Founded by community member Mark Brave Rock, the SAGE Clan is based upon the successful community patrol based in Winnipeg, the BEAR Clan.
SAGE Clan patrols nightly on Mondays at 7 pm, and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9 pm to provide snacks, lunches, water and most importantly, someone to talk to. SAGE participates in various community events and has helped addicts get help and find treatment, as well as, helping family members find their loved ones on the streets. SAGE is not a police force, nor are they addiction experts, but they seek to provide a sense of community and support to those in need.
Many of the patrollers have good relationships with the community members that are on the streets and suffering from addiction. SAGE Clan patrols year-round and is an essential part of the bigger fight against both homelessness and addiction. The speakers will illustrate their experiences and challenges volunteering their time on the front lines of Lethbridge’s homelessness and addiction crises.
Speaker: Mark Brave Rock, assisted by Josh Cummins and Amy Cran
Mark Brave Rock grew up in Moses Lake and went to school in Cardston. During the past 11 years of sobriety, Mark has gained knowledge and work experience with Peak Support Services (RSpace), ARCHES, 5th on 5th Employment and Support Services, as well as, Housing First, BRZ and Volunteer Lethbridge. Mark has also partnered with LPS, City Hall and the Indian Recovery Coaches program.
Histories of vaccination often begin in the late 18th century, with Dr. Edward Jenner and a milkmaid. But there was an earlier practice (variolation) in which samples of smallpox from (what were believed to be) less deadly outbreaks were used to protect patients against more severe versions of the disease. It involved either scratching material from smallpox ‘pustules’ onto the skin or inhaling it. The speaker will talk about the history of vaccination, the history of resistance to vaccination and the emergence of biological/ biochemical knowledge that has built powerful new tools for building vaccines.
Dr. Brown is particularly interested in the ebb and flow of vaccine mandates and quarantine laws often strengthened during outbreaks only to be overturned when the danger of the disease seems to have passed—and argues this history reveals a lot about human psychology, and especially the power of fear and the limits of rationality and trust.
Speaker: Bryson Brown
(Martin) Bryson Brown began life as a rolling stone: born in Niagara Falls, his family soon moved to Montreal, then New Jersey, Louisiana, Halifax, New Jersey again, and then Mississauga Ontario. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Trent University before entering a PhD program in philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. He taught as a visiting professor at Rice in 1983-4, followed by two years as a research associate (and part-time teacher) at Dalhousie, completing his PhD in 1985. He joined the philosophy department at the University of Lethbridge in 1986. Brown’s research work includes work on a formal theory of social rules, inconsistency-tolerant logics and applying them to model cases of inconsistency in science. Other interests (and concerns) include work on science denial, including evolution and climate change.
A tribute to a World War I Warrior. The presentation will provide an example of racism that was wrong then and continues to be wrong today …… high and unequivocal praise for Mike Mountain Horse, an inspiring and courageous Warrior who was buried for four days and wounded three times in World War I. After his service, he was elected a minor chief of his tribal Nation and elected a president of a Lethbridge railway union.
Speaker: Tom Sindlinger
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Tom Sindlinger spent twenty-three years with his sociological grandfather Mike Mountain Horse, and his biological grandmother Mary Mountain Horse, in the displaced persons’ neighborhood of Lethbridge, to teepees just inside the Calgary Stampede main gate, to the Sun Dance at Belly Flats. He served as a Select Committee Member of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and was the only Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly to vocally support the patriation of the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He is an International Economic Analyst with a focus on marketing and transportation of natural resources, and governance.
In January 2023, I presented the State of The City at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast. At the upcoming SACPA meeting I would like to provide you updates on many of the key topics we identified. There have been great strides forward in some areas, work to be done in others.
Topics highlighted will range from homelessness to green bins. We will touch on issues like community safety, the electoral system, third bridge, physician recruitment, taxes, addictions, the intergovernmental health table and much more.
Speaker: Mayor Blaine Hyggen
Moderator: Violet Meekma
Blaine Hyggen was first elected to City Council in 2013 and was elected Mayor in 2021. He has owned and operated various businesses throughout the community for the past 28 years. He studied Business Law and Accounting at Lethbridge Community College.
Some of Blaine’s past and current volunteer experience includes: School Councils, Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, Lethbridge Volleyball Association, Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association and The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, to name a few.
Blaine’s family is his number one priority. His wife Jennifer is a Registered Nurse and they have two daughters: Jayden and Jelayna. Blaine enjoys attending local theatre and staying active by running, biking and playing hockey.
As a proud parent and successful business owner, Blaine loves Lethbridge and wants to see it remain the best city for families while ensuring it is a great place to do business.
Following the 2019 provincial election win by the United Conservative Party (UCP), leader Jason Kenney, became Premier of Alberta. Since then, the province has arguably been in some kind of crisis mode ranging from financial woes to COVID 19 controversy (“Best Summer Ever”) to fights with doctors, nurses and Ottawa to name a few. Adding fuel to the fire, Alberta went through a leadership change in October 2022, when Danielle Smith won the race to replace Kenney as Premier.
Alberta is now on the verge of yet another very important election featuring an even more to the right-populist UCP led by Premier Danielle Smith, versus Rachel Notley’s New Democratic Party (NDP). The speakers will relate to the book they helped write, Anger and Angst: Jason Kenney’s Legacy and Alberta’s Right, which examines the chaos of the current UCP Alberta government leading up to the likely May 29, 2023 election date. This talk should leave the audience with a better understanding of current politics, ideology, and the “Take Back Alberta” movement.
Speakers: Drs. Yale Belanger and Richard Mueller
Dr. Yale D. Belanger (Ph.D.) is Professor of Political Science and a Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. He taught at the University of Saskatchewan before joining the University of Lethbridge in 2004.
Dr. Richard Mueller is professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Lethbridge and academic director of the Lethbridge Branch of the Prairie Regional Research Data Centre. Dr. Mueller holds a BA (Honors) and an MA from the University of Calgary, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. He taught at the University of Maine before joining the University of Lethbridge in the year 2000.
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Carter v. Canada that parts of the Criminal Code would need to change to satisfy the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The parts that prohibited medical assistance in dying would no longer be valid. The Supreme Court gave the government until June 6, 2016, to create a new law. In June 2016, the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation, known as Bill C-14, that allows eligible Canadian adults to request medical assistance in dying.
On March 17, 2021, changes to Canada’s MAiD law came into force with Bill C-7. The new law responds to feedback from over 300,000 Canadians, experts, practitioners, stakeholders, indigenous groups and provinces and territories. These changes to the criminal code now allow MAID for eligible persons who wish to pursue a medically assisted death whether their natural death is foreseeable or not. It also introduced a new two-track approach to procedural safeguards based on whether or not a person’s natural death is reasonably foreseeable. The new law will reduce unnecessary suffering in Canada. The new law provided the speaker’s father the choice of a dignified, compassionate, and empowering death.
The speaker will be sharing a daughter’s perspective of her family’s journey through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). She will offer a unique viewpoint as her father, John Warren, was deemed ‘Track 2’ and his natural death was not reasonably foreseeable, but all other eligibility criteria were met. She will share the story of her Dad’s long history of pain, his important involvement with the organization that helped to pass Bill C-14, the profile of who is utilizing MAID, the process from application onwards, as well as share the challenging and rewarding parts of their journey.
John Warren was a past speaker at SACPA in 2015 and 2016. He spoke regarding Medical Assistance in Dying.
Speaker: Tania Stilson
Tania Stilson is a long-time entrepreneur in southern Alberta. She is neither a lawyer nor physician, but she shares the view of her father that people can plan for a ‘good death’. She hopes that by sharing her personal story, it will provide people with information on choices that are available in Canada.
The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa, in partnership with Lethbridge College, Reconciliation Lethbridge, Lethbridge Historical Society and the City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office, are embarking on a project that will focus on and highlight Niitsitapi knowledge and perspectives of the event. We believe this project will continue efforts toward reconciliation and relationship building by informing residents of the impact the battle had on the development of the Lethbridge. In order to focus on the Niitsitapi voices that have been ignored in the past, the Galt has engaged with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the Blackfoot communities about this specific event.
Speaker: Camina Weasel Moccasin and Kris Hodgson-Bright
Moderator: Marni Hope
Camina Weasel Moccasin is a member of the Kainai nation and part of the Many Children clan. She is currently one of the curators at the Galt Museum and Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa and has been in her role for the past year. In addition to her museum work, Camina is also pursuing a master’s degree in anthropology at the University of Lethbridge while also raising her two small children, 5 and 3 years old. For the past decade Camina has worked tirelessly at redeveloping institutional policies to better support Niitsitapii traditional and ceremonial practices.
Kris Hodgson-Bright is an instructor in the Digital Communications and Media program and Multimedia Production diploma program and has been a writer and photographer for various publications across western Canada for the last 16 years. The completion of work on his master’s degree in Virtual Reality/360-degree journalism (2017) from the University of Alberta in the Communication and Technology program (MACT) kick-started applied research opportunities at Lethbridge College surrounding the ever-evolving world of journalism and immersive storytelling.
Concerns have been raised about the fragmentation of the management of Alberta’s fish and wildlife resources to separate departments and non-government agencies. Questions will be raised on how effective fish and wildlife management and conservation will happen, in such a fractured way. Risks to an important resource, a provincial treasure, will be explored.
What is happening, how might these changes influence a public resource like fish and wildlife, and why should you care?
Speaker: Lorne Fitch, P. Biol.
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Lorne has been a biologist for over 50 years and is a certified professional biologist, a retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologist, was one of the co-founders of the stewardship initiative Cows and Fish, and a former Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. Lethbridge is home, where he pens articles and essays on issues related to Alberta’s landscape and critters. This includes a recent book, Streams of Consequence- Dispatches from the Conservation World.
Social prescribing is a means for health-care providers to connect patients to a range of non-clinical services in the community, in order to improve their health and well-being. As opposed to simply treating symptoms, social prescribing may help to address the underlying causes of patients’ health and well-being challenges. Ideally, social prescribing is a more holistic approach to health care, which promotes community-based integrated care, and helps to de-medicalize health service provision.
Seniors Community Services Partnership (SCSP) is a partnership between four local service organizations that support seniors 60+ to navigate health care and social resources, access financial benefits and housing, and provide emotional support for those with various psychosocial needs. The needs of older adults are assessed by an intake worker, who then assigns individuals to a Senior System Navigator (SSN) who builds a trust-based relationship and creates a collaborative service plan targeting improved outcomes inclusive of building connections with other community partners or seniors’ specific services delivered out of the LSCO. The speakers will explain the SCSP program and highlight how this kind of ongoing support is a key component of improving Canada's health care.
Speakers: Heather Bursaw and Rob Miyashiro
Heather Bursaw is a registered social worker, with over 20 years of experience specializing in the delivery of psychosocial support to older adults. Heather earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2007 with a specialty in Geriatrics. She joined the team at LSCO after a lengthy career working with seniors within Alberta Health Services, excited to build capacity within the community to support older adults to remain happy and healthy in the homes in which they live.
Rob Miyashiro was a Lethbridge City Councilor for many years and has been involved in developing and implementing programs in children’s services, disabilities, employment, and seniors’ sectors. He has worked with people of southwestern Alberta and also developed an adolescent treatment Centre for Kainaiwa Children’s Services on the Blood Tribe First Nation. When Rob left Kainaiwa Children’s Services, he was given the Blackfoot name Aakaoko’si (Protector of Children) in honour of his years of service to children and families. Currently, Rob is the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization.
Most of the global population recognizes we are in an accelerating transition to sustainable societies and environments. But what will that look like? Will life be more challenging; more comfortable; perhaps a combination? Dr. Byrne will discuss the society of the future. What do we have to do with energy and sustainability to achieve reasonably stable regional and global environments.
Speaker: James Byrne
James Byrne is Professor Emeritus, University of Lethbridge. He continues an active research program in climate, change solutions, renewable energy, transitions, and society scale sustainability.
An on-reserve police service presents with many challenges, including funding, staffing, and retention. The First Nation members themselves face particular challenges as well as non-challenges. Non-First Nation officers have their own unique challenges, as well as the “culture shock” that accompanies policing a First Nation area. Our presenters will touch on all of these issues based on their own policing experience.
Speakers: Police Chief Grant Buckskin and Inspector Rayan Najjar
Grant Buckskin is Interim Chief of Police with the Blood Tribe Police Service, a position he has held since September, 2022. He is a member of the Blood Tribe and started his career with the Police Service in 1990. After 7 1/2 years, he left to serve with other police services in Central and Northern Alberta as well as Manitoba, before returning to the Blood Reserve in 2007 where he has since remained.
Over the course of this extensive policing career, Chief Buckskin has served in many positions in the Community Policing Division and Crime Reduction Units. He is proud today to be leading the sworn members of the Blood Tribe Police Service.
Rayan was born in Lebanon and immigrated to Canada in 1991 with his family at the age of six. He and his family lived in Olds and Milk River before settling in Lethbridge in 1997. Rayan graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) in 2002 and from the Lethbridge College Criminal Justice - Policing program in 2007. Rayan started his policing career with Blood Tribe Police Service (BTPS) shortly after graduation and has been with BTPS for 16 years. Rayan was in General Patrols, Criminal Investigation Unit, and General Investigation Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2017 and to Acting Inspector in 2021. Rayan is currently the Inspector in charge of the Administration Support Division which oversees policy/procedure, training, recruiting, human resources, and professional standards.
A NDP majority was elected in 2015, and then in 2019 enough people voted for the UCP to give them a majority. Elections in different jurisdictions have shown that after each opposite direction election, many voters are left hanging with no home.
Recent polls have shown that the UCP is having a hard time keeping voters, but not all are ready to vote NDP, so where do they go? The speaker will contend that at some point, Albertans may become tired of the instability of this back-and-forth undoing what the previous government did, only to have that repeat in the following election. The Alberta Party arguably occupies the center of Alberta politics, which is not far from the sentiment of most Albertans.
Speaker: Barry Morishita, leader of the Alberta Party
A long serving councilor and Mayor in the City of Brooks, Barry Morishita is well known in municipal government across the province having spent 7 years on the Board and Executive of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association becoming the association’s longest serving President. His experiences traveling throughout the Province in this capacity & his passion for building communities earned him the Honorary Lifetime Membership from the AUMA. He retired from municipal politics in 2021 and soon moved into the provincial arena as the Leader of the Alberta Party. Barry is a proud Canadian of Japanese descent, married with two children & two grandchildren living in the City of 100 Hello’s, Brooks, Alberta.
The City of Lethbridge and Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) signed a Shelter lease agreement starting Jan 1, 2023 at the location of the former Lethbridge Shelter and Stabilization Centre on 2 Avenue North.
The speaker will give some background info on how this agreement came to be, followed by an account of the current Shelter situation and the overall continuum of care plan and vision by BTDH on the issue of opioid addiction and recovery.
Speaker: Taatsiikiipoyii, Charles (Charlie) Weaselhead Jr.
Charles Weaselhead, former Blood Tribe Chief and Treaty 7 Grand Chief, was born on the Blood Indian Reserve in 1949. Since the early 1980’s, Charles Weaselhead has worked hard to advance many health initiatives to improve the health care outcomes for the People, as Director of the treatment Centre Napi Lodge and Poundmaker’s Lodge; Director of the Blood Indian Hospital in the early 90’s; and as Chief Executive Officer for the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc., a post he held until his successful election as Chief of the Blood Tribe and subsequent leadership from 2004-2016. Charles continues to maintain an interest in working with the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College in advancing the lifelong education goals of our Indigenous members.
Charles Weaselhead was officially installed as Chancellor at the University of Lethbridge during their Spring Convocation ceremony held on May 30, 2019. Currently, Charles is also a member of the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. Board of Directors, Aboriginal Liaison Red Cross, and Indigenous Knowledge Wisdom Centre Board of Director in partnership with Treaty 6, 7 and 8, Provincial and Federal Education Departments.
Some people may be under the impression that with the Paris Accord of 2015, and subsequent agreements made at a series of “Conference of the Parties” (COP) meetings, the problem of climate change is well on its way to being solved. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth. I will summarize some recent scientific findings that everyone needs to know about and discuss their implications for climate policy.
Speaker: Kent PeacockModerator: Mark Goettel
Kent Peacock is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. He works on the philosophy of science, logic, and (most recently) sustainability and climate change.
Mr. Schow will give some insight into the provincial budget for 2023, and recap important provincial investments over the last 3 years.
Speaker: HONOURABLE JOSEPH SCHOW, ECAMinister Without Portfolio, Government House Leader, United Conservative Caucus, MLA for Cardston-Siksika
Moderator: Bev Muendel- Atherstone
Joseph Schow was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Cardston-Siksika, on April 16, 2019. He was appointed Government House Leader on October 24, 2022. He previously served as Deputy Government House Leader and Deputy Government Whip. He also served on several committees of the Legislative Assembly, including as Chair for the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and the Select Special Committees on Democratic Accountability and the Child and Youth Advocate Search. He was Deputy Chair for the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and the Standing Committees on Private Bills and Private Members’ Public Bills and Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing. Before serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Schow worked as a legislative coordinator with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and as a parliamentary assistant with the House of Commons of Canada. He was self-employed for several years before this experienceMr. Schow holds a Bachelor of Arts in Russian from Dalhousie University and a master’s degree from George Washington University. His interests and hobbies include spending time with family, watching movies and reading. Mr. Schow speaks conversational Russian. He and his wife, Nicole, have three children. He was the 941st Member sworn in to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
With an Alberta election on the way this spring, Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP are promising to be a stable, caring, and competent government, focused on addressing the issues that matter to Lethbridge like lowering the cost of living and rebuilding public health care. With Danielle Smith’s government in a state of chaos, MLA Shannon Phillips will provide an alternative vision for a stronger Lethbridge and what she would prefer to see for her constituents and fellow Albertans.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips, MLA, Lethbridge WestModerator: Dylon Purcell
Shannon Phillips was elected MLA for Lethbridge West as a member of Alberta’s New Democrats in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. She has been nominated by her party for the 2023 election again. MLA Phillips served as Minister of Environment and Parks from 2015-2019 and now chairs the Public Accounts Committee and serves as Opposition Critic for Treasury Board and Finance. She lives in Lethbridge with her two sons.
An account of what was learned about city finances and financial oversight during 8 years of service on Lethbridge City Council will be presented.
Speaker: Chris Spearman, Former Mayor of Lethbridge
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Chris Spearman was a Lethbridge resident from 1981 to 2022. He had more than 40 years ofbusiness experience, including 33 years as Manager of Accounting and Administration at the Black Velvet Distilling Company in Lethbridge. Chris served for 18 years on the Holy Spirit School Board and 8 years as the mayor of Lethbridge.
Find out why the Village Stirling embarked on a journey to net zero with the deployment of community-owned solar microgeneration beginning in 2018. More importantly, learn about this southern Alberta community’s plans to continue its leadership in energy sustainability and financial responsibility.
The Village of Stirling is one of just three communities in Canada designated as a National Historic Site and is the largest village in Alberta by population with 1,269 residents as of the 2019 municipal census. While Stirling is proud of its past, the community is also preparing for the future with high-speed fibre optic broadband internet service connected to more than 90% of households as well as solar arrays on public buildings to offset municipal power consumption needs resulting in Canada’s first electrically “net zero” Village for municipal purposes. The innovative community where families thrive continues to innovate with the start-up of a municipally controlled corporation in Ridge Utilities Ltd. to market electricity, natural gas, and internet across Alberta.
Speaker: Trevor Lewington - Mayor of Stirling
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
With many years of executive leadership experience in the food processing industry, in addition to living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor is the Mayor of the Village of Stirling now serving his third term on Council. Trevor is also the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge.
Christian churches faced several significant challenges in the Covid-19 pandemic to attend to the spiritual needs of our community, and their post-crisis recovery continues to be very rocky. This discussion will explore the various obstacles faith communities have faced since 2020, how they navigated those obstacles, and new pressures they are now facing.
Speaker: Reverend Taylor CroissantModerator: Terry Shillington
The Reverend Taylor Croissant is an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada, currently serving at Southminster United Church in downtown Lethbridge. He is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, and after earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Studies, he completed a Masters of Divinity at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon. Before coming to Lethbridge, Taylor served several churches in northern Alberta, as well as a two-year appointment with The United Church’s global partner church in South Korea, The Presbyterian Church in The Republic of Korea. He is the editor of Building God’s Beloved Community: Discipleship in The United Church of Canada, which was published in 2022.
Lethbridge Housing Authority – building healthy families and sustainable communities with appropriate and affordable homes.
Lethbridge Housing Authority (LHA) is a Housing Management body established by Ministerial Order in 1995. Its purpose is to provide affordable housing to seniors, individuals and families through the operations and administration of funding and properties owned by the Province of Alberta. Recognizing that housing is more than just the bricks and mortar of a building, LHA is a respected partner engaged in building vibrant communities through strong partnerships. We currently partner with several organization in order to address the complex social issues behind housing stability and homelessness in Lethbridge. We will explore the role Lethbridge Housing plays in the housing continuum, what more can be done to keep our most vulnerable citizens safely and affordability housed and what are we missing in Lethbridge to achieve a reduction in homelessness.
Speaker: Robin JamesModerator: Knud Petersen
Robin James began her career with Lethbridge Housing Authority in 2006 starting in the financial services department. In 2017 Robin was named the Chief Administrative Officer of the organization. Prior to joining Lethbridge Housing, Robin completed her education in Business Administration with a major in accounting. She worked in Southern Alberta’s vast agricultural sector in finance and accounting. Robin’s education, experience and values have allowed her to lead Lethbridge Housing in a fiscally conservative and socially responsible manner.
Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl will provide an overview of the City of Lethbridge’s heritage program. Why should we protect Lethbridge’s heritage? How does the City’s heritage program work today? And how will the upcoming new Heritage Management Plan change things?
Speaker: Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl
George Kuhl is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with professional roots in urban and regional planning. As a planner with the Oldman River Regional Planning Commission, George worked on City of Lethbridge projects and an array of rural and small-town projects for over 21 years providing him with invaluable community development experience. He became Senior Development Officer for the City of Lethbridge in 1997 and led the Planning Department for nearly 7 years before becoming the Downtown Revitalization Manager.
In 2004, George was advisor to City Council’s Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee (DRSC); his role evolved to becoming the Heart of Our City Master Plan Project Manager. George continues to be an advisor to the Heart of Our City Committee as well as several City project steering committees. He brings his passion for those he has visited in Europe and North America to this presentation.
Ross Kilgour earned his first-class honours degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for the Top Final Year Graduate. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector as a planning consultant with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating to Canada in 2013, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is now a Senior Community Planner, focusing primarily on the redevelopment of Lethbridge’s older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ specific passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling active transportation and walkable neighbourhoods. His research has been published in Planning Practice and Research journal.
For nearly 60 years, L’Arche has transformed the lives of people with and without intellectual disabilities around the world. Beginning in France in 1964, at a time when countless people with disabilities in the Western Hemisphere still languished in institutions, separated from their families and cast off from society, L’Arche founders dared to proclaim that people with developmental disabilities had essential gifts to contribute to society. Since then, across Canada and around the world, L’Arche has been creating communities of friendship and belonging, inviting people both with and without intellectual disabilities to live, work, learn, and grow together in homes, day programs and social enterprises. L’Arche demonstrates that when persons with intellectual disabilities take their place at the table, they contribute to a more just, compassionate, and vibrant world for all. L’Arche Lethbridge is a member of L’Arche International and is comprised of three homes in the city.
Our speaker will outline how the mission of L’Arche is embodied in our local L’Arche community and name some of the joys and the struggles people with intellectual disabilities continue to face in our present times. In our materialistic and individualistic age, L’Arche offers a radically different way to see people and society.
Speaker: Marie Moyer
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Marie Moyer has been engaged with the L’Arche Lethbridge community since 2001. She currently serves as the Assistants Coordinator, welcoming young adults from close to home and around the world to live, work, learn and grow as Assistants in our L’Arche homes. Marie has strong family roots in Lethbridge and has gained a global perspective from time spent abroad in Tanzania, Central America and Chad. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology and Anthropology and has spent her adult life finding ways to make a living off the beaten path.
Our official K-12 school curriculum embodies the state’s answer to the question: What must children learn so they can function appropriately as adults in our society? Answering this question is always complicated because it is an expression of what we, as a society, value. The past decade, however, has seen public and professional discussion around curriculum reform descend into ideologically-driven, partisan conflict in Alberta. This talk will address what makes curriculum development complex and how and why the process has become so contentious in the past decade. Finally, it will suggest how we might move forward to ensure that Alberta students get the high-quality curriculum they deserve.
Speaker: Amy von Heyking
Moderator: Beverly Muendel-Atherstone
Amy von Heyking is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. Her PhD in Educational Policy Studies focused on the history of Alberta school curriculum, particularly citizenship education. She is the author of Creating Citizens: History and Identity in Alberta Schools (2006). She has published books and articles on the history of Canadian schooling, curriculum studies, and history teaching and learning. She served on the Minister of Education’s Curriculum Advisory Panel in 2019-20
The speaker will discuss the importance of having this conversation now, while sharing some of her own experience. She will identify some of the statistics (reported cases, non-reported cases, hospitalizations, deaths, affected children) and what research shows would be a huge step to stop domestic violence before it starts – looking at Mental Health and resilience, stable and positive parenting. The speaker will review what warning signs indicate a possible abusive relationship; why someone being victimized by domestic violence finds it difficult or impossible to leave, and what you can do to be part of the solution
Speaker: Maria Fitzpatrick
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Maria was born and raised in St. John’s, NL. She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a conjoint degree in Education and Physical Education. She is a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother. Maria has worked all across Canada as well as in the United States for 45 years. She has been a teacher, recreation supervisor, coach, Parole Officer, Policy Analyst and Regional Executive Vice-President of her union. She was the MLA for Lethbridge East in the from 2015-2019. In addition to volunteering with several community groups, in June she was appointed the Advocacy Program Officer with the National Association of Federal Retirees for southern Alberta. Maria is well versed on this topic having survived being victimized for 9 years by her first husband.
Alona will recount how she escaped Ukraine two weeks after Russia invaded her country. She fled with her two teenage boys from Dnipro to Kyiv where she had to make several arduous trips by train to Poland to arrange for visas under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program which is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study, and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. Once authorization was obtained, she and her sons were bused to France where arrangements were made for her family to come and settle in Lethbridge with the help of Lethbridge’s Project Sunflower Aid Society.
Speaker: Alona Sinchuk
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Alona was born in Vinnytsia Ukraine and lived in several cities before settling in Dnipro. She has two teenage boys, Stepan, 14, and Arsenii, 12. She obtained a degree in Business Administration from the West Ukrainian National University in Ternopil and was the Department Director of an Eye Clinic in Dnipro prior to having to leave the country due to the war. She arrived in Lethbridge 3 months ago and is currently employed at Visual Effects - Lethbridge, Partners of FYidoctors
Danielle Smith is the new leader of the United Conservative Party and premier of Alberta. She is a well-known politician and media personality, but who actually is she? How did she become the UCP’s leader? What does she believe? And where are her political beliefs likely to take the province? These are but a few of the questions the talk will attempt to answer.
Speaker: Trevor Harrison
Moderator: Colleen Quintal
Trevor W. Harrison is a professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He is the 2022 recipient of the U of L Speaker Research Award and former director of the Parkland Institute (2011–2021), of which he was also a founding member. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books, numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports, and a frequent contributor to public media, including radio and television.
A recent report by SHENLA highlights that child and family poverty is an important issue in Lethbridge and area. This report was funded by the City of Lethbridge and the Government of Canada and prepared by HelpSeeker in collaboration with SHENLA. While rates of poverty have declined somewhat over the last twenty years, children 0-5 years of age continue to experience higher rates of low income across age groups. This presentation will explore which groups of children are differentially affected by poverty in our community, the impacts of poverty, and why action is needed. Child poverty is associated with a cascade of negative impacts over the life course, and a variety of negative impacts at a community level.
Recommendations for urgent action are identified. What is the City of Lethbridge’s strategy to address poverty? The speaker will argue that a collective impact approach with broad community participation and municipal support is required to address and end child and family poverty in our community.
Speaker: Sharon Yanicki PhD (2022)
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Sharon Yanicki is the spokesperson for the Social Health Equity Network of Lethbridge and Area (SHENLA). SHENLA is an umbrella organization promoting health equity. Sharon is on the leadership team of SHENLA and is committed to collective impact to address child poverty and to promote health equity and social inclusion. Sharon is a retired academic and an adjunct assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, with a PhD in nursing. Sharon’s research has focused on: health equity, social inclusion/exclusion, social justice, child poverty, and adverse childhood experiences. Sharon is a retired nurse with many years of experience in public health.
Like many other communities across the country, the City of Lethbridge is seeing an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Without adequate shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing in the city, an increase in encampments is being identified throughout the city.
Many questions, ideas, concerns, and comments have been provided over the last several months regarding the solution to encampments and homelessness. Homelessness is a complex social issue, which requires collaboration from stakeholders across the city, the province and the country. Although affordable housing and homelessness supports are the responsibility of the Provincial Government, Lethbridge City Council recently authorized additional funding allocations to provide more services, outreach support and resources to help the vulnerable population in the city.
The speaker will explain the complexity of this issue, the jurisdiction of housing, what the city is currently doing and what the public can do to be part of the solution.
Speaker: Mike Fox - Director of Community Services
Mike Fox is the Director of Community Services for the City of Lethbridge, and has been in his role since March 2021. His portfolio includes Community Social Development, ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, Recreation and Culture, Regulatory Services, Lethbridge Transit, Indigenous Relations and three special Government Bodies – Lethbridge Police Services (governed by the Police Commission), and the Galt Museum & Archives and the Lethbridge Public Library (each governed by their respective Board of Directors). With more than 20 years of leadership in local government, Mike’s dynamic and diverse career has led him to municipalities across the Country before making Lethbridge his home.
Mandy will provide an overview of the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and all of their hands-on grassroot initiatives as they relate to local food security, sustainability, community building, and reducing waste. The speaker will offer suggestions for simple ways of engaging our local food supporting initiatives, businesses, and organizations. She will discuss the importance of relationships and how this fundamental caring for one another increases our community ability to feed ourselves better while increasing our resiliency to the changing climate and political world instability. During a time where we are seeing food prices and inflation skyrocketing, we want to know that we have agency in where and how our food comes to us. Mandy will point to many local examples of projects, and groups who are making traction towards a more community secure food system.
Speaker: Mandy Sandbach - Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and SOULfully SOIL
Mandy Sandbach is an ally, student and Lover of SOIL. Her goal in life is to become the richest, Teeming with LIFE, decomposing, fertility that could be found in a COMPOST pile. Her passion and gifts lay in tending to the relationships and community that will create what is required for the new Human Story. As a Permaculturist, knowledge sharer, mother, partner, small business owner, non-profit advocate, Mandy has shared many skills and experience within her community here in Southern Alberta and abroad. Skill and knowledge sharing is where you will likely find Mandy if she is not with the bees, birds, trees, worms and fungi.
The current social and educational discourse has brought to the forefront the urgent need to address systemic barriers and injustices that have historically excluded voices within academic spaces. The racial and social disparities were further exacerbated by the covid 19 pandemic which has also shown huge gaps within groups, communities, and countries around the world. Educational institutions as an agent of social change have an ethical responsibility to not only acknowledge its role in perpetuating the disparities of historically excluded groups but to be an active participant to call out and address them.
The speaker will identify key foundational and guiding principles for EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and Belonging and will make the ethical and business case for EDI. She will address the myths that continue to impact the successful implementation of EDI strategies, and discuss the importance of allyship & advocacy and the role faculty, staff, students, administrators play in championing equitable, safe, and inclusive campuses.
Speaker: Martha Mathurin-Moe: Executive Director- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Pronouns: She/her
Born and raised in Saint Lucia, West Indies, Martha Mathurin-Moe holds a BA degree from the Universidad Central de Las Villas, Cuba; a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Regina and is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction. Mathurin-Moe's experience consists of 10 years in Banking and Finance and 8 years in International Education. Previous roles include Manager of Talent Development at the Public Service Commission, Government of Saskatchewan, Associate Director of Study Abroad & Mobility at UR International at the University of Regina. Mathurin-Moe work in international education has afforded her the possibility to participate in educational forums in Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and the United States. She is a skilled facilitator and advocate for equitable and inclusive workplaces for all. Mathurin-Moe is very passionate about teaching and focuses a lot of her research on Cross Cultural Communication, Internationalization of Curriculum as well as reshaping the perceptions of Studying Abroad and the importance of inclusive teaching. Mathurin-Moe believes that learning is organic and constantly changing but being represented in the learning space is just as equally important. Mathurin-Moe’s research focuses on the shifting identities international graduate students assume while transitioning into a new educational setting. This is why she is very keen on developing learning opportunities that create an environment where all students, no matter race, gender/gender expression, neurodiversity or ethnic background feel represented in their learning space. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her partner Jared.
Treaty 7 is an agreement between the Canadian government and several, mainly Blackfoot, First Nation band governments in what is today Southern Alberta. The idea of developing treaties for Blackfoot lands was suggested to Blackfoot Chief Crowfoot in 1875. Negotiations were concluded two years later and on September 22, 1877, the agreement was signed at the present-day Siksika Nation reserve, east of Calgary. Chief Crowfoot was one of the signatories to Treaty 7. Another signing of this treaty occurred December 4, 1877 to accommodate other Blackfoot leaders who were not present at the primary September 1877 signing.
The Canadian government wanted the treaty to allow them to build the railroad across Canada, but the implications for the Indigenous people after the signing of Treaty 7 were mainly suffering and hardship. The buffalo disappeared rapidly and the promised support from Canada’s government to help transition the First Nations bands into an agricultural lifestyle did largely not happen. The speaker will argue that overall, the treaty did not have the positive impact for Indigenous Peoples that they initially believed it would. When comparing the difference in cultures during the treaty negotiations, it is likely the Indigenous population was misinformed/misguided by the settlers at the time, who strongly insisted that the treaty be a written document, not an oral agreement that Indigenous Peoples better understand.
Speaker: Dr. Mike Bruised Head (or in the Blackfoot language, Ninna Piksii)
Mike Bruised Head graduated from St Mary’s High school on the Blood Reserve in 1976. Received Bachelors of Arts Degree (BA) from University of Lethbridge in 1980. Served on Blood Tribe Chief and Council 1981 to 1983. Employed at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in 1984-85 as College Administrator. Executive Director of Sikoohkotoki Friendship Center from 1986 to 1994. Convocated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from U of L.
Employed by Kainai Board of Education as a high school teacher, vice principal and principle from 1996 to 2011. Obtained a Master’s Degree (MA) from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington (2003) in Administration and Supervision. Elected to Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 2011 to 2016. Formally created Kainai Ecosystems Protection Agency (KEPA) and served as chair for KEPA from 2012 to 2016.
Serves on the Oldman Watershed Council and participates on the Crown of the Continent Roundtable Leadership Committee and Crown Partners. Involved in Kainai ceremonies and cultural events. Speaks Blackfoot fluently. Presently serving as president of the University of Lethbridge Iniskim Indigenous Alumni Chapter and Chairman of the Kainai Board of Education. Defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Lethbridge in Cultural, Social and Political Thought (CSPT) at a public presentation on June 20, 2022.
Farming Smarter is a policy governed, non-profit organization with by-laws under the Alberta Societies Act. It is also a Canadian Charity registered under the Canada Revenue Agency. Their farming related projects and programs access funds from numerous sources including research grants, foundations, industry, partners, and all levels of government.
The speaker will argue, and many people tend to agree, that applied agri-food research is very important. Yet, funding is a big issue. Rarely have significant government investments been made available and future funding is uncertain. The research Farming Smarter does may not be the most attractive, but it’s the type farmers at field level most value. The fact that Farming Smarter works for farmers and not corporate interests, increases the trust among producers that the information they are getting, is more than just an advertisement for the latest product available.
For the family farm to survive, research, innovation and funding of such will be a main challenge going forward. Among other issues facing farmers are, Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions Program, which aims to encourage farmers to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use 30 percent by 2030, first by incentives and later, some kind of regulations. For context, between 2005 and 2019, fertilizer application increased by 71 percent in Canada, primarily driven by more fertilizer use in Western Canada. Over the same period, N2O emissions from fertilizer use in Canada increased by 54 percent.
Speaker: Ken Coles
Ken Coles leads Farming Smarter as Executive Director. Contact him if you want to know anything about anything, offer Farming Smarter money, suggest ways your organization can enter a win/win situation or develop mutually beneficial streams of income. Ken works closely with and listens to his staff. Therefore, yes, he knows what farming issues are.
Ken's passions include the practical application of science and critical thinking, effective leadership, communication and dialogue, strategic relationships and having a little fun along the way. He is focused on agriculture research and educated himself for the job with a Chemistry Degree from University of Lethbridge and a Master's of Science, Environment and Management from Royal Roads University.
Through Monsanto Canada Inc., Lethbridge Research Center, Alberta Pool Research and Development, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Ken became a research manager and organizational leader. He then joined Southern Applied Research Association and created Farming Smarter - Alberta's leading crop research institution. Ken is a 2022 Nuffield Canada Scholar and farms mixed grains on irrigated land near Coaldale, AB.
A coordinated effort of reactionary columnists, conservative politicians, right-wing think tanks and others are lining up to push the narrative that our public health care is “broken”; they predictably go on to conclude that the only solution is to privatize it. But the truth is our system isn’t broken, it’s being intentionally dismantled for the benefit of private profits.
There is no doubt that our public health care system is struggling under a series of crises: the ongoing pandemic, a deadly drug poisoning crisis, chronic short staffing and burnout, bed and unit closures, chronic EMS red alerts, the impacts of years of austerity and cuts, and so much more. But rather than respond to this urgent situation with urgent action, our provincial government is using this to justify an aggressive spree of privatization - with recent announcements privatizing surgeries, community labs, ophthalmology, seniors care, home care, food services, and even a scheme to send Alberta surgeons along with their patients to private for-profit facilities out of province.
Their agenda of privatization is clear. It is full steam ahead. And unless Albertans stand up and fight right now, we risk losing our treasured public health care system altogether.
Speaker: Chris Gallaway, Executive Director Friends of Medicare
Chris Gallaway (he/him) is an experienced community organizer and advocate for public health care. Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, he has since spent most of his adult life living on Treaty 6 territory, first in Saskatoon, and for the last decade living here in Edmonton. His past experience includes working for the Alberta Federation of Labour, in three provincial legislative assemblies, and for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work Chris is an active volunteer and community member engaged in social justice and the arts.
The Lethbridge Drug Treatment Court is contained within the criminal justice system and operates within the same legal framework that governs all adult criminal court proceedings in the Provincial Court of Alberta. The drug court operates based on a guilty plea with a delayed sentencing process (s.720 (2) of the Criminal Code) with entry being dependent on the consent of the Crown, Court, and the Accused. The Lethbridge Drug Treatment Court program is founded on national and international principles for drug treatment courts, is committed to community justice and restoration and are a support service program under the direction of McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association. The speaker will talk about what the court is, how it operates, and the expectations and model of the program.
Speaker: Chelsey De Groot and Brett Carlson
My Blackfoot name is Naamiitaapii Aahkkoiyiiniimaki. I hold a Master of Arts in Leadership, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies, and a Diploma in Child and Youth Care and General Studies. I have spent the past 15 years working with vulnerable populations in various capacities such as family preservation, youth mentorship, as well as with individuals experiencing homelessness. My career shifted to the Supervised Consumption Site where I created and lead a program called I’taamohkanoohsin, meaning “everyone comes together. This program was created in partnership with Blackfoot Elders and the Lethbridge Police to assist vulnerable, street involved individuals in re-connecting to their culture. This program also allowed us to travel to surrounding communities to share knowledge about the Blackfoot people. I’taamohkanoohsin expanded to our Hip Hop for Healing program which allowed vulnerable people to create, record and perform their music, creating a space for alternative healing through music. I am also an Instructor at the Lethbridge College, teaching inmates at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and Medicine Hat Remand Centre and The Regional Director for Drug Treatment Courts in Southern Alberta.
Brett Carlson earned a BA from the University of Regina, later graduating with an LLB from the University of Victoria. Brett was called to the Bar in 1992 and has been with Legal Aid Alberta since 2008 as duty counsel in the Lethbridge Court House. For just over a year, Brett has been duty counsel in the Lethbridge Drug Treatment Court (DTC). He was a former President of the Interfaith Food Bank. Brett resides in Lethbridge with his spouse and two children.
There are an increasing number of urban jurisdictions that are allowing egg-laying chickens/hens. Arguable, the reasons are clear - chickens provide protein, great fertilizer, pest control and are easy to maintain. But the bigger reason for keeping chickens may be for people to get more control of their food supply, just like growing vegetables etc.
Following the past few years of the Covid pandemic, we all know food security should not be taken for granted and urban planning to allow for small scale food production can help many people meet their basic needs. The speakers will argue that urban food production is sustainable and helpful for us to live in this world without depleting its resources.
Speakers: Gilles Leclair and Kelti Baird
Gilles is a founding member and past-president of the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association. He created the Applefest (an event to promote local food sustainability) and was a long-time executive member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lethbridge. Gilles has participated in Toastmasters and is a student of the books Small Is Beautiful: Economics as If People Really Mattered, Nonviolent Communication and A Pattern Language (urban design). He is a self-described Social Entrepreneur with a passion for re-creating urban spaces within a sustainable context.
Kelti is a 2012 graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. Her particular focus was architectural history specializing in settlement architecture in Western Canada. She is the founding co-owner of Theoretically Brewing Company, here in the city, as well as an environmental enthusiast.
Kelti’s short time working for Environment Lethbridge, along with interactions with the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and Homestead Show & Market in Fort MacLeod, sprouted an interest in urban agriculture and environmentalism. In September 2018, Kelti introduced a request to City Council for an Urban Hen Pilot project, and is pursuing a change to Bylaw 3383 to allow for the same.
People increasingly spend a lot of time looking at screens and particularly so during these past two years of the Covid pandemic. Social media chatter and news on computers, phones and other devices have become a big part of our lives. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that are changing the way we use screens, while creating new and exciting interactive experiences.
Virtual reality uses a headset to place you in a computer-generated world that you can explore. Rather than transporting you to a computer-generated world, augmented reality overlays digital content on top of the physical world using a wearable headset of mobile device. The speaker will explain the exciting world of VR/AR and discuss the consequences of this ever-expansive technology.
Speaker: Michael McCready
Mike McCready is educator and researcher with a focus on immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. He has over 20 years of development and is driven to explore new technologies and understand their application within business and society. He introduced one of the first VR development course at Lethbridge College in 2016 when he taught students to develop mobile VR games. One of Mike’s focuses is the social interactions made possible with VR and has planned and facilitated numerous social VR activities that have garnered national and international attention, included the world’s first full-day conference held in VR – Merging Realities.
Mike is also the Program Research Chair of the Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) centre at Lethbridge College. In this role he works with organizations to integrate immersive technologies to their workflow to improve organizational effectiveness.
Kathleen hopes to illuminate the ongoing colonial agenda and its extension into COVID-19 and public health relations. Particularly, she will focus on how anti-mask groups- who refer to themselves as Freedom Fighters have interacted with formal institutions like public health, and vice versa, to create expendable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes to demonstrate how Freedom Fighters and public health alike perpetuate colonialism through a new arena of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will provide a perspective critical of both public health and groups like Freedom Fighters’ role in the erasure of lives and ways of knowing. Most importantly, this presentation will ask viewers to reflect upon their positions in society and locate how they may contribute to colonialism knowingly or unknowingly.
Speaker: Kathleen Mah
Kathleen Mah is a recent graduate of the University of Lethbridge with her BA in Anthropology and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She originally comes from Calgary Alberta, but has made a home in Lethbridge for the past five years. Her research is based around drawing attention to, and fostering conversations around structural violence. Her focus is on critical public health and anti-masking groups, known as Freedom Fighters. Kathleen plans on continuing her work within medical anthropology at Carleton University in the fall as she enters the masters of arts program there. Kathleen locates herself as a settler on Treaty 7 territory, Métis Nation Region III, and Blackfoot Confederacy. She wishes to pay respect to these peoples, past, present, and future and hopes to continue to learn from these peoples.
The United Conservative Party (UCP) members voted by mail-in ballots from April 9 to May 11 whether or not they have confidence in their leader and on May 18, 2022, the result was scheduled to be announced. Originally, a special general meeting was planned to be an in-person voting event in Red Deer, but because of soaring attendee numbers, it was decided by the provincial UCP board to move the vote to a mail-in ballot over a five-week period.
Plenty of questions have surrounded the leadership of Premier Jason Kenney and his UCP government since being elected in 2019 and even before, in 2017, when Kenney won the UCP leadership race ahead of Brian Jean in a contest still being investigated by the RCMP. The speaker will look back on the past few years of notable controversies involving Kenney before the leadership review and as well, analyze how the result of such, may affect the UCP, Albertans and Alberta politics.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
Recent publications include: co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2018), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include the risk assessment of Canada’s nuclear waste site selection process. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Mahdi will share his journey crossing the gate as Afghanistan fell and the events leading up to it. He will also cover current events, what to believe and what not to believe as well as his process times and integration into first, the United States and now into Canada. He still has a brother stuck in Abu Dhabi that has been left behind from the NGO that brought him out. There is lots to cover and much to be still resolved. Jennel will share her own journey of desperation in finding ways to get Mahdi out of the country via Canadian Politicians, as well as her involvement with the evacuation of other Afghans and their procurement of special immigrant visas.
Speakers: Mahdi and Jennel Taheri
Mahdi and Jennel Taheri met six years ago through a high school friend who deployed four times to Afghanistan for the United States Military. It was through a friend of a friend on social media, that brought this unlikely pair together. Mahdi spent many years serving as a combat Interpreter and Cultural Linguist for the US Special Forces after serving 11 years in an Afghan Special Forces Unit referred to as Commandos for the Afghan National Army. After narrowly escaping the Taliban’s initial attempt to take over his hometown of Herat, Mahdi was able to secure a seat on the last flight out of his city for Kabul. Jennel worked in safety for the oil and gas industry for many years. She also owned a gym in a small town in BC. Mahdi and Jennel are now married, and he is in Canada having crossed the border on April 11th and learning to settle in life in northern BC with friends, family and a community that has pulled together to support him. Jennel is in the process of hiring on with BC ambulance as a paramedic and Mahdi will be opening a small engine repair shop once all his paperwork goes through.
The Canadian Red Cross has played a significant role in Canadian society for over 120 years, helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting communities in strengthening their resilience. The speaker will provide an overview of the Canadian Red Cross’ membership in the IFRC (International Federation Red Cross), as well as discussing their mandate, mission and fundamental principles and how they work in Canada and around the world. Additionally, the speaker will reflect on the Canadian Red Cross’ work and learnings from the Covid-19 pandemic; and provide an update on the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis.
Speaker: Mark Holzer
Mark began his career in Emergency Management with the American Red Cross, prior to returning to Canada and joining the Canadian Red Cross in 2018.
While in the U.S. Mark supported many local responses in Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as Hurricane Sandy and the Haiti earthquake.
Now based in Edmonton, AB Mark supports the Alberta Emergency Management team to plan and prepare for all hazards...everything from single family house fires to community wide impact fire and flood events.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces that for weeks had been gathering along their border. The invasion also included attacks across the Belarus-Ukraine border and was followed by targeted airstrikes on military and civilian buildings in Ukraine. Chris Burton will analyze the conflict in Ukraine in light of the development of Putin’s regime over the years and the longer history of Ukrainian relations with Russia.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Burton
Chris grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, taking his B.A. in History at Memorial University, followed by an M.A. from Carleton University. He worked in the Soviet Union during the glasnost’ years, then studied with Sheila Fitzpatrick in the 1990s at the University of Chicago for his PhD. He is Associate Professor of History at the University of Lethbridge and has been teaching Russian History there, and Modern European History more generally, for the last twenty years. His research interests include the medical profession under Stalin, social policy in the Soviet Union, and the Soviet science of environmental health, including their understanding of air and water pollution.
The speaker will define and provide examples of “Access Block” within our Health Care system, and discuss what it means for patients and patient outcomes. An overview of the current challenges and issues growing within our system, that impair timely access to acute health care in our province will be considered.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Parks MD, FRCPC
From 2006 to the present, Dr. Parks has been actively involved in provincial & national Emergency Department Overcrowding (EDOC) advocating for important access initiatives and changes. Since 2009, he has been advocating provincially for the open & unfettered ability for physicians to advocate on behalf of their patients, & was actively involved in the government-initiated Health Quality Council of Alberta Review which concluded in 2012. This review stated unequivocally that both “Access Block” & Physician Intimidation were & still are significant issues in health care delivery within Alberta. Dr. Parks’ advocacy has been honoured with the Alan Drummond Advocacy Award in 2011; and the Public Interest Alberta Award in 2014.
Dr. Paul Parks is currently an Emergency Physician at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, & is the President of the Section of Emergency Medicine for the Alberta Medical Association & is presently clinical lecturer at the University of Calgary - Dept of Emergency Medicine & Family Medicine. He was Trauma Team Leader & clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta - Emergency Medicine. Paul is an Emergency Medicine Examiner with the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada & is an Emergency Clinical Network Member with Alberta Health Services (AHS). In recognition of his teaching and Resident Mentorship, Dr. Parks received the University of Calgary’s Clinical Teaching Award, the Canadian Emergency Medicine Teacher of Year in 2007 as well as Outstanding Clinical Teacher of Medical Students from the University of Alberta.
Paul Parks is happily married to his wife Samantha and proud father to two daughters. A movie buff, avid reader and participant and Board of Director of the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre. He is a Craft Beer lover, and co-founder and co-owner of Hell’s Basement Brewery.
The Stephen Lewis Foundation will share how their community-based partners in South Africa are safeguarding the years of progress made in the fight against HIV and AIDs while battling the challenges of COVID-19.
Speaker: Leah Odle-Benson (she/her) | Deputy Director, Impact and Learning
Stephen Lewis Foundation
The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) is a progressive, feminist organization rooted in the principles of social justice, international solidarity, and substantive equality. The SLF was created with the express purpose of supporting community-based organizations working on the frontlines of the AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these grassroots organizations were originally formed by small groups of individuals responding to the crisis AIDS had wrought in their own lives and in the lives of their neighbours. Over the years, they have developed into thriving local institutions with deep connections to their communities. The SLF’s community-based partners are turning the tide of HIV and AIDS by providing care and support to women, orphaned children, LGBTIQ individuals, Grandmothers and people living with HIV and AIDS.”
ACT Alberta provides training and education on human trafficking to service providers and stakeholders throughout the province. Incidents of human trafficking often happen in plain sight, yet may go unnoticed due to lack of citizen understanding and information. The speaker will discuss the tools needed to accurately identify red flags and indicators of human trafficking and what citizens can do to safely respond to such instances. Human trafficking, charges and convictions in Alberta, as well as ACT Alberta’s victim response will be discussed.
Speaker: Jessica Brandon - Director of Programs for the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking
(ACT) Alberta
Jessica has 15 years of advocacy experience with a strong focus on Human Rights. She began as a volunteer with the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking (ACT) Alberta in 2015 and took the leap from a leadership role in the tech sector to manage the Education Program at ACT Alberta in 2018. Since then, she has presented to thousands of community members and partners on behalf of ACT Alberta. Jessica specializes in the research, development, and delivery of trauma-informed curriculum for front-line service providers responding to human trafficking across various sectors, including healthcare professionals, law enforcement, government and non-governmental agencies, aviation, massage licensing, agriculture, hospitality, and post-secondary institutions.
Bees and beekeepers face many challenges. The Speaker will discuss what a bee is, which bees are introduced, and which groups are indigenous to Alberta, ongoing threats to bee populations, the benefits of bees to society, bee regulations and policy, and how bees are going global.
Speaker: Shelley Hoover
Shelley Hoover studies apiculture and pollination in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Her research focuses on bee health and management, breeding, and nutrition, as well as canola pollination, and the effects of environmental change on plant-pollinator interactions. Previously, Shelley was the head of the Apiculture Program for the Province of Alberta and has held Research Associate positions at the Universities of Canterbury (Christchurch, NZ) and British Columbia (Vancouver and Beaverlodge, Canada). She completed her PhD on honey bee worker ovary development, nutrition, and behaviour at Simon Fraser University. Shelley is also the past President of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists and the Entomological Society of Alberta.
The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) is one of the most important Crown corporations operating in the province. It was, until recent controversies, perhaps the least known and understood of Alberta's provincial agencies. In "Can AIMCo be Fixed?" a research paper published by The Parkland Institute, Bob Ascah examines the investment track record of AIMCo, the critical role played by the provincially-appointed board of directors and AIMCo's independence from the government. Dr. Ascah's talk will present a number of sensible recommendations to improve AIMCo's governance, independence and operations.
Speaker: Robert L. (Bob) Ascah, Ph.D. Research Fellow, The Parkland Institute
Bob Ascah was born in Lachine, Quebec. He holds degrees in Commerce and Public Administration from Carleton University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Alberta. He joined the Alberta public service in 1984 (Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs) and moved to Alberta Treasury in 1986. At Treasury he was responsible for financial sector policy, foreign borrowing and liaison with credit rating agencies. In 1999, Ascah's Ph.D. dissertation Politics and Public Debt- The Dominion, the Banks and Alberta's Social Credit was published. In 1996, he joined Alberta Treasury Branches becoming responsible for government relations, strategic planning, and economic research. In August 2009 he was appointed Director of the Institute for Public Economics at The University of Alberta. He is the editor and contributor to the forthcoming A Sales Tax for Alberta: Why and How. His articles have published in Alberta Views, The Conversation and the Calgary Herald.
The CPP came into effect on January 1, 1966 and applied to all provinces and territories except Quebec, where the separate but similar QPP was established in the same year. The contribution rates for QPP are higher than those for CPP. Although the year’s maximum pensionable earnings ($61,600 for 2021) and annual basic exemption ($3,500) for both plans are the same, an employee paying into the QPP will pay contributions at a higher rate (5.90% for 2021) compared to the rate for an employee who pays into the CPP (5.45% for 2021).
In terms of value, CPP Investments holds a very diverse $550.4 billion global investment portfolio. Its most recent results showed it produced a 10-year annualized net return of 11.6%. The speaker will elaborate on its sustainability and discuss elements including its use of green bonds and approach to investing in opportunities related to the energy industry’s evolution.
Speaker: Jeffrey Hodgson
Jeffrey Hodgson joined CPP Investments in July 2017. He oversees the Global Stakeholder Affairs function. Jeffrey has more than 20 years of experience as a financial journalist on three continents. He began his career at Bloomberg News in Toronto and subsequently took on a variety of reporting and editing roles at Reuters. These included postings in London and Hong Kong, where he led coverage of Asia’s asset management industry. More recently he was Business Editor for The Canadian Press, overseeing the work of journalists in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Originally from Saskatchewan, Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.
The development of large irrigation projects in Southern Alberta over 100 years ago brought secure
water supplies to a previously arid landscape, establishing irrigation as an integral part of our society
and environment. On October 9, 2020 the Government of Alberta and the Canada Infrastructure Bank announced an $815 million investment in partnership with eight irrigation districts to “modernize irrigation district infrastructure and increase water storage capacity”, which is now known as the Alberta Irrigation
Modernization Program. The announcement projected that over 200,000 acres of new irrigated farmland would be created from this “single largest irrigation expansion in Alberta’s history”. On November 12, 2021 it was announced that two more irrigation districts and numerous additional projects were included, with the program value increased to $933 million. The presentation will cover details of the Alberta Irrigation Modernization Program and compare its projected impact to past irrigation modernization and expansion.
Speaker: Richard Phillips
Richard is the chairman of Irrigating Alberta Inc., the consortium of irrigation districts participating in the Alberta Irrigation Modernization Program. He has been with the Bow River Irrigation District since 1996, initially as the district engineer, and as the general manager since 2004. He serves as vice chair of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association and the Bow River Basin Council and chair of the Vauxhall and District Regional Water Services Commission. He has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and is a professional engineer. He enjoys fishing and a variety of other outdoor recreational activities.
Race is a central concept in the subordination of Black people in Canada and the United States (U.S.). Yet, race has not always been considered to be a vital research variable in studies in North America. The speaker will explore how and why storytelling and counter-narrative has emerged as a methodology to unpack race, racism, belonging, and power in a settler-colonial nation-state like Canada. In other words, Storytelling develops as a fundamental methodology in Critical Race Theory tradition exposing the daily encounters of racism experienced by people of colour in societies that are colour-blind and race neutral like Canada and the U.S.
Speaker: Ibrahim Turay
Ibrahim Turay is a full-time faculty in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College and a Ph.D. Candidate in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought at the University of Lethbridge. He has a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Alberta, with 11 years of experience working for Alberta Justice & Solicitor General, Correctional Services Division, as a Correctional, Probation, and Senior Probation Officer. Ibrahim's specialty is in Counter-Storytelling as a Critical Race Theory Methodology. His professional interests include Black youth-police interactions, racialization, racial profiling, marginalization, youth gangs, and corrections.
Australia is obsessed with coal. The current Prime Minister held up a lump of coal in Parliament and told Australians not to be afraid. Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal, digging up millions of tonnes per year and shipping it across the world, fueling the climate crisis. The speaker will cover the state of play with coal in Australia - from the projects still on the cards and their impacts, and the tactics and strategies campaigners and communities are using to push for an end to coal mining and export.
Speaker: Dr Moira Williams
For over a decade Moira has been a leader in the Australian grassroots climate movement - from building and supporting a national network of Climate Action Groups to working with landholders, traditional owners and coal affected communities in central Queensland. For the last 8 years she has worked on the campaign to keep coal in the Galilee basin (one of the largest untapped fossil fuel reserves on the planet) safely in the ground. She currently works with Tipping Point - a collective that works behind the scenes to support the national #StopAdani movement - one of the largest and most successful environmental movements in Australia's history.
Citizens of Southern Alberta have been suffering through crises of different sorts over the past several years. Congruent with the Covid-19 pandemic has been a gradual but persisting loss of Family Physicians in the city of Lethbridge, and with them the loss of access to Primary Care. By the end of 2021, approximately 45% of Lethbridge citizens found themselves without a Family Physician. Dr. deWalle, a Lethbridge Family Physician, will take you through the history of this serious corrosion of healthcare, explore its causes and implications, and discuss what may happen next.
Speaker: Dr. Samuel deWalle
Dr. Samuel deWalle is a Family Physician living and working since 2013 in Lethbridge, Alberta. He graduated from Calvin University in Grand Rapids Michigan, and then the University of Calgary Medical School, before completing his residency in Rural Family Medicine in Southern Alberta. He is the outgoing President of a Family Medicine clinic in Lethbridge, a board member of the Chinook Primary Care Network, a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner, and a Medical School Clinical Lecturer. All opinions stated are his alone and do not represent any other business or institution.
People who oppose mandatory masking, Covid vaccinations and mandates as a violation of basic human rights and freedoms need to be reminded that the flip side of freedom is responsibility. The so-called “Freedom Convoy” and their illegal road blockades arguable ignores that principle. This may be their perception of freedom fighting, but reality is, they’re more like hostage takers causing movement restriction as well as financial and mental harm to responsible citizens who have done their part getting vaccinated.
Alberta’s governing party led by Premier Kenney appears reluctant to criticize blockade participants as does many federal opposition MP’s. In fact, some of these elected officials seem to outright support these illegal blockades. Their argument ignores that with freedom comes responsibility. Canadian soldiers fought in wars to support democracy and other freedoms. Thousands lost their lives taking up that responsibility.
While vaccinations do not completely stop the spread of Covid, it’s a very important tool in limiting serious outcomes and hospitalizations. The speaker will argue that a relatively small unruly group of free-spirited men and women ought not to be able to impose “their” idea of freedom on the majority of a country’s population. He will further draw on his experience in South Africa during Apartheid as a human rights and international development activist, where he saw first-hand, the results minority rule can have on society.
Speaker: Tad Mitsui
Tad was born in Japan, did his undergraduate education in Theology in Tokyo and his graduate work in Vancouver and Montreal. He taught at a university in Lesotho, Southern Africa, worked in international development agencies in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Toronto, and was in an administrative position within the United Church bureaucracy in Montreal. Tad is a retired United Church minister.
Having recently returned from COP26 Tzeporah will reflect on whether the climate negotiations were a breakthrough or a disappointment and discuss how the emergence of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance of countries and the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty Initiative relate to the future of oil and gas in Alberta and Canada.
Speaker: Tzeporah Berman
Tzeporah has been designing environmental advocacy campaigns and environmental policy for 30 years. She is currently the International Program Director at Stand.earth and the Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. She is the Co-founder of the Global Gas & Oil Network, the former co-director of Greenpeace International’s Climate and Energy Program, and the Co-founder of ForestEthics (now Stand.earth). She is an Adjunct Professor of York University Faculty of Environmental Studies and in 2013, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of British Columbia. She has held appointed positions advising the British Columbia government on climate policy and was appointed by the Alberta Government to Co-Chair the Oil Sands Advisory Working Group tasked with making recommendations to implement climate change and cumulative impact policies in the oilsands. She is the author of This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge, is listed as one of the 35 Most Influential Women in British Columbia by BC Business Magazine, and was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in British Columbia. In 2019, Tzeporah received the Climate Breakthrough Project Award and in 2021 she gave a widely-viewed TED Talk presenting the case for a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. Twitter @tzeporah
Since 2006, the Calgary Counselling Centre has overseen a unique program, the Male Domestic Abuse Outreach Program (MDAOP), delivering services to men who have been impacted by family violence. The MDAOP is one of only a handful of programs in the country to offer support to male victims of family violence. The program delivers outreach support, connecting clients with community resources (e.g., peer support, food bank, legal advice, credit counseling, shelter), one-on-one counselling (in-person or remote), and a 14-week therapy group for men who have experienced intimate partner abuse.
Collaboration between service providers, researchers and community members is key to ending family violence, including violence against men. While much research has focused on addressing violence against women, less is known about men who have experienced family violence. This presentation seeks to stimulate conversation about this lesser-known topic and shares lessons learned from our agency’s almost two decades of programming for men who have experienced abuse. It also draws on agency outcome data, clinical experience, and includes the voices of men who have accessed the MDAOP since the program’s inception.
Speaker: Stefan de Villiers
Stefan de Villiers is the coordinator of the male domestic abuse outreach program (MDAOP) at the Calgary Counselling Centre. Stefan’s social work career spans outreach and clinical work with individuals, couples and families impacted by domestic violence. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Calgary (clinical specialization), as well as a post-graduate certificate in traumatic stress studies.
Stefan participates on numerous domestic violence-related working groups, including as a Gender and Sexual Diversity advisory board member to the Calgary Police Service, and as a member of the Calgary Domestic Violence Collective Ethno-Culturally Diverse Communities working group. He is an educator and has presented on men's experiences of abuse at numerous conferences, including the Canadian Domestic Violence Conference, and the International Federation of Social Workers conference (IFSW2020).
According to Stats Canada - Family Violence in Canada - a statistical profile in 2019, there were 107,810 victims of police-reported intimate partner violence in 2019, up from 99,000 in 2018. Alberta has the 4th highest rate of police-reported intimate partner violence amongst the provinces. The overall rate of police-reported family violence increased for the third consecutive year, rising 13% over this period.
Those alarming numbers do not take into account unreported cases, which often happens for various reasons. Reasons may include, but are certainly not limited to: fear, shame and embarrassment of being judged, blamed or not believed. In many of those cases, individuals may also not be accessing any sort of supports.
While shelters are, and will always be, a critical service, most times when a person gets to a shelter, the abuse has increased significantly not just in number of incidents, but also in severity/risk. In order to turn this around, we need to shift our thinking and perspectives to expand opportunities around prevention and early intervention, through a holistic approach.
“Safe at Home” is designed to be an alternative approach to serving families experiencing domestic abuse and violence, with a focus on healing the whole family. The abusive partner is the one to move to an off-site facility or independent living; while their partner and children stay in their home and work with our outreach team to ensure their safety and help them begin to heal as well.
In this program, individuals are able to access psychoeducation (including the range of coercive or abusive behaviors, common abusive tactics and the effects that abuse has on partners and families) and ongoing supports to address the unhealthy patterns and behaviors of abuse. This men’s only facility is a place to live and to obtain supports in the hopes of making meaningful change to eliminate violence and abuse in relationships, families and communities.
The vision of “Safe at Home” is that this innovative approach will help us break the cycle of domestic abuse in our communities.
Speaker: Nara Fedozzi
Nara is a registered Social Worker an extensive background in community services and program development. She is very passionate about social justice, advocacy, and challenging stereotypes.
Nara is originally from Brazil, where she started her career. She has over 15 years of progressive experience in various areas such as government, heal and non-profit settings, with the last several years focusing on housing and social services supports. In Canada, Nara was able to expand her experience in the Domestic Violence sector, having worked for many years, with individuals experiencing domestic abuse and violence.
Nara was thrilled to assume the role of Program Director with the Safe at Home Program in June 2021. Nara believes that this innovative program will advance the work around supporting individuals, families and communities in making positive changes that will help break the cycle of Domestic Abuse and Violence.
Many regions in the Canadian Prairies and American Midwest are managing declining water resources, lower snowfall volumes and less predictable precipitation events. With the impacts of changing climate beginning to become more evident and impactful on our behaviours, livelihoods, and economic development and sustainability, what are some of the innovations and research activities at the University of Lethbridge that are helping to improve resource awareness, management, and conservation? Through this presentation, we seek a discussion about the challenges, constraints, and competing interests that are making water management increasingly difficult and important for southern Alberta.
Speaker: Dr Dena McMartin
Dr Dena McMartin is an environmental and agricultural engineer (PEng, PAg), faculty member, and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Lethbridge. She is a leading researcher focused on rural, agricultural, and industrial water resources management and treatment, as well as impacts of freshwater climate extremes on communities and economies. Dena joined the U of L in summer 2021, having previously served in academic leadership and faculty roles at both University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina. She is an enthusiastic advocate for research, innovation, scholarship and creative activities and also deeply involved with diversity and inclusion work in academia and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Farming Humans
The speaker will account for his experiences during and after a two-decade financial career, and what he learned during the research and writing of his second book “Farming Humans”. In hindsight the book could have been titled, “Humans, Farming Humans”, as it includes tricks and tactics used by those who profit from harming others. It can be argued that some of the unique features of white-collar crime are worth looking at, as they shed light into some key problems, we face in today’s world.
Problems not being adequately addressed such as inequality in systems of finance, justice, politics, and resulting side effects, which cannot only be seen globally, but also right here – a vast increase in drug dependency, homelessness and people dying on our streets. The speaker will shine light into causes and effects, which largely, have been left out of the public discourse.
Speaker: Larry Elford
Larry Elford is a former financial industry insider with two decades of experience in some of the larger firms in the industry. What he learned allowed him to become an expert witness in the area of systemic malpractice in the retail investment advisory trade. He has since testified in three parliamentary committees in Ottawa, and once in the legislature in Queens Park, Toronto.
One of Larry’s priorities has long been to inform and educate people about hidden, systemic risks in the retail investment industry. Larry produced a documentary film in 2009 titled, “Breach of Trust, The Unique Violence of White-Collar Crime”, which leads one to ask the question, “What is so unique about white collar crime?” It is this question which has occupied Larry’s thoughts ever since, and this presentation will cover that question as well.
This past year, Canada, along with other allies, left Afghanistan after the Taliban overran Kabul and other major centers of that country. With Canada’s painful exit from Afghanistan, our years in that country are now open to reflection and assessment.
The speaker served in Afghanistan with Canada’s military from October 2009 to June 2010. He will offer observations about the Afghanistan nature and land, the experience of the military and what we can learn from our time there. He also knows what it is like to be a First Nations person in our military and will share how he experienced that role, as well as giving his views of what life is like in Afghanistan.
Speaker: Preston Crow Chief
Preston Crow Chief was born in 1988. His parents are Calvin Crow Chief (Kainai) and Geraldine Sleigh (Siksika). He is from the Blood Tribe Nation. He joined the Canadian Military July 9, 2005. The program he joined through was Bold Eagle which is a Basic Military Qualification course designed for First Nation entry.
After he completed his training, Preston was transferred to the 20th Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, serving on deployment to Afghanistan 2009/2010 – with the current rank of Sergeant. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge, with a General Management Degree and now works with the Blood Tribe Housing as Accounts Payable Clerk. Preston currently lives on the Blood reserve with his son
The season that suggests we should have joy, peace and love can often instead be filled with busyness, financial demands and feelings of being overwhelmed. Getting just the right gift and saying just the right thing is difficult enough without having to navigate all the fears and restrictions introduced by a pandemic. The speaker has worked with more than 8000 clients who asked her to help them problem solve. She is an expert at focusing on the things that keep everyone healthy and sane – especially in a world that now seems to be filled with insanity.
Speaker: Linda Hancock
Linda Hancock was born and raised in the prairie town of Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada. Linda earned degrees in Arts, Social Work, Education and Psychology to the Doctoral level. (As she says, she had to spend her time and money on something, because she doesn’t golf!)
As a Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker, Dr. Hancock helps individuals, groups, organizations and communities to problem-solve and reach their potential. She is a trained mediator who has worked as a Child Welfare Case Manager and Investigator, Mental Health Consultant, and educator teaching in college and university settings. Her professional career has spanned the fields of justice, health and education.
There are many opinions on what is best practice when it comes to dealing with the serious addiction crises that is prevalent in today’s society and certainly Lethbridge is no exception. However, most people agree that the “Four Pillars” approach, harm reduction, prevention, treatment and enforcement, generally gives best outcomes.
Many reasons can be attributed to addiction, but homelessness and personal trauma are very often the main causes. The speaker will describe his Residential School trauma, his addiction struggle and eventual recovery. He will also talk about the benefits of helping others who struggle with addiction and his establishment of the organization, Kii Mah Pii Pii Tsin (Kindness to Others) Renewal and Healing Centre.
The mandate of Kii Mah Pii Pii Tsin is to support and advocate for the at-risk and vulnerable members of our community. The goal is to create specialized healing in trauma, grief, suicide intervention and also have a cultural component to the program, possibly at a facility located on Blackfoot Confederacy territory.
Speaker: Alvin Mills
In his youth, Blood Tribe member Alvin Mills was a gifted athlete as a boxer and playing multiple sports at a high enough level to earn a basketball scholarship. But it wasn’t his athleticism that would come to define the course of his life as may have been expected, it was his troublesome relationship with alcohol and drugs that took him to where he is today. Alvin is a survivor of Residential School and has struggled most of his adult years with addiction.
Alvin was incarcerated for periods of his life as he was unable to deal with the issues and trauma from Residential School that he had buried inside for so long. Finally, after someone stabbed him in the throat, Alvin entered treatment and began to work on the decades long internal trauma and grief to finally come to terms with it. He admits he still struggles, but has now found new purpose in life by helping others.
Municipal services are critical for our quality of life. However, the decisions facing local governments are heavily shaped by provincial policy. The province doesn’t just distribute grants to municipalities to help fund vital infrastructure, but they also set the rules and terms by which municipalities themselves can generate revenue.
Over the past few years, many traditional sources of municipal revenue have been “squeezed” by the province - with big impacts on local services, jobs, and infrastructure. When we think about provincial policy, municipal policy rarely comes top-of-mind. The speaker will argue why it should be, and discuss what part you can play in advocating for your municipality. This presentation will draw on material published in the Parkland Institute’s recent report, An Unfair Deal? The Impact of Provincial Cuts on Alberta Municipalities.
Speaker: Jacqueline Peterson
Jacqueline Peterson received her PhD from the University of Toronto (Political Science) in 2020. An expert in municipal finance, her research focuses on multilevel governance, local finance, and urban governance in Canada and the US. Jacqueline frequently teaches urban politics and policy at the University of Calgary as a Sessional Instructor. Her forthcoming book, Multilevel Fiscal Institutions and the Politics of Funding Sustainable Urban Infrastructure, will be published in 2022 by McGill-Queens University Press. Prior to entering academia, Jacqueline worked for elected representatives in both Calgary’s City Council and the Alberta Legislature.
For many elderly folks, a call from a friend or an acquaintance once or twice a week can make a big difference in how they feel. Knowing that someone cares and is there to share stories and laugh with is comforting and meaningful in so many ways. The Volunteer Lethbridge Keep in Touch program connects people in our community with each other through a weekly telephone support system linking seniors to a friendly person with whom to chat and access resource information they may need.
Arguable, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major increase in loneliness and mental health issues, especially among seniors, and therefore more demand for programs such as Keep in Touch. The speaker will describe how the Keep in Touch program was developed by Volunteer Lethbridge. After successfully piloting the program in Lethbridge with funding from the COVID-19 Mental Health and Addiction Community Fund, the program is now gaining partners in other Alberta cities and rural communities.
Speaker: Connie-Marie Riedlhuber
Connie Marie is the Keep in Touch Senior’s Coordinator with Volunteer Lethbridge. The majority of her career and personal journey has centered around supporting and caring for aging seniors, building healthy families, workplaces, and communities. Connie-Marie is a Transition Specialist, Life Designer, Author and Presenter, and has training in Sacred Psychology, along with Marketing and Communications.
Today, a community's prosperity is linked to its ability to attract, retain, develop and mobilize talent. The future prosperity of Alberta is undoubtedly centered on people. The risk of young people leaving our province is real and extraordinarily complex. What drives young adults to “purchase” a city? What are young Canadians’ perceptions of Alberta? What does Alberta need to do to once again make Alberta a magnet for young adults? In this discussion, Dr. David Finch of Mount Royal University's CityXLab will review insights from a year-long study that examined the drivers of talent mobility in Alberta and across Canada.
Speaker: Dr. David J Finch
Dr. David J. Finch holds a PhD in management and is an active educator, scholar and practitioner. He currently holds several academic appointments including as a Professor at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, a Visiting Fellow at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading (UK), and the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. As a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity, Dr. Finch leads the Institute’s CityXLab. This Lab explores the intersection between a city’s learning, creative and active experiences; and its ability to attract, develop and retain human capital. Dr. Finch has authored over 50 scholarly papers and published in journals such as the Academy of Management Learning & Education, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Sport Management and the Corporate Reputation Review. His most recent book Understanding the Active Economy and Emerging Research on the Value of Sports, Recreation, and Wellness (Finch & Legg) explores the value of the active economy to community. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Finch held progressively senior roles in areas of corporate strategy in Canada, the U.S and the U.K.
Five retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologists provided a submission to the Coal Policy Committee earlier this year (Insights on Coal Development from Five Retired Fish and Wildlife Biologists). The submission was grounded in our experience as provincial biologists and in ecological arguments. It was based on our collective experience, observations, monitoring and research on open-pit coal mining in the Eastern Slopes over nearly a 50-year timespan as well as relevant research references on the ecological effects of coal mining on the aquatic environment, fish and wildlife populations and native plant communities. The presentation is a summary of our conclusions. The submission touches on the processes involved in mine development, on a synoptic review of mine operations in the Eastern Slopes and on mine mitigation, compensation and reclamation. The most profound conclusion is the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rockies are not a frontier of unrealized possibilities—instead, they are a busy landscape where expectations already exceed the ability of the landscape to absorb these dreams. The speaker will argue, there are no longer places in the Eastern Slopes where coal development can be safely, effectively and environmentally accommodated.
Speaker: Lorne Fitch- Professional Biologist
Lorne has been a biologist for 50 years, working on many issues related to use of land and water. Lorne is a professional biologist, a retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologist, was one of the co-founders of the stewardship initiative Cows and Fish and a former Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. Lethbridge is home, where he pens articles and essays on issues related to Alberta’s landscape and critters.
Alberta has 170,000 plus inactive and abandoned oil wells and over 3000 orphan wells that have been abandoned by failed companies. It all adds up to a liability in excess of $30 billion against a total security deposit of less than $250 million. There is also a growing tax liability. In a survey, the Rural Municipalities Association of Alberta (RMA) found $245 million in unpaid property taxes owed by oil and gas companies in February 2021, a 200 percent increase from 2019. Lease arrears to land owners, are also in the millions.
The speaker will argue that an average of 750 kilowatts solar energy can be installed on abandoned oil well sites by converting those without further impact on the farmland, thus creating a long-term source of revenue in the form of taxation to municipalities and lease payments to land owners. He will detail the possibilities of such installations and further contend that local renewable energy production can minimize the need for, expensive to construct, high-voltage transmission lines. With support from Alberta’s Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, the M.D. of Taber and 3 irrigation districts (St. Mary River, Taber and Raymond), two 1 MW pilot projects are scheduled for construction in the Spring of 2022.
Speaker: Keith Hirsche
Keith Hirsche is a fourth generation Albertan, second generation in the oil and gas industry and the originator of the RenuWell Project. Over the course of his career, he provided research support for in-situ oilsands production, managed software developments and played key roles in several consortia including Canada’s first CO2 sequestration/EOR project.
Keith was introduced to renewable energy technology in 2003 while visiting extended family in Denmark. Later that year, he founded Elemental Energy (2003 Alberta) Inc to explore how conventional and renewable energy systems could be combined for a more sustainable future. Since 2016, he has worked with key stakeholders to create economic, environmental and social benefits by repurposing Alberta’s legacy oil and gas infrastructure to be a foundation for renewable energy development. In addition to his technical experience, Keith is trained in group facilitation and conflict management.
In addition to the municipal and Senate candidate elections, two referendum questions were added by the Alberta Government to the 2021 Municipal Elections: (1) Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the constitution? (2) Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight-Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year?
The first question can arguably be considered partisan in nature given the rhetoric around equalization provided by the governing UCP party and it may have enabled an altered focus of people running and voting on local issues. Besides that, what did the vote on equalization actually mean? Similarly, the vote for Senate appointments among the 13 candidates running may have been a futile exercise.
Lethbridge added two extra questions on their ballot (1) Do you support using a ward system to elect City Councilors (other than the Mayor) starting with the 2025 municipal election? (2) Do you agree that city council should approve plans to construct a 3rd bridge prior to 2030 as a municipal capital project priority? These questions were front and center during election forums and will no doubt be hot items for Lethbridge City Council to wrestle with going forward.
Typically, partisan politics play a rather small role in municipal politics & the speaker will recount his extensive experiences and concerns. He will also estimate what the election results could mean for Alberta & speculate on the wisdom of allowing Political Action Committees (PAC's) & more money into municipal politics.
Speaker: Barry Morishita
A long serving councilor and Mayor in the City of Brooks, Barry Morishita is well known in municipal government across the province having spent 7 years on the Board and Executive of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association becoming the associations longest serving President. His experiences traveling throughout the Province in this capacity & his passion for building communities earned him the Honorary Lifetime Membership from the AUMA. He retired from municipal politics in 2021 & has moved into the provincial arena as the Leader of the Alberta Party. Barry is a proud Canadian of Japanese descent, married with two children & two grandchildren living in the City of 100 Hello’s, Brooks, Alberta.
Food security and sustainable agriculture are top of mind given the challenges of climate change. The speaker will talk about a new aquaponics project happening in southern Alberta to tackle food security and climate change. He will discuss the challenges with food security in southern Alberta and why sustainable agriculture is important, and provide an overview of aquaponics and how it is a sustainable growing method. And finally, he will discuss the collaboration of the aquaponics project with schools and community stakeholders, and how it will enhance food security in schools and promote environmental leadership.
Speaker: Michael Lavorato
Michael Lavorato has been passionate about environmental sustainability all his life. He started working in aquaponics over the last five years to promote and enhance sustainable food systems. He has built over 40 aquaponics systems across Alberta in schools, libraries, and continuing care facilities.
The past two years have been exceptionally challenging for all Alberta Post-Secondary students, and the Student body at the University of Lethbridge has been no exception. Budget cuts by the Alberta government, with more anticipated, increasing tuition and education costs, housing issues, racism, Covid-19, online learning and transitioning back to on campus learning and employment uncertainty are but a few of the challenges experienced by Students.
In addition to these issues, Affordability and Food Scarcity challenges are an ever-present reality for far too many post-secondary Students. The “Feed or Famine Food Drive” is one of the critical projects the University of Lethbridge Students Union (ULSU) sponsors to meet the nutritional needs of students. The Speaker will discuss the Feed or Famine Food Drive project and share some insights as to how students are faring, along with other supports the ULSU Student Affairs undertakes to assist students to have a successful academic year.
Speaker: Amy Mendenhall – Vice President Student Affairs
Amy Mendenhall is the Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Lethbridge Student Union. As a fourth-year student in the Indigenous Studies and History programs, Amy serves the student body as a mature student, bringing a wealth of experience and history of community service and volunteerism beginning from the young age of thirteen. A mother of three, Amy is originally from Red Deer, and began volunteering with the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Boys and Girls Club and Students & Teachers opposing Prejudice, Red Deer Food Bank, International Students Club, and a member of the first official Gay Straight Alliance Club in Alberta.
Amy was awarded the Premiers Award of Excellence for her work with the successful passing of an Anti-Bullying Bylaw in Red Deer; and was also awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for Red Deer in 2006 for volunteer work. Amy graduated from the Red Deer College with an Educational Assistant certification in 2013, and the New York Institute of Photography in 2017. Through her continued activism, Amy strives to support U of L Students in their challenges at the University of Lethbridge.
Sustaining medical services in smaller communities is challenging at the best of times. Doctors have been working without an agreement for almost two years, and the unstable relationship with our government has made it nearly impossible to recruit and retain physicians to rural areas. The gaps in services are widening provincially, and instead of addressing the worsening underlying issues, government and AHS have dismissed the numerous closures as pandemic or vacation related. Dr. Myhr questions whether maintaining services for rural populations is a priority- especially in light of the February 2020 review of AHS that suggested reductions or closures would save the system money. Dr. Myhr will give an overview of the current crisis and why it should matter to everyone.
Speaker: Sam Myhr, Rural Medicine President for the Alberta Medical Association
Sam Myhr is a family physician in Pincher Creek, where she and her colleagues are true generalists - a now endangered species in medicine. Together they run the clinic, hospital, emergency room, and surgical/obstetrical services for the surrounding area - all while training a constant complement of six medical students/residents. What started as a fight to maintain the broad services her group is proud to deliver has led to multiple regional and provincial advocacy roles. Sam is Vice President of Pincher Creek’s Attraction and Retention Committee, advises government on rural sustainability through various channels, and is the current President of the Section of Rural Medicine for the AMA.
The Liberal Party retained power in a close-run 2019 federal election where the Liberals won 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote, enough to form a minority government. The opposition Conservative Party won more votes, but far fewer seats. This was the first time since 1979 that the winner of the most seats wasn’t also the winner of the most votes. The NDP and separatist Bloc Quebecois parties both ended up holding the balance of power.
The speaker will unpack the results of the September 20, 2021 federal election and outline some of the main issues including why the Liberals called the election in the middle of this current 4th COVID pandemic wave.
Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas
Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students’ Union President.
Lethbridge’s 2021 Municipal Elections has the potential to be very interesting. For sure, the City will have a new Mayor and several fresh faces on Council. Many issues are up for debate and there are questions on the ballot: Is there a need for a third Bridge and should Lethbridge adopt a ward system? Additionally, the Province is asking Albertans for their opinion on equalization and daylight-saving time. The speaker will give an overview of these and other pressing issues such as homelessness and the overdose crisis. She will also supply information on what it takes to be a public servant and as well, provide a brief comparison between Bill 29: Local Authorities Election Amendment Act 2020, Bill 45: Local Authorities election Amendment Act 2020 (no. 2) and the previous Bill 23: An Act to Renew Local Democracy in Alberta from 2018. What impact might these changes have on the current and future municipal elections?
Speaker: Maria Fitzpatrick
Maria was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland studying Education and Physical Education and taught with the Catholic School Board. She attended St. Francis Xavier University graduating with a diploma in Train the Trainer. Maria worked with both the Federal Government & the Territorial Government working in the field of Corrections as a Recreation Supervisor, Teacher & Education Coordinator, Parole Officer (both in the institution & community) finishing that career working at National Headquarters in policy development & project management. Maria was elected Regional Vice President in the National Capital Region with the Union of Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), & was a member of the Board of Directors & the Alliance Executive Committee for PSAC. Maria served as a member of the Board of Directors United Way Ottawa.
Returning to Alberta in October 2012, Maria continued her career in Corrections retiring in 2015, and was elected as NDP MLA for Lethbridge East, serving her constituency & Alberta from 2015 to 2019. During that tenure she chaired the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, was a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, & was appointed to the Ministerial Panel on Child Intervention from 2017–2019, speaking out in the Legislature about her personal experience with Domestic Violence in support of Bill 204 (2015 Residential Tenancies-Safer Spaces for Victims of Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2015-Assented to 2015.) Since 2019, Maria has remained an active constituent of Lethbridge working with various organizations and local & provincial initiatives.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a historic public health crisis that has had drastic and long-lasting effects on global health and the economy. This has also been the first pandemic where updates have been provided on a nearly instantaneous basis to both biomedical researchers, healthcare workers and the public. Over 20 plus months, research from across the globe has allowed us to understand SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, in details normally taking years to decades. However, many questions remain. Namely, how did this happen? When will it end? How do we navigate this new frontier between these points? The Speaker will provide some background context to describe our current state of knowledge of the virus, the illness and the vaccines and interventions being implemented to get the pandemic under control.
Speaker: Dr. Jason Kindrachuk PhD
Dr. Kindrachuk is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Canada, and holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in the molecular pathogenesis of emerging viruses. His research expertise and experiences have focused on emerging virus pathogenesis and outbreak preparedness with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, including outreach activities in Sierra Leone, Gabon and Kenya. His research investigations focus on the circulation, transmission and pathogenesis of emerging viruses that pose the greatest threat to global human and animal health. These have included ebolaviruses, coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Past and present findings from his investigations will help inform therapeutic treatment and development strategies, outbreak prediction and preparedness efforts. He is also active in international outbreak response efforts, including the West African Ebola virus disease epidemic and, most recently, Covid-19. He actively participates in training young investigators for careers in infectious disease research and in public outreach activities locally, nationally and internationally.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) (the Alberta Government) are demanding across-the-board pay cuts of 3 percent, plus additional monetary cuts that would raise the cost of the rollbacks to an average 5 percent in their negotiations with United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) members who have already endured six years of zero percent increases. All this arguably amounts to a relatively large reduction in nurses pay under the guise that Alberta nurses are being paid more than their provincial counter-parts.
The government claims it respects the sacrifice and dedication of Alberta’s nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which is continuing. Under these circumstances, with pay cuts and major rollbacks still on the table, this appears to compound the disrespect shown by AHS during these negotiations. The speaker will clarify where negotiations are at between AHS and UNA. She will also dig deeper into the current healthcare staffing crisis, challenges of COVID, and the UCP privatization agenda attacking health care in Alberta.
Speaker: Danielle Larivee
Danielle Larivee has been a registered nurse for over 24 years, and has worked in a variety of settings, from frontline public health, to First Nation homecare, to teaching nursing, and is currently the First Vice-President of UNA, the union representing over 30,000 RNs, RPNs, and other frontline healthcare workers.
She proudly served as president of her UNA local 315 until she was elected to the Alberta Legislature on May 5, 2015 and went on to fill multiple Cabinet posts, including Minister of Municipal Affairs, Service Alberta, Children’s Services and Status of Women. During her time in office, she managed many complicated and sensitive files, such as being Alberta’s lead for the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, developing and implementing a plan to improve Alberta's child intervention system, and co-chairing a review of the province’s mental health system.
Ms. Larivee feels strongly that advocating at the political level is part of a nurse’s responsibility and is thankful for the opportunity in her newest role to advocate for both Alberta’s nurses and for our publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system.
Educators know all curricula need timely revision and many are concerned about the most recent draft K-6 curriculum proposed by the government of Alberta. The wheels began turning over a decade ago for a comprehensive K-12 curriculum review and rewrite, beginning with the “Inspiring Education” framework of 2009 under PC Premier Stelmach and Education Minister Hancock, followed by a 2013 Ministerial Order under PC Premier Redford and Education Minister Johnson. Prior to these directives, curriculum in Alberta was updated for individual subject areas at various times. The comprehensive K-12 approach came to fruition in 2016 under NDP Premier Notley and Education Minister Eggen with a planned 6-year curriculum writing project involving hundreds of educators meeting in expert working groups. A K-4 draft curriculum was completed and presented in draft form for piloting in 2018 but was cancelled following the Provincial election by the UCP, and was replaced by a 12-member advisory committee charged with developing a new K-6 draft proposal. That proposed curriculum has received much criticism from teachers, administrators, school divisions, and education professors. Our two speakers, both worked on the previously proposed, now rejected, curriculum revision and have an insider’s view of the 2016-2019 process. They will take us inside the controversy, sharing the process used, and outline what many points of debate and conflict are about.
Speakers: Ken Rogers and Kelly Frewin
Ken Rogers retired in 2018 from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute after a 32-year career in music teaching. He taught band, choir, guitar and general music courses at middle, junior and high school levels, as well as some elementary school music. He has taught at the post-secondary level including music studio performance, choir, and music curriculum and instruction courses at the U of L. He has had a keen interest in music curriculum through his teaching career. In 2016 he was appointed as a member of the Alberta Education Arts Curriculum Working Group focusing on grades 9-12 music and served until the group’s suspension in July 2019. Ken has been involved in many community music programs – McKillop United Church, the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Lethbridge Community band, Lethbridge Big Band, Vox Musica Chorus, and various musical theatre groups. He holds a B. Music and a B. Ed. from the U of L and a graduate diploma in Fine Arts from the U of C.
A Lethbridge educator for 20 years, Kelly Frewin received a B of Fine Arts 1996 & a B of Ed 2001 & received the Gold Medal from the U of L. He taught grades 5/6 multi-age classroom for 2 years, then transferred to Wilson Middle School, where he taught drama plus academic classes. In 2007 Kelly moved to Lethbridge Collegiate Institute to teach the drama program. In 2010 Kelly took a yearlong secondment position in the U of L faculty of Education teaching practicum students and future drama instructors. He returned to Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and continues to lead the drama program. Kelly joined the Provincial Curriculum Working Group in 2016, consulting with Alberta Education on the new curriculum. This work ended in 2019 when the curriculum was rejected. Currently he is working on his Master of Education thesis, focusing on using drama as a tool to address social issues in the school and community.
At least 150,000 Indigenous youths were forced into Indian Residential Schools (IRS) between the 1870s and 1990s. They were run by Canadian/Provincial governments and religious authorities. The aim was to strip the young of their language/culture and force them to adopt to the colonizer's way of life. In other words, cultural genocide, but with the recent discovery of 215 indigenous children at a Kamloops IRS in unmarked graves, with many more to be found all over Canada, it can be argued that it’s more than cultural genocide.
Out of the 139 IRS in Canada, 26 were in Alberta. Among those, six were in Southern Alberta. It is known that thousands of Indigenous children died needlessly while attending IRS. The speakers will describe their experiences with IRS and relate to how the generational trauma have affected large portions of Indigenous Peoples and their communities. Healing remedies and the importance of teaching all kids about the horror of IRS in K-6 and beyond, will also be discussed.
Speakers: Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox and Elder Keith Chief Moon
Oki, Niistoo’akoka Aapiihkwi’komotakii, my English name is Terri-Lynn Fox. I am a member of the Kainai Nation, which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. My academic credentials include a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Sociology, and a Ph.D. in Education. I am the Director of the Kainai Wellness Centre, which is one branch of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, located on the Kainai Nation. I practice our Siksikaitsitapi ways and envision this to be at the forefront of our healing methods, in addition to an avenue for our way forward, as we think about, participate in, and actively change the Canadian landscape for the betterment of all – to justly reach reconciliation.
Onistaya Kopi, Keith Chief Moon. I am a Survivor of the Indian Residential Schools on the Blood Reserve. I
was subjected to discrimination and bigotry, yet I obtained a high school diploma from Cardston. I have
achieved a B.A. and B.Ed. in Native American Studies; and an M.A. in Education. I have overcome addictions;
and I am currently free from alcohol, drugs and other forms of hallucinatory drugs. I am a sacred pipe
carrier, a ceremonialist, and I practice the teachings of Napbii Na’tosi, that all human beings have a
responsibility to live a good life, to prosper, to share, to respect and take each day as a new day.
In October 2020, the Federal Government announced its 2021-2022 Immigration Level Plan. The government is hoping to bring a targeted 1.2 million immigrants into the country to help the Canadian economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and drive future growth.
Canada is often referred to as a land of immigrants because of the millions of newcomers who have settled there since the first colonies were built by the English and the French on Indigenous territories. However, despite this history of immigration, many immigrants encounter discrimination and social exclusion upon their arrival.
Much of the discrimination and difficulty encountered originate in common myths and beliefs held by those already living in Canada. In this presentation we will visit the new Immigration Level Plan introduced by the Federal government to shed light on the different immigration categories and discuss the reasons for this increase to immigration targets. Along the way we will try to bust common myths about newcomers to Canada. We will also explore some of the challenge’s newcomers face during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker: Najib Mangal
Najib Mangal is manager of Community Connections and Employment programs at Immigrant Services of Lethbridge Family Services. He is an accredited settlement practitioner with 15 years of experience in settlement and integration of newcomers into Lethbridge. He graduated with a degree in Information Technology in 2006 from the Lethbridge College and recently completed his Immigration Consultancy program through the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultancy.
While painkilling medicine has been around for a very long time, Fentanyl is a powerful addictive opioid painkiller, the use of which has caused an increasing public health threat in Canada and elsewhere. Fentanyl was initially approved in 1960 and used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, especially cancer pain. However, recent years have seen a growing use of fentanyl and its analogs that are widely synthesized in laboratories and adulterated with illicit supplies of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills, contributing to addiction and the exponential growth in the number of drug-related overdose deaths.
The southern Alberta community of Kainai First Nation has been hit very hard by the Fentanyl overdose crises and since 2014 in particular, hundreds in the community have died tragically. The speaker will describe the early circumstances of the crises and as well, more recent measures taken to mitigate the loss, which includes a harm reduction strategy, since conventional abstinence-based treatment has proved ineffective for saving lives. The strategy includes supervised consumption and the Blackfoot practice known as "kimmapiiyipitssini" – pronounced "GEE-maa-bee-bit-sin" meaning "giving kindness to each other”.
Speaker: Dr. Esther Tailfeathers
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers was born and raised on the Blood Tribe Kainai First Nation in southern Alberta. She graduated from the University of North Dakota, School of Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta.
Esther has worked with many First Nations, among them, the Emergency Department on the Blackfeet Reservation (in Montana), the Blood Tribe Reserve for almost 20 years, and in the Northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan. She is most proud of organizing a relief mission to Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, leading a team made up of Blood Tribe paramedics, nurses and health care workers who took care of more than 2,000 patients during their relief efforts.
Most recently, Dr. Tailfeathers has focused on the Blood Tribe’s response to the opioid crisis including harm reduction and treatment, and addressing the upstream determinants of health. Dr. Tailfeathers is currently the Senior Medical Director, Provincial Indigenous Wellness Core, at Alberta Health Services.
Public participation is widely considered to be an essential component of any legitimate exercise of state power over resource development and environmental decision-making. A clear illustration of what can happen when public participation is excluded from the decision-making process is the public uproar concerning the abrupt rescission by the Alberta government of the 1976 Coal Policy in May 2020.
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is Alberta's regulator of energy development throughout the full lifecycle of an oil, gas, or coal project - from initial application to final closure and reclamation. The AER is responsible for assessing and monitoring the environmental impacts of these energy projects, and the AER implements a compliance program to enforce the applicable legal rules.
This session will be a critical examination of the opportunities provided by the AER for the public to participate in its decision-making processes. While the discussion will canvass the topic broadly in relation to various components of the AER's regulatory functions, specific focus will be given to the AER's statement of concern procedures - the process used by the AER to invite persons who are concerned with a proposed energy development to express those concerns.
Speaker: Shaun Fluker
Shaun Fluker is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. His research includes examining legal frameworks governing public participation and transparency in resources and environmental decision-making. He has written extensively on procedural and substantive rules governing access to legal process, judicial review and access to information. His article "The Right to Public Participation in Resources and Environmental Decision-Making in Alberta" (2015) provides a critical assessment of these issues specifically in relation to the AER and its predecessors, and he writes frequently on current developments in public participation at the Faculty of Law's blog.
Shaun also serves as legal counsel in public interest environmental litigation with the Faculty’s Public Interest Law Clinic. His most recent case with the Clinic resulted in a victory for enhanced public participation in environmental decision-making in Normtek Radiation Services Ltd v Alberta Environmental Appeal Board, 2020.
After Jason Kenney became Premier of Alberta on April 30, 2019, he followed through on his campaign promise and set in motion the “energy war room” or the Canadian Energy Centre CEC) as it was named when launched in Dec 2019. The purpose of the $30 million per year CEC was to fight back campaigns against Alberta’s Oil Sands etc. that, according to some sources, were funded by foreign interest money supporting several Environmental Non-government Organizations (ENGOs) Tar Sands Campaign.
Steve Allan was commissioned in July 2019 at the cost of $2.5 million to lead a provincial/public inquiry into "foreign-funded special interests" and their campaigns to stop oil sands development. Later, and when it became clear that the July 2, 2020 final report deadline would be missed, Alberta's energy minister added $1 million to the inquiry's budget and pushed back the deadline for Allan's final report, first to Oct 30, then to Jan 30 and finally to May 31, 2021.
As Alberta poured more time and resources into this inquiry, several amendments to its scope and scale was made, which may limit what info the inquiry is expected to yield. The speaker, who has followed this inquiry closely, will narrate the nuanced details and, barring another delay, comment on the final report.
Speaker: Markham Hislop
Markham Hislop is an energy journalist and publisher of Energi News (formerly North American Energy News). Hislop uses a technology adoption model of his own design to analyze and report upon all the facets of the energy industry, from oil and gas to EVs and renewables.
Over the past 5 years, Hislop has probably reported about the Energy Transition more than any other North American journalist. His work has been published in Canadian Business, Alberta Oil Magazine, Hart Energy Publications, World Oil, Vancouver Magazine, and other publications. Hislop’s most recent book is The New Alberta Advantage: Technology, Policy, and the Future of the Oil Sands.
Over the past two years, tenths of millions of public education dollars have been cut from Lethbridge’s two post-secondary institutions budgets, resulting initially in hundreds of directly lost jobs and as well, hefty increases in tuition for students. Arguably, there are also many indirect economic and knowledge losses to consider in the longer term. The speaker will make clear that the myriad of issues related to these severe government cuts (more are promised in 2022) are not only about short-term economics, but also connected to the importance of great quality and affordable post-secondary education that will keep Lethbridge an attractive community for individuals, families and businesses to be located.
Speaker: Cyndi Vos, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce
Cyndi Vos is a double alumnus of the University of Lethbridge. She holds a Bachelor of Music, Master of Education, Post Graduate Certification in Executive Coaching and has completed Leadership Certification through the Napoleon Hill Foundation at Purdue University. Her professional business career began under the direction of her entrepreneurial parents. Cyndi focused in healthcare with the company We Care Health Services, specializing in palliative care, for 20 years, serving as the CEO for 10 years. In early 2019, she became the CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce where she has recently led policy on such topics as The Economics of Addiction, Digital Broadband as the Key to Economic Prosperity and Creating an Effective Workforce for the Changing Economy which all received Federal recognition.
Cyndi has had the opportunity to perform as a solo concert pianist in Canada, England, Poland, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the United States. She is also very active in the fitness community and competes nationally. Cyndi has a passion for sharing stories and has been a contributing author with the titles of The Fine Art of Parenting After Separation: The Power of a Positive Mental Attitude, The Girl in the Red Bikini, Johnny B and Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok: Lessons from the Big Four. All four of these publications reached best seller status. Cyndi believes in giving back to her community and has received national recognition for her philanthropic efforts. She currently sits on the University of Lethbridge Senate, the Board of Directors for Economic Development Lethbridge, the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee and the Community Wellbeing & Safety Strategy Advisory Committee.
The Grassy Mountain Open-Pit Coal Mine proposed by Benga Mining Ltd., (Riversdale) in the Crowsnest Pass has raised questions and concerns about the regulatory process in Alberta, such as the transparency, independent decision-making, and enforcement capacity of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). What is AER’s history and track record with regards to Coal Mining regulations in Alberta?
This presentation will provide a summary of a case study of the regulatory process for coal mining in Alberta through the application phase to operational monitoring and finally closure and reclamation using examples from regulatory documents published by and submitted to the Alberta Energy Regulator for the Cheviot (Cardinal River and Luskar) Mine operated by Teck Resources Ltd in West Central Alberta. The speaker will provide examples of predicted risks to human and environmental health from coal development and how these are monitored, mitigated or managed through regulatory oversight with supporting data from industrial and environmental monitoring reports.
Speaker: Mandy L. Olsgard M.Sc., P. Bio. Principal, Sr. Toxicologist/ Risk Assessor
Mandy Olsgard is currently the owner and Senior Toxicologist at Integrated Toxicology Solutions. Over the past 15 years Mandy has worked as a toxicologist and risk assessor in research, consulting and regulatory environments to develop coordinated and effective risk management plans for energy and non-energy resources by collaboratively addressing industry, regulatory, First Nations, Metis, and public stakeholders’ concerns.
The focus of Mandy’s career to date has been on researching and developing methods to understand the toxicity of environmental contaminants released from conventional and non-conventional oil and gas, mining and municipal sectors and impacts to environmental and human health. She has done this through provision of technical expertise on regulatory application reviews, regulatory hearing proceedings, multi-stakeholder technical working groups and independent research.
Following their convincing election victory April 16, 2019, Alberta’s UCP Government led by Jason Kenney, has seen a steady decline in their support from Alberta voters, particularly in Calgary and some urban centers, where the opposition NDP and other parties have made gains according to the latest polls. While it can be argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has made life difficult for all provincial governments in Canada, it appears Jason Kenney and his party has suffered more damage than most.
Right from the start of UCP forming government, many of their stated policy changes and initiatives did not age well for a variety of reason, some of which may have been out of their control. But severely lowering the corporate tax rate without creating the promised jobs hasn’t worked out so far and neither has picking fights with doctors, healthcare providers and public service workers during a pandemic. Massive funding cuts to universities and colleges, opening up for coal mining in the Eastern Slopes and blaming others for pretty much anything that’s gone wrong, hasn’t been a winning strategy either. The speaker will contextualize what the Alberta UCP’s will need to do if they are to re-emerge as a voter favorite in the next election.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
In the post 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) era of reconciliation, many Canadians are wondering what reconciliation might mean to their community. Among other injustices, Residential Schools and the “Sixties Scoop” particularly, generated many negative impacts on Indigenous families and communities, which continue to challenge their well-being today. However, much of Canada’s early history and relationship with Indigenous peoples is still hidden, and that secrecy is likely a serious barrier to reconciliation in Canada. How to implement the TRC calls to action are now under consideration by most levels of Government. Should the truth of Canada’s shameful treatment of Indigenous Peoples for example be told as part of the K12 school and post-secondary curriculum? The speaker will shed light on these issues and as well, address Canada’s current dilemma of protest and blockades, which arguably are caused by, for far too long, having ignored Indigenous rights and their ability to decide what happens on their land.
Join Acting Leader Jacquie Fenske of the Alberta Party for a conversation about the need for a choice in Alberta politics. The speaker will discuss what doing politics differently really means, grassroots politics, and the state of the Alberta Party.
Speaker: Jacquie Fenske – Acting Leader of the Alberta Party
Jacquie Fenske is the Acting Leader of the Alberta Party. She previously served as a PC MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, and as a Strathcona County Councilor. She is a managing partner for the family business, Fifendekel Pie Shop Café.
Date and time: Thursday May 6, 2021 at 10:00 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/vFAK08JMVpQ
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go to the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
Alberta is arguably in the midst of a generational economic shift as we face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead to the post-pandemic recovery, what should Albertans expect from their Government with regards to the serious economic challenges we face as a province.
Alberta's government recently tabled Budget 2021 during this public health and economic crisis that has led to reduced revenue and increased costs. The speaker will argue that this budget is a responsible approach to spending, while creating more investment in priority areas like health care and job creation. As the COVID pandemic continues to affect all Albertans, the budget provides for key funding to healthcare and education as well as investments in Alberta's natural resources, tech and farming sectors beyond COVID-19.
Speaker: Nathan Neudorf, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge East Constituency
Nathan Neudorf was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on April 16, 2019. Nathan currently chairs the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, and also sits on the Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Families and Communities, and Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services. Additionally, Nathan is the Provincial Representative to the Council of State Governments Midwest and West.
Nathan has extensive experience in commercial construction. He has his civil and structural engineering diploma and is a red seal journeyman carpenter and gold seal project manager. As an active community volunteer and leader, Nathan served as the past president of the Lethbridge Construction Association and on the board of directors for the Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Construction Safety Association and Worker’s Compensation Board.
Nathan lives in Lethbridge with his wife, Deanne, their five children, and their two Beagles. . Date and time: Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/fYA8R08ilMY
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The fate of liberal democratic governments hinges importantly on building and sustaining political support for their agenda. Public consultation is one tool governments may use to secure this support. Public consultation, a very broad concept, may be regarded generally as the effort political and government leaders make, to seek input or comments from non-governmental actors. Consultations may be more or less inclusive, more or less wide-ranging. They may solicit the opinions of the public generally or only of selected stakeholders (individuals or groups with a particularly important interest or concern in an issue).
Public consultation also is risky. Governments may not receive the feedback they expect or would like to receive from whatever version of the public they consult. For this reason, governments may be tempted to shape consultation processes in ways privileging their preferred policy approaches.
This presentation will focus on the government’s public consultation approach regarding the development of coal mining in Alberta. Specifically, the speaker will discuss the current UCP government’s communications and public consultations on the future of the Eastern Slopes, and the recent controversy over the Terms of Reference for the Coal Policy Committee.
Speaker: Dr. Ian Urquhart
Dr. Ian Urquhart is the Conservation Director of Alberta Wilderness Association and a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Alberta. His 2018 book Costly Fix: Power, Politics, and Nature in the Tar Sands was shortlisted for the Canadian Political Science Association’s Donald Smiley Prize, the award given to the best book published relating to the study of Canadian government and politics.
Date and time: Monday April 26, 2021 at 10:00 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/JE85PrsxKO0
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs/videos
For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
With Alberta running an $18 billion deficit in its 2021-22 budget and more than $100 billion in accumulated debt, it appears obvious that fiscal changes are needed – spending cuts or revenue increases or both?
The speaker will argue fundamental changes are needed and that his Wildrose Independence Party (WIP) plan to be a strong contender in Alberta’s next provincial election. Should they gain power, WIP would assert Alberta’s independence and redefine its relationship with Canada, create a “Constitution of Alberta” and affirm all individual freedoms and rights. An Alberta Police Force, an Alberta Revenue Agency, an Alberta Pension/Employment Insurance Plan, and an Alberta Immigration policy would be established.
Under the guidance of WIP, Alberta would refine its own Environmental policies while continuing to develop and transport our natural resources responsibly. New trade agreements with other provinces and nations would be prioritized, as would improved access to immediate and high quality health care, hospitals and staff. World class educational facilities and staff would also be emphasized and WIP commits to hold a referendum on independence from Canada at an appropriate time – the speaker will elaborate.
Speaker: Paul Hinman – Interim leader of the Wildrose Independence Party
Serving the people of Alberta for over 17 years as an MLA or political advisor, Paul Hinman’s mission has always been to get Alberta’s house in order by advancing good governance through principled policies.
Hinman was elected to his first term as the Member of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Alberta Alliance Party in the constituency of Cardston-Taber-Warner serving from 2004-08. He later served as MLA for Calgary-Glenmore from 2009-12, representing the Wildrose Party.
Date and time: Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/-P9TmSL6tuY
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Agriculture is an important sector of Canada’s economy supplying the much larger food production and processing industries. The Alberta Federation of Agriculture is Alberta's largest producer funded general farm organization. It is an organization comprised of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enterprises that wish to have a voice in shaping the future of farming operations. Unlike many other farm organizations, there are no check-offs. Nearly 85% of the money raised each year comes from membership and membership services.
There are many challenges facing Alberta’s and Canada’s farmers. Among the topics that will be covered include research and funding, carbon tax, business risk management, Ag Stability changes, Canadian Grain Act review, seed modernization, and rail road crossings.
Speaker: Mr. Lynn Jacobson, President, Alberta Federation of Agriculture
Mr. Jacobson’s farm is located in Enchant Ab, mostly irrigated. He is a board member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. He currently participates in various committees, and boards including the Marketing of Agriculture Products Council of Alberta, Canadian Energy Regulator, Land Matters Committee, and a Co-operators Insurance delegate. In the past he was an Alberta Wheat Pool delegate, President of the Alberta Soft Wheat Producers Commission, and Alberta Wheat Commission director.
Date and time: Thursday April 15, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/jgH7L2wsU3E
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
Everyone living in Southern Alberta are familiar with our winds. Those residing in “Chinook Country” have heard Environment Canada’s frequent wind warnings, particularly between November to April. It would follow then, that Benga Mining Ltd (Riversdale) would, as part of their application, have completed comprehensive and accurate assessments of wind speed, dust particle size etc., as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment for their Grassy Mountain Open-Pit coal mining proposal.
But have they? The speaker will argue Benga’s Environmental Impact Assessment contains flaws and inaccuracies in methodology and the time-frame of data collection. This resulted in underestimating the amount and movement of micro dust particles and the distance micro and larger dust particles would be carried by the winds, resulting in errors in the data of Environmental Impact Assessment submissions. Finally, the speaker will discuss the research on short and long-term health outcomes for people living in communities close to coal mines.
Speaker: Allan Garbutt. PhD, MD (Retired)
Allan was born and raised in Calgary, though he does admit to short sojourns to Edmonton and Fort Macleod. He received a B.Sc. in Honors Zoology at U of A, which was followed by both an M.Sc and Ph.D from the University of Guelph. Allan’s research area was the reproductive biology of Ruffed Grouse.
After receiving his doctorate, Allan worked in environmental consulting in Edmonton for several years. He transitioned to the University of Western Ontario in 1987, and received his MD in 1991, and took a rural family medicine residency at the University of British Columbia, with his final year spent in Fernie, BC.
After completing his family medicine residency, he began practice in Crowsnest Pass, and remained there until retirement in 2018. During that 25-year span, Allan was very active with the Section of Rural Medicine, and also participated on various committees for the Alberta Medical Association.
Date and time: Thursday April 8, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/ev3kpUTd448
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
The Science is in! What you always knew instinctively to be true, laughter and play have been proven to be beneficial to your health. Laughter and play activate your immune system and increases your energy for getting well and maintaining health!
When we talk about stress, usually we focus on our tight muscles, aching heads and sleeplessness. Yet, the speaker advocates that what we really should be concerned about, is our breathing. The act of laughter is the science of breathing. In times of stress, we take shallower breaths; therefore, we take in less oxygen. The longer we feel anxious, the longer our body is going to be operating without its optimal supply of air. Over time, this weakens the immune system, opening the door to all sorts of problems. Ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure, peptic ulcers and insomnia all have some connection to stress.
The speaker asks “when was the last time you really laughed out loud? How about at least a good chuckle? Do you play every day?” If you can’t remember, it’s been too long. And your body is no doubt paying the price. So, don’t be a Fool . . . Join us on April 1st and learn the benefits of laughter and play every day!
Speaker: Cheryl Ann Oberg, CHP, CLYT – Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, Professional Speaker, Professional Therapeutic Clown
Cheryl is a leading authority on the relationship between healthy humour & laughter and is known for her energetic, entertaining & content-rich programs. Cheryl has been honoured as a “Woman of Vision”, “Star of the Millennium” and “Canadian Wave Maker”. Since becoming a Certified Laughter Leader in 2001, Cheryl has shared her gift of humour & laughter with many, as a keynote speaker, with families & children in hospitals, seniors living in care facilities, corporate teams in the workplace, youth in career forums & schools. Thousands of people have enjoyed the benefits of learning how to have more joy, laughter & play in their everyday life! As Cheryl says, “Let there be laughter and let it begin with you!”
Date and time: Thursday April 1, 2021 at 10:00 MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/AAjRuZ-YfGs
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Freedom, Responsibility, Fairness and Respect are the principles that guide and inform the policies of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC). The speaker will contend that we must bring together common sense, populism, classical conservatism, and libertarianism to create solutions adapted for the challenges of the 21st century.
The mission of PPC is to offer Canadians a real principled alternative to the current establishment parties, which arguably rely on pandering and vote-buying schemes to further their interests and those of lobbyists rather than those of the people. The PPC envisions a bright future where the government puts Canadians first instead of pleasing other countries and global organizations. The PPC believes the government has to get out of the way and allow individuals to make decisions rather than controlling the economy and every aspect of your life.
The balance of power and jurisdiction between Ottawa and the provinces are constant sources for internal squabbling. The speaker will detail the importance of limiting federal interference in provincial affairs and advocate for more autonomy on taxation and financial decision making for provinces on health care, education, housing, provincial police, pension plans, human resources & immigration selection and infrastructure.
Speaker: Maxime Bernier, People’s Party of Canada Leader
Maxime Bernier, a four-term former Conservative MP first elected in 2006, and Cabinet Minister in Stephen Harper’s government, formed the PPC in 2018 after realizing that the Conservative Party of Canada was too intellectually and morally challenged to reform, having abandoned conservative principles/values over time.
Mr. Bernier is known as a dependable politician who speaks his mind. A man of ideas, his belief in personal responsibility and freedom is at the heart of his political vision. In his public statements, he expresses those values and his unwavering commitment to reducing government excesses.
Date and time: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 11 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/UHOT3VGtx-g
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Visit SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs/videos
These are challenging times for the world, and law enforcement agencies are not exempt from the taxing circumstances or the growing expectations of the community, whether that’s from a global or local perspective. Under greater scrutiny than perhaps ever before, policing in 2021 presents numerous potential perils which must be safely navigated. In his presentation, ‘Policing in Challenging Times’, the speaker will discuss the many and varied challenges facing the Lethbridge Police Service, ranging from the opioid crisis and resulting spin-offs, to policing during a pandemic and dealing with budget constraints in the face of rising crime rates. The discussion will also include both internal and external means to tackle those challenges. Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh will open his presentation by outlining the journey which brought him to a leadership role with the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS).
Speaker: Shahin Mehdizadeh, Lethbridge Police Chief
Sworn in as the Lethbridge Chief of Police in August of 2020, he began his policing career with the RCMP in 1989. He is an accomplished police executive with more than 30 years of national and international policing experience covering such disciplines as general patrol duties, major crimes, drug and organized crime, covert operations and national security. A Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.), Chief Mehdizadeh has a proven track record of success in leading initiatives to counter and prevent crime, promote public safety and build strong relationships with communities.
Date and time: Thursday March 25, 2021 at 10:00 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/yNrVAibLcBA
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go to the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
The question of the role of the private sector in providing health care in Canada is both complex and politically charged. In this presentation, Dr. McCabe will seek to separate out issues of fact from issues of value and explore the importance of each in assessing the impact of different potential models of private health care in the Canadian context.
Speaker:Dr. Christopher McCabe CEO & Executive Director of the Institute of Health Economics (IHE).
Dr. McCabe brings more than 25 years of experience as a health economist to his role with the organization. He trained and worked for 20 years in the UK before emigrating to Canada. During this time, he held Full Professorships at the Universities of Sheffield, Warwick and Leeds. He was more recently a Professor of Health Economics at the University of Alberta, where he was appointed Capital Health Endowed Research Chair at the University of Alberta. In this position he led two Genome Canada funded research groups focused on the evaluation, adoption and implementation of Precision Medicine technologies. He also served on the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health Care (CADTH) Health Economics Working Group, which authored the 4th Edition of the CADTH Guidelines for the Economic Evaluation of Health Technologies in 2017. He was lead author of the 2019 addendum to the CADTH Guidelines focused on co-dependent therapies. More recently Dr. McCabe advised the Patented Medicines Price Review Board on the technical issues related to the revision of their regulations for setting the price of new drugs in Canada. He is currently Chair of the Royal Society of Canada COVID Task Force Working Group on the Economy.
Date and time: Thursday March 18, 2021 – 10:00 AM (MST)
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/Pg4DT3xH1F8
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Insects and spiders matter to us because of their enormous contributions to ecosystems, including in food webs, for pollination, enjoyment, and pest control. Some set back agriculture and forestry, and can harm health of humans, livestock, and wildlife. Some species seem to be in decline, or are being replaced. We will see examples of the lives of insects and spiders in our area, including some that are worthy of conservation. Citizen science participation and personal interest expressed by the public and students is an important part.
Speaker: Dan Johnson (BSc, Sask; MSc, PhD, UBC, Institute of Animal Resource Ecology & Department of Plant Science)
Bio: Dan promotes public understanding of science, especially about ecosystems and biodiversity. He conducts research on weather and life, sustainable crop protection, entomology, and environment. As a Professor at the University of Lethbridge, he has taught environmental science, including in the First Nations Transition Program, data analysis, experimental design, biogeography, and insect ecology. He organized and chaired the world conference on grasshoppers and locusts, in Canmore. He led the Canadian Zebra Chip and Potato Psyllid Monitoring and Research Network, 2013-2018. He served as a Canada Research Chair, and on the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board. He received the C. Gordon Hewitt medal from the Entomological Society of Canada, and served as ESC President in 2000. He is VP of the Entomol. Soc. Alberta.
Date and time: March 11, 2021. 10:00 a.m. MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/z0SeZdFtbJU
YouTube Live link: In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many challenges for post-secondary students. Despite the flexibility, support and hard work of professors to create an engaging online learning experience, the change to at-home learning has been very difficult for some students. Isolation and uncertainty have affected the mental health of numerous others. Many students lost jobs, co-op, and internship experiences in 2020, affecting their financial sustainability, career development, and progress to complete their academic programs.
In short, the very important public health requirements required to protect the health and safety of the University community have limited or drastically changed many aspects of the student experience that are so fundamental to students’ growth, development, and sense of connection. Whether it’s making new friends on campus, participating in research, conferences, club activities, or being involved in sport, the well-known pre-pandemic transformative experience has given way to something less fulfilling for many students. Most are eager to return to the robust and engaging student experience that is familiar to them – the one they have come to expect.
The speaker will account for how students have been coping at the University of Lethbridge, describe what measures the university is taking to mitigate the effects on students during this pandemic, and will discuss the plans that are being developed regarding the future of the student experience in fall 2021.
Speaker: Kathleen Massey
Kathleen Massey is an Associate Vice-President (Students) at University of Lethbridge where she oversees the Registrar’s Office, Enrolment Services and Student Services.
Massey holds a Bachelor of Political Science from York University and a Master of Leadership from Royal Roads University. Focused on advancing student achievement and creating a framework that supports student success, Massey was recognized in 2014 with an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada. She also won a 2003 Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Leadership in Education.
Date and time: Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/o29DGchL8Gk
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Biogas production is essentially an industrial stomach which converts organic waste into usable fuel. Biogas is 60% methane and is used to fuel powerful engines that drives generators producing 24/7 100% renewable electricity. This electricity can be used by the producer or sold into the Alberta Electricity Grid through AESO.
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is arguably the green gas of tomorrow and is the most efficient means of converting organics into renewable energy. Once biogas is upgraded to RNG, it is interchangeable with Natural Gas and can be injected into local gas grids and used for generating electricity or vehicle fueling.
Biogas plants can process a wide array of organic waste materials from the food industry and agricultural residues including deadstock and manure. In the food industry business sector, anaerobic digestion offers significant cost advantages over traditional disposal methods, both to waste management companies and producers alike. The speaker will explain the lengthy regulatory process to build a biogas facility. As well, he will argue that while such projects are not particularly viable at the moment, biogas facilities can be an important piece of the puzzle to address climate change and increase the sustainability of farming.
Speaker: Chris Perry
Chris Perry is the co-founder and President of CKP Farms Ltd. and Grow the Energy Circle Ltd. (GrowTEC). He is a farm boy at heart with a passion for renewable energy. He would like to participate in expanding Alberta’s agriculture industry to its potential in the next decade or two. Chris manages a 4,000 irrigated acre farm together with brother Harold in southern Alberta. They grow potatoes for Frito Lay and McCain Foods Canada and green peas for Bonduelle. GrowTEC commissioned a 633 KW generating capacity anaerobic digester waste to energy facility in November 2014 and they produce triple their entire farms electricity use from organic waste.
Chris has the goal of incorporating the ICT technology of today more thoroughly into the agriculture sector. The ideas of yesterday around precision agriculture, integrated with the data analysis, management and storage cyber-infrastructure today have the ability to be game changer in yield per acre increases. Variable rate irrigation, full visual spectral sensors for real time moisture, nutrient and carbon management are available with more potential and affordability than ever before.
Date and time: Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/IJCUudOu1nw
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SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
Alberta is in the midst of a generational economic shift as we face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we look ahead to the post-pandemic recovery, it is time for Albertans to come together to overcome the economic challenges we face as a province. Join Rachel Notley for a conversation about how we can create a new economic strategy and build a more resilient and diversified economy in Alberta.
Speaker: Rachel Notley, MLA and Leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta
Rachel Notley served as Alberta’s Premier from 2015-2019. She has represented the constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona since 2008.
Rachel grew up in Fairview, Alberta, and is the daughter of former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. She holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Alberta, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Date and time: Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/ZjMLY-RHW-Y
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SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SouthernAlbertaCouncilonPublicAffairs
There is significant interest in establishing metallurgical coal mining operations throughout the eastern slopes of Alberta. The areas residing within the Oldman watershed are no exception. Currently, there are four companies exploring potential mining operations in the region. All of the currently proposed coal mines are open-pit “mountain top removal” mines and are located in the Crowsnest Pass area. Coal mining exploration is also happening along the Livingstone Range and in the Bighorn area west of Red Deer.
On May 15, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced it was rescinding the long-standing provincial Coal Policy, which was implemented by the Peter Lougheed Government in 1976. Since then, Crown coal rights have been sold on land where coal mining was previously not considered, in order to protect the watershed and wildlife. Coal companies are currently building roads and drilling exploratory holes to better understand the value of the coal to their business.
Of the four companies currently exploring the Oldman watershed, the Riversdale/Benga Grassy Mountain Coal Project is furthest along in the approval process. Benga’s Environmental Impact Assessment and Joint Review Panel public hearings are complete. The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) participated in the public hearings last fall and has been sharing information publicly and with elected officials to support informed decision making. The speaker will detail what is currently happening in the Oldman watershed with regards to coal mines and what the long-term impacts of coal mining are likely to be.
Speaker: Shannon Frank, Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council
Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council in 2011, Shannon Frank completed her Environmental Science degree at University of Lethbridge. She previously worked for MULTISAR (Multiple Species at Risk) as the Extension Coordinator supporting agricultural producers with habitat restoration projects and leading youth education activities.
Date and time: Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/eXBxya2-fwQ
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
As the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths (currently near 100 million and over 2 million respectively) continues to rise around the globe, health-care systems are being put under extreme stress and the need for effective vaccines, with enough supplies for everyone, is crucial. The response must be global because this virus will keep circulating in countries without a vaccine, giving it the opportunity to mutate, completely change its structure and possibly come back as a new strain of virus.
Sadly, mutations have already occurred, but the good news is, some very effective vaccines are currently being administered in many countries, Canada included. Several other vaccines are in the final stages of pre-clinical trials. The challenge remains however, how to make vaccines widely available throughout the world.
Vaccine manufactures Moderna and Pfizer for example, uses “messenger” RNA (mRNA) as ingredients, but at this stage, the long-term effects of those vaccines, if any, aren’t known. As well, during the urgency of a global pandemic, researchers have not had the time to find out precisely how long immunity may last after someone has been vaccinated. The speaker will describe how vaccines work and argue that presently, there are no other viable options to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker: Dr. Trushar Patel
Dr. Patel's goal is to obtain detailed insights into how viral nucleic acids interact with host proteins by employing interdisciplinary approaches. Information on the specific sites of host proteins that communicate with viral nucleic acids will ultimately allow the development of therapeutics that prevent host-viral communication. These interactions are essential for the survival and replication of the virus - stopping the interactions is thus of benefit for treating viral infection.
Patel's research program is timely given recent global incidences of viral outbreaks and, in many cases, the lack of available treatment and the failure of currently available drugs designed to target viral components.
Date and time: Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/GWNNdyKx9kU
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With the November 3, 2020 US election resulting in Joe Biden being elected President and the Democrats gaining control of both houses of Congress, what are the likely implications for Alberta’s Energy Sector? The new President and Administration has signaled we can expect changes to US Environmental policy and to the approval process of Keystone XL Pipeline, but what does that mean for energy rich Alberta?
The speaker will analyze the questions and argue that a more collaborative approach will return on issues of mutual concern, continuing the strong Canada US relationship benefits that Alberta’s Energy sector rely on.
Speaker: Gary G. Mar, Q.C. President and CEO. Canada West Foundation (CWF)
Gary Mar was named President & CEO of CWF in April 2020. An accomplished & respected leader, Gary brings deep experience in government & business, & established expertise in CWF’s key policy areas in natural resources, trade & investment & human capital. Prior to joining the CWF, Gary served as President & CEO of the Petroleum Services Assoc of Canada (PSAC), the national trade association representing the service, supply & manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry.
Gary has broad experience in government having served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Alberta from 1993-2007. As an elected official, Gary held several Cabinet portfolios: Community Development; Health and Wellness; Education; Environment; & International & Intergovernmental Relations. Gary then served as the Official Representative of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., from 2007 – 2011, & worked extensively with the Alberta energy sector on advocacy issues in Washington DC & many U.S. States.
Gary next served as Alberta’s Representative in Asia from 2011 to 2015. He led the province’s strategic outreach efforts from his post in Hong Kong & worked with Alberta’s offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, & Taipei. Following his government service, Gary was an independent consultant working for both Chinese & Canadian companies seeking assistance with Trans Pacific trade & investment. In 2016, he co-founded Canadian Advantage Petroleum Corporation which has successfully purchased heavy oil in Alberta & sold it directly to refineries in China.
Gary has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta School of Business in Marketing, Business Economics & Law beginning July 1, 2020. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne Business School & is a public speaker at energy related conferences. Gary completed a Law degree at the University of Alberta & practiced criminal, civil, corporate, commercial and real estate law in Calgary prior to entering politics.
Date and time: Thursday January 28, 2021 – 10 AM (MST)
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/S6B_BJaiQV8
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The speaker asserts that: “If ever there were a time for universities to assume a leadership role in providing the knowledge needed for socio-ecological change, this is surely that moment.” But what drives research and innovation in Alberta’s largest universities, and in what directions? What kinds of knowledge are our universities producing to help Albertans make a transition to a post-carbon economy that can provide income security and a good life for all? These are the questions that motivated the research that led to the June 2020 report, Knowledge for an Ecologically Sustainable Future? Innovation Policy and Alberta Universities, published by the Parkland Institute and the Corporate Mapping Project. Over five years, painstaking data collection from multiple sources allowed Adkin and her research assistants to reconstruct a picture of the funding flows to the Universities of Alberta and Calgary over a period of twenty years. Focusing on funding to the domains of energy and environmental research, located in multiple faculties, centers, and institutes, they categorized research projects in relation to their contributions to ecologically sustainable development. The talk will present some of the findings from this extensive research, leaving time for discussion about what this all means for Albertans’ future.
Speaker: Dr. Laurie Adkin
Laurie Adkin is a political economist and professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta. Her main areas of research and teaching are political ecology, the populist radical right in Europe, and Alberta politics. Since 2002, she has studied the formation of climate change policy in Alberta and Canada.
She is the author of Politics of Sustainable Development: Citizens, Unions, and the Corporations (1998), and editor and co-author of Environmental Conflict and Democracy in Canada (2009), and First World Petro-Politics: The Political Ecology and Governance of Alberta (2016). Her recent work has focused on the political ecology of knowledge production in Alberta’s universities and on innovation policy and discourse as responses to the global climate.
Date and time: Thursday January 21, 2021 – 10 AM (MST)
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/FEcD0mwmSbM
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On January 6, 2021, rioters supporting United States President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election stormed the United States Capitol. After breaching multiple police perimeters, they damaged, ransacked, and occupied parts of the building for several hours. The storming led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol building, and it disrupted a joint session of Congress assembled to count the electoral votes and formalize Joe Biden's election victory for President.
The rioters gathered in support of Trump's false claims that the 2020 election had been "stolen" from him. Summoned by Trump, thousands of his supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., on January 5 and 6 to demand that Vice President Mike Pence and Congress reject Biden's victory. On the morning of January 6, protesters assembled near the White House for a "Save America" rally. At the rally, Trump himself, Donald Trump Jr. and Rudy Giuliani among others, addressed the crowd. Trump encouraged his supporters to "fight like hell" to "take back our country" and to proceed to the US Capitol.
The speaker will provide history and context to the hostilities and siege at the US Capitol, while speculating on the broader near and long term effects on US politics, political institutions and indeed, democracy.
Speakers: Dr. John von Heyking
Dr. von Heyking has been at the University of Lethbridge since 2000. He has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, an MA and a BA in Political Science from the University of Calgary.
John specializes in political theory. He is author of Comprehensive Judgment and Absolute Selflessness: Winston Churchill on Politics as Friendship (2018), The Form of Politics: Aristotle and Plato on Friendship (2016), and Augustine and Politics as Longing in the World (2001). He has coedited numerous volumes including two volumes of the Collected Works of Eric Voegelin and, most recently, Wherefrom Does History Emerge?: Inquiries in Political Cosmogony (2020).
Date and time: Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/Y_Ld_QLUAIo
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Canada has traditionally been a major exporter of both agricultural commodities, technology, equipment and food. Yet, in many ways, Canada’s position in global food exports indicates good potential for growth. In 2019, Canada ranked fifth among global commodity exporters and 11th in food.
As the world’s population expands and especially the portion of it that is “middle class” grows, demand for better quality and higher-priced food will climb, which in turn creates opportunities for Canada to increase exports both to meet this need directly and to meet the technology and equipment needs for others who will also be increasing production to meet increased demand The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global food industry and highlighted the importance of a robust agrifood supply chain at home and abroad. Canada’s competitive advantage in agriculture and food production are very relevant with abundant natural resources, productivity, innovative entrepreneurs and a well-established food safety reputation.
The Canadian government’s 2017 objective for agricultural commodities and food exports is to reach C$75 billion by 2025. So far, export have increased from $61 billion in 2015 to $67 billion in 2019, with most of the export growth driven by exports to the US. The speaker will argue, that there’s great potential for growth in agrifood export to other countries beyond the US and particularly to China and South-East Asia.
Speakers: Carlo Dade and Sharon Sun
As Director of the Trade & Investment Centre, Carlo Dade develops and leads research to promote growth and profitability in western Canada’s export economy. Carlo has a long history in international public policy most recently as Senior Fellow in the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI).
Carlo has been a leading voice in debates on recent Canadian free trade agreements and development of trade infrastructure. He is a leading global expert on pan-Pacific trade, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Pacific Alliance trade blocs
As the Trade Policy Economist at the Canada West Foundation, Sharon Zhengyang Sun specializes in international trade and trade infrastructure policy research. She has taken the lead on research projects including the impact of Made-in-China 2025 on Canadian trade and western Canadian export opportunities with Japan under the CPTPP. Other work include the impact of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement on western Canada, addressing Chinese non-tariff barriers on Canadian agricultural exports among other trade agreement and trade related issues. She is a PhD candidate at Carleton University focused on Canada-China trade.
Date and time: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/cslpni-7GcU
SACPA thanks the Canada West Foundation and Choose Lethbridge for making this presentation possible.
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
The Mustard Seed, a well-known non-profit across Western Canada, is bringing 35-plus years of experience in poverty alleviation to Lethbridge. In the cities where they serve, The Mustard Seed provides basic services, housing, and employment supports to those in need and partners with the community to address the root causes of poverty.
In Lethbridge, The Mustard Seed is joining forces with Lethbridge Soup Kitchen in order to grow and expand the good work already taking place in the city. The establishment of a sober shelter and permanent supportive housing are two priority areas for The Mustard Seed Lethbridge.
The case for additional shelter space and affordable housing in Lethbridge is strong. Between 2016-2018 Lethbridge experienced a 151% increase in the homeless population, 14% of Lethbridge households are considered low-income and 21% of renters pay more than half their income in shelter costs. More than 400 citizens are on the waitlist for affordable housing. The speaker will elaborate and argue for the importance of having safe, appropriate shelter and affordable housing, along with supportive programming that helps residents and community members move toward greater sustainability and independence.
Speaker: Byron Bradley
Byron Bradley is Managing Director of The Mustard Seed in Central Alberta and is currently overseeing operations for The Mustard Seed Lethbridge. Byron has worked for The Mustard Seed for more than 15 years. While attending university in Sydney, Australia, he became involved in programming for youth affected by poverty and has worked in the field ever since. Byron is passionate about putting his 20+ years of experience towards building hope and well-being for vulnerable and marginalized individuals in Lethbridge and helping those around him better understand the issues of poverty and homelessness.
Date and time: Thursday, Dec 17, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/_QVwOxw7IAU
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
The response to COVID-19 across the world has involved lockdowns in order to "flatten the curve" of cases and deaths. This public health response was initially based on inaccurate estimates of infection mortality rates and high-risk groups, overestimating the threat from COVID-19.
In addition, the response did not consider many unintended effects of lockdowns on population well-being, including so-called collateral damage (for example, unemployment, loneliness, interrupted healthcare, interrupted education), and economic recession.
Recently, debate has framed decisions as a trade-off between "lives and the economy", but the speaker will argue that this could be a false dichotomy, because the economy is about lives and a cost-benefit analysis of lockdowns shows that they cause more harm than benefit in terms of population well-being and deaths.
Speaker: Dr. Ari Joffe
Ari Joffe MD is a pediatrician who specialized in pediatric infectious diseases and critical care medicine. He has practiced as a pediatric intensive care physician since 1995 at Stollery Children's Hospital, and is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Joffe is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the John Dossetor Health Ethics Center at the University of Alberta. He has published in the medical literature on topics including health ethics, long-term outcomes after intensive care in children, and sepsis (severe infection).
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/J5ZTElYGGA0
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Alberta’s wilderness is a rich place to live, recreate and co-exist with wildlife. Yet, are we doing enough to live harmoniously with wildlife? The speaker examines landscapes holistically, aiming to create management practices that balance biological, social and cultural needs. Through research & conservation work, Sarah sheds new light on bears, seeing them as more than just data points and graphs, studying their behaviour and habitat use and defining ways to incorporate that data into land management and planning.
As an author, the speaker will share personal stories from the field, amazing photographs of bear behaviour and some of the current science about bear behavior and coexistence, as well as some excerpts from her new book “What Bears Teach Us.”
Speaker: Sarah Elmeligi PhD
Sarah Elmeligi has been passionate about conserving Alberta’s wildlife and wild landscapes since she was a child exploring Banff National Park with her parents. Sarah believes that most wildlife management is really about managing people. Throughout her work, she has worked closely with communities, stakeholders, First Nations Governments, and park visitors to advocate for the creation of new protected areas, improve land management, and to effectively engage communities in conservation. Sarah has worked for Alberta Parks as a Planner designing facility plans to improve the ecological integrity of Kananaskis Protected Areas while creating high-quality recreation opportunities.
Sarah believes in the inherent value of Alberta’s wilderness and ensuring human practices are sustainable and in balance with the needs of wildlife and ecosystems. Her first full length book, “What Bears Teach Us”, focuses on the human-bear relationship and how we can achieve coexistence. She currently owns and operates Sarah E Consulting and lives in Canmore, Alberta with her husband, daughters, dog, and cats. Sarah holds an undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Alberta, Masters at the University of Northern British Columbia and completed her doctoral work at Central Queensland University.
Date and time: Thursday December 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/fSCzeI-GWIs
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
What does Brexit really mean? The UK government’s ‘global Britain’ aspiration, and future UK-EU relations, both political and commercial, is considered. What can Britain expect from a Biden Presidency? Is there scope for a UK/USA or UK/USMCA trade agreement? What is the security/defense implications for Britain, for the EU, and for NATO?
Prime Minister Johnson promised to Get Brexit Done. In fact, we may expect endless negotiation, arbitration and long-running dispute settlement procedures.
Speaker: Dr. Simon Sweeney PhD, SFHEA, CMBE
Simon Sweeney is a Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy and Business at the University of York Management School in the UK. He is the author of Europe the State and Globalisation (Routledge, 2016). His PhD was on EU Security and Defense Policy (University of Leeds, 2015). Between 2006 and 2013 he served as a UK Bologna Expert, sponsored by the European Commission. His research interests are European integration and EU security and defense policy. https://ukandeu.ac.uk/author/ssweeney/
He has published in books and journals on European integration, EU security and defense, and on various aspects of pedagogy. He began his career in English Language Teaching and speaks several languages. He has worked at Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University and at York St John University. In 2006 he was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship by the UK Higher Education Academy.
Date and time: Tuesday December 8, 2020 at 10 am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/2W-hD1tkBLg
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Recent Commentary articles on Brexit
'The letter that Lord David Frost, the UK's Brexit negotiator, will not address to the British public' 3 December 2020. DCU Brexit Institute Dublin City University. http://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/2020/12/the-letter-that-lord-david-frost-the-uks-brexit-negotiator-will-not-address-to-the-british-public/
'Brexit, the US elections, and Covid-19: No hiding place for the UK government' 6 November 2020. UK in a Changing Europe. King's College London. https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-the-us-elections-and-covid-19-no-hiding-place-for-the-uk-government/
‘Deal or No Deal? EU-UK negotiations have hit the wall, but the end is not in sight’ Blog. 18 October 2020. DCU Brexit Institute, Dublin City University.
http://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/2020/10/deal-or-no-deal-eu-uk-negotiations-have-hit-the-wall-but-the-end-is-not-in-sight/
Journal articles on EU security and defence policy
Sweeney, S, and Winn, N. (2021, in press) ‘Do or Die? The UK, the EU and internal/external security cooperation after Brexit’ European Political Science. Palgrave.
Sweeney, S. and Winn, N. (2020) 'EU Security and Defence Cooperation in Times of Dissent: analysing PESCO, the European Defence Fund and the European Intervention Initiative (EI2) in the shadow of Brexit'. Defence Studies, 20(3) 224-249 https://doi.org/10.1080/14702436.2020.1778472
Sweeney, S. (2018) 'The European Union and EUFOR Althea's contribution to a dysfunctional peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bureaucratic politics, emergent strategy?' Journal of Regional Security 13(1) 3-38.
https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/221
Canada’s Indigenous people have suffered many injustices as a result of colonization. The Residential School system was one of them. Most First Nations, Metis and Inuit people today are themselves residential school survivors or the children/grandchildren of those who survived (many did not). These schools were sites of physical and sexual abuse. Children were taken away, sometimes forcibly, from their parents and from normal family life. They were unable to experience the daily contact, care, and love that parents provide to their children. This was traumatic, and further, it was not a single-event trauma but ongoing trauma, often for many years.
Processing and recovering from trauma are difficult lifelong undertakings, yet residential school syndrome was not even recognized until recently. First Nations, Metis and Inuit children left these schools and tried to get on with their lives, carrying overwhelming emotional burdens, including untreated anxiety, clinical depression, and PTSD. Research demonstrates that many survivors were unable to parent their own children well – how could they when they were not parented themselves?
Shouldn’t it be vital that residential schools be acknowledged in primary schools at all grades as residential schools are a part of the history of Canada? Isn’t the truth about residential schooling a crucial part of decolonizing efforts? With many non-native students unaware of residential schools, why is the provincial government proposing to eliminate this topic from the K-4 curriculum?
Speaker: Dr. Maura Hanrahan
Dr. Hanrahan is currently Board of Governors Research Chair Tier II, Coordinator of the Canadian Studies Program, and Associate Professor in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of Lethbridge. She is also an adjunct professor with the Environmental Policy Institute, Memorial University. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science and her work is interdisciplinary, drawing from geography and other social science disciplines.
Date and time: Thursday, Dec 3, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/xN59XBv_A6s
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
For almost two years since the December, 2018 detention of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, and the subsequent arrest of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, Canada-China relations have been at the lowest point since the 1989 Tiananmen violence, and perhaps since Canada recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 50 years ago.
What are the prospects for a reduction in tensions in 2021? What are the chances that the “two Michaels” will be released soon? How will the election of President Biden affect US-China relations? Will the US election affect the tenor of the Ottawa-Beijing relationship?
Canada-China trade has remained relatively stable through the diplomatic crisis, although Canadian exports of canola to China have been targeted by China. Is it possible that we will see a resumption of normal agricultural exports to China soon?
Speaker: Dr. Gordon Houlden
Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.
Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at the Canadian Embassies in Havana and Warsaw, and at Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining UAlberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia.
Under Professor Houlden’s leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the PRC, and Asian security issues.
Date and time: Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/xwEmkpBuszU
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SACPA is proud to present this session as part of the Gordon Campbell Memorial Speaker Series.
In the recent US election on Nov 3, Americans voted at their highest rate in 120 years. In the vote for President, Democratic challenger Joe Biden accumulated more than 77 million votes, while Republican incumbent Donald Trump received over 72 million votes – the most and second-most in US history.
What do the election results say about American voters? Did Joe Biden win by rebuilding the Obama coalition or have American voters re-aligned? Does Trump have any hope of still claiming victory? Why did the Republicans do so well in the congressional elections? And mostly important, what’s next for the American electorate?
Speaker: Dr. Paul Fairie
Paul Fairie has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary, focusing on voter behaviour. He has taught politics courses at the University of Calgary since 2010 and ran The Globe & Mail Election Forecast in 2015. He is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Calgary, and tweets far too much, at @paulisci.
Date and time: Thursday, Nov 19, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/WIda5y4wvvw
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
A complex intersection of economic, political, environmental, and social conditions are fueling the rise of populism, political polarization, xenophobia, and racism in The United States, and other countries. Indeed many predicted the rise of divisive politics and decreased social cohesion as economic inequality soared, with globalization and neoliberal politics further contributing to the increasing precarity of employment and earnings among the working and middle classes of western countries.
While few have been spared these challenges, the face of these emerging angry populist movements, militias, and white supremacist movement’s remains overwhelmingly male, white, and working class. Applying the lens of masculinities theory, this talk will discuss how aggrieved white masculine entitlement, multiple marginalization’s influencing many men's ability to achieve the unrealistic expectations of hegemonic masculinities, and feelings of fear, hopelessness, and abandonment, are providing the fuel that has been ignited by the inflammatory rhetoric of populist leaders like Donald Trump.
Speaker: Peter Kellett PhD RN
Dr. Kellett is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and a research affiliate of the Prentice Institute for Global Population & Economy. His research program focuses on the impact of social inequality, gender, and migration on the health of populations, with a particular focus on the role that masculinities and intersectional social inequalities play in men's mental health and well-being.
Date and time: Thursday, Nov 12, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/m1oD_nbXrhE
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Lethbridge was once home to the busiest supervised consumption site in North America, operated by ARCHES. On August 31, 2020, this supervised consumption site was permanently closed. As the number of overdose deaths in Lethbridge continued to climb at record-breaking rates, harm reductionists and people who use drugs were left wondering where to go.
In September 2020, a handful of former ARCHES employees and clients got together and formed the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society (LOPS) with the mission to keep our neighbours, friends, and loved ones alive. LOPS launched a GoFundMe fundraiser, and within 24 hours saw over $10,000 in donations. With this generous support from the community, LOPS purchased a tent, some furniture, a space heater, and harm reduction supplies. With no time to waste, LOPS set up in a local park and began to provide services.
As the first unsanctioned overdose prevention site to operate in Alberta, the process has not been without significant challenges. LOPS continues to tackle these challenges head on, and they are committed to doing what it takes to keep Lethbridge citizens safe as the overdose crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and a looming HIV outbreak threaten the lives of those we hold dear to our hearts.
Speaker: Kaley Ann Boudoin
Kaley Ann Boudoin has worked with various harm reduction groups across Alberta since 2015. In September 2020, she was one of the founding organizers of the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society, a volunteer group providing harm reduction services including street outreach and an overdose prevention site. Currently, Ms Boudoin volunteers as the Community Engagement Lead with the Lethbridge Overdose Prevention Society.
Date and time: Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 10 AM MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/Gwh3VHuU4Gc
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Ghost stories are part of our community's folklore, teaching us about ourselves and our history. Discover some of the ghost stories of southern Alberta in this light-hearted look at the things that go bump in the night.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is a story teller, tour guide and author who researches and shares Lethbridge's history and stories. She is the president of the Lethbridge Historical Society, for whom she has written several books, and sits as a member of Lethbridge City Council. Some of her books include: We Don't Talk About Those Women; Vice, Virtue and Lust: Lethbridge's Cemeteries and Squirrel Whiskey. Her books are available via the Lethbridge Historical Society website at (lethbridgehistory.org).
Date and time: Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/Ilo3FbQnNjw
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As we approach the 75th Veterans Day ceremonies since World War II, we hopefully prepare ourselves to remember past and current Canadian Armed Forces veterans who have served both in Canada and in numerous conflicts around the world. While many civilians are familiar with the battles of World War I and II, they are typically less familiar with the other important and challenging missions the Canadian Military have served in, such as Korea, Rwanda, Bosnia, Namibia, Haiti, Cyprus, and Afghanistan, to name just a few.
While members of the Canadian Armed Forces receive excellent training and are proud of the work they have done, many of them encounter significant challenges when they are released and re-enter civilian society. The speakers will address these various challenges veterans face (financial, vocational, emotional, physical injuries, psychological, relationships, PTSD, etc.), the kinds of services and support that are available for veterans, and how we as civilians can best recognize and support the veterans in our communities.
Speaker: Brad Hagen and Wayne King
Brad Hagen is a Registered Psychologist with College of Alberta Psychologists since 2009 and has a Masters in Counselling (Counselling Psychology) along with a Ph.D. (Interdisciplinary); M.Sc. (Nursing); B.Sc. (Psychology). He has over 25 years of experience in teaching and conducting research at Universities in Western Canada, in the areas of mental health, nursing, addictions, and psychology. Currently a Professor Emeritus at the University of Lethbridge.
Wayne King joined the RCAF in 1959. After completing his education at the University of Alberta, he began training as a pilot. His first operational tour was in Air Defence Command flying the CF101 Voodoo aircraft at RCAF Station Bagotville in Quebec. Following that, he was trained on the CC130 Hercules aircraft and became engaged in worldwide logistical and tactical support. An exchange tour with the USAF followed on the CC141 Starlifter aircraft which involved worldwide strategic and tactical air support including Vietnam. Wayne eventually assumed command of 429 Squadron in Winnipeg. He was later promoted to Colonel and posted to National Defence College in Kingston, Ontario. He retired from the military in 1982.
Date and time: Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/y6t8COvY_e8
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For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
October 16 is World Food Day. This year’s theme of the Food & Agriculture Organization is: Grow, Nourish, Sustain Together. But this is no ordinary World Food Day, hunger is on the rise due to conflict, climate change & now COVID-19. The battle against COVID-19 is shifting across the globe, making the poorest poorer, and the hungriest hungrier. It is multiplying misery by preying on the weak & vulnerable, pushing millions out of work & into hunger, disrupting vital supply chains & threatening the very fabric of society.
COVID-19 is having a devastating effect on smallholder farmers. Despite producing most of the world’s food, they tend to be food insecure themselves forming the majority of people living in poverty globally. Helping raise their incomes and improve their livelihoods holds the key to building sustainable food systems, advancing food security and achieving Zero Hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) interventions can have a positive influence on food systems including: Home Grown School Meals, which connect local smallholder farmers to the supply chain of school meal programmes; fortification initiatives that help communities access locally produced nutritious food; the creation and rehabilitation of infrastructure in exchange for food or cash-based assistance; strengthening public food reserves; & supporting smallholder farmers through the facilitation of credit, capacity development & access to markets. Many smallholder farmers are women & in order to achieve food & nutrition security for all people, it is critical that effective, innovative & equitable food assistance is created to advance gender equality & women’s empowerment.
In 2019, Canada was WFP's seventh largest donor contributing nearly 200 million USD to support WFP's operations in emergencies. WFP is consistently the single largest recipient of Canadian international humanitarian assistance which the WFP receives through Global Affairs Canada.
Speaker: Julie Marshall
Julie Marshall has worked as the Canadian spokesperson and communications officer for the United Nations World Food Programme for over 14 years. She is based here in Canada but has seen WFP operations first-hand in a number of countries including; Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Honduras and Haiti. This experience has given her the opportunity to see how the WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and how working with communities improves nutrition and builds resilience in the countries the WFP serves.
Date and time: Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/xRMna14IW_A
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 4th-11th; a national campaign created to educate the public on the importance of mental illness, end the stigma of mental illness, and advocate for mental health support. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to the mental health of many people within Canada and made this campaign especially important this year. The speaker will talk about this campaign, the difference between mental illness and mental health, how COVID-19 has impacted people's mental health, and strategies for practicing positive mental health during the pandemic.
Speaker: Brad Moser
Brad Moser is a Registered Psychologist at Associates Counselling Services. He has been providing professional therapy for children and teens, adults, couples, and families, since 2007. His areas of practice include anger, anxiety, bereavement, childhood and family of origin concerns, depression, identity concerns, marital/relationship distress, men’s and dad’s issues, parenting, self-esteem, separation/divorce, stress, and suicidal ideation. The role that provides the most meaning in his life is dad. He is the proud father of two beautiful boys. He is the host of a radio show on Jess FM called Real Dads.
Date and time: Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/LUd0amvbKck
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
When you think of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, including the Oldman Watershed in Southern Alberta, you probably think of scenic mountaintops, rolling foothills and clear blue streams. You probably don’t think of decommissioned parks or open-pit coal mines, but that’s exactly what the future could hold. On June 1, 2020, the Government of Alberta rescinded the provincial Coal Policy, created in 1976, restricting open pit coal mining and coal exploration in Alberta’s most environmentally sensitive areas in the Rocky Mountains. The area most affected by this change covers 1.5 million hectares of lands that provide drinking water to downstream communities in Alberta and beyond. These areas also provide essential habitats for wildlife and plants, including grizzly bear, elk and native trout and have provided beauty and bounty for generations.
This comes on the heels of another government decision in March 2020 to remove protections on 175 provincial parks and recreation areas – approximately one third of all of Alberta’s provincial parks - including some of the most accessible areas for Albertans and visitors to safely experience nature. Collectively these areas provide approximately 4,500 publicly maintained campsites that support outdoor recreation and 60 of these parks are within areas now open for coal mining. The speaker will point out the areas affected while questioning the wisdom of these decisions, bound to damage our environment, water quality and recreation
Speaker: Katie Morrison
Katie is a Professional Biologist who has been working in the environmental sector for almost 20 years. She holds a B.Sc. in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Masters of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary. Katie has worked in Canada and Latin America for university research projects, non-governmental organizations and environmental consulting companies.
Katie has an in-depth understanding of conservation, ecology, stakeholder consultation and mitigating the environmental impacts of human development. Katie’s academic and professional experience allows her to work on designing adaptive management solutions towards achieving landscape conservation and healthy communities in Southern Alberta. Katie spends her free time gardening, fishing, creating textile art, travelling and exploring wild places with her dog.
Date and time: Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/Ywy8-YRATi0
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming. Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Alberta already has the most choice in K-12 education in Canada, with private school pupils being funded to the tune of 70 percent per pupil compared to public school pupils, more than any other province. Charter schools, started in 1994 by Ralph Klein, receive the same level of per pupil funding as public schools, but are run by private parent or corporate boards. No other province in Canada even has charter schools.
Since gaining power in the spring of 2019, Alberta’s UCP Government has lifted the cap on establishing charter schools and is advocating for a voucher system that would increase the per student public funding to Alberta’s private schools from 70 percent to 100 percent. The shift would arguably encourage many more private and religious education schools, more segregation—and more inequality.
To top off the “Politics of Education”, Alberta’s Government has paused the previous NDP Government’s work on curriculum changes and is employing panels of “experts”, including an all-male group of advisors, to determine an outcome. The speaker will provide more background on these issues and give her opinions on why a strong public school system is important to the well-being of our Alberta communities.
Speaker: Bridget Stirling
Bridget Stirling is a PhD student in the University of Alberta’s Department of Educational Policy Studies, where she is interested in children's rights and the politics of childhood. Her doctoral research focuses on education reform movements and education law and policy in Alberta. She serves as a research assistant on Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future, a SSHRC-funded Partnership Grant investigating history education in Canada, where she examines the development and politics of teaching standards in history and social studies education.
Bridget holds an MA in Intercultural and International Communication from Royal Roads University. In addition to her doctoral studies, Bridget serves as an Edmonton Public School Board trustee.
Date and time: Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 10am MST
YouTube Livestream: https://youtu.be/7OZpAe-HP0I
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Recognized as the provincial organization representing parents on school councils in Alberta, Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) has worked alongside other education partners and stakeholders to advise the Ministry of Education on matters related to the K-12 Re-entry plan. As schools reopen, ASCA will continue to help parents on school councils fulfill their legislated roles, engage with parents and their school communities, advise their principals, and work with their school boards on education issues including, but not limited to, COVID-19.
ASCA strives for the empowerment of school councils locally and provincially, and provides support and messaging for parents on school councils related to matters such as the new funding model, the assurance model, and COVID-19 concerns. Parents are partners in education and President Brandi Rai will explore some of the ways ASCA elevates parent voice through provincial advocacy, as well as how ASCA supports school councils in their work they do in their communities.
Speaker: Brandi Rai
Brandi has a passion for public education – to ensure it prepares children to be leaders in our world. Education is a foundational pillar in society and having equitable access to public education is vital for Albertans. Married, with five children in grades 5 through 10, and many pets, Brandi lives in Edmonton. She has served as executive on multiple school councils, is involved with fundraising societies, and is a frequent school volunteer, with a lifelong goal of serving others. Brandi is drawn to ASCA’s support of school councils in the province, ensuring that all parents have the opportunity for engagement and the ability to determine their definition of effectiveness within their local communities.
Brandi attended her first ASCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2014, was elected as a Board Director at the 2016 AGM, elected Vice President at the 2018 AGM, and became ASCA President at the 2020 AGM. Brandi steadfastly believes parent voice in education - locally and provincially - is crucial to student success.
Date and time: Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 10am Mountain Time
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/k85REGT6hH8
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The past few months have certainly been a difficult time for all of us, but as we look around the world and to each other, we can see that this pandemic has shone a light on the importance of Canada’s universal public health care system. This pandemic has made it clear that the true measure of a government's leadership will be made evident through the political choices they make as we deal with this health crisis, and as we move forward to deal with the new political and economic reality that will face us after it is done. Sandra will discuss how during an unprecedented pandemic we are witnessing the dismantling of our universal public health system. How Bill 30: Health Statutes Amendment Act, sets the legal framework for privatization at a time where it has become clear that Alberta must fortify our commitment to a health care system not based on profit, but instead on the shared belief that health care is a human right.
Speaker: Sandra Azocar, Executive Director Friends of Medicare
Sandra has been a social activist for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her previous experience is working as a child protection worker, a community organizer, and a labour activist. Prior to coming to Friends of Medicare, she served as a Vice President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). She was a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years before becoming its Executive Director in 2012. Sandra is an oft quoted voice for public health care. She believes that while we have work to do sustaining and protecting medicare, we should also look to expand the system so that Canadians health needs of all kinds can be met regardless of ability to pay.
Date and time: Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 10am Mountain Time
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/P1Fel4qFS4o
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Recently, Alberta Health Services announced ambulance dispatch services will be consolidated across the province, pulling Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Wood Buffalo into existing EMS dispatch centres.
Lethbridge Fire Department (LFD) has been providing Ambulance/EMS services to citizens since 1912, and have always been the dispatch service as well. They are currently under contract to AHS EMS to provide the EMS service as well as the Dispatch service. The Dispatch service provides coverage not only to the City of Lethbridge, but many other EMS services in the area.
LFD has several concerns with Alberta Health Service Emergency Medical Services decision to remove local EMS dispatch from Lethbridge and move it to Calgary. They feel this will create delays in dispatching of Fire units that also provide Advanced Life Support to our citizens. They also have concerns that AHS EMS provided dispatch will eliminate the City EMS units, leaving the service short of units. As well, a lack of familiarity with this area will arguable create additional delays. The speaker will elaborate and explain how crucial quick response times are when trying to save lives.
Speaker: Warren Nelson
Warren Nelson is the President of the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Local 237, Lethbridge. He has been with the Lethbridge Fire Department for 22 years and involved with their Union since 2001.
Date and time: Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 10am Mountain Time
YouTube Live link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2XEhTrqhnw
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
The COVID19 crisis and its aftermath has shown that infectious diseases respect borders no more than climate change – both of which impact billions of lives, migration trends and economic prosperity worldwide. In the modern world where national boundaries matter very little, we are inseparably connected to one another. The Syria Crisis and the subsequent refugee numbers to Canada is a case in point. So is the Ebola outbreak in 2014 which led Canada to adopt preventative measures in its public spaces.
We know that foreign aid works. It saves and improves the lives of billions of people around the world, safeguarding their human dignity by lifting them out of poverty and giving them a chance to reach their potential. But the moral imperative for maintaining our levels of foreign aid is only half the story. Development assistance is also a way to invest in Canada’s prosperity by supporting the local markets and economies of developing countries in need, which in the long run are able to transition from their crisis phase into stable economies and trading partners for Canada.
In 2019, Canada was WFP's seventh largest donor contributing nearly 200 million USD to support WFP's operations in emergencies. WFP is consistently the single largest recipient of Canadian international humanitarian assistance which we receive through Global Affairs Canada.
Speaker: Marwa Awad
Marwa Awad works as a humanitarian aid communications officer with the World Food Program in areas of conflict including Iraq, Syria, Burkina Faso and South Sudan. In the past decade she has seen how investing in WFP food assistance operations means investing in keeping people alive and healthy as well as limiting their inclination to flee elsewhere which disrupts both local and international economies. Supporting WFP also means helping build the resilience of communities so that they can get back on their own feet.
Date and time: Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/ukEQxWnpag8
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
The COVID-19 virus has prompted many people to seek preventive medications with vitamins, minerals and probiotics flying off pharmacy shelves like hot cakes. Unproven and sometimes even dangerous medications have been touted as cures for this virus, some by well-known people. Such claims put pharmacists in the position of protecting us from ourselves. Some people were even hoarding medications; now all are restricted to only a 30 day supply.
The speaker, pharmacist and owner of Thriftway Pharmacy, is living this journey since pharmacies have been designated as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he will share his pre COVID-19 experiences while also elaborating on his perceptions of the role pharmacies will play in a post pandemic future.
Speaker: Ron Hendry
Ron Hendry graduated with a B. Sc. Pharmacy from the University of Alberta in 1979. He moved to Lethbridge after graduation, where he bought a home in west Lethbridge and worked for his Father in law, Doug Steed, at Thriftway Pharmacy. Doug struggled with poor health and by 1985, Ron took over the management of the store. After Doug passed away in 1990, Ron bought the store which he continues to manage with the help of two other pharmacists and a great front staff.
Date and time: Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/yIS94mAY2Y8
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Post-secondary institutions in Alberta have experienced substantial reductions to their Campus Alberta Grants from the Government of Alberta. In the case of the University of Lethbridge, these reductions represent slightly more than 20% of the university’s government operating grant. The reductions have resulted in difficult budget decisions including layoffs, deletion of athletic programs and structural changes.
The emergence of COVID 19 has added to the challenges for the U of L. On March 13, 2020 the university moved to virtual academic program delivery and ultimately the university closed down all on-campus services including residences and food services, and moved all student services online. These rapid changes have been unprecedented, but the university has met the challenge. There have also been significant costs associated with COVID 19, which in addition to government grant reductions present serious challenges.
The speaker will explain the impact of the budget reductions and COVID 19, mitigation strategies and plans for the fall semester. This will include a discussion on the need for transformational changes at the University of Lethbridge, that are already underway, and will continue to unfold in the coming years.
Speaker: Dr. Mike Mahon
Dr. Michael J. (Mike) Mahon was installed as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010 and after serving two consecutive terms has been reappointed for a third term beginning July 1, 2020. During his first term, Dr. Mahon introduced the university’s first Academic and Strategic Research Plan followed closely by Destination 2020, the University of Lethbridge Strategic Plan. Under these plans, Dr. Mahon initiated the “Destination Project”, a big construction project to develop the new Science Commons building and was successful in obtaining a $260 million investment from the Government of Alberta. Fall 2019 concluded Dr. Mahon’s two-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors for Universities Canada. He has been active in several other provincial and national commitments related to post-secondary education including former Canadian University Sport (USports), Alberta Economic Development Authority, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Coaching Association of Canada. Dr. Mahon is the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and an honorary member of the Kainai Chieftainship of the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta. He is proud of his Blackfoot name, Iipisowaahsiiyi (Morning Star).
Date and time: Monday, June 15, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/ncsoz79_x58
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Not only Americans, but Canadians need to have an "uncomfortable conversation" about racism and police violence against black people, particularly around who benefits from it. The difficult conversation is, that racism may not be about some bad feelings inside somebody's heart, but arguably, it's about power that benefits white people and their property.
The benefits of white supremacy are not built on the oppression of black communities alone, white people have made careers managing the files of Indigenous children who are being taken from their families. All the money that gets used in these ventures could be used to actually support families and keep them together in Indigenous communities. Likewise, why not redirect some of the money spent on law enforcement to help marginalized people and communities?
The speaker will argue that we're sending people armed with guns to somebody who is in crisis, when the answer for the police overwhelmingly should be, to stop heavy policing and to start supporting all member of the community with help from the public and individuals.
Speaker: Desmond Cole
Desmond Cole was born in Alberta, grew up in Oshawa and attended Queens University. He first emerged on the public stage with his dogged challenges to the practice of police carding in Toronto. He spoke out at community rallies and at Police Services board meetings. He wrote articles, including one for Toronto Life magazine in 2015, about his own experience: “I’ve been stopped by cops on the streets 50 times. I’m not a criminal,” read the arresting cover. Cole became a columnist for the Toronto Star—and resigned when the paper discouraged him from continuing his advocacy work. He is now a leading Black activist and critic of systemic racial injustices targeting Black communities across the country.
Date and time: Friday, June 12, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/d_QKE6Ax4TU
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As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on our lives, the good news is that resilience is possible, but it requires more than just a positive mindset. Building on his research from around the world and clinical work with populations that have experienced the stress of social isolation, poverty, stigma and violence, the speaker will share stories and strategies we can use to not only survive but thrive during this pandemic.
From overcoming the hassle of working from home and providing childcare, to preventing anxiety, the speaker will discuss ways we can make ourselves more psychologically rugged and build our social supports. This presentation will explore how this crisis can be an opportunity for us to have a forthright conversation about how we can make our families, schools, communities, and workplaces better despite the financial stress and grief that has become our new normal.
Speaker: Dr. Michael Ungar, Director Resilience Research Centre, Dalhousie University
Dr. Ungar is a Family Therapist and Professor of Social Work at Dalhousie University where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience, and is Scientific Director, Child and Youth Refugee Research Coalition.
Over the past 20 years, Dr. Ungar has done hundreds of interviews for radio, television, podcasts, magazines and newspapers and delivered over 500 keynote addresses all around the world on the topic of resilience. He is among the best-known and best-selling authors in the field with 200 peer-reviewed papers and 16 books. His latest work is Change Your World: The Science of Resilience and the True Path to Success (Sutherland House, 2019).
Date and time: Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/8u9fCuVa6cc
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Resilience Resources and Information Praise for Change Your World: The Science of Resilience and the True Path to Success
“What I love about this book is that Ungar rejects the idea that success is something that is completely within our control as individuals and highlights instead the importance of broader, more systemic factors: what’s happening in our families, our community, and our world. Improving our personal circumstances becomes less about changing ourselves and more about joining forces with other people to make things better for all of us” Ann Douglas Author, Happy Parents, Happy Kids
“Finally, a book explaining why fixing ourselves with self-help solutions may not be the only, or even the main ingredient, of the secret sauce of life success. Dr. Ungar's real-life stories from his research on resilience, with examples from all across the globe, offer fresh new recipes—and provide a fun and compelling as well as educative read.” Susan Heitler, PhD, Author, Prescriptions Without Pills: For Relief From Depression, Anger, Anxiety and More
For More Information
To learn more about Dr. Ungar’s Research study of Youth in Drayton Valley, AB & Secunda, South Africa, “Resilient Youth in Stressed Environments (RYSE) go t
In what Prime Minister Trudeau called “extremely troubling,” military reports accused several Quebec and Ontario long-term care (LTC) facilities of negligence and appalling conditions for people living there. The reports detailed first-hand accounts of cockroach infestations, patients crying for help, residents being force fed and not receiving a bath for weeks, while COVID-19 patients were allowed to wander freely.
But even before the pandemic, it was evident that LTC homes were a setting stretched far too thin and in need of much better resources. Staffing ratios and tight schedules often prevent staff from providing the quality of care they would like, as they are often overwhelmed by the volume of tasks facing them. Arguably what’s needed, is a system that values the lives of the people living in LTC homes, while also valuing the lives of the people who are providing the care.
The speaker will argue that if the COVID-19 pandemic is to bring about improvements to quality of care in LTC homes, it can only be achieved by simultaneously improving the quality of work life for the people who are providing it, and to make changes, political and public pressure will be needed.
Speaker: Dr. Sienna Caspar
Sienna Caspar has worked in long-term care facilities in both Canada and the US for over 20 years. As a postdoctoral fellow in a cross appointment at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/University Health Network and the University of Victoria, she conducted an intervention study aimed at improving leadership and collaborative decision making in long-term care settings. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Health Sciences—Therapeutic Recreation program.
Date and time: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 11 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/jZ4bCKNO1dk
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Link to SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its relentless path across the world, politicians, policy-makers, and pundits have begun thinking of the world that comes after. What are likely to be the short, medium, and long-term impacts on society resulting from Covid-19? How will it change the economy, politics, society at large? Which of these will be temporary and which more permanent?
This talk will explore some of these possible changes and the policy changes that should be considered as a result.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers.
Date and time: Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/opZaLsvhgFg
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Studies finds that enzymes in cannabis may be able to treat COVID-19. Researchers at the University of Lethbridge recently released results from a study that shows the benefits of CBD as an aid in blocking the cells that enter the body from the novel coronavirus. The study is a partnership among the university, Pathway, which works to develop cannabis therapies to treat specific diseases, and cannabinoid-based oral health company Swysh Inc.
The researchers at U of L conducted a study using artificial 3D models of oral, airway and intestinal tissues coupled with a limited sample of high CBD Cannabis sativa extracts, modulate ACE2 gene expression and ACE2 protein levels. The results indicated hemp extracts high in CBD may help block proteins that provide a “gateway” for COVID-19 to enter host cells. The speaker will elaborate.
Speaker: Dr. Olga Kovalchuk
Dr. Kovalchuk received her B. Med. (Honors, 1992) and M.D. (Stomatology, 1994) degrees at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University in Ukraine. In 1994 she began a career at the Medical University and the Chernobyl Research Centre studying consequences of the Chernobyl accident, and in 1998 received a PhD (Medical Genetics). Dr. Kovalchuk conducted extensive postdoctoral training at the Friedrich Miescher Institute and in Novartis/Syngenta (Switzerland). Currently Dr. Olga Kovalchuk is a Professor and a Board of Governors’ Research Chair in Epigenetics of Health and Diseases at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta.
In 2008-2018 she held the Canadian Institutes for Health Research – Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH) Chairs in Gender and Health, and in Gender, Work and Health. Dr. Kovalchuk is an internationally-renowned leader and an expert in epigenetics and epigenomics of health and disease, environmental epigenomics, and radiation biology and oncology. She is studying mechanisms of disease, epigenetics, novel precision medicine approaches and novel cannabis-based disease therapies. She is a co-founder of the PathwayRx, a research and development medical cannabis company developing personalized approaches for cannabis-based treatment of cancer and age-related diseases.
Date and time: Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link https://youtu.be/sj60GmfFht4
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SACPA’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUQ5mUHv1gfmMFVr8d9dNA
Public health officials have been clear about one thing for a couple months — we need to act collectively to minimize the spread of COVID-19. First, they asked that certain people self-isolate and that we all socially distance. But because some people didn’t listen, they had to institute mandatory edicts, punishable by fines.
Most Albertans followed the "ask" instructions laid out by public health officials. So why do some folks need the penalty before they'll do the right thing? The speakers will argue that “willing participants” (in it for the greater good) and “rational egoists” (in it for themselves) make up about 65 and 20 percent of the population respectively.
Then there are the “Altruists” (who always do the right thing) and “punishers” (who are willing to punish those people breaking rules, even if it has a personal cost) making up about 15 percent. The speakers will explain further and make the point that efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic highlight how things that matter profoundly to us as individuals — like, for instance, our health — are really, at the end of the day, a collective responsibility.
Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas and Lisa Lambert
Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students’ Union President.
Lisa Lambert is a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009.
Date and time: Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/mKF7ihi_NMo
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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected most Canadian business sectors, including farmers. Massive financial help from governments, both federal and provincial, have been rolled out for many individuals and businesses since early April. Specific help for the food and farming sector was announced only recently with a small aid package that arguably doesn’t prioritize the importance of help to the food supply chains.
Because of worker safety issues and COVID-19 outbreaks among workers, shutdowns and slowdowns at several beef, hog and chicken processing plants have created huge backlogs. When animals are ready to be shipped, they need to go or else producer costs go up and quality of the products are negatively affected. Likewise, other farm products used widely in the now shut restaurant industry, are severely compromised.
The speaker will argue that agricultural production, marketing and farm worker issues generally flies below the radar of governments, particularly federally. He will further contend that from a food-security perspective, the stakes for Canada are very high. Canada typically loses from 5 to 7 per cent of its farms every year. COVID-19 could double that loss this year if substantial financial aid is not forthcoming soon.
Speaker: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. Charlebois conducts research in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He has written four books and many peer-reviewed and scientific articles—over 500 during his career. His research has been featured in newspapers that include The Economist, New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Globe & Mail, National Post and Toronto Star.
Date and time: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 11 am MT
YouTube Live link:https://youtu.be/h6Y-wZXyABE
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The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency. Uninsured individuals in Alberta and Canada are often denied access to health care and can face huge costs to get treatment. There are concerns that these barriers to health care already have had public health implications in the context of COVID-19.
Uninsured persons can include newly-landed permanent residents, temporary foreign workers (TFW’s), international students and undocumented residents. COVID-19 assessment centers and related care should arguably be accessible to all people, regardless of immigration status during a pandemic such as COVID-19.
Furthermore, TFW’s often work in essential services such as agriculture and health care related jobs. As witnessed at the Cargill Beef Packing plant near High River, safe working and housing conditions were not prioritized and early warning signs were ignored causing a massive COVID-19 outbreak and plant closure.
The speaker will explain his advocacy role in bringing these and many other issues facing TFW’s and others to the attention of government, corporations and employers, while arguing that it should not take a serious pandemic or health emergency to implement safe working conditions for any and all employees.
Speakers: Marco Luciano
Marco is the current Director of Migrante Alberta. He was a student activist and a union organizer and educator before he moved to Alberta in 2013. He was also a co-founder the Canada-wide alliance Migrante Canada
Date and time: Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/bqvn33l1IxE
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Municipalities’ emergency responses to the COVID 19 pandemic are raising concerns about the lack of equity and inclusion in the crisis. While many cities have taken various positive steps, such as including diverse voices in emergency response planning, arguably, women continue to fall through the cracks.
The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women, and particularly women experiencing socio- economic marginalization, is well-documented in research from Canada and around the world. In these unprecedented circumstances, cities should be urged to apply an intersectional gendered lens on equity and inclusion to all phases of planning and implementation of COVID 19 emergency responses. This can ensure that any emergency response takes into consideration the full diversity of women, men, and gender-diverse people.
The speakers will describe what the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) in Ottawa has been advocating for during COVID 19. They will also share some of the helpful measures taken by that city.
Speakers: Dr. Valerie Stam and Patricia Harewood Dr. Valerie Stam is the Executive Director of the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) where she coordinates training and advocacy with community leaders for inclusive and equitable change in municipal policies. She is a facilitator and educator with over 20 years experience in intersectional gendered approaches to development, civic engagement, research, and policy both locally and abroad. Valerie has a PhD in Sociology from Carleton University. Her most recent research used participatory theatre to explore how difficult conversations around race can lead to social change.
Patricia Harewood is a labour lawyer and a passionate advocate for human rights, especially women’s equality rights and the rights of racialized people. As a member of the Board of the City for All Women Initiative, a volunteer co-host of CHUO’s Black on Black and a Board member at her children’s daycare, the Centre éducatif Les Débrouillards, she especially enjoys collaborating with others to discuss and address systemic barriers faced by historically marginalized communities. She also loves cycling and playing soccer with her children.
Date and time: Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/hD9OghKCshs
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The Alberta government has arguably missed an opportunity to show leadership during the COVID 19 crisis by directing provincial school boards to lay off tens of thousands of education workers. Teachers and educational assistants (EA’s) work closely together to facilitate student learning. EA’s were still being utilized to support students in need of accommodations along with those students with inadequate access to technology.
The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) estimates that around 6,000 substitute teachers and up to 20,000 support staff are affected by the funding cut. The ATA stands in solidarity with the support staff affected by this decision. Even though the COVID 19 pandemic is an extraordinary life event, laying off tens of thousands of workers at this time is at best, a questionable direction by the provincial government.
While the federal government has stepped up to protect people and the economy through a compassionate stop-gap program, that still leaves many at risk kids without the support needed to succeed. The speaker will explain the shortfalls many students are likely to experience during the currently mandated “learning at home” way of going to school, without the help of EA’s and support staff. The speaker will also explore the future impacts of this decision when schools prepare to reopen at a future date.
Speaker: Jason Schilling, President, The Alberta Teachers’ Association
Jason Schilling was elected president of the 45,000 member Alberta Teachers’ Association in 2019 following two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. Prior to his election as President of the ATA, Schilling was an English and drama teacher at Kate Andrews High School, in Coaldale, where he worked for the last 17 years. Schilling’s assignments as president include chairing the CTF (Canadian Teachers’ Federation) Committee, serving as a member of the Strategic Planning Group and the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board, and acting as Provincial Executive Council liaison to the English Language Arts Council. He also represents the Association on the CTF Board of Directors.
Date and time: Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/iKljIIm6b10
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During the current COVID 19 pandemic, Lethbridge YWCA and Harbour House Women’s Emergency Shelter are anticipating the instances of severe domestic violence to increase and staff are incredibly fearful for the safety of women in the community who are in abusive relationships.
In a crisis situation people’s fears and anxieties often increase. With a threat to jobs and income, there’s a fear about how their family will survive, and being isolated from their community and normal social interactions, makes it even worse. This leads to situations people aren’t familiar with and those who have been in a violent relationship before, may see the abuse escalate even further.
Typically, from what’s know about past crises, people who have never experienced domestic violence before, may be subjected to such during COVID 19. The speaker will elaborate on the local situation and also discuss who are providing the essential funding to this, literally lifesaving, safety net service in Lethbridge
Speaker: Shannon Hansen, Chief Executive Officer YWCA Lethbridge
Shannon has over 23 years of experience in supporting and advocating for individuals with complex needs in community. Relocating to Lethbridge with her family 2012, Shannon has worked as the Director of McMan Youth, Family and Community Services and as the Housing First Specialist at the City of Lethbridge. Currently, the CEO at the YWCA, the culmination of her career experience is utilized. Taking a person-centred, strengths-based, cultural humility approach, Shannon continues to support individuals experiencing barriers including trauma, domestic and sexual violence, addictions, sexual assault, and FASD.
With domestic and sexual violence as part of the YWCA’s programming, Shannon is passionate about connecting the resources and supports to those who need them. Her passion aligns perfectly with the newly developed YWCA Lethbridge and District’s mission (Enhancing lives through personal empowerment and supportive community) and vision (We are an organization created by women that is leading the community with innovative solutions to enrich lives, promote fulfillment, and create happiness).
Date and time: Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live Link: https://youtu.be/LV532UIydw4
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
The speaker will provide a brief overview of the humble beginnings of Lethbridge Soup Kitchen on Oct 1, 1984 and some of the highlights of its 35 year history. He will also acknowledge the connections and personal relationships that have been built with its vulnerable guests over the years and the incredible number of volunteers now counting nearly 850 people.
An amazing amount of generous donors, who supply about $60,000 worth of food each and every month, make it possible for Lethbridge Soup Kitchen to serve more than 6000 meals monthly including breakfast, lunch and supper. Numerous Individuals, churches, companies and service clubs have so far provided much of the financial resources necessary to meet expenses year by year.
Arguably, the way in which local media outlets have provided great coverage of the daily hot meals program is very helpful to all involved and will continue to be a key part of this essential service. The speaker will explain adjustments that have been made to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. He will also address the new and innovative meal programs that have been implemented in the midst of this dangerous pandemic.
Speaker: Bill Ginther
Bill Ginther is currently the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, a position he has held for almost 3 years, his third post-retirement job. He came to this role after having spent most of his career in International Relief and Development with a focus on food security, primarily in Eastern Africa.
Prior to choosing that career path, he completed undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Psychology & Theology from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Bill’s REAL “Claim to fame” is that he has been married to his wife Joan for almost 50 years and is a Papa to 12 grandchildren. His deepest desire in life (other than his Christian faith) is to treat and encourage others to respect and enhance the lives of our homeless neighbours here in Lethbridge.
Date and time: Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/HANRuTDSALE
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
For further info visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The City of Lethbridge implemented a local state of emergency on March 18, 2020 and is working with community partners to identify areas of need for the community during the COVID 19 pandemic. 16 subcommittees have been formed to address and support the community while this crisis is unfolding. Action taken so far include working closely with Alberta Health Services and the agencies that serve our vulnerable populations to ensure these groups have the needed housing, health care and other supports they require. Other measures include free transit, 90 day utility payment deferrals and property tax options.
All City facilities, including City Hall, Fire Stations, Lethbridge Transit, all recreation and culture facilities (pools, arenas, Lethbridge Public Library branches, Galt Museum and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre) are closed to the public until further notice. Lethbridge Police Service have closed public access to their building until further notice as have Lethbridge Animal Shelter. The speaker will unpack many of the safety steps that have been made to address this dangerous pandemic and whether or not more measures may be needed.
Speaker: Chris Spearman, Mayor of Lethbridge
Along with 38 years of business experience, Chris Spearman devoted 18 years (1992-2010) to serving on the Holy Spirit School Board which included two terms as Board Chair. He is a founding member of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta, established in 1983. Chris is passionate about environmental issues, supports practical solutions and believes in continuous improvement. His employment experience includes 10 years working with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and 13 years with ISO 9002 Quality Systems.
Chris was a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce since 2008 and served on several sub-committees. In addition, he served five years (2008-2013) on University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Advisory Committee. From 2010 to 2013 he served as a board member for the Aboriginal Housing Society. Chris has also volunteered with several other community organizations including Economic Development Lethbridge (a founding member) and the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta (now known as the Ability Resource Centre).
Date and time: Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/s8zuiIKU9Nw
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in. If you don’t, click “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your questions of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are livestreaming.
The world-wide outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 disease may be stressful for many people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to this outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19, children and teens, people who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, nurses and other health care providers, or first responders. As well, people who have preexisting mental health conditions, the homeless, the vulnerable and people with substance abuse.
The speaker will walk us through the many issues surrounding mental health with particular emphasis on the isolation and loneliness COVID 19 has caused, resulting in extra stress on many families and individuals.
Speaker: McMillan James
McMillan James is a Registered Psychologist with experience spanning academic and clinical counselling settings. She earned her BA in Psychology and her Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology with a focus on Addiction and Mental Health. During her graduate studies she completed her thesis on the Phenomenological Experience of Athletic Retirement. She is currently in private practice at Associates Counselling Services here in Lethbridge.
In addition, Mcmillan provides psychological services for Canadian Back Institute and Lethbridge Integrated Service Court. She is dedicated to supporting clients through a client-centered and collaborative approach relying on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness techniques.
Date and time: Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 10 am
YouTube Live link: https://youtu.be/5Dp-mE4vgFM
In order to ask questions of our speaker in the chat feature of YouTube, you must have a YouTube account and be signed in. Please do so well ahead of the scheduled start time, so you’ll be ready. Go the YouTube Live link provided in this session flyer and on the top right of your browser click the “sign in” button. If you have Google or Gmail accounts, they can be used to sign in.
If you don’t, click on “Create Account” and follow along. Once you are signed in, you can return to the live stream and use the chat feature to ask your question of the speaker. Remember you can only participate in the chat feature while we are “live streaming”. If you watch the video afterwards, you will still be able to see the questions other folks have asked but you won’t be able to chat anymore.
Several businesses in Lethbridge’s downtown and the surrounding area have closed their doors in the last several months. Other business owners say they are feeling the pinch as well, and attribute much of the struggles to what they say are pervasive negative perceptions of the downtown area.
Concerns over everything from the opioid/drug crisis and taxation to parking, are the main issues. Those business owners and employees are feeling the pressure of that, but today’s speaker will explain how she, along with other business owners, are fighting back and meeting with with city officials to address the issues
Speaker: Erica Pyska
As a leader in the business landscape of Lethbridge for over 20 years, Erica Pyska is excited to share some of her experiences and thoughts on the ever-changing dynamic of downtown Lethbridge.
Calling Plum Restaurant home for the last 6 years, Erica has insight on growing a business through economic and political shifts, ecological responsibility and hardships, and supporting people (inside and outside of Plum) from all walks of life in our downtown core. A steadfast friend and colleague of many, Erica is proud to call Lethbridge home for her family and businesses.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Several businesses in Lethbridge’s downtown and the surrounding area have closed their doors in the last several months. Other business owners say they are feeling the pinch as well, and attribute much of the struggles to what they say are pervasive negative perceptions of the downtown area.
Concerns over everything from the opioid/drug crisis and taxation to parking, are the main issues. Those business owners and employees are feeling the pressure of that, but today’s speaker will explain how she, along with other business owners, are fighting back and meeting with with city officials to address the issues
Speaker: Erica Pyska
As a leader in the business landscape of Lethbridge for over 20 years, Erica Pyska is excited to share some of her experiences and thoughts on the ever-changing dynamic of downtown Lethbridge.
Calling Plum Restaurant home for the last 6 years, Erica has insight on growing a business through economic and political shifts, ecological responsibility and hardships, and supporting people (inside and outside of Plum) from all walks of life in our downtown core. A steadfast friend and colleague of many, Erica is proud to call Lethbridge home for her family and businesses.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta’s conventional oil and gas liabilities have been growing for decades with reported estimates ranging from $58 to $130 billion involving 450,000 oil and gas wells, 400,000 Km of pipelines, 1.4 trillion litres of fluid waste, Only $1.5 billion is held in securities to protect Albertan taxpayers from the risk of being left on the hook for costs. Oil sands liabilities are estimated at another (largely unsecured) $130 billion.
If the issue of backlogged and unsecured oil and gas liabilities is allowed to stay quiet, the problem will simply continue to grow, with no true transparency around its scale and scope. Long-term solutions to this problem will need to be both collaborative and practical. However, in order to find such solutions, all stakeholders must have access to accurate information about the true costs to clean up all active and inactive oil and gas infrastructure in Alberta.
It was recently revealed Alberta’s oil and gas companies now owe $178 million in unpaid rent and property taxes to farmers and municipalities, not all of which can be explained by a few dozen bankrupt companies. Oil and gas companies that continue operating are also choosing not to pay their rent and taxes.
The speaker will argue that Alberta can’t or won’t charge companies market competitive royalties for its oil and gas and can’t or won’t make anyone clean up their mess without them going bankrupt, and the fact the oil patch cannot (or simply refuses to) pay its rent and taxes, all point towards an unfortunate reality: the sun is setting on Alberta’s storied conventional oil and gas industry.
Speaker: Regan Boychuk
Regan Boychuk is a leading experts on the problem of reclaiming aging oil and gas infrastructure in Alberta. His analysis is informed by years of original research into royalties and liabilities, as well as decades of on-the-ground experience in the oil and gas industry.
Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Regan Boychuk is an independent researcher now based in Calgary. He was Research Manager with the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute and served on the oil sands expert group advising the provincial government’s 2015-16 Royalty Review Panel.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta’s conventional oil and gas liabilities have been growing for decades with reported estimates ranging from $58 to $130 billion involving 450,000 oil and gas wells, 400,000 Km of pipelines, 1.4 trillion litres of fluid waste, Only $1.5 billion is held in securities to protect Albertan taxpayers from the risk of being left on the hook for costs. Oil sands liabilities are estimated at another (largely unsecured) $130 billion.
If the issue of backlogged and unsecured oil and gas liabilities is allowed to stay quiet, the problem will simply continue to grow, with no true transparency around its scale and scope. Long-term solutions to this problem will need to be both collaborative and practical. However, in order to find such solutions, all stakeholders must have access to accurate information about the true costs to clean up all active and inactive oil and gas infrastructure in Alberta.
It was recently revealed Alberta’s oil and gas companies now owe $178 million in unpaid rent and property taxes to farmers and municipalities, not all of which can be explained by a few dozen bankrupt companies. Oil and gas companies that continue operating are also choosing not to pay their rent and taxes.
The speaker will argue that Alberta can’t or won’t charge companies market competitive royalties for its oil and gas and can’t or won’t make anyone clean up their mess without them going bankrupt, and the fact the oil patch cannot (or simply refuses to) pay its rent and taxes, all point towards an unfortunate reality: the sun is setting on Alberta’s storied conventional oil and gas industry.
Speaker: Regan Boychuk
Regan Boychuk is a leading experts on the problem of reclaiming aging oil and gas infrastructure in Alberta. His analysis is informed by years of original research into royalties and liabilities, as well as decades of on-the-ground experience in the oil and gas industry.
Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Regan Boychuk is an independent researcher now based in Calgary. He was Research Manager with the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute and served on the oil sands expert group advising the provincial government’s 2015-16 Royalty Review Panel.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Arguably, governments have a mandate to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe, including young children. Recently, the Province of Alberta and the City of Lethbridge have initiated significant realignments of their prevention and early intervention services for families.
The speaker will explore these changes from the perspective of an agency that provides preventive services on behalf of governments. The goal is to continue a wholesome and productive discussion about how we protect children in our community.
Speaker: Peter Imhof
Peter Imhof came to Lethbridge in 2001 from Germany. After almost ten years in technical research and development, he joined Family Centre of Lethbridge in 2012 where he became the Executive Director in 2014.
Through Family Centre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, Peter, his staff and volunteers grows the resilience of the children, youth, and families in our community.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Arguably, governments have a mandate to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe, including young children. Recently, the Province of Alberta and the City of Lethbridge have initiated significant realignments of their prevention and early intervention services for families.
The speaker will explore these changes from the perspective of an agency that provides preventive services on behalf of governments. The goal is to continue a wholesome and productive discussion about how we protect children in our community.
Speaker: Peter Imhof
Peter Imhof came to Lethbridge in 2001 from Germany. After almost ten years in technical research and development, he joined Family Centre of Lethbridge in 2012 where he became the Executive Director in 2014.
Through Family Centre, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, Peter, his staff and volunteers grows the resilience of the children, youth, and families in our community.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development (AlbertaSW) is a partnership of 16 towns, villages and rural municipal districts bordering on BC and MT. Key sectors of the economy in the region are agriculture, renewable energy and tourism. All these industries require consideration of the natural resources and landscapes, creating a natural focus on sustainability,
In 2007, in collaboration with National Geographic, AlbertaSW was a founding partner of the transboundary Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council, which highlights sustainable tourism business development.
In 2006, AlbertaSW, Economic Development Lethbridge and SouthGrow formed the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership (SAAEP). Representing 39 municipalities in south west and south-central Alberta, SAAEP supports member municipalities to explore opportunities in renewable energy (solar, wind, bio) and clean technology. The “Peaks to Prairies” Electric Vehicle Charging Station Network, a “current” project, so to speak, is a multi municipal/industry partnership that evolved from this focus on sustainability.
Economic development organizations strive to understand economic costs and benefits. SAAEP has gathered information on new solar and wind projects to illustrate the value of local energy assets. The total capital expenditure of the nine projects in progress (6 solar, 3 wind) is $1.56 billion dollars. Regional economic impacts, from a combination of factors (annual land lease revenues, tax assessment for municipalities, construction, ongoing operations jobs) is estimated at $239M dollars between 2019 and 2022.
Speaker: Bev Thornton
Bev Thornton is the Executive Director of Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, a partnership of 16 rural municipalities. She has worked with this group since its inception 2000 and is proud of the community commitment. The organization has received over 30 provincial, national and international awards for projects that work to advance economic development in key industry sectors in the southwest region: agriculture, renewable energy, clean technology and tourism. Alberta SouthWest Crown of the Continent has been named as a “Top 100 Global Sustainable Tourism Destination” for 2019.
Bev is Past President of Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) and at the 2017 Annual Conference and Awards Banquet of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) she was awarded the prestigious Jeffery A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award. Bev is the first recipient of this award outside of the US. In 2018, AlbertaSW became the first IEDC Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) in Alberta and one of only 4 in Canada.
Moderator: Melinda Weston
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development (AlbertaSW) is a partnership of 16 towns, villages and rural municipal districts bordering on BC and MT. Key sectors of the economy in the region are agriculture, renewable energy and tourism. All these industries require consideration of the natural resources and landscapes, creating a natural focus on sustainability,
In 2007, in collaboration with National Geographic, AlbertaSW was a founding partner of the transboundary Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council, which highlights sustainable tourism business development.
In 2006, AlbertaSW, Economic Development Lethbridge and SouthGrow formed the Southern Alberta Alternative Energy Partnership (SAAEP). Representing 39 municipalities in south west and south-central Alberta, SAAEP supports member municipalities to explore opportunities in renewable energy (solar, wind, bio) and clean technology. The “Peaks to Prairies” Electric Vehicle Charging Station Network, a “current” project, so to speak, is a multi municipal/industry partnership that evolved from this focus on sustainability.
Economic development organizations strive to understand economic costs and benefits. SAAEP has gathered information on new solar and wind projects to illustrate the value of local energy assets. The total capital expenditure of the nine projects in progress (6 solar, 3 wind) is $1.56 billion dollars. Regional economic impacts, from a combination of factors (annual land lease revenues, tax assessment for municipalities, construction, ongoing operations jobs) is estimated at $239M dollars between 2019 and 2022.
Speaker: Bev Thornton
Bev Thornton is the Executive Director of Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance, a partnership of 16 rural municipalities. She has worked with this group since its inception 2000 and is proud of the community commitment. The organization has received over 30 provincial, national and international awards for projects that work to advance economic development in key industry sectors in the southwest region: agriculture, renewable energy, clean technology and tourism. Alberta SouthWest Crown of the Continent has been named as a “Top 100 Global Sustainable Tourism Destination” for 2019.
Bev is Past President of Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) and at the 2017 Annual Conference and Awards Banquet of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) she was awarded the prestigious Jeffery A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award. Bev is the first recipient of this award outside of the US. In 2018, AlbertaSW became the first IEDC Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) in Alberta and one of only 4 in Canada.
Moderator: Melinda Weston
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The early years of human development needs to be an essential priority for the whole community and by creating awareness of the importance of the early years in children’s development, communities can help create and implement an action plan specific to enhancing healthy childhood development.
One essential element for children’s development is play. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. It is through play that children at a very early age learn to engage and interact with the world around them.
The importance of play in childhood development is what brought Lethbridge Early Years Coalition to spearhead the development of the Lethbridge Play Charter for all children ages 0 - 18. This Play Charter was adopted by the City of Lethbridge as a unifying document that influences planning, policy and decision making in our community. Organizations, agencies, and community members are committed to prioritizing and promoting the importance of play.
The speaker will present on why play is essential for healthy human development, explore some of the reasons why play has changed and how we as a community can work together to prioritize play.
Speaker: Vicki Hazelwood
Vicki Hazelwood, Coordinator of Lethbridge Early Years Coalition (LEYC), is passionate about children having a great start in life and fostering healthy families. Vicki also works as Coordinator for Building Brains Together, which is a “play project” out of the Neuroscience Department at the University of Lethbridge. Vicki has been supporting families through teaching, facilitating, and speaking on the topic of early childhood development and parenting for over 15 years.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The early years of human development needs to be an essential priority for the whole community and by creating awareness of the importance of the early years in children’s development, communities can help create and implement an action plan specific to enhancing healthy childhood development.
One essential element for children’s development is play. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. It is through play that children at a very early age learn to engage and interact with the world around them.
The importance of play in childhood development is what brought Lethbridge Early Years Coalition to spearhead the development of the Lethbridge Play Charter for all children ages 0 - 18. This Play Charter was adopted by the City of Lethbridge as a unifying document that influences planning, policy and decision making in our community. Organizations, agencies, and community members are committed to prioritizing and promoting the importance of play.
The speaker will present on why play is essential for healthy human development, explore some of the reasons why play has changed and how we as a community can work together to prioritize play.
Speaker: Vicki Hazelwood
Vicki Hazelwood, Coordinator of Lethbridge Early Years Coalition (LEYC), is passionate about children having a great start in life and fostering healthy families. Vicki also works as Coordinator for Building Brains Together, which is a “play project” out of the Neuroscience Department at the University of Lethbridge. Vicki has been supporting families through teaching, facilitating, and speaking on the topic of early childhood development and parenting for over 15 years.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Liberal Education is rooted in an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest.
The philosophy of Liberal Education traces back to the Classical Era of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who developed a logical and systematic approach to looking at the world around us, and an education system to produce informed leaders who would engage in the running of their city-states. Thinkers like Thucydides and Plato discussed politics, forms of government, and civic engagement.
These ideas came to life again with the flourishing of the scientific approach in the late 1600s, and on into The Enlightenment or Age of Reason, as thinkers explored politics, economics, government and social systems. Questions about the relationship of a liberal education to citizenship, are questions with a long history in the Western philosophical tradition.
The speaker will argue that the pillars of our Liberal Education model - breadth and integration of knowledge, critical thinking skills of evidence-based reasoning, and the application of that breadth and skill in civic engagement - capture the essence of our teaching and learning, and indeed of our research; it is a model of all that a university can and should be, for our students and our citizens.
Speaker: Dr. Shelly Wismath
Shelly Wismath is a Professor of Mathematics, and taught for many years in the Math & Computer Science Department at the University of Lethbridge. Her research in abstract general algebra resulted in three books and over sixty research papers published. In 2009 she moved to the Liberal Education Program, where she teaches courses on quantitative and problem solving skills designed for non-math, non-science majors. In the past few years she has published research on the teaching and learning of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Dr. Wismath was awarded the University of Lethbridge’s Distinguished Teaching Award, held the inaugural Board of Governors’ Teaching Chair, and in 2017 was named as a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In October 2017 she was appointed as the first Dean of the University’s new School of Liberal Education.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Liberal Education is rooted in an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest.
The philosophy of Liberal Education traces back to the Classical Era of the ancient Greeks and Romans, who developed a logical and systematic approach to looking at the world around us, and an education system to produce informed leaders who would engage in the running of their city-states. Thinkers like Thucydides and Plato discussed politics, forms of government, and civic engagement.
These ideas came to life again with the flourishing of the scientific approach in the late 1600s, and on into The Enlightenment or Age of Reason, as thinkers explored politics, economics, government and social systems. Questions about the relationship of a liberal education to citizenship, are questions with a long history in the Western philosophical tradition.
The speaker will argue that the pillars of our Liberal Education model - breadth and integration of knowledge, critical thinking skills of evidence-based reasoning, and the application of that breadth and skill in civic engagement - capture the essence of our teaching and learning, and indeed of our research; it is a model of all that a university can and should be, for our students and our citizens.
Speaker: Dr. Shelly Wismath
Shelly Wismath is a Professor of Mathematics, and taught for many years in the Math & Computer Science Department at the University of Lethbridge. Her research in abstract general algebra resulted in three books and over sixty research papers published. In 2009 she moved to the Liberal Education Program, where she teaches courses on quantitative and problem solving skills designed for non-math, non-science majors. In the past few years she has published research on the teaching and learning of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Dr. Wismath was awarded the University of Lethbridge’s Distinguished Teaching Award, held the inaugural Board of Governors’ Teaching Chair, and in 2017 was named as a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In October 2017 she was appointed as the first Dean of the University’s new School of Liberal Education.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Our drinking water comes from the Oldman River, but where does this river start? The tributaries that feed a river are collectively called headwaters, the source or ‘birthplace’ of our river. Located along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the headwaters of the Oldman River flow from an increasingly busy landscape - one that includes mining, logging, grazing, and recreation. This unique area offers important habitat for threatened species, as well as ecological services beyond providing most of the water used by over 210,000 people living, working, and playing in our watershed.
In response to public concern, the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has made the headwaters a priority through education and restoration. Their unique approach is based on social science methodologies and involves talking (and listening!) to people through face-to-face conversations; boots-on-the-ground events to restore streambanks together with partners and volunteers; testing strategies like signs and pledges to change behaviour; and ultimately, engaging hearts, heads, and hands. Since 2015, OWC has conducted 283 surveys, talked to more than 5,600 people, and helped plant over 4,300 willows and trees. The speaker will describe these local, grassroots efforts aimed at improving conditions in our headwaters, and will discuss some actions we can all take to help care for this special place.
Speaker: Sofie Forsström
Sofie Forsström is the Education Program Manager for the Oldman Watershed Council. Since 2015, Sofie has been coordinating education and restoration activities in the headwaters and beyond in order to promote watershed literacy and cultivate a strong sense of place.
Sofie earned a Master of Science in Applied Ecology from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from U of A, Augustana Campus. Prior to joining OWC, she worked as a science educator at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. In her free time, Sofie enjoys hiking with her dog and volunteering with a local Scout Troop.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Our drinking water comes from the Oldman River, but where does this river start? The tributaries that feed a river are collectively called headwaters, the source or ‘birthplace’ of our river. Located along the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the headwaters of the Oldman River flow from an increasingly busy landscape - one that includes mining, logging, grazing, and recreation. This unique area offers important habitat for threatened species, as well as ecological services beyond providing most of the water used by over 210,000 people living, working, and playing in our watershed.
In response to public concern, the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) has made the headwaters a priority through education and restoration. Their unique approach is based on social science methodologies and involves talking (and listening!) to people through face-to-face conversations; boots-on-the-ground events to restore streambanks together with partners and volunteers; testing strategies like signs and pledges to change behaviour; and ultimately, engaging hearts, heads, and hands. Since 2015, OWC has conducted 283 surveys, talked to more than 5,600 people, and helped plant over 4,300 willows and trees. The speaker will describe these local, grassroots efforts aimed at improving conditions in our headwaters, and will discuss some actions we can all take to help care for this special place.
Speaker: Sofie Forsström
Sofie Forsström is the Education Program Manager for the Oldman Watershed Council. Since 2015, Sofie has been coordinating education and restoration activities in the headwaters and beyond in order to promote watershed literacy and cultivate a strong sense of place.
Sofie earned a Master of Science in Applied Ecology from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from U of A, Augustana Campus. Prior to joining OWC, she worked as a science educator at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. In her free time, Sofie enjoys hiking with her dog and volunteering with a local Scout Troop.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Canada has joined many other national and regional jurisdictions in declaring a climate emergency. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn of increasingly deterioriating conditions across the globe in the face of unchecked global heating. While human generated emissions of CO2 and other greenhouses gases are accepted as the major cause, efforts to bend the emissions trajectory are still not sufficient. The world’s economies must rapidly decarbonize over this decade to avoid lock-in to a future of climate extremes and damaging impacts to society. Canada will not be immune to the effects of global market de-stabilization, economic losses, climate migration, etc., and will witness gradual erosion of its economic basis.
This is Alberta’s challenge – how does the province transition away from an economy based heavily on hydrocarbon production without increasing social tensions and job losses? The fact is that action on the environment does not need to be set against a backdrop of job losses, but in order to achieve this we must visualize the full potential of a future economy, an economy that places greater emphasis on social factors, in which GDP is not the predominant measure of a society’s success. Making the transition to a low carbon future cannot be denied or deferred and there is no longer time for half measures. Leadership must have the vision to invest in new technologies and re-training that builds on our legacy industries. In particular, Bruce will discuss how a hydrogen economy could be pivotal in shaping Alberta’s trajectory of change.
Speaker: Bruce Wilson
Bruce is an engineer and a former GM of Shell, now an independent consultant on the energy transition including carbon capture and the hydrogen economy. He is a board member of non-profit ‘Iron + Earth’. Born and raised in Scotland, he trained as structural engineer, joining an oil company directly from university. Following an industry downturn he worked firstly in Africa before traveling to Canada where he met his wife, Terry Anne, in Calgary during the ’88 Olympics.
Over the next almost 30 years they have worked and lived around the world, the latter half of Bruce’s career spent with Shell International. In much of this time, Bruce has supported environmental causes, exemplifying the dichotomy between caring for the environment and powering our society. Finally, dissatisfied with the too gradual pace of Shell’s transition to renewable energies, Bruce parted with the company to take more direct action. He is an advocate for the vast potential of emerging low-carbon technologies that offer us the opportunity to thrive in this transition.
Moderator: Laurie Schulz
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Canada has joined many other national and regional jurisdictions in declaring a climate emergency. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warn of increasingly deterioriating conditions across the globe in the face of unchecked global heating. While human generated emissions of CO2 and other greenhouses gases are accepted as the major cause, efforts to bend the emissions trajectory are still not sufficient. The world’s economies must rapidly decarbonize over this decade to avoid lock-in to a future of climate extremes and damaging impacts to society. Canada will not be immune to the effects of global market de-stabilization, economic losses, climate migration, etc., and will witness gradual erosion of its economic basis.
This is Alberta’s challenge – how does the province transition away from an economy based heavily on hydrocarbon production without increasing social tensions and job losses? The fact is that action on the environment does not need to be set against a backdrop of job losses, but in order to achieve this we must visualize the full potential of a future economy, an economy that places greater emphasis on social factors, in which GDP is not the predominant measure of a society’s success. Making the transition to a low carbon future cannot be denied or deferred and there is no longer time for half measures. Leadership must have the vision to invest in new technologies and re-training that builds on our legacy industries. In particular, Bruce will discuss how a hydrogen economy could be pivotal in shaping Alberta’s trajectory of change.
Speaker: Bruce Wilson
Bruce is an engineer and a former GM of Shell, now an independent consultant on the energy transition including carbon capture and the hydrogen economy. He is a board member of non-profit ‘Iron + Earth’. Born and raised in Scotland, he trained as structural engineer, joining an oil company directly from university. Following an industry downturn he worked firstly in Africa before traveling to Canada where he met his wife, Terry Anne, in Calgary during the ’88 Olympics.
Over the next almost 30 years they have worked and lived around the world, the latter half of Bruce’s career spent with Shell International. In much of this time, Bruce has supported environmental causes, exemplifying the dichotomy between caring for the environment and powering our society. Finally, dissatisfied with the too gradual pace of Shell’s transition to renewable energies, Bruce parted with the company to take more direct action. He is an advocate for the vast potential of emerging low-carbon technologies that offer us the opportunity to thrive in this transition.
Moderator: Laurie Schulz
Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Five years ago, in 2015, the governments of the United Nations agreed on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that we would need to attain by 2030 to make life better and more sustainable for future generations. Our governments had come to accept that we were rapidly overpopulating the planet, depleting our natural resources and destroying our environment. These goals cover the full range of socio-economic and environmental factors that our governments agreed were essential for our peace, wellbeing and prosperity. They called these goals our 2030 Agenda.
Since then, a wave of populist nationalism has swept much of the globe. Support for the multilateral approach, which has kept most of the world at peace since World War II, is in decline. Foreign aid, which governments agreed in 2015 would need to be boosted in order to help developing countries attain their SDGs, is down. And global hunger, exacerbated increasingly by climate shocks, is up, causing mounting numbers of desperate people to leave their homes where eking out a living is no longer sustainable.
Migration is not one of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is largely an outcome of inadequate progress towards attaining these goals. Orderly migration is essential to maintaining our economic wellbeing. Disorderly migration is not. Uncontrolled migration continues to end tragically for many refugees and those seeking a better life. In destination countries in Europe and the United States, it has become an emotive election issue. The UN’s Global Compact on Refugees and Migration that was designed to bring order to the chaos does not have universal support.
Speaker: Trevor Page
Trevor Page worked for the United Nations for 31 years. Most of his work was with the World Food Programme in Africa and Asia, but he was also seconded to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, and the UN‘s Department of Special Political Questions, Regional Cooperation, Decolonization and Trusteeship. He has served as Head of Mission in major countries, including China and India, and at the headquarters of the World Food Programme in Rome, Italy, as the Director of emergency humanitarian relief, worldwide.
Some of Mr. Page’s most challenging assignments were as the chief troubleshooter for the UN’s relief operations during the Great Sahelian Drought; in the Sudan, at the height of the civil war in the south; as the first head of the UN in Eritrea at the end of its 30-year civil war with Ethiopia; in Uganda and Congo for the Rwanda crisis; and opening and managing the WFP office in North Korea when devastating floods on top of a collapsed economy caused the DPRK to appeal to the outside world for help.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Five years ago, in 2015, the governments of the United Nations agreed on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that we would need to attain by 2030 to make life better and more sustainable for future generations. Our governments had come to accept that we were rapidly overpopulating the planet, depleting our natural resources and destroying our environment. These goals cover the full range of socio-economic and environmental factors that our governments agreed were essential for our peace, wellbeing and prosperity. They called these goals our 2030 Agenda.
Since then, a wave of populist nationalism has swept much of the globe. Support for the multilateral approach, which has kept most of the world at peace since World War II, is in decline. Foreign aid, which governments agreed in 2015 would need to be boosted in order to help developing countries attain their SDGs, is down. And global hunger, exacerbated increasingly by climate shocks, is up, causing mounting numbers of desperate people to leave their homes where eking out a living is no longer sustainable.
Migration is not one of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is largely an outcome of inadequate progress towards attaining these goals. Orderly migration is essential to maintaining our economic wellbeing. Disorderly migration is not. Uncontrolled migration continues to end tragically for many refugees and those seeking a better life. In destination countries in Europe and the United States, it has become an emotive election issue. The UN’s Global Compact on Refugees and Migration that was designed to bring order to the chaos does not have universal support.
Speaker: Trevor Page
Trevor Page worked for the United Nations for 31 years. Most of his work was with the World Food Programme in Africa and Asia, but he was also seconded to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, and the UN‘s Department of Special Political Questions, Regional Cooperation, Decolonization and Trusteeship. He has served as Head of Mission in major countries, including China and India, and at the headquarters of the World Food Programme in Rome, Italy, as the Director of emergency humanitarian relief, worldwide.
Some of Mr. Page’s most challenging assignments were as the chief troubleshooter for the UN’s relief operations during the Great Sahelian Drought; in the Sudan, at the height of the civil war in the south; as the first head of the UN in Eritrea at the end of its 30-year civil war with Ethiopia; in Uganda and Congo for the Rwanda crisis; and opening and managing the WFP office in North Korea when devastating floods on top of a collapsed economy caused the DPRK to appeal to the outside world for help.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Official Opposition’s 2019 Alternative Budget lays out a path for Alberta to create jobs, diversify the economy, protect vital public services, and bring the provincial budget to balance. This path is based on economic data in the government’s budget, and more crucially, on widespread consultation with Albertans.
Last fall, the NDP Caucus held town hall meetings in communities across Alberta, and the people that spoke up, provided a tremendous amount of information about what values and priorities they wanted to see reflected in the provincial budget. NDP’s budget suggests that there is another way. It does not include the $4.7-billion corporate handout in the UCP Government’s budget. As Albertans have seen, that corporate handout so far has failed to create jobs and many companies distributed the money to shareholders, and or invested it in places outside of Alberta, like Newfoundland, Texas and Wisconsin.
NDP’s budget reverses the hidden scheme of raising personal income taxes on every single Albertan in the UCP Government’s budget. Instead, NDP’s budget establishes a one per cent increase to personal income tax on the top one per cent. Unlike UCP, the NDP would limit tuition hikes in post-secondary to the rate of inflation and continue to reduce school/busing fees. NDP would maintain the cap on insurance premiums and electricity bills and would not download a $200-million bill for policing onto municipalities. The speaker will elaborate and detail other measures the NDP would take in order to deal with Alberta’s financial woes.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge West Constituency
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West, on May 5, 2015, and was re-elected on April 16, 2019. She currently serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. During her first term Ms. Phillips served as Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office and as Deputy Government House Leader.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Phillips worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women. In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta.
Moderator: Mike Spencer
Date: Thursday, January 9, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Official Opposition’s 2019 Alternative Budget lays out a path for Alberta to create jobs, diversify the economy, protect vital public services, and bring the provincial budget to balance. This path is based on economic data in the government’s budget, and more crucially, on widespread consultation with Albertans.
Last fall, the NDP Caucus held town hall meetings in communities across Alberta, and the people that spoke up, provided a tremendous amount of information about what values and priorities they wanted to see reflected in the provincial budget. NDP’s budget suggests that there is another way. It does not include the $4.7-billion corporate handout in the UCP Government’s budget. As Albertans have seen, that corporate handout so far has failed to create jobs and many companies distributed the money to shareholders, and or invested it in places outside of Alberta, like Newfoundland, Texas and Wisconsin.
NDP’s budget reverses the hidden scheme of raising personal income taxes on every single Albertan in the UCP Government’s budget. Instead, NDP’s budget establishes a one per cent increase to personal income tax on the top one per cent. Unlike UCP, the NDP would limit tuition hikes in post-secondary to the rate of inflation and continue to reduce school/busing fees. NDP would maintain the cap on insurance premiums and electricity bills and would not download a $200-million bill for policing onto municipalities. The speaker will elaborate and detail other measures the NDP would take in order to deal with Alberta’s financial woes.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge West Constituency
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West, on May 5, 2015, and was re-elected on April 16, 2019. She currently serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. During her first term Ms. Phillips served as Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office and as Deputy Government House Leader.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Phillips worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women. In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta.
Moderator: Mike Spencer
Date: Thursday, January 9, 2020 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The September 3, 2019 release of the Report and Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances (the MacKinnon report) argues that both the size and compensation of Alberta’s public sector are higher than comparator provinces, and suggests that the government could reduce the size of the public sector (through employee attrition), consider alternative delivery of government programs and services (through the private and non-for-profit sectors), and recommends that the government establishes a legislative mandate that sets the salary levels for all public sector employees.
Those recommendations were largely followed in the provincial budget tabled on Oct 24, but the speaker had argued that in contrast to the MacKinnon report, his research concluded that Alberta does not really stand out in any way relative to the other three large provinces, Ontario, Quebec and BC, both in terms of the size of its public sector and its compensation. If anything, Alberta has tended to have a smaller public sector compared to other jurisdictions using certain measures.
Similarly, the compensation to public employees in Alberta does not stand out in any way, except for the fact that Alberta was and still is a high wage province and public sector wages, at least in part, reflect this. Where Alberta does stand out is that relative to overall earnings within the province, Alberta public sector employees tend to earn relatively less than their counterparts in other jurisdictions, especially when the overall high relative real earnings in the province are considered.
Speaker: Dr. Richard Mueller
Richard Mueller is professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Lethbridge, academic director of the Lethbridge Branch of the Prairie Regional Research Data Centre, and associate director of the Educational Policy Research Initiative at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Mueller holds a BA (Honors) and an MA from the University of Calgary, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. He taught at the University of Maine before joining the University of Lethbridge in 2000, and was seconded to Statistics Canada from 2009 through 2011.
Moderator: Collen Quintal
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The September 3, 2019 release of the Report and Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances (the MacKinnon report) argues that both the size and compensation of Alberta’s public sector are higher than comparator provinces, and suggests that the government could reduce the size of the public sector (through employee attrition), consider alternative delivery of government programs and services (through the private and non-for-profit sectors), and recommends that the government establishes a legislative mandate that sets the salary levels for all public sector employees.
Those recommendations were largely followed in the provincial budget tabled on Oct 24, but the speaker had argued that in contrast to the MacKinnon report, his research concluded that Alberta does not really stand out in any way relative to the other three large provinces, Ontario, Quebec and BC, both in terms of the size of its public sector and its compensation. If anything, Alberta has tended to have a smaller public sector compared to other jurisdictions using certain measures.
Similarly, the compensation to public employees in Alberta does not stand out in any way, except for the fact that Alberta was and still is a high wage province and public sector wages, at least in part, reflect this. Where Alberta does stand out is that relative to overall earnings within the province, Alberta public sector employees tend to earn relatively less than their counterparts in other jurisdictions, especially when the overall high relative real earnings in the province are considered.
Speaker: Dr. Richard Mueller
Richard Mueller is professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Lethbridge, academic director of the Lethbridge Branch of the Prairie Regional Research Data Centre, and associate director of the Educational Policy Research Initiative at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Mueller holds a BA (Honors) and an MA from the University of Calgary, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. He taught at the University of Maine before joining the University of Lethbridge in 2000, and was seconded to Statistics Canada from 2009 through 2011.
Moderator: Collen Quintal
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In 2016, students at the U of L established a local chapter of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). It is a Canadian international development non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, employment and empowerment opportunities for youth, women and refugees in more than 25 countries around the world. WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) combines refugee resettlement with opportunities for higher education.
The U of L WUSC program changes the lives of young people here and around the world. Crucial to the program’s success is its unique youth-to-youth sponsorship model which empowers young Canadian students to play an active role in the sponsorship of refugee students. At U of L, students play a critical role in both the financial support and the day-to-day social and academic support to SRP students. The speakers will describe the successes and challenges they’ve encountered along the way and give thoughts to what lies ahead.
Speakers: Dr. Anne Dymond and Abdullah Mouslli
Anne Dymond, Ph.D., teaches art history and museum studies at the U of L. Her book, Diversity Counts: Gender, Race and Representation in Canadian Art Galleries (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2019) has been called "an impressive and sobering analysis of gender and diversity in contemporary art, and a compelling call for more inclusive curating." Anne is also active in the community. She is Co-Chair of U of L's Refugee Action Committee and faculty advisor to the WUSC student club. Both these groups support and sponsor the emigration of qualified refugees to Canada. She was awarded the University's Senate Volunteer Award and the YWCA's Woman of Distinction Award for this work. Anne also sits on the Lethbridge United Way Board of Directors.
Abdullah Mouslli was the first refugee student to be sponsored by WUSC ULeth local committee. He moved to Lethbridge in 2016 and now he is pursuing a combined degree in New Media and Marketing. Abdullah worked with Lethbridge Family Services as an Arabic interpreter, co-founded a social enterprise to empower newcomer women in Lethbridge, and has been the SRP coordinator with WUSC Uleth local committee which makes him the go-to person to help refugee students settling in their new home.
Moderator: Jamie MacKenzie
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
At this session, SACPA will gratefully be accepting audience donations to U of L’s WUSC program and as well, match those donations equally.
In 2016, students at the U of L established a local chapter of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). It is a Canadian international development non-profit organization dedicated to improving education, employment and empowerment opportunities for youth, women and refugees in more than 25 countries around the world. WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) combines refugee resettlement with opportunities for higher education.
The U of L WUSC program changes the lives of young people here and around the world. Crucial to the program’s success is its unique youth-to-youth sponsorship model which empowers young Canadian students to play an active role in the sponsorship of refugee students. At U of L, students play a critical role in both the financial support and the day-to-day social and academic support to SRP students. The speakers will describe the successes and challenges they’ve encountered along the way and give thoughts to what lies ahead.
Speakers: Dr. Anne Dymond and Abdullah Mouslli
Anne Dymond, Ph.D., teaches art history and museum studies at the U of L. Her book, Diversity Counts: Gender, Race and Representation in Canadian Art Galleries (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2019) has been called "an impressive and sobering analysis of gender and diversity in contemporary art, and a compelling call for more inclusive curating." Anne is also active in the community. She is Co-Chair of U of L's Refugee Action Committee and faculty advisor to the WUSC student club. Both these groups support and sponsor the emigration of qualified refugees to Canada. She was awarded the University's Senate Volunteer Award and the YWCA's Woman of Distinction Award for this work. Anne also sits on the Lethbridge United Way Board of Directors.
Abdullah Mouslli was the first refugee student to be sponsored by WUSC ULeth local committee. He moved to Lethbridge in 2016 and now he is pursuing a combined degree in New Media and Marketing. Abdullah worked with Lethbridge Family Services as an Arabic interpreter, co-founded a social enterprise to empower newcomer women in Lethbridge, and has been the SRP coordinator with WUSC Uleth local committee which makes him the go-to person to help refugee students settling in their new home.
Moderator: Jamie MacKenzie
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (please enter at north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
At this session, SACPA will gratefully be accepting audience donations to U of L’s WUSC program and as well, match those donations equally.
Is it MS, Lupus or immune system dysfunction? Doctors were left puzzled by Audrey Skoog’s rapidly deteriorating health. This led to specialist after specialist as well as referrals out of country and out of province. When diagnosis came, she found herself with late stage Lyme disease otherwise known as disseminated Lyme disease; this stage occurs months or even years after a tick bite, when the infection is not appropriately treated in the first or second stages.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system as well as cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Each year, approximately 30,000 new cases of Lyme disease are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US. However, this number is just the tip of the iceberg and the CDC is currently conducting research on evaluation and diagnostics of the disease and preliminary results suggest more than 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with the tick-borne disease each year. Lyme disease in Canada is on the rise with several thousand people affected each year and those numbers will only increase as infected ticks continue to migrate north.
Speaker: Audrey Skoog
In 1997 at age 17, Audrey became an unlikely advocate for social issues after having experienced youth homelessness. As a vocal consumer in the system, she was asked to speak in Ottawa on child poverty. Since then her experiences have led her to an education in psychology which led to even further adventures overseas and back here at home.
Audrey has started and worked in several grassroots initiatives benefiting vulnerable populations. She has been a public speaker on topics such as housing and homelessness, addiction, and now shares her Lyme disease perspective as a consumer in the health care system. She hopes to put a human face on awareness, patient advocacy, and to share that you can still live well even when you don’t feel well.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Is it MS, Lupus or immune system dysfunction? Doctors were left puzzled by Audrey Skoog’s rapidly deteriorating health. This led to specialist after specialist as well as referrals out of country and out of province. When diagnosis came, she found herself with late stage Lyme disease otherwise known as disseminated Lyme disease; this stage occurs months or even years after a tick bite, when the infection is not appropriately treated in the first or second stages.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical early symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system as well as cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Each year, approximately 30,000 new cases of Lyme disease are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US. However, this number is just the tip of the iceberg and the CDC is currently conducting research on evaluation and diagnostics of the disease and preliminary results suggest more than 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with the tick-borne disease each year. Lyme disease in Canada is on the rise with several thousand people affected each year and those numbers will only increase as infected ticks continue to migrate north.
Speaker: Audrey Skoog
In 1997 at age 17, Audrey became an unlikely advocate for social issues after having experienced youth homelessness. As a vocal consumer in the system, she was asked to speak in Ottawa on child poverty. Since then her experiences have led her to an education in psychology which led to even further adventures overseas and back here at home.
Audrey has started and worked in several grassroots initiatives benefiting vulnerable populations. She has been a public speaker on topics such as housing and homelessness, addiction, and now shares her Lyme disease perspective as a consumer in the health care system. She hopes to put a human face on awareness, patient advocacy, and to share that you can still live well even when you don’t feel well.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The average Canadian households wastes $1,760 every year in squishy cucumbers, spoiled yogurt and moldy bread. Not only does food waste have a negative impact on our pocketbooks, it’s bad for the environment as resources are wasted producing food that is never eaten. Wasted food is responsible for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, making the reduction of food waste a key strategy in fighting climate change.
Households are the second largest contributors to food waste, with 21% of food waste occurring in the home. As such, we all have an important role to play in reducing food waste to the benefit of our environment and our budgets.
Speaker: Kathleen Sheppard
Kathleen has been the Executive Director of Environment Lethbridge since 2015 and has more than 25 years of experience with non-profit organizations in British Columbia and Alberta, including past experience in land conservation and social planning and policy. Kathleen holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Biology from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Voluntary and Non-profit Sector Management from Ryerson University.
Kathleen currently sits as the Environment Sector representative on the board of Economic Development Lethbridge and as Sustainability Director for the Lethbridge 2020 Alberta Summer Games.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The average Canadian households wastes $1,760 every year in squishy cucumbers, spoiled yogurt and moldy bread. Not only does food waste have a negative impact on our pocketbooks, it’s bad for the environment as resources are wasted producing food that is never eaten. Wasted food is responsible for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, making the reduction of food waste a key strategy in fighting climate change.
Households are the second largest contributors to food waste, with 21% of food waste occurring in the home. As such, we all have an important role to play in reducing food waste to the benefit of our environment and our budgets.
Speaker: Kathleen Sheppard
Kathleen has been the Executive Director of Environment Lethbridge since 2015 and has more than 25 years of experience with non-profit organizations in British Columbia and Alberta, including past experience in land conservation and social planning and policy. Kathleen holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Biology from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Voluntary and Non-profit Sector Management from Ryerson University.
Kathleen currently sits as the Environment Sector representative on the board of Economic Development Lethbridge and as Sustainability Director for the Lethbridge 2020 Alberta Summer Games.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party retained power in a close-run federal election. The Liberals won 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote, enough to retain power in a minority parliament. Opposition leader Andrew Scheer’s Conservative Party won more votes, but far fewer seats. This was the first time since 1979 that the winner of the most seats wasn’t also the winner of the most votes.
The NDP did far better than the polls suggested at the beginning of the campaign, but worse than in 2015 and catastrophically worse than their record high in 2011. The Greens won 3 seats (a new high) but with a lower vote share than they won in 2008. The separatist Bloc Quebecois, who increased their seat count and their vote share considerable, might be pleased, but their vote didn’t seem driven by a desire for Quebec independence.
After the election, the bad news continued, and talk of Western alienation emerged as a dominant theme of the last few weeks. So did anybody win?
The speaker will unpack the results of the October 21 federal election and argue that the unusual results of the election and feelings of alienation aren’t disconnected, and that our electoral system makes our parliament look more divided than voters actually are.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Fairie
Paul Fairie has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary, focusing on voter behaviour. He has taught politics courses at the University of Calgary since 2010 and ran The Globe & Mail Election Forecast in 2015. He is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Calgary, and tweets far too much, at @paulisci.
Moderator: Jeffrey Coffman
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party retained power in a close-run federal election. The Liberals won 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote, enough to retain power in a minority parliament. Opposition leader Andrew Scheer’s Conservative Party won more votes, but far fewer seats. This was the first time since 1979 that the winner of the most seats wasn’t also the winner of the most votes.
The NDP did far better than the polls suggested at the beginning of the campaign, but worse than in 2015 and catastrophically worse than their record high in 2011. The Greens won 3 seats (a new high) but with a lower vote share than they won in 2008. The separatist Bloc Quebecois, who increased their seat count and their vote share considerable, might be pleased, but their vote didn’t seem driven by a desire for Quebec independence.
After the election, the bad news continued, and talk of Western alienation emerged as a dominant theme of the last few weeks. So did anybody win?
The speaker will unpack the results of the October 21 federal election and argue that the unusual results of the election and feelings of alienation aren’t disconnected, and that our electoral system makes our parliament look more divided than voters actually are.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Fairie
Paul Fairie has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary, focusing on voter behaviour. He has taught politics courses at the University of Calgary since 2010 and ran The Globe & Mail Election Forecast in 2015. He is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Calgary, and tweets far too much, at @paulisci.
Moderator: Jeffrey Coffman
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Budget 2019 reflects a commitment to responsible fiscal management and a promise to balance the budget in 4 years. It's focused on creating jobs and delivering public services and infrastructure to support private sector investment and a vibrant society. Alberta's many successive provincial deficits have created a serious financial situation and a debt burden that has reached $62.7 billion. Government spent almost $2 billion on interest (debt servicing) last year – more than what was spent on 17 out of 21 ministries.
Economic growth is expected at 0.6% in 2019 reflecting market access challenges. The economy should pick up strength next year, but it will take time for the labour market to fully recover. Although growth prospects are solid, external risks are high for Alberta's trade-and-energy driven economy. Total revenue is forecast to remain flat at approx. $50 billion in 2019-20 and 2020-21, before increasing in 2021-22 and 2022-23. A fairly modest but realistic oil price outlook, along with market access issues, may impede revenue growth over the next few years. This reality arguable means spending reductions are necessary.
The 2019 budget includes moderate cuts to operating spending of 2.8% over four years ($1.3 billion lower than 2018-19 levels), compared to the nearly 20% cuts Albertans saw in the 1990s. The speaker will highlight the budget opportunities and challenges and detail more specifically, how Lethbridge may be affected.
Speaker: Nathan Neudorf, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge East Constituency
Nathan Neudorf was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on April 16, 2019. Mr. Neudorf is a member of the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committees on Private Bills and Private Members’ Public Bills, the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.
Mr. Neudorf has extensive experience in commercial construction. He has his civil and structural engineering diploma and is a red seal journeyman carpenter and gold seal project manager. As an active community volunteer and leader, Mr. Neudorf served as the past president of the Lethbridge Construction Association and on the board of directors for the Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Construction Safety Association and Worker’s Compensation Board.
Mr. Neudorf, his wife, Deanne, and their five children live in Lethbridge. In his spare time he enjoys coaching and playing soccer and baseball as well as running, landscaping and spending time outdoors.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Budget 2019 reflects a commitment to responsible fiscal management and a promise to balance the budget in 4 years. It's focused on creating jobs and delivering public services and infrastructure to support private sector investment and a vibrant society. Alberta's many successive provincial deficits have created a serious financial situation and a debt burden that has reached $62.7 billion. Government spent almost $2 billion on interest (debt servicing) last year – more than what was spent on 17 out of 21 ministries.
Economic growth is expected at 0.6% in 2019 reflecting market access challenges. The economy should pick up strength next year, but it will take time for the labour market to fully recover. Although growth prospects are solid, external risks are high for Alberta's trade-and-energy driven economy. Total revenue is forecast to remain flat at approx. $50 billion in 2019-20 and 2020-21, before increasing in 2021-22 and 2022-23. A fairly modest but realistic oil price outlook, along with market access issues, may impede revenue growth over the next few years. This reality arguable means spending reductions are necessary.
The 2019 budget includes moderate cuts to operating spending of 2.8% over four years ($1.3 billion lower than 2018-19 levels), compared to the nearly 20% cuts Albertans saw in the 1990s. The speaker will highlight the budget opportunities and challenges and detail more specifically, how Lethbridge may be affected.
Speaker: Nathan Neudorf, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge East Constituency
Nathan Neudorf was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on April 16, 2019. Mr. Neudorf is a member of the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committees on Private Bills and Private Members’ Public Bills, the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.
Mr. Neudorf has extensive experience in commercial construction. He has his civil and structural engineering diploma and is a red seal journeyman carpenter and gold seal project manager. As an active community volunteer and leader, Mr. Neudorf served as the past president of the Lethbridge Construction Association and on the board of directors for the Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Construction Safety Association and Worker’s Compensation Board.
Mr. Neudorf, his wife, Deanne, and their five children live in Lethbridge. In his spare time he enjoys coaching and playing soccer and baseball as well as running, landscaping and spending time outdoors.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
As the largest irrigation district by irrigated acres in Canada, St Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) has licenses to divert water from the St. Mary, Waterton and Belly rivers. The total volume of SMRID’s allowable diversion is 722,000 ac/ft. or about 890 million cubic meters of water. On average however, the SMRID diverts only around 50 per cent of its total license. One of its licenses now allows for not only water for irrigation as originally conceived, but for other uses such as municipal, industrial, recreational and environmental. It must be noted though, the SMRID does not allow water to be used for well injection.
Investment by the district and irrigators to improve the efficiency of transport and application of water to crops has facilitated reduced diversion volumes, while irrigated acreage has increased. Almost all of the reservoirs within the SMRID system have the benefit of opportunistic recreational use. Ridge, Sauder, Forty Mile and Stafford reservoirs are heavily used and some include public camping and boat launch facilities.
SMRID has the ability to efficiently deliver water to more than 2,000 irrigators, who irrigate nearly 400,000 acres of land. This is done by diverting almost 400,000 ac/ft. of water per year through 2,100 kilometers of canals and pipeline. The speaker will give an overview of irrigation impacts on this region and explain how improved infrastructure and technology opportunities has benefitted irrigators in the St. Mary Projects. He will also speculate on future challenges irrigation districts might be facing.
Speaker: Terrence Lazarus
Terrence is currently the General Manager at St. Mary River Irrigation District, a job he has held for the past five years. He was born in Zimbabwe and educated in Civil Engineering Technology in South Africa. His exposure to irrigation and water management started after he graduated and worked in Malawi, Central Africa, constructing a canal system for a large sugar cane plantation.
Terrence’s experience in Canada started in 1982 when he inspected the construction of the Lethbridge Northern Main Canal and other water management infrastructure in southern Alberta while he was employed by the Alberta Government. Terrence progressed up the Government ranks and retired as the Operations manager for Alberta Environment in charge of the operations of dams and canals south of Calgary, including the Oldman River Dam and St. Mary Dam among others.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required.
The video game industry generated appox. $135 billion US globally in 2018 and is forecasted to be worth $300 billion by 2025. The global market value of board games, alternatively known as tabletop games, was nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 and is estimated to reach a value of $15 billion in 2025.
The comic book industry is steadily worth around $1 billion yearly, but over the past decade, superhero movies, most of which are based on superhero comics, have been growing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, owned by Disney, has grossed $17.5 billion since its 2008 launch, with such franchises as Thor and Captain America. And the DC Extended Universe has grossed $4.8 billion since its 2013 kickoff with “Man of Steel.”
Originally started as the Celtic festival known as Samhain, where revelers would light bonfires and wear costumes and masks in the attempt to ward off evil spirits, Halloween has evolved throughout the years to an exciting time for children to dress up as their favorite characters and enjoy parties and trick-or-treating. With the commercialization of Halloween increasing, it has become one of the largest consumer holidays in both the United States and Canada with over $11 billion being spent in 2018.
The speaker will elaborate on how and why gaming and comics have evolved to become billion dollar industries. He will also speculate on the social aspect, time commitment and physical recreation values of these activities, including what Halloween means to him and his young family.
Speaker: Dylan Purcell
Dylan grew up in Picture Butte and attended school there, After high school graduation, he enrolled at Lethbridge College and later at U of L, focusing on furthering his writing skills.
He later worked as a journalist in Nanton and eventually became the Lethbridge Herald beloved Sports Editor. In 2016, Dylan stepped away from sports and started working in the comics industry.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The video game industry generated appox. $135 billion US globally in 2018 and is forecasted to be worth $300 billion by 2025. The global market value of board games, alternatively known as tabletop games, was nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 and is estimated to reach a value of $15 billion in 2025.
The comic book industry is steadily worth around $1 billion yearly, but over the past decade, superhero movies, most of which are based on superhero comics, have been growing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, owned by Disney, has grossed $17.5 billion since its 2008 launch, with such franchises as Thor and Captain America. And the DC Extended Universe has grossed $4.8 billion since its 2013 kickoff with “Man of Steel.”
Originally started as the Celtic festival known as Samhain, where revelers would light bonfires and wear costumes and masks in the attempt to ward off evil spirits, Halloween has evolved throughout the years to an exciting time for children to dress up as their favorite characters and enjoy parties and trick-or-treating. With the commercialization of Halloween increasing, it has become one of the largest consumer holidays in both the United States and Canada with over $11 billion being spent in 2018.
The speaker will elaborate on how and why gaming and comics have evolved to become billion dollar industries. He will also speculate on the social aspect, time commitment and physical recreation values of these activities, including what Halloween means to him and his young family.
Speaker: Dylan Purcell
Dylan grew up in Picture Butte and attended school there, After high school graduation, he enrolled at Lethbridge College and later at U of L, focusing on furthering his writing skills.
He later worked as a journalist in Nanton and eventually became the Lethbridge Herald beloved Sports Editor. In 2016, Dylan stepped away from sports and started working in the comics industry.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The new Canada Food Guide was recently released and includes an online suite of resources that better meets the needs of different users including the general public, policy makers, health professionals, healthcare centres, childcare centres, and schools. The Canada Food Guide has a long history of being used and is promoted by health professionals when supporting Canadians to eat well. The Food Guide can help influence the foods served and sold in Canada’s public institutions like workplaces, healthcare centres, recreation centres, and schools.
The speaker will provide guidance on the issues surrounding nutritious foods and beverages that are the foundation for healthy eating and as well, foods and beverages that can have a negative impact on health when consumed on a regular basis. Food skills as a practical way to support healthy eating will also be discussed along with current evidence on topics such as sodium, saturated fat and sugars, supportive environments for healthy eating. Creating supportive environments across settings, such as schools, healthcare centres, recreation centres and workplaces can help increase the influence of the guidelines and build understanding about the key features and content of the Food Guide.
Speaker: Heather Mathur
Heather is a Registered Dietitian with AB Health Services and has spent the last 22 years working as a Population and Public Health Dietitian. Previous to this position, Heather has worked in Edmonton, Stettler, Coronation and Thousand Oaks, California. Heather graduated from the University of Alberta and completed her two-year dietetic internship at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
Heather’s current position concentrates on the social determinants of health with a focus on nutrition throughout the life cycle. Her work involves community development and nutrition education. Heather sits on various committees including Healthy Communities Association of Lethbridge and Area and the Better Beginnings Steering Committee. Heather is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and the American Dietetic Association.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The new Canada Food Guide was recently released and includes an online suite of resources that better meets the needs of different users including the general public, policy makers, health professionals, healthcare centres, childcare centres, and schools. The Canada Food Guide has a long history of being used and is promoted by health professionals when supporting Canadians to eat well. The Food Guide can help influence the foods served and sold in Canada’s public institutions like workplaces, healthcare centres, recreation centres, and schools.
The speaker will provide guidance on the issues surrounding nutritious foods and beverages that are the foundation for healthy eating and as well, foods and beverages that can have a negative impact on health when consumed on a regular basis. Food skills as a practical way to support healthy eating will also be discussed along with current evidence on topics such as sodium, saturated fat and sugars, supportive environments for healthy eating. Creating supportive environments across settings, such as schools, healthcare centres, recreation centres and workplaces can help increase the influence of the guidelines and build understanding about the key features and content of the Food Guide.
Speaker: Heather Mathur
Heather is a Registered Dietitian with AB Health Services and has spent the last 22 years working as a Population and Public Health Dietitian. Previous to this position, Heather has worked in Edmonton, Stettler, Coronation and Thousand Oaks, California. Heather graduated from the University of Alberta and completed her two-year dietetic internship at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
Heather’s current position concentrates on the social determinants of health with a focus on nutrition throughout the life cycle. Her work involves community development and nutrition education. Heather sits on various committees including Healthy Communities Association of Lethbridge and Area and the Better Beginnings Steering Committee. Heather is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and the American Dietetic Association.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Now that Lethbridge is a city of more than 100,000 inhabitants, there are some perceived “big city” problems that go along with it. Actually, we have had many of them all along, but with a larger population they become more visible. With the Federal election looming in less than a week and a Provincial budget to be unveiled shortly after, the intergovernmental effects on Lethbridge could be substantial and will need unpacking.
This year has proven to be a bright spot in the form of grand openings for major capital improvement projects, economic development and the progress being made on revitalizing the Downtown. Aside from the nation-wide substance abuse concerns and the progress being made with the Clean and Safe Strategy, there are a number of challenges and opportunities our Mayor and Council welcome each new week. Come and hear what’s at the top of our Mayor’s list this week.
Speaker: Chris Spearman, Mayor of Lethbridge
Along with 38 years of business experience, Chris Spearman devoted 18 years (1992-2010) to serving on the Holy Spirit School Board which included two terms as Board Chair. He is a founding member of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta, established in 1983. Chris is passionate about environmental issues, supports practical solutions and believes in continuous improvement. His employment experience includes 10 years working with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and 13 years with ISO 9002 Quality Systems.
Chris was a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce since 2008 and served on several sub-committees. In addition, he served five years (2008-2013) on the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Advisory Committee. From 2010 to 2013 he served as a board member for the Aboriginal Housing Society. Chris has also volunteered with several other community organizations including Economic Development Lethbridge (a founding member) and the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta (now known as the Ability Resource Centre).
As the father of four adult children and proud grandpa of six grandchildren, Chris loves spending time with his family, particularly when they gather for special occasions such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and family birthdays. His leisure activities include skiing, walking in our city parks and biking our trails. He enjoys travel and appreciates cultural diversity.
Moderator: Dr. Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Now that Lethbridge is a city of more than 100,000 inhabitants, there are some perceived “big city” problems that go along with it. Actually, we have had many of them all along, but with a larger population they become more visible. With the Federal election looming in less than a week and a Provincial budget to be unveiled shortly after, the intergovernmental effects on Lethbridge could be substantial and will need unpacking.
This year has proven to be a bright spot in the form of grand openings for major capital improvement projects, economic development and the progress being made on revitalizing the Downtown. Aside from the nation-wide substance abuse concerns and the progress being made with the Clean and Safe Strategy, there are a number of challenges and opportunities our Mayor and Council welcome each new week. Come and hear what’s at the top of our Mayor’s list this week.
Speaker: Chris Spearman, Mayor of Lethbridge
Along with 38 years of business experience, Chris Spearman devoted 18 years (1992-2010) to serving on the Holy Spirit School Board which included two terms as Board Chair. He is a founding member of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta, established in 1983. Chris is passionate about environmental issues, supports practical solutions and believes in continuous improvement. His employment experience includes 10 years working with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and 13 years with ISO 9002 Quality Systems.
Chris was a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce since 2008 and served on several sub-committees. In addition, he served five years (2008-2013) on the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Advisory Committee. From 2010 to 2013 he served as a board member for the Aboriginal Housing Society. Chris has also volunteered with several other community organizations including Economic Development Lethbridge (a founding member) and the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta (now known as the Ability Resource Centre).
As the father of four adult children and proud grandpa of six grandchildren, Chris loves spending time with his family, particularly when they gather for special occasions such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and family birthdays. His leisure activities include skiing, walking in our city parks and biking our trails. He enjoys travel and appreciates cultural diversity.
Moderator: Dr. Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Many people think that successful work with poverty-stricken street people and people living with drug & alcohol addiction/mental health issues will result in a “normal” life for them. That is however, largely a myth. It’s also true people generally assume that successful work with and help for the impoverished and homeless, should be measured by how close clients get to society’s “norm”, meaning money, a house, a job, a family, living a stereotypical happy and “normal” life as a result of that help.
The speaker will argue that at Streets Alive, success is measured in different ways. For some, 24 hours of sobriety is a success. For some, having a meal and appropriate clothing so they can survive another day is a success. What might seem like a small success to most people is often a huge success for them. And even a small success for our clients is a huge success for us. Every step is celebrated and encouraged.
The work at Streets Alive does aid some clients to be able to get on their feet, get out on their own, and live what one might call a “normal” life. That process of getting them to that point is a series of small steps and every day successes. Some clients will never make it to societies “normal”. That doesn’t mean our work with them aren’t successful. That also doesn’t mean that these clients are not successful. It just means that their successes will look unlike that of others. Success means something different to each of us individually, and everyone’s successes deserve to be applauded, even if those successes do not look like your own.
Speaker: Shawna Pinay
My name is Shawna and I will talk about my journey with sobriety. When society says addicts will never change, I am living proof of the contrary. I came from being on the streets for 14 years doing whatever it took to get my drugs and alcohol. I went to Streets Alive because they had been working with me for the whole 14 years never giving up on me. When I was ready to change, they were there for me, giving me housing and a safe place to call home. I actually had a bed to sleep in and ongoing love and support.
I attended the programs they had to offer and started to learn how to live again sober and clean. I will further explain what it was like to live a so called ”normal” life. With time and getting a job, I was able to move out and have my own place, money and my family back. All the benefits Streets Alive had to offer gave hope back in my life that I wasn’t just worthless and never going to succeed in anything. I am now the assistant director of the Streets Alive Genesis program where I get to work with women in need, bringing them into recovery and seeing them change.
Moderator: Collen Quintal
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Many people think that successful work with poverty-stricken street people and people living with drug & alcohol addiction/mental health issues will result in a “normal” life for them. That is however, largely a myth. It’s also true people generally assume that successful work with and help for the impoverished and homeless, should be measured by how close clients get to society’s “norm”, meaning money, a house, a job, a family, living a stereotypical happy and “normal” life as a result of that help.
The speaker will argue that at Streets Alive, success is measured in different ways. For some, 24 hours of sobriety is a success. For some, having a meal and appropriate clothing so they can survive another day is a success. What might seem like a small success to most people is often a huge success for them. And even a small success for our clients is a huge success for us. Every step is celebrated and encouraged.
The work at Streets Alive does aid some clients to be able to get on their feet, get out on their own, and live what one might call a “normal” life. That process of getting them to that point is a series of small steps and every day successes. Some clients will never make it to societies “normal”. That doesn’t mean our work with them aren’t successful. That also doesn’t mean that these clients are not successful. It just means that their successes will look unlike that of others. Success means something different to each of us individually, and everyone’s successes deserve to be applauded, even if those successes do not look like your own.
Speaker: Shawna Pinay
My name is Shawna and I will talk about my journey with sobriety. When society says addicts will never change, I am living proof of the contrary. I came from being on the streets for 14 years doing whatever it took to get my drugs and alcohol. I went to Streets Alive because they had been working with me for the whole 14 years never giving up on me. When I was ready to change, they were there for me, giving me housing and a safe place to call home. I actually had a bed to sleep in and ongoing love and support.
I attended the programs they had to offer and started to learn how to live again sober and clean. I will further explain what it was like to live a so called ”normal” life. With time and getting a job, I was able to move out and have my own place, money and my family back. All the benefits Streets Alive had to offer gave hope back in my life that I wasn’t just worthless and never going to succeed in anything. I am now the assistant director of the Streets Alive Genesis program where I get to work with women in need, bringing them into recovery and seeing them change.
Moderator: Collen Quintal
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The deregulation of Alberta’s electricity system is now 19-years old, and in the last five years three successive Alberta governments have passed on an opportunity to mitigate the shortcomings of an Alberta “energy only market.” This has resulted in Albertans paying more for their energy utilities.
Climate change and the climate change debate have significantly impacted retail utility costs in Alberta. The speaker will examine these impacts from a regulatory perspective, and how contemporaneous political influences have caused utility rates to rise for the average ratepayer. He will explain the pricing mechanism employed by the regulator and the industry that set Alberta’s utility rates.
The speaker will also detail the deficiencies plaguing the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and the National Energy Board (NEB). He will finish his talk with recommendations that the public can employ to improve our regulatory processes.
Speaker: Joe Anglin
Joe served four years with the United States Marines. He also worked as a police officer in New Hampshire before becoming a lineman for the power company in Vermont, and a fibre-optic transmission engineer for the Bell system. He served as the Bell system’s White House Communications liaison for George Bush Sr’s administration in Kennebunk Port, Maine.
Joe immigrated to Vancouver, Canada to become the President and CEO of the investment firm ASIG Inc (ASIG), trading currencies and energy derivatives. He also served with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary for seven years as a unit leader for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fast-response Search & Rescue operations on the Pacific Coast and led the Canadian SAR (Search & Rescue) team to victory in the 2000 World Marine Search & Rescue competitions.
In Alberta, Joe organized and led a rural citizen’s group called the Lavesta Area Group against a proposed AltaLink 500 KV transmission line. For his work, he was named by the Edmonton Journal as one of the top ten people in the province who made a difference, and was named by Alberta Views as one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people. Joe has served on Rimbey’s Town Counsel and was elected MLA for Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, Sundre. He served three years as the Chairman for the Rimoka Senior’s Housing Authority. In addition to Joe’s engineering background, he has a BSc in Business Management, MSc in Adult Education, and Juris Doctorate in Law.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The deregulation of Alberta’s electricity system is now 19-years old, and in the last five years three successive Alberta governments have passed on an opportunity to mitigate the shortcomings of an Alberta “energy only market.” This has resulted in Albertans paying more for their energy utilities.
Climate change and the climate change debate have significantly impacted retail utility costs in Alberta. The speaker will examine these impacts from a regulatory perspective, and how contemporaneous political influences have caused utility rates to rise for the average ratepayer. He will explain the pricing mechanism employed by the regulator and the industry that set Alberta’s utility rates.
The speaker will also detail the deficiencies plaguing the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and the National Energy Board (NEB). He will finish his talk with recommendations that the public can employ to improve our regulatory processes.
Speaker: Joe Anglin
Joe served four years with the United States Marines. He also worked as a police officer in New Hampshire before becoming a lineman for the power company in Vermont, and a fibre-optic transmission engineer for the Bell system. He served as the Bell system’s White House Communications liaison for George Bush Sr’s administration in Kennebunk Port, Maine.
Joe immigrated to Vancouver, Canada to become the President and CEO of the investment firm ASIG Inc (ASIG), trading currencies and energy derivatives. He also served with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary for seven years as a unit leader for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fast-response Search & Rescue operations on the Pacific Coast and led the Canadian SAR (Search & Rescue) team to victory in the 2000 World Marine Search & Rescue competitions.
In Alberta, Joe organized and led a rural citizen’s group called the Lavesta Area Group against a proposed AltaLink 500 KV transmission line. For his work, he was named by the Edmonton Journal as one of the top ten people in the province who made a difference, and was named by Alberta Views as one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people. Joe has served on Rimbey’s Town Counsel and was elected MLA for Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, Sundre. He served three years as the Chairman for the Rimoka Senior’s Housing Authority. In addition to Joe’s engineering background, he has a BSc in Business Management, MSc in Adult Education, and Juris Doctorate in Law.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The ARCHES Indigenous Recovery Coach Program is a recovery-oriented, community-based and culturally informed recovery coach program, supporting adults undergoing opioid agonist therapy (OAT), also known as medically assisted therapy (MAT), for opioid addiction in Lethbridge. The program is intended to combine one-on-one community-based transition / navigator services with peer support services and culturally-focused healing.
From a strength-based and person-centered approach, the Indigenous Recovery Coaches focus on working with participants to apply their newly acquired recovery skills in their living environment and help them resolve any issues or problems that can impact their recovery. Recovery Coaches will also try to support participants to stay engaged throughout their continuum of recovery, using techniques such as Motivational Interviewing and behavioural intervention practices. An Indigenous Recovery Coach functions similar to any other Recovery Coach, however, they approach this process from an Indigenous cultural lens. The speakers will talk about the muriad of scanarios that are at play and their learing from the first year of the program.
Speakers: Joey Blood (Aakainiskimm) and Jerry Firth (Piitaana)
Joey Blood grew up on the Blood Reserve, and his Blackfoot name is Aakainiskimm, meaning Many Buffalo Stones. Joey was raised in the Blackfoot culture by his parents, who are elders for some of the Blackfoot sacred societies. Joey is also a member of one of the Blackfoot sacred societies. he attended school on the reserve, as well as the Lethbridge College and Red Crow College. Joey has been involved with numerus agencies, both on and off the reserve, with much of his being with youth and families. He is now an Indigenous Recovery Coach with the Indigenous Recovery Coach Program through ARCHES. Jerry Firth’s Blackfoot name is Piitaana, meaning Eagle Man. Jerry is the Program Manager with the Indigenous Recovery Coach Program through ARCHES. Jerry is a Registered Social Work, with both his Bachelors and Masters in Social Work. His areas of interest are in community development, social planning, reconciliation, human rights and equity, inclusion and diversity, and addictions and recovery. Jerry values the power of relationship with family, friends and community. He is active in many community groups, committees and initiatives, including Reconciliation Lethbridge, Lethbridge Diversity & Inclusion Alliance, the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic and the Lethbridge Uplands Neighbourhood Association.
Moderator: Amanda Scout
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The ARCHES Indigenous Recovery Coach Program is a recovery-oriented, community-based and culturally informed recovery coach program, supporting adults undergoing opioid agonist therapy (OAT), also known as medically assisted therapy (MAT), for opioid addiction in Lethbridge. The program is intended to combine one-on-one community-based transition / navigator services with peer support services and culturally-focused healing.
From a strength-based and person-centered approach, the Indigenous Recovery Coaches focus on working with participants to apply their newly acquired recovery skills in their living environment and help them resolve any issues or problems that can impact their recovery. Recovery Coaches will also try to support participants to stay engaged throughout their continuum of recovery, using techniques such as Motivational Interviewing and behavioural intervention practices. An Indigenous Recovery Coach functions similar to any other Recovery Coach, however, they approach this process from an Indigenous cultural lens. The speakers will talk about the muriad of scanarios that are at play and their learing from the first year of the program.
Speakers: Joey Blood (Aakainiskimm) and Jerry Firth (Piitaana)
Joey Blood grew up on the Blood Reserve, and his Blackfoot name is Aakainiskimm, meaning Many Buffalo Stones. Joey was raised in the Blackfoot culture by his parents, who are elders for some of the Blackfoot sacred societies. Joey is also a member of one of the Blackfoot sacred societies. he attended school on the reserve, as well as the Lethbridge College and Red Crow College. Joey has been involved with numerus agencies, both on and off the reserve, with much of his being with youth and families. He is now an Indigenous Recovery Coach with the Indigenous Recovery Coach Program through ARCHES. Jerry Firth’s Blackfoot name is Piitaana, meaning Eagle Man. Jerry is the Program Manager with the Indigenous Recovery Coach Program through ARCHES. Jerry is a Registered Social Work, with both his Bachelors and Masters in Social Work. His areas of interest are in community development, social planning, reconciliation, human rights and equity, inclusion and diversity, and addictions and recovery. Jerry values the power of relationship with family, friends and community. He is active in many community groups, committees and initiatives, including Reconciliation Lethbridge, Lethbridge Diversity & Inclusion Alliance, the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic and the Lethbridge Uplands Neighbourhood Association.
Moderator: Amanda Scout
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The majority of residents in Lethbridge believe in the importance of recycling and keeping waste out of the landfill. The City's Waste Diversion Policy has led to specific targets for reducing waste in both households and businesses with the goal of cutting the overall community waste in half by 2030. The Residential Waste Diversion Strategy is targeted to reduce the amount of waste residents send to the landfill with a 50% waste diversion rate by 2021 and a 65% waste diversion rate by 2030.
These goals can be reached by implementing effective and proven programs that increase waste diversion such as Introduction of a Curbside Recycling Collection Program and a Curbside Organics Collection Program. The business sector also has a large part to play when it comes to reducing waste. Targets for waste diversion in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector include a 25% waste diversion by 2021 and a 45% waste diversion by 2030.
The City of Lethbridge is committed to market recycled materials and to keep it out of the landfill, include quarterly reports from the broker, including end market performance, assessment of market continuity, percentage of materials not suitable or that were disposed of, utilization of environmentally responsible end markets etc. As these programs gets underway, the City aim to have a transparent process to demonstrate where materials are being recycled and share that information. The speaker will elaborate on the details of waste diversion and describe issues that are likely to affect future policies.
Speaker: Joel Sanchez
Joel Sanchez was born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela, Joel relocated to Canada in 2006 with his family. He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1999 at the University of Carabobo in Venezuela and completed his Project Management Certification in 2009 at the University of Calgary. Joel has been employed with the City of Lethbridge since 2011. In 2017, Joel accepted the position of Waste & Recycling Services General Manager and is currently leading the Curbside Recycling Program with the City of Lethbridge. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) as a City Liaison, Joel advocates for waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation in the Province of Alberta.
Prior to starting his career with the City of Lethbridge, Joel amassed more than 10 years of experience in the Food Industry in the areas of asset management and continuous improvement projects. Joel’s passion for the community of Lethbridge extends into his volunteer work as a baseball coach for more than 8 years with Little League and Board Member for Lethbridge American Legion Baseball.
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The majority of residents in Lethbridge believe in the importance of recycling and keeping waste out of the landfill. The City's Waste Diversion Policy has led to specific targets for reducing waste in both households and businesses with the goal of cutting the overall community waste in half by 2030. The Residential Waste Diversion Strategy is targeted to reduce the amount of waste residents send to the landfill with a 50% waste diversion rate by 2021 and a 65% waste diversion rate by 2030.
These goals can be reached by implementing effective and proven programs that increase waste diversion such as Introduction of a Curbside Recycling Collection Program and a Curbside Organics Collection Program. The business sector also has a large part to play when it comes to reducing waste. Targets for waste diversion in the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) sector include a 25% waste diversion by 2021 and a 45% waste diversion by 2030.
The City of Lethbridge is committed to market recycled materials and to keep it out of the landfill, include quarterly reports from the broker, including end market performance, assessment of market continuity, percentage of materials not suitable or that were disposed of, utilization of environmentally responsible end markets etc. As these programs gets underway, the City aim to have a transparent process to demonstrate where materials are being recycled and share that information. The speaker will elaborate on the details of waste diversion and describe issues that are likely to affect future policies.
Speaker: Joel Sanchez
Joel Sanchez was born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela, Joel relocated to Canada in 2006 with his family. He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1999 at the University of Carabobo in Venezuela and completed his Project Management Certification in 2009 at the University of Calgary. Joel has been employed with the City of Lethbridge since 2011. In 2017, Joel accepted the position of Waste & Recycling Services General Manager and is currently leading the Curbside Recycling Program with the City of Lethbridge. As a member of the Board of Directors for the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA) as a City Liaison, Joel advocates for waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation in the Province of Alberta.
Prior to starting his career with the City of Lethbridge, Joel amassed more than 10 years of experience in the Food Industry in the areas of asset management and continuous improvement projects. Joel’s passion for the community of Lethbridge extends into his volunteer work as a baseball coach for more than 8 years with Little League and Board Member for Lethbridge American Legion Baseball.
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The agriculture sector in Lethbridge is supported by the surrounding region, which includes more than 900 farms generating farm receipts of $1.1 Billion per year, building on assets of $3.2 Billion. Primary crops in this region include canola, corn, potatoes, sugar beets and pulses in addition to significant livestock and dairy production. There are more than 120 established agri-food processing businesses in the Lethbridge region producing food and/or feed for local consumption and export. In the past 10 years this sector has seen significant investment and plans for future investment. In fact, the agriculture sector is the largest single sector of the Lethbrige economy representing 20% of total gross domestic product or GDP.
Lethbridge has a long history of being an agricultural production, distribution and service centre. Lethbridge Research Centre (established in 1906) is the largest within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's national network of 19 centres and leads Canada's research in the development of bio industrial platforms. Fast facts are: The southern Alberta agricultural region has an annual production capacity of 860,000+ acres in canola crops. 21% of the Alberta total Canola crops are grown here. Lethbridge based Richardson Oilseed Ltd. was the first company in the world to market canola oil. Beef producers in the Lethbridge region have the capacity to produce more than half a million head of cattle per year valued at approx. $700 million. Sunrise Poultry Processors Ltd processes approx. 14.5 million broilers per year, that’s 275,000 to 290,000 per week.
Speaker: Trevor Lewington
Trevor Lewington is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge. Together with a 25-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote the Lethbridge region as an excellent place to live, work, visit, invest and do business. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) through CPHR Alberta. He also holds a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) designation from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation.
With over 15 years of executive management experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor was recognized by Economic Developers Alberta for “outstanding dedication and service” to the profession as “2019 Economic Developer of the Year.” Trevor is very engaged in his community and currently serves in the role of Mayor in the Village of Stirling.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, Sep 12, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The agriculture sector in Lethbridge is supported by the surrounding region, which includes more than 900 farms generating farm receipts of $1.1 Billion per year, building on assets of $3.2 Billion. Primary crops in this region include canola, corn, potatoes, sugar beets and pulses in addition to significant livestock and dairy production. There are more than 120 established agri-food processing businesses in the Lethbridge region producing food and/or feed for local consumption and export. In the past 10 years this sector has seen significant investment and plans for future investment. In fact, the agriculture sector is the largest single sector of the Lethbrige economy representing 20% of total gross domestic product or GDP.
Lethbridge has a long history of being an agricultural production, distribution and service centre. Lethbridge Research Centre (established in 1906) is the largest within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's national network of 19 centres and leads Canada's research in the development of bio industrial platforms. Fast facts are: The southern Alberta agricultural region has an annual production capacity of 860,000+ acres in canola crops. 21% of the Alberta total Canola crops are grown here. Lethbridge based Richardson Oilseed Ltd. was the first company in the world to market canola oil. Beef producers in the Lethbridge region have the capacity to produce more than half a million head of cattle per year valued at approx. $700 million. Sunrise Poultry Processors Ltd processes approx. 14.5 million broilers per year, that’s 275,000 to 290,000 per week.
Speaker: Trevor Lewington
Trevor Lewington is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge. Together with a 25-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote the Lethbridge region as an excellent place to live, work, visit, invest and do business. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) through CPHR Alberta. He also holds a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) designation from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation.
With over 15 years of executive management experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor was recognized by Economic Developers Alberta for “outstanding dedication and service” to the profession as “2019 Economic Developer of the Year.” Trevor is very engaged in his community and currently serves in the role of Mayor in the Village of Stirling.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, Sep 12, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Blackfoot people is made up of four nations. These nations include the Piegan Blackfeet, Siksika, Piikani Nation, and Kainai. The four nations come together to make up what is known as the Blackfoot Confederacy, meaning that they have banded together to help one another. The nations have their own separate governments ruled by a head chief, but regularly come together for religious and social celebrations.
Historically, the member peoples of the Confederacy were nomadic bison hunters and trout fishermen, who ranged across large areas of the northern Great Plains of western North America. They followed the bison herds as they migrated between what are now the United States and Canada, as far north as the Bow River. In the early 18th century, they acquired horses and firearms from white traders enabling them to expand their territory at the expense of neighboring tribes. In the mid 19th century, the systematic commercial bison hunting by white hunters nearly ended the bison herds and permanently changed life on the Plains
Periods of starvation and deprivation followed. The Blackfoot tribe, like other Plains Indians, was forced to adopt ranching and farming, settling on permanent reservations. In the 1870s, their band signed treaties with both the United States and Canada, ceding most of their lands in exchange for annuities of food and medical aid, as well as help in learning to farm. But the Blackfoot have worked to maintain their traditional language and culture in the face of assimilationist policies of both the U.S. and Canada. The speaker will elaborate on how Blackfoot culture is unique and speculate on what issues the future may bring.
Speaker: Travis Plaited Hair
Travis Plaited Hair is currently the Executive Director of Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society and Leader of the centuries-old Sacred Horns Society of the Blood Reserve. This society is an informal governance system that carries traditional authorities for various societies and their practices within the Blackfoot culture such as the Sun Dance. Travis’ career has involved working closely with many groups on issues that directly affect southern Alberta’s Indigenous population.
Travis previously served as Liaison Officer for Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 2013-2017. He worked at Lethbridge College as an FNMI Student Advisor from 2011 to 2013 and is presently a member of the Lethbridge College Board of Governors. Travis is an educator in cultural awareness, a role model and mentor to Indigenous youth. He is passionate about helping young adults preserve their cultural beliefs and traditions while learning how to live healthy productive lives both on and off the reserve.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Blackfoot people is made up of four nations. These nations include the Piegan Blackfeet, Siksika, Piikani Nation, and Kainai. The four nations come together to make up what is known as the Blackfoot Confederacy, meaning that they have banded together to help one another. The nations have their own separate governments ruled by a head chief, but regularly come together for religious and social celebrations.
Historically, the member peoples of the Confederacy were nomadic bison hunters and trout fishermen, who ranged across large areas of the northern Great Plains of western North America. They followed the bison herds as they migrated between what are now the United States and Canada, as far north as the Bow River. In the early 18th century, they acquired horses and firearms from white traders enabling them to expand their territory at the expense of neighboring tribes. In the mid 19th century, the systematic commercial bison hunting by white hunters nearly ended the bison herds and permanently changed life on the Plains
Periods of starvation and deprivation followed. The Blackfoot tribe, like other Plains Indians, was forced to adopt ranching and farming, settling on permanent reservations. In the 1870s, their band signed treaties with both the United States and Canada, ceding most of their lands in exchange for annuities of food and medical aid, as well as help in learning to farm. But the Blackfoot have worked to maintain their traditional language and culture in the face of assimilationist policies of both the U.S. and Canada. The speaker will elaborate on how Blackfoot culture is unique and speculate on what issues the future may bring.
Speaker: Travis Plaited Hair
Travis Plaited Hair is currently the Executive Director of Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society and Leader of the centuries-old Sacred Horns Society of the Blood Reserve. This society is an informal governance system that carries traditional authorities for various societies and their practices within the Blackfoot culture such as the Sun Dance. Travis’ career has involved working closely with many groups on issues that directly affect southern Alberta’s Indigenous population.
Travis previously served as Liaison Officer for Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 2013-2017. He worked at Lethbridge College as an FNMI Student Advisor from 2011 to 2013 and is presently a member of the Lethbridge College Board of Governors. Travis is an educator in cultural awareness, a role model and mentor to Indigenous youth. He is passionate about helping young adults preserve their cultural beliefs and traditions while learning how to live healthy productive lives both on and off the reserve.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 5, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In response to calls for action from Indigenous families, communities and organizations, as well as non-governmental and international organizations, the Government of Canada launched an entirely independent National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in September 2016.
The National Inquiry’s Final MMIWG Report released June 3, reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across Canada.
The Final Report is comprised of the truths of more than 2,380 family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers shared over two years of cross-country public hearings and evidence gathering. It delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.
As documented in the Final Report, testimony from family members and survivors of violence spoke about a surrounding context marked by multigenerational and intergenerational trauma and marginalization in the form of poverty, insecure housing or homelessness and barriers to education, employment, health care and cultural support. Experts and Knowledge Keepers spoke to specific colonial and patriarchal policies that displaced women from their traditional roles in communities and governance and diminished their status in society, leaving them vulnerable to violence. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on future actions
Speaker: Terri-Lynn Fox
Oki, Niistoo’akoka Aapiihkwi’komotakii, my English name is Terri-Lynn Fox. I am a member of the Kainai Nation, which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. My academic credentials include a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Sociology, and I am currently completing a Ph.D. in Education. I am Director of the Kainai Wellness Centre, which is one branch of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, located on the Kainai Nation. I practice our Siksikaitsitapi ways and envision this to be at the forefront of our healing methods, in addition to an avenue for our way forward, as we think about, participate in, and actively change the Canadian landscape for the betterment of all – to justly reach reconciliation.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In response to calls for action from Indigenous families, communities and organizations, as well as non-governmental and international organizations, the Government of Canada launched an entirely independent National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in September 2016.
The National Inquiry’s Final MMIWG Report released June 3, reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across Canada.
The Final Report is comprised of the truths of more than 2,380 family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers shared over two years of cross-country public hearings and evidence gathering. It delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.
As documented in the Final Report, testimony from family members and survivors of violence spoke about a surrounding context marked by multigenerational and intergenerational trauma and marginalization in the form of poverty, insecure housing or homelessness and barriers to education, employment, health care and cultural support. Experts and Knowledge Keepers spoke to specific colonial and patriarchal policies that displaced women from their traditional roles in communities and governance and diminished their status in society, leaving them vulnerable to violence. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on future actions
Speaker: Terri-Lynn Fox
Oki, Niistoo’akoka Aapiihkwi’komotakii, my English name is Terri-Lynn Fox. I am a member of the Kainai Nation, which is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy. My academic credentials include a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Sociology, and I am currently completing a Ph.D. in Education. I am Director of the Kainai Wellness Centre, which is one branch of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, located on the Kainai Nation. I practice our Siksikaitsitapi ways and envision this to be at the forefront of our healing methods, in addition to an avenue for our way forward, as we think about, participate in, and actively change the Canadian landscape for the betterment of all – to justly reach reconciliation.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In 2004 Dale Thacker got involved as a 1/3 owner in Rangeland Helicopters with Larry Elford and Ian McLeod. Their wish was to bring effective helicopter EMS to the southeastern part of Alberta. They recognized that STARS Air Ambulance was available, but from a trauma perspective considering the “golden hour”, it wasn’t sufficient, and wanted better coverage for the people who call this southern region home.
The Southern Alberta MedicAir Society had also come to similar conclusions about STARS coverage. The combined synergy of these two groups allowed a new project to take flight in the summer of 2007. Dale sold his shares in Rangeland Helicopters at that time and became a volunteer on the fundraising side of the operation now known as HALO (Helicopter Air Lift Operation) He has been a board member for 13 years and Chairman for the last three.
HALO has recently become an Alberta Health Services approved helicopter EMS provider, allowing them a chance to work together and demonstrate ways to help reduce costs of medical emergency trauma services. He will speak on his journey and experiences helping this service in southeastern Alberta become a reality.
Speaker: Dale Thacker
Dale was born in Taber and other than a spell at SAIT College studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, he has lived his entire life on a multi-generational farm 2 miles west of Bow Island. It’s an innovative farming operation that grows Spearmint and Peppermint Essential Oils for Wrigley’s, Colgate and other companies and produces dill oil for Vlasics and Oscar Meyer. They have held the contract to supply the flavoring for the dill pickle at McDonalds for the last 11 years.
They also grow wheat, along with Hybrid Seed canola, peas, beans, lentils, hemp and are now even trying out hops. Dale is the Chairman of the Mint Industry Research Councils “distillation committee” and is tasked with improving on-farm distillation across North America.
Dale got his fixed wing pilots license in 1975 and then upgraded to a helicopter license in 1999. This is where he discovered the helicopters unique ability to get to remote locations quickly. He currently flies an Enstrom helicopter on his farm and it allows for crop surveillance and irrigation scheduling using infra-red photography as well as weed scouting and crop maturity checks.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In 2004 Dale Thacker got involved as a 1/3 owner in Rangeland Helicopters with Larry Elford and Ian McLeod. Their wish was to bring effective helicopter EMS to the southeastern part of Alberta. They recognized that STARS Air Ambulance was available, but from a trauma perspective considering the “golden hour”, it wasn’t sufficient, and wanted better coverage for the people who call this southern region home.
The Southern Alberta MedicAir Society had also come to similar conclusions about STARS coverage. The combined synergy of these two groups allowed a new project to take flight in the summer of 2007. Dale sold his shares in Rangeland Helicopters at that time and became a volunteer on the fundraising side of the operation now known as HALO (Helicopter Air Lift Operation) He has been a board member for 13 years and Chairman for the last three.
HALO has recently become an Alberta Health Services approved helicopter EMS provider, allowing them a chance to work together and demonstrate ways to help reduce costs of medical emergency trauma services. He will speak on his journey and experiences helping this service in southeastern Alberta become a reality.
Speaker: Dale Thacker
Dale was born in Taber and other than a spell at SAIT College studying Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, he has lived his entire life on a multi-generational farm 2 miles west of Bow Island. It’s an innovative farming operation that grows Spearmint and Peppermint Essential Oils for Wrigley’s, Colgate and other companies and produces dill oil for Vlasics and Oscar Meyer. They have held the contract to supply the flavoring for the dill pickle at McDonalds for the last 11 years.
They also grow wheat, along with Hybrid Seed canola, peas, beans, lentils, hemp and are now even trying out hops. Dale is the Chairman of the Mint Industry Research Councils “distillation committee” and is tasked with improving on-farm distillation across North America.
Dale got his fixed wing pilots license in 1975 and then upgraded to a helicopter license in 1999. This is where he discovered the helicopters unique ability to get to remote locations quickly. He currently flies an Enstrom helicopter on his farm and it allows for crop surveillance and irrigation scheduling using infra-red photography as well as weed scouting and crop maturity checks.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Southern Alberta, including the MD of Pincher Creek, is one of Canada’s windiest regions and the area’s rich wind resources are extremely attractive to developers. This renewable potential, however, is having an unexpected negative environmental impact – wind farms and associated transmission infrastructure are threatening one of the last remaining areas in Alberta with large tracts of native grassland and unique ecosystems of critical importance to preserving the unique bioversity of the plains.
The Livingstone Landowners Group (LLG) is concerned about the cumulative impact of continued wind and transmission development on these environmentally sensitive areas of southwestern Alberta. The LLG represents ranchers and landowners dedicated to the responsible planning, use and protection of rare and irreplaceable species as well as land and water resources between the Livingstone Range and the Porcupine Hills.
The speaker will argue the cumulative impact of wind-related projects in sensitive areas is excessive and only Government intervention will allow the beauty and unique biodiversity of this region to remain.
Speaker: Bobbi Lambright
Bobbi Lambright is a former utility executive with significant expertise in all aspects of the electricity industry in Alberta and abroad. Bobbi worked for the ATCO Group of companies for more than 30 years in a variety of companies and roles including President of the ATCO Electric distribution company in Alberta as well as its electricity operations in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Most recently she served as ATCO’s Managing Director for Australia. In that role she was responsible for managing all of ATCO’s Australia business interests including operating the largest gas distribution company in western Australia as well as several large electric generation assets.
During her time in Australia she represented the company in discussions with government and industry on the integration of renewables and transitioning from a traditionally coal generation electricity market. Retired for just over a year, Bobbi is still actively involved in understanding and interpreting industry policy and direction in Alberta and is actively involved with the Livingstone Landowners Group. She has conducted considerable research into the Alberta Renewable Energy Program, the status of wind generation and associated transmission development particularly as they relate to southwestern Alberta and the MD of Pincher Creek.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Southern Alberta, including the MD of Pincher Creek, is one of Canada’s windiest regions and the area’s rich wind resources are extremely attractive to developers. This renewable potential, however, is having an unexpected negative environmental impact – wind farms and associated transmission infrastructure are threatening one of the last remaining areas in Alberta with large tracts of native grassland and unique ecosystems of critical importance to preserving the unique bioversity of the plains.
The Livingstone Landowners Group (LLG) is concerned about the cumulative impact of continued wind and transmission development on these environmentally sensitive areas of southwestern Alberta. The LLG represents ranchers and landowners dedicated to the responsible planning, use and protection of rare and irreplaceable species as well as land and water resources between the Livingstone Range and the Porcupine Hills.
The speaker will argue the cumulative impact of wind-related projects in sensitive areas is excessive and only Government intervention will allow the beauty and unique biodiversity of this region to remain.
Speaker: Bobbi Lambright
Bobbi Lambright is a former utility executive with significant expertise in all aspects of the electricity industry in Alberta and abroad. Bobbi worked for the ATCO Group of companies for more than 30 years in a variety of companies and roles including President of the ATCO Electric distribution company in Alberta as well as its electricity operations in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Most recently she served as ATCO’s Managing Director for Australia. In that role she was responsible for managing all of ATCO’s Australia business interests including operating the largest gas distribution company in western Australia as well as several large electric generation assets.
During her time in Australia she represented the company in discussions with government and industry on the integration of renewables and transitioning from a traditionally coal generation electricity market. Retired for just over a year, Bobbi is still actively involved in understanding and interpreting industry policy and direction in Alberta and is actively involved with the Livingstone Landowners Group. She has conducted considerable research into the Alberta Renewable Energy Program, the status of wind generation and associated transmission development particularly as they relate to southwestern Alberta and the MD of Pincher Creek.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The crisis of the global political-economy continues to sharpen. Trade wars—the precursors of military wars—involving the United States, the European Union, China, India, Mexico and Canada are intensifying. The United States has unilaterally abrograted the Trans Pacific Partnership, Intermediate Nucler Forces Agreement and North America Free Trade Agreement. Social inequality and wealth concentration are at record levels. The major central banks are realizing even more “ultra-accommodative” monetary policy for stock markets and more austerity for workers.
Militarization is omnipresent. The European Union is talking about increasing military spending by 50 per cent. Japan is moving to revise its pacifist constitution. Sweden has reimposed military conscription. Fascistic movements are increasingly empowered in societies such as Canada, the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, the Philippines and Hungary.
This crisis has myriad expressions in the societies of the Middle East: imperial wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Palestine; United States’ negation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the so-called “Iran deal”) and escalation of war on Iran; the further institutionalization of fascism in Israel; revolts in Algeria and Sudan; and currency deflation and immiserating inflation in Turkey and Egypt.
The speaker will locate the crises of the societies of the Middle East in the global political-economy; conceptualize wars, state policies and social dynamism as regional and national processing(s) of global relations in crisis.
Speaker: Dr. Sean McMahon
Dr. Sean McMahon is a visiting assistant professor of political science at the University of Lethbridge and a tutor of labour studies and economics at Athabasca University. From 2007-2018, he was a post-doctoral fellow and assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo (AUC).
His primary fields of research are international relations/global political economy and comparative politics of the Middle East. Dr. McMahon is the author of Crisis and Class War in Egypt: Social Reproduction, Factional Realignments and the Global Political Economy (Zed Books, 2017) and The Discourse of Palestinian-Israeli Relations (Routledge, 2010) and editor, with Dan Tschirgi and Walid Kazziha, of Egypt’s Tahrir Revolution (Lynne Rienner, 2013).
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The crisis of the global political-economy continues to sharpen. Trade wars—the precursors of military wars—involving the United States, the European Union, China, India, Mexico and Canada are intensifying. The United States has unilaterally abrograted the Trans Pacific Partnership, Intermediate Nucler Forces Agreement and North America Free Trade Agreement. Social inequality and wealth concentration are at record levels. The major central banks are realizing even more “ultra-accommodative” monetary policy for stock markets and more austerity for workers.
Militarization is omnipresent. The European Union is talking about increasing military spending by 50 per cent. Japan is moving to revise its pacifist constitution. Sweden has reimposed military conscription. Fascistic movements are increasingly empowered in societies such as Canada, the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, the Philippines and Hungary.
This crisis has myriad expressions in the societies of the Middle East: imperial wars in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Palestine; United States’ negation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the so-called “Iran deal”) and escalation of war on Iran; the further institutionalization of fascism in Israel; revolts in Algeria and Sudan; and currency deflation and immiserating inflation in Turkey and Egypt.
The speaker will locate the crises of the societies of the Middle East in the global political-economy; conceptualize wars, state policies and social dynamism as regional and national processing(s) of global relations in crisis.
Speaker: Dr. Sean McMahon
Dr. Sean McMahon is a visiting assistant professor of political science at the University of Lethbridge and a tutor of labour studies and economics at Athabasca University. From 2007-2018, he was a post-doctoral fellow and assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo (AUC).
His primary fields of research are international relations/global political economy and comparative politics of the Middle East. Dr. McMahon is the author of Crisis and Class War in Egypt: Social Reproduction, Factional Realignments and the Global Political Economy (Zed Books, 2017) and The Discourse of Palestinian-Israeli Relations (Routledge, 2010) and editor, with Dan Tschirgi and Walid Kazziha, of Egypt’s Tahrir Revolution (Lynne Rienner, 2013).
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading national land conservation organization. A private, non-profit organization, partnering with individuals, corporations, other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures — the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife. NCC secures properties (through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and manages them for the long term.
Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to conserve 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land from coast to coast. NCC’s work in the Prairie Grasslands is contributing to the conservation of our planet’s most endangered ecosystem. People often think of rainforests and coral reefs as the planet’s most critical habitats in need of conservation, but in fact grasslands, including those in Alberta, are the world’s most endangered ecosystem. Grasslands are also important to prevent flooding, and as well, for carbon storage and sequestration in its deep and extensive root networks.
Grasslands are a working landscape that support a wide range of animals and economies, from large grazers like cattle, which are an integral land management tool for NCC, to many species at risk. The speaker will expand on the role NCC plays in protecting Alberta’s Prairie Grasslands and will elaborate and highlight ways farmers, ranchers and the general public can assist conversation efforts.
Speaker: Leta Pezderic, Nature Area Manager – Prairie Grasslands, AB
Leta Pezderic is responsible for the delivery of conservation programs in the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC’s) natural areas, specifically the Prairie Grasslands of Alberta. She works with local landowners, partner organizations, conservation volunteers, funders, and other stewards of the land.
Leta grew up in Claresholm, AB, but moved to Lethbridge to pursue her post-secondary education. She received her diploma in Renewable Resource Management as well as her certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology from the Lethbridge College. From there she transferred to the University of Lethbridge where she obtained her Degree in Environmental Science. Leta spent her summers working in Waterton Lakes National Park. After graduating she was fortunate to work at a variety of places including Cows and Fish, Lethbridge College, and Alberta Environment. She spent nearly seven years with the Oldman Watershed Council as their Program Coordinator before joining the NCC team in 2015 as the Natural Area Manager for Prairie Grasslands. She is passionate about all things nature and tries to capture its beauty through photography; you’ll rarely find her without her camera in hand.
Moderator: Curtis Goodman
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice.
RSVP not required
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading national land conservation organization. A private, non-profit organization, partnering with individuals, corporations, other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect our most important natural treasures — the natural areas that sustain Canada’s plants and wildlife. NCC secures properties (through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests in land) and manages them for the long term.
Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to conserve 2.8 million acres (more than 1.1 million hectares) of ecologically significant land from coast to coast. NCC’s work in the Prairie Grasslands is contributing to the conservation of our planet’s most endangered ecosystem. People often think of rainforests and coral reefs as the planet’s most critical habitats in need of conservation, but in fact grasslands, including those in Alberta, are the world’s most endangered ecosystem. Grasslands are also important to prevent flooding, and as well, for carbon storage and sequestration in its deep and extensive root networks.
Grasslands are a working landscape that support a wide range of animals and economies, from large grazers like cattle, which are an integral land management tool for NCC, to many species at risk. The speaker will expand on the role NCC plays in protecting Alberta’s Prairie Grasslands and will elaborate and highlight ways farmers, ranchers and the general public can assist conversation efforts.
Speaker: Leta Pezderic, Nature Area Manager – Prairie Grasslands, AB
Leta Pezderic is responsible for the delivery of conservation programs in the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC’s) natural areas, specifically the Prairie Grasslands of Alberta. She works with local landowners, partner organizations, conservation volunteers, funders, and other stewards of the land.
Leta grew up in Claresholm, AB, but moved to Lethbridge to pursue her post-secondary education. She received her diploma in Renewable Resource Management as well as her certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology from the Lethbridge College. From there she transferred to the University of Lethbridge where she obtained her Degree in Environmental Science. Leta spent her summers working in Waterton Lakes National Park. After graduating she was fortunate to work at a variety of places including Cows and Fish, Lethbridge College, and Alberta Environment. She spent nearly seven years with the Oldman Watershed Council as their Program Coordinator before joining the NCC team in 2015 as the Natural Area Manager for Prairie Grasslands. She is passionate about all things nature and tries to capture its beauty through photography; you’ll rarely find her without her camera in hand.
Moderator: Curtis Goodman
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice.
RSVP not required
With the UCP gaining power in Alberta’s recent provincial election, Jason Kenney became premier of Alberta and for the first time since 2008, no women preside over a Canadian provincial or territorial legislature. And that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Until 1991, when Rita Johnston became British Columbia premier, because of a scandal involving then Premier Bill Vander Zalm, Canadian provinces had been ruled by male premiers. Since then, 11 women has held that position, but not one of those premiers, even those who led their government to a majority mandate, has had the support required to stay in office for more than a full term after being elected. Instead, some women were forced to resign within 2 years of leading their parties to majority government re-election victories.
This presentation examines the context in which women are selected to lead political parties – a key step to becoming a premier or prime minister – to determine if women are selected to lead parties that were in crisis or decline. Evidence shows that this is not the case for most women to serve as provincial premiers; given this, we must think seriously about the other factors that keep women out of the premier’s (and prime minister’s) office.
Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas
Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students’ Union President.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
With the UCP gaining power in Alberta’s recent provincial election, Jason Kenney became premier of Alberta and for the first time since 2008, no women preside over a Canadian provincial or territorial legislature. And that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Until 1991, when Rita Johnston became British Columbia premier, because of a scandal involving then Premier Bill Vander Zalm, Canadian provinces had been ruled by male premiers. Since then, 11 women has held that position, but not one of those premiers, even those who led their government to a majority mandate, has had the support required to stay in office for more than a full term after being elected. Instead, some women were forced to resign within 2 years of leading their parties to majority government re-election victories.
This presentation examines the context in which women are selected to lead political parties – a key step to becoming a premier or prime minister – to determine if women are selected to lead parties that were in crisis or decline. Evidence shows that this is not the case for most women to serve as provincial premiers; given this, we must think seriously about the other factors that keep women out of the premier’s (and prime minister’s) office.
Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas
Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students’ Union President.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
It is estimated that 1 in 3 women/girls and 1 in 6 men/boys in their lifetime will experience some form of sexual violence either in childhood or in their adult life. Young adults are generally most at risk, but it can happen at any age, and it's been going on for many, many years.
A new facility, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) in Lethbridge at 740-4 Avenue South is now open. It offers services to all people of all ages, no matter how they identify sexually. Some of those services include crisis support, victim advocacy, and counselling. Some forerunners, such as Lethbridge Family Services and the YWCA with its Amethyst Program, has dealt with sexual violence for many years, but CSAC is about having people be able to identify with one source, so they know where to go. The speaker will focus on the current state of sexual violence in our world with particular focus on Canada, the economic impact of the crime and contributing factors that support its existence. We will continue to explore the ways in which each of us, as individuals, communities and as a country, can end sexual violence by reshaping our beliefs/values and by taking action.
Speaker: Kristine Cassie, MSc, RSW
Kristine has worked in the human services sector for over 35 years with substantial experience and advocacy efforts in the areas of youth empowerment, domestic and sexual violence and housing. A graduate of Mount Royal from the Youth Development Program, Kristine started her career working with youth in care. It was while working at the YWCA Lethbridge and District that she reinvested in her education and completed an Applied BA in Human Service Administration (Grant McEwan) and a Master’s of Science in Leadership and Management from Walden University.
Kristine worked at the YWCA for nearly 25 years, serving as its CEO for the last 11 years. Leaving the YWCA in January 2016, she worked as the Director of Operations at Southern Alberta Community Living Association, an agency serving people with developmental disabilities. Currently, Kristine is the CEO for the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre which opened its doors to the public January 7, 2019. Kristine also serves as vice chair on the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College; Trustee for Palliser Regional School Division; maintains registered social worker status in the Province of Alberta and is a certified traumatologist.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
It is estimated that 1 in 3 women/girls and 1 in 6 men/boys in their lifetime will experience some form of sexual violence either in childhood or in their adult life. Young adults are generally most at risk, but it can happen at any age, and it's been going on for many, many years.
A new facility, the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (CSAC) in Lethbridge at 740-4 Avenue South is now open. It offers services to all people of all ages, no matter how they identify sexually. Some of those services include crisis support, victim advocacy, and counselling. Some forerunners, such as Lethbridge Family Services and the YWCA with its Amethyst Program, has dealt with sexual violence for many years, but CSAC is about having people be able to identify with one source, so they know where to go. The speaker will focus on the current state of sexual violence in our world with particular focus on Canada, the economic impact of the crime and contributing factors that support its existence. We will continue to explore the ways in which each of us, as individuals, communities and as a country, can end sexual violence by reshaping our beliefs/values and by taking action.
Speaker: Kristine Cassie, MSc, RSW
Kristine has worked in the human services sector for over 35 years with substantial experience and advocacy efforts in the areas of youth empowerment, domestic and sexual violence and housing. A graduate of Mount Royal from the Youth Development Program, Kristine started her career working with youth in care. It was while working at the YWCA Lethbridge and District that she reinvested in her education and completed an Applied BA in Human Service Administration (Grant McEwan) and a Master’s of Science in Leadership and Management from Walden University.
Kristine worked at the YWCA for nearly 25 years, serving as its CEO for the last 11 years. Leaving the YWCA in January 2016, she worked as the Director of Operations at Southern Alberta Community Living Association, an agency serving people with developmental disabilities. Currently, Kristine is the CEO for the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre which opened its doors to the public January 7, 2019. Kristine also serves as vice chair on the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College; Trustee for Palliser Regional School Division; maintains registered social worker status in the Province of Alberta and is a certified traumatologist.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
As a rule, Aboriginal Rights are the rights of Indigenous people to carry on with their traditional and ancestral customs of hunting, fishing, trapping, feasting and holding religious ceremonies. They stem in part from Indigenous occupation of lands prior to European contact and assertions of sovereignty.
Aboriginal rights also flow from the many treaties that Indigenous leaders signed with the Crown over the last few centuries, which are matters of contract law—sacred contract law. Through these treaties the Crown acquired a great deal of land from Indigenous signatories, who received remuneration and rights. Insofar as Indigenous signatories entered into these contracts voluntarily and in an enlightened manner, the Crown lawfully acquired the land on which most Canadian homes are built. Aboriginal land claims arise in BC primarily because provincial lawyers cannot produce the land transfer deeds needed to prove that the Crown lawfully acquired land on which it has built cities and townships over the last two centuries.
Aboriginal rights flow from the Rule of Law, a notion to which the Canadian constitution ascribes, and they should require no justification to anyone. Federal and provincial governments must justify their intrusions into the customary ways of Indigenous people, simply because one society may not lawfully intrude upon the peaceful affairs of another society, including First Nations societies, without justification. This Rule of Law was not respected during the Age of Empire and much earlier, but since the late twentieth century the Canadian legal system has purported to take it seriously.
In 1982 Canada’s constitution affirmed and recognized existing Aboriginal rights. In theory, therefore, Aboriginal rights are entirely reconcilable with Canadian law because they are a constituent part of a legal system that should be internally reconcilable. However, one sense in which Aboriginal rights can be said to be irreconcilable with Canadian law is that, from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, a foreign political-legal entity (such as Parliament) has never had a legal right to govern any aspect of their lives without their consent.
When legal recognition of certain Aboriginal rights seems irreconcilable with Canadian law from the perspective of non-Indigenous Canadians, as it does from time to time, the source of the ‘problem’ is usually that past governments built their non-Indigenous constituents’ lives on insecure legal foundations vis-à-vis the rights of Indigenous peoples. Courts are expected to right these past legal wrongs. Recently an Ontario court held the Crown accountable for treaty-based annuities it had not paid the Anishinaabe since 1876.
This century courts will continue to resolve Aboriginal Rights claims in ways that will not satisfy all Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, such is the very nature of adjudicating conflict. But this fact does not make Aboriginal Rights and Canadian law irreconcilable. Rather, the legal hope and expectation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada is to diminish conflict lawfully and peaceably, so that everyone can eventually live contentedly side-by-side, each society’s system of self-governance paying equal and practical respect to the other’s system. Such an ideal is reflected in the concept of Treaty Federalism.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Nowlin
Dr. Nowlin was born in Lethbridge. He received his M.A. in Philosophy from Brock University in 1987 and his Ph.D in criminology from Simon Fraser University (SFU) in 1998. He has taught Canadian law and Aboriginal law at SFU. Presently he teaches Canadian law and Canadian Aboriginal law at Langara College in Vancouver.
Dr. Nowlin has represented clients at all levels of court in BC, in Alberta, as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada. He has extensive experience representing Indigenous accused persons charged with various offences, ranging from fish
As a rule, Aboriginal Rights are the rights of Indigenous people to carry on with their traditional and ancestral customs of hunting, fishing, trapping, feasting and holding religious ceremonies. They stem in part from Indigenous occupation of lands prior to European contact and assertions of sovereignty.
Aboriginal rights also flow from the many treaties that Indigenous leaders signed with the Crown over the last few centuries, which are matters of contract law—sacred contract law. Through these treaties the Crown acquired a great deal of land from Indigenous signatories, who received remuneration and rights. Insofar as Indigenous signatories entered into these contracts voluntarily and in an enlightened manner, the Crown lawfully acquired the land on which most Canadian homes are built. Aboriginal land claims arise in BC primarily because provincial lawyers cannot produce the land transfer deeds needed to prove that the Crown lawfully acquired land on which it has built cities and townships over the last two centuries.
Aboriginal rights flow from the Rule of Law, a notion to which the Canadian constitution ascribes, and they should require no justification to anyone. Federal and provincial governments must justify their intrusions into the customary ways of Indigenous people, simply because one society may not lawfully intrude upon the peaceful affairs of another society, including First Nations societies, without justification. This Rule of Law was not respected during the Age of Empire and much earlier, but since the late twentieth century the Canadian legal system has purported to take it seriously.
In 1982 Canada’s constitution affirmed and recognized existing Aboriginal rights. In theory, therefore, Aboriginal rights are entirely reconcilable with Canadian law because they are a constituent part of a legal system that should be internally reconcilable. However, one sense in which Aboriginal rights can be said to be irreconcilable with Canadian law is that, from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, a foreign political-legal entity (such as Parliament) has never had a legal right to govern any aspect of their lives without their consent.
When legal recognition of certain Aboriginal rights seems irreconcilable with Canadian law from the perspective of non-Indigenous Canadians, as it does from time to time, the source of the ‘problem’ is usually that past governments built their non-Indigenous constituents’ lives on insecure legal foundations vis-à-vis the rights of Indigenous peoples. Courts are expected to right these past legal wrongs. Recently an Ontario court held the Crown accountable for treaty-based annuities it had not paid the Anishinaabe since 1876.
This century courts will continue to resolve Aboriginal Rights claims in ways that will not satisfy all Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, such is the very nature of adjudicating conflict. But this fact does not make Aboriginal Rights and Canadian law irreconcilable. Rather, the legal hope and expectation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada is to diminish conflict lawfully and peaceably, so that everyone can eventually live contentedly side-by-side, each society’s system of self-governance paying equal and practical respect to the other’s system. Such an ideal is reflected in the concept of Treaty Federalism.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Nowlin
Dr. Nowlin was born in Lethbridge. He received his M.A. in Philosophy from Brock University in 1987 and his Ph.D in criminology from Simon Fraser University (SFU) in 1998. He has taught Canadian law and Aboriginal law at SFU. Presently he teaches Canadian law and Canadian Aboriginal law at Langara College in Vancouver.
Dr. Nowlin has represented clients at all levels of court in BC, in Alberta, as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada. He has extensive experience representing Indigenous accused persons charged with various offences, ranging from fish
In the 2015 provincial election, the New Democratic Party, led by Rachel Notley, won an unprecedented victory in Alberta. Unseating the Progressive Conservatives -- who had won every provincial election since 1971 -- they formed an NDP government for the first time in the history of the province.
Unfortunately for Premier Rachel Notley and her NDP government, revenues from Alberta’s energy sector tanked in 2015 and still hasn’t fully recovered. Nevertheless, the NDP government pressed on with their plans to rectify Alberta’s massive infrastructure deficit in support of public institutions, but in the process, they’ve amassed hefty budgetary deficits, despite implementing progressive tax changes and a carbon levy
In July 2017 the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose Party merged to become the United Conservative Party (UCP) and the official opposition party in Alberta. Later that year, Jason Kenney became the leader of UCP and since then, has laid out a very different way forward for Alberta with more emphasis on a balanced budget by cuts to spending, scrapping the carbon levy and giving business incentives through taxation relief.
The speaker will analyse the April 16 Alberta election results and speculate on the consequences of such.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy.
Duane’s primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) Duane is also a regular commentator on political events. Copies of Duane’s most recent book Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta will be available for sale
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
For many people, a net-zero home conjures up visions of houses beyond their reach. But supplying energy for your own home is no longer confined to the future. For many homes, a well-designed solar power system can meet 100% of their energy needs on a yearly basis. Lethbridge and the entirety of Southern Alberta get more sunlight than almost anywhere else in Canada, making solar panels the perfect solution for powering your home on green energy.
Geothermal is the most efficient heating system available today, with up to 500% efficiency. And, unlike in the past, geothermal works as a complete heating and cooling system, without any need for an auxiliary heater in the winter or an airconditioner in the summer. For those seriously considering moving to a net-zero home, or going off-grid, geothermal is an important step. Geothermal is equally as effective at lowering energy costs in an urban or suburban environment.
The speaker will argue that the biggest hurdle to green energy is how entrenched the old ways of doing things are. Green energy makes sense both fiscally and environmentally, but the world is slow to change. So perhaps the most powerful thing you can do is to start talking about it and talking about the steps you’ve made to lighten your ecological footprint.
Speaker: Rudy Reger
Rudy Reger is the owner and president of Energy Smart Canada & Arctic Spas Lethbridge. He spent most of his childhood in Germany, later moving to Paraguay, South America where he met his wife, Stella, and eventually moving to Canada in 1988. They have lived in Lethbridge ever since, raising three daughters and growing their business. Rudy began his journey in Canada as a truck driver, but soon started to venture out as an entrepreneur and eventually a business owner. They turned their passion for renewable energy into a full time business with the inception of their company Energy Smart Canada in 2001. Since then, they have worked hard to educate and offer energy efficient solutions to southern Albertans, introducing new products and becoming experts in their field. And now they’ve finally reached the goal of building themselves a self-sustaining, net zero home, right here in Lethbridge. Casa Verde is the result of years of planning and dreaming, and they are so excited that it’s finally here. They hope it will show others living in Alberta how easy and comfortable it is to live net zero.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
For many people, a net-zero home conjures up visions of houses beyond their reach. But supplying energy for your own home is no longer confined to the future. For many homes, a well-designed solar power system can meet 100% of their energy needs on a yearly basis. Lethbridge and the entirety of Southern Alberta get more sunlight than almost anywhere else in Canada, making solar panels the perfect solution for powering your home on green energy.
Geothermal is the most efficient heating system available today, with up to 500% efficiency. And, unlike in the past, geothermal works as a complete heating and cooling system, without any need for an auxiliary heater in the winter or an airconditioner in the summer. For those seriously considering moving to a net-zero home, or going off-grid, geothermal is an important step. Geothermal is equally as effective at lowering energy costs in an urban or suburban environment.
The speaker will argue that the biggest hurdle to green energy is how entrenched the old ways of doing things are. Green energy makes sense both fiscally and environmentally, but the world is slow to change. So perhaps the most powerful thing you can do is to start talking about it and talking about the steps you’ve made to lighten your ecological footprint.
Speaker: Rudy Reger
Rudy Reger is the owner and president of Energy Smart Canada & Arctic Spas Lethbridge. He spent most of his childhood in Germany, later moving to Paraguay, South America where he met his wife, Stella, and eventually moving to Canada in 1988. They have lived in Lethbridge ever since, raising three daughters and growing their business. Rudy began his journey in Canada as a truck driver, but soon started to venture out as an entrepreneur and eventually a business owner. They turned their passion for renewable energy into a full time business with the inception of their company Energy Smart Canada in 2001. Since then, they have worked hard to educate and offer energy efficient solutions to southern Albertans, introducing new products and becoming experts in their field. And now they’ve finally reached the goal of building themselves a self-sustaining, net zero home, right here in Lethbridge. Casa Verde is the result of years of planning and dreaming, and they are so excited that it’s finally here. They hope it will show others living in Alberta how easy and comfortable it is to live net zero.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The global energy system is being transformed by new technologies that will revolutionize oil and gas markets — whether Alberta is ready for it or not. In his new book, energy journalist Markham Hislop examines how visionary oil sands executives like Suncor CEO Steve Williams are preparing their companies – which produce two-thirds of Alberta’s oil – for the onrushing low-carbon future.
An integral part of the oil sands’ savvy business strategy is the energy and climate policies of Premier Rachel Notley’s government. In fact, the oil sands CEOs met privately with environmental groups for months before the 2015 election, hammering out a “carbon for no production cap” deal that the NDP government enshrined in the Climate Leadership Plan, legislation and regulations they strongly support to this day.
If the oil sands companies are successful, Hislop describes a new strategy for building pipelines from Alberta to the West Coast. Doubling bitumen exports and building out Alberta’s petrochemical and partial upgrading sectors could usher in the next great Alberta energy boom.
Speaker: Markham Hislop
Markham Hislop is an energy journalist and publisher of Energi News (formerly North American Energy News). Hislop uses a technology adoption model of his own design to analyze and report upon all the facets of the energy industry, from oil and gas to EVs and renewables.
Over the past 5 years, Hislop has probably reported about the Energy Transition more than any other North American journalist. His work has been published in Canadian Business, Alberta Oil Magazine, Hart Energy Publications, World Oil, Vancouver Magazine, and other publications. Hislop’s most recent book, The New Alberta Advantage: Technology, Policy, and the Future of the Oil Sands will be available for sale.
Moderator: Cameron Howey
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The global energy system is being transformed by new technologies that will revolutionize oil and gas markets — whether Alberta is ready for it or not. In his new book, energy journalist Markham Hislop examines how visionary oil sands executives like Suncor CEO Steve Williams are preparing their companies – which produce two-thirds of Alberta’s oil – for the onrushing low-carbon future.
An integral part of the oil sands’ savvy business strategy is the energy and climate policies of Premier Rachel Notley’s government. In fact, the oil sands CEOs met privately with environmental groups for months before the 2015 election, hammering out a “carbon for no production cap” deal that the NDP government enshrined in the Climate Leadership Plan, legislation and regulations they strongly support to this day.
If the oil sands companies are successful, Hislop describes a new strategy for building pipelines from Alberta to the West Coast. Doubling bitumen exports and building out Alberta’s petrochemical and partial upgrading sectors could usher in the next great Alberta energy boom.
Speaker: Markham Hislop
Markham Hislop is an energy journalist and publisher of Energi News (formerly North American Energy News). Hislop uses a technology adoption model of his own design to analyze and report upon all the facets of the energy industry, from oil and gas to EVs and renewables.
Over the past 5 years, Hislop has probably reported about the Energy Transition more than any other North American journalist. His work has been published in Canadian Business, Alberta Oil Magazine, Hart Energy Publications, World Oil, Vancouver Magazine, and other publications. Hislop’s most recent book, The New Alberta Advantage: Technology, Policy, and the Future of the Oil Sands will be available for sale.
Moderator: Cameron Howey
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge West constituency
Date: Friday, March 29, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Lethbridge Senior Centre (LSCO) Gymnasium, 500 – 11 Street South
The April 16, 2019 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on April 16, 2019
Moderator: Bonnie Farries
Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.
SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge West constituency
Date: Friday, March 29, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Lethbridge Senior Centre (LSCO) Gymnasium, 500 – 11 Street South
The April 16, 2019 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on April 16, 2019
Moderator: Bonnie Farries
Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.
Each year, in mid-December, the federal government releases its calculation for what each province is entitled to receive as equalization. The numbers show Alberta’s recession lowered its ability to raise revenues. They show Ontario has graduated to “have” status, but (interestingly) will still receive equalization payments. They also set the stage for the upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial discussions over the soon-to-expire formula. And on top of all this, budget challenges in oil rich provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador put equalization payments front and centre in provincial political debates, where misleading claims are unfortunately all too common.
Equalization is complicated, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Equalization is a federal program that transfers federal funds to provinces with below average capacities to raise revenues. Provinces with stronger economies, and with high income households and businesses, raise more revenue for any given tax rate than provinces with lower incomes. This is true not just of personal and business income taxes, but also of sales and property taxes.
Importantly, resource revenues like oil and gas royalties also go into the formula, but only 50% count in the formula to preserve the incentive to develop a province’s resources. With all this in mind, equalization asks a simple question: How much revenue would each province raise with tax rates equal to the national average? This is a province’s “fiscal capacity”. If a province would raise less than the average amount, per person, the federal government tops it up. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on the future of equalization.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Tombe
Dr. Tombe is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and a Research Fellow at The School of Public Policy. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2012, he was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He received his BBA (Finance) from Simon Fraser University, and his MA and PhD (Economics) from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on a broad range of topics from international trade and public finance to energy and environmental policy. Currently his main focus is on economic integration in Canada, from estimating the size and consequences of interprovincial trade costs to exploring the implications of fiscal transfers between provinces (such as through equalization). In addition to his academic work, he regularly promotes the public understanding of economics and policy issues through his numerous public policy papers through the School, active social media presence, and general interest writings in various media outlets, including regular contributions to CBC Calgary.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Each year, in mid-December, the federal government releases its calculation for what each province is entitled to receive as equalization. The numbers show Alberta’s recession lowered its ability to raise revenues. They show Ontario has graduated to “have” status, but (interestingly) will still receive equalization payments. They also set the stage for the upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial discussions over the soon-to-expire formula. And on top of all this, budget challenges in oil rich provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador put equalization payments front and centre in provincial political debates, where misleading claims are unfortunately all too common.
Equalization is complicated, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Equalization is a federal program that transfers federal funds to provinces with below average capacities to raise revenues. Provinces with stronger economies, and with high income households and businesses, raise more revenue for any given tax rate than provinces with lower incomes. This is true not just of personal and business income taxes, but also of sales and property taxes.
Importantly, resource revenues like oil and gas royalties also go into the formula, but only 50% count in the formula to preserve the incentive to develop a province’s resources. With all this in mind, equalization asks a simple question: How much revenue would each province raise with tax rates equal to the national average? This is a province’s “fiscal capacity”. If a province would raise less than the average amount, per person, the federal government tops it up. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on the future of equalization.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Tombe
Dr. Tombe is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and a Research Fellow at The School of Public Policy. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2012, he was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He received his BBA (Finance) from Simon Fraser University, and his MA and PhD (Economics) from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on a broad range of topics from international trade and public finance to energy and environmental policy. Currently his main focus is on economic integration in Canada, from estimating the size and consequences of interprovincial trade costs to exploring the implications of fiscal transfers between provinces (such as through equalization). In addition to his academic work, he regularly promotes the public understanding of economics and policy issues through his numerous public policy papers through the School, active social media presence, and general interest writings in various media outlets, including regular contributions to CBC Calgary.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge East constituency
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Royal Canadian Legion hall, 324 Mayor Magrath Drive South
The April 16, 2019 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on April 16, 2019
Moderator: Bonnie Farries
Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.
SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge East constituency
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Royal Canadian Legion hall, 324 Mayor Magrath Drive South
The April 16, 2019 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on April 16, 2019
Moderator: Bonnie Farries
Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.
US President Trump recently declared a national emergency in a bid to fund his promised wall on the US – Mexico border without the approval of Congress on the heels of signing a bipartisan government spending bill that would prevent another partial government services closure following a historic 35-day shutdown in December and January. That shutdown was caused by Trump’s demand that Congress provide him with $5.7 billion in wall funding as part of legislation to fund certain government agencies.
The Republican president’s move, circumventing Congress and legal scrutiny, seeks to make good on a 2016 presidential campaign promise to build a border wall that Trump contend is needed to stop migrants from entering the US and bringing with them, crime and drugs. Signing the new spending bill represented a legislative defeat for him since it contained even less money for his proposed wall.
The speaker will look more broadly at the dysfunctional crisis of American governance (at the national level), and the precedence for this that can be found in American history, ending with special attention being paid to the last fifty years of American governance. He will also detail some of the constitutional powers afforded US presidents and whether such powers are too often abused in the context of present day politics and the extreme partisanship dividing democrats and republicans in Congress.
Speaker: Dr. James Tagg
Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
US President Trump recently declared a national emergency in a bid to fund his promised wall on the US – Mexico border without the approval of Congress on the heels of signing a bipartisan government spending bill that would prevent another partial government services closure following a historic 35-day shutdown in December and January. That shutdown was caused by Trump’s demand that Congress provide him with $5.7 billion in wall funding as part of legislation to fund certain government agencies.
The Republican president’s move, circumventing Congress and legal scrutiny, seeks to make good on a 2016 presidential campaign promise to build a border wall that Trump contend is needed to stop migrants from entering the US and bringing with them, crime and drugs. Signing the new spending bill represented a legislative defeat for him since it contained even less money for his proposed wall.
The speaker will look more broadly at the dysfunctional crisis of American governance (at the national level), and the precedence for this that can be found in American history, ending with special attention being paid to the last fifty years of American governance. He will also detail some of the constitutional powers afforded US presidents and whether such powers are too often abused in the context of present day politics and the extreme partisanship dividing democrats and republicans in Congress.
Speaker: Dr. James Tagg
Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably as many people believe that one means the other. In fact, the distinction between the two diseases often causes confusion for the persons living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s and some types of dementias remain a mystery in many ways. Therefore, the similar changes in the brain are often mixed up in every day conversation and understanding. According to National Institute on Aging, Dementia is a brain disorder that affects communication and performance of daily activities and Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that specifically affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory. It is a term that is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging. However, issues other than Alzheimer’s can cause dementia. Other types of dementia are Vascular, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The speaker will explain how those living with a diagnosis can still live a quality life with the right supports. Public awareness and understanding is needed to remove the stigma associated with dementia. Further research of what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will help to clear much of the confusion & stigma. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia.
Speaker: Shari Remus, Regional Lead, Community Relations
Shari Remus is the Regional Lead of Community Relations for The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and North West Territories, Lethbridge area. In March of 2017, Shari joined the Alzheimer Society from Calgary’s fast paced corporate world where she wore many hats including corporate fundraising, communications and graphic design.
Keeping busy is what Shari likes to do best, and with the IG Wealth Management’s Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event held each June, the annual Fall Coffee Break promotions, and January’s Alzheimer Awareness Month, she certainly does just that. Shari’s educational background includes Communications and Public Relations from the University of Calgary.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably as many people believe that one means the other. In fact, the distinction between the two diseases often causes confusion for the persons living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s and some types of dementias remain a mystery in many ways. Therefore, the similar changes in the brain are often mixed up in every day conversation and understanding. According to National Institute on Aging, Dementia is a brain disorder that affects communication and performance of daily activities and Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that specifically affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory. It is a term that is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging. However, issues other than Alzheimer’s can cause dementia. Other types of dementia are Vascular, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The speaker will explain how those living with a diagnosis can still live a quality life with the right supports. Public awareness and understanding is needed to remove the stigma associated with dementia. Further research of what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will help to clear much of the confusion & stigma. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia.
Speaker: Shari Remus, Regional Lead, Community Relations
Shari Remus is the Regional Lead of Community Relations for The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and North West Territories, Lethbridge area. In March of 2017, Shari joined the Alzheimer Society from Calgary’s fast paced corporate world where she wore many hats including corporate fundraising, communications and graphic design.
Keeping busy is what Shari likes to do best, and with the IG Wealth Management’s Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event held each June, the annual Fall Coffee Break promotions, and January’s Alzheimer Awareness Month, she certainly does just that. Shari’s educational background includes Communications and Public Relations from the University of Calgary.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests?
On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back?
But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included reference to the recent United Nations Migration Pact and other issues related to refugees and migration. Outside Alberta, yellow vest-inspired rallies have appeared across the country, but are much smaller than their French counterparts. A Yellow Vest rally in Toronto for example, drew less than 100 people. Are all Yellow Vesters alike? Will the movement take on the status of the French protesters?
The speaker will speculate on the deeper meaning of the Yellow Vest movement and whether it will have lasting implications , if any, upon provincial and federal politics/elections
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests?
On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back?
But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included reference to the recent United Nations Migration Pact and other issues related to refugees and migration. Outside Alberta, yellow vest-inspired rallies have appeared across the country, but are much smaller than their French counterparts. A Yellow Vest rally in Toronto for example, drew less than 100 people. Are all Yellow Vesters alike? Will the movement take on the status of the French protesters?
The speaker will speculate on the deeper meaning of the Yellow Vest movement and whether it will have lasting implications , if any, upon provincial and federal politics/elections
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, March 7, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford)
EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why??
This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy.
Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more folks should be driving them. By-and-large, the most important thing we can do to promote EVs is to educate ourselves and others on what it means to own one, which I call EV Ownership. We will finish off the formal presentation with some stories about EV ownership. Bring your own questions as well, and we will answer them after the break.
Speaker: Jim Steil
Although a certified-genius (MENSA), funnily-enough, Jim hated Electrical-Engineering School - preferring people to numbers. After his Engineering Degree, he embarked on a 10-year world-tour teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. Singing, storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on experience were his tools of choice. He proudly says his students never used a textbook in 10 years of teaching.
Jim then came back to Canada and spent 10 years Directional Drilling - so has paid his dues in Alberta’s Oil Patch. Then, after being laid-off in 2016, Jim felt compelled to convert his classic Volvo into an Electric Vehicle (the “E-Volvo”). This enthusiasm soon mixed with his entrepreneurial spirit and he co-founded GoElectric, where they import EVs for re-sale, and convert Classic cars into EVs. In his spare time, Jim fly-fishes, spends time with his girlfriend, Gail and “likes to make things.”
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford)
EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why??
This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy.
Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more folks should be driving them. By-and-large, the most important thing we can do to promote EVs is to educate ourselves and others on what it means to own one, which I call EV Ownership. We will finish off the formal presentation with some stories about EV ownership. Bring your own questions as well, and we will answer them after the break.
Speaker: Jim Steil
Although a certified-genius (MENSA), funnily-enough, Jim hated Electrical-Engineering School - preferring people to numbers. After his Engineering Degree, he embarked on a 10-year world-tour teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. Singing, storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on experience were his tools of choice. He proudly says his students never used a textbook in 10 years of teaching.
Jim then came back to Canada and spent 10 years Directional Drilling - so has paid his dues in Alberta’s Oil Patch. Then, after being laid-off in 2016, Jim felt compelled to convert his classic Volvo into an Electric Vehicle (the “E-Volvo”). This enthusiasm soon mixed with his entrepreneurial spirit and he co-founded GoElectric, where they import EVs for re-sale, and convert Classic cars into EVs. In his spare time, Jim fly-fishes, spends time with his girlfriend, Gail and “likes to make things.”
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option?
Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else.
It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing.
With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs are eligible for official party status. That impacts research funding, the right to sit on legislative committees and the process of asking questions in the legislature, making it difficult for Independent MLA’s and new political parties to gain influence.
The speakers will elaborate on their own experiences and argue that partisan politics and ideology often gets in the way of good ideas coming to the fore. Too often, they will ague, free thinking MLA’s are “thrown under the bus” for party dissent and in the process, innovative and collaborative action is discouraged.
Speaker: Richard Strankman, MLA for the Drumheller Stettler constituency
Rick Strankman was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in April of 2012 and again in 2015 in the Drumheller Stettler constituency. He was one of only five Wildrose MLAs that did not cross the floor in 2014. Rick has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. He increasingly became involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulations in the agriculture industry, including legislation regarding the CWB in which he played a part, getting it repealed. Rick has recently been encouraged by people from across Alberta to run in the next provincial election as an independent candidate.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019 Time:Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option?
Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else.
It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing.
With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs are eligible for official party status. That impacts research funding, the right to sit on legislative committees and the process of asking questions in the legislature, making it difficult for Independent MLA’s and new political parties to gain influence.
The speakers will elaborate on their own experiences and argue that partisan politics and ideology often gets in the way of good ideas coming to the fore. Too often, they will ague, free thinking MLA’s are “thrown under the bus” for party dissent and in the process, innovative and collaborative action is discouraged.
Speaker: Richard Strankman, MLA for the Drumheller Stettler constituency
Rick Strankman was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in April of 2012 and again in 2015 in the Drumheller Stettler constituency. He was one of only five Wildrose MLAs that did not cross the floor in 2014. Rick has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. He increasingly became involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulations in the agriculture industry, including legislation regarding the CWB in which he played a part, getting it repealed. Rick has recently been encouraged by people from across Alberta to run in the next provincial election as an independent candidate.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019 Time:Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor.
The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families.
If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating sites rather than in-person interviews, but it might also be a good idea to go back to more traditional means. The speaker will talk about her experience with on-line dating and also explain how modern matchmaking can make use of a personal touch along with technology, to be successful.
Speaker: Sandra Juell
Sandra Juell was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León México, in 1969. After getting married, she later divorced and raised her two sons while going to Law School. She also finished a Masters of Education and was a Spanish teacher for over 15 years in Mexico.
Sandra met her Canadian husband online ten years ago and moved to Lethbridge, AB. She worked as an Educational Assistant for 4 years and finished the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lethbridge College. She created the “Forever Love Agency” in 2016 and later opened an office in downtown Lethbridge. Sandra loves what she does, because she wants every single person to find the "Right One", like she did.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor.
The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families.
If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating sites rather than in-person interviews, but it might also be a good idea to go back to more traditional means. The speaker will talk about her experience with on-line dating and also explain how modern matchmaking can make use of a personal touch along with technology, to be successful.
Speaker: Sandra Juell
Sandra Juell was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León México, in 1969. After getting married, she later divorced and raised her two sons while going to Law School. She also finished a Masters of Education and was a Spanish teacher for over 15 years in Mexico.
Sandra met her Canadian husband online ten years ago and moved to Lethbridge, AB. She worked as an Educational Assistant for 4 years and finished the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lethbridge College. She created the “Forever Love Agency” in 2016 and later opened an office in downtown Lethbridge. Sandra loves what she does, because she wants every single person to find the "Right One", like she did.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019.
Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings.
Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge to keep hens. The speaker will elaborate and offer examples of many successful endevours of limited production of eggs, veggies and fruit within cities throughout Canada and indeed the world.
Speaker: Kelti Baird
Kelti is a 2012 graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, her particular focus was architectural history specializing in settlement architecture in Western Canada. She is the founding co-owner of Theoretically Brewing Company, here in the city, as well as an environmental enthusiast.
Kelti’s short time working for Environment Lethbridge, along with interactions with the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and Homestead Show & Market in Fort MacLeod, sprouted an interest in urban agriculture and environmentalism. In September 2018, Kelti introduced a request to City Council for an Urban Hen Pilot project, and is pursuing a change to Bylaw 3383 to allow the same.
Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019.
Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings.
Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge to keep hens. The speaker will elaborate and offer examples of many successful endevours of limited production of eggs, veggies and fruit within cities throughout Canada and indeed the world.
Speaker: Kelti Baird
Kelti is a 2012 graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, her particular focus was architectural history specializing in settlement architecture in Western Canada. She is the founding co-owner of Theoretically Brewing Company, here in the city, as well as an environmental enthusiast.
Kelti’s short time working for Environment Lethbridge, along with interactions with the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and Homestead Show & Market in Fort MacLeod, sprouted an interest in urban agriculture and environmentalism. In September 2018, Kelti introduced a request to City Council for an Urban Hen Pilot project, and is pursuing a change to Bylaw 3383 to allow the same.
Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law.
This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars
Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers
Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy.
Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University. He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nord (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Dr. Byers is the author, most recently, of International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press), which won the 2013 Donner Prize. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, Jan 31, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law.
This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars
Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers
Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy.
Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University. He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nord (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Dr. Byers is the author, most recently, of International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press), which won the 2013 Donner Prize. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, Jan 31, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians.
Speaker: Sandra Azocar
Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012.
Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta’s Public health Care system.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians.
Speaker: Sandra Azocar
Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012.
Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta’s Public health Care system.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of Alberta and the election will prove to be a more important one than the 2015 one was.
Speaker: Hon. Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment, Parks and Climate Change
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 5, 2015 representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks. On February 2, 2016, Ms. Phillips was also named the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, she worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a not for profit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women.
In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta. Together with her two sons Ms. Phillips resides in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, Jan 17, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of Alberta and the election will prove to be a more important one than the 2015 one was.
Speaker: Hon. Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment, Parks and Climate Change
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 5, 2015 representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks. On February 2, 2016, Ms. Phillips was also named the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, she worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a not for profit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women.
In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta. Together with her two sons Ms. Phillips resides in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, Jan 17, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries.
A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more?
These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event.
Speaker: Joe Gunn
Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). He worked in Latin American refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children in Nicaragua. For over ten years, Joe worked with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he developed policy and coordinated work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. He served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace. Joe coordinated the Make Poverty History campaign, and engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy on national and international issues.
After engaging Canadian faith communities in speaking out on climate justice, Joe was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for "exemplary service and commitment to the betterment of the community”. In 2012. In June 2013, He was awarded a "Certificate of Honour" from Development and Peace for "commitment to the cause of social justice and efforts to improve living conditions for the poorest of the poor in the Global South". Saint Paul University granted Joe the Eugène de Mazenod Medal in April, 2017. The Medal “honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of human capital in their community.”
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, Jan 10, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries.
A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more?
These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event.
Speaker: Joe Gunn
Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). He worked in Latin American refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children in Nicaragua. For over ten years, Joe worked with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he developed policy and coordinated work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. He served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace. Joe coordinated the Make Poverty History campaign, and engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy on national and international issues.
After engaging Canadian faith communities in speaking out on climate justice, Joe was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for "exemplary service and commitment to the betterment of the community”. In 2012. In June 2013, He was awarded a "Certificate of Honour" from Development and Peace for "commitment to the cause of social justice and efforts to improve living conditions for the poorest of the poor in the Global South". Saint Paul University granted Joe the Eugène de Mazenod Medal in April, 2017. The Medal “honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of human capital in their community.”
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, Jan 10, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Canine Unit is an integral part of the Lethbridge Police Service. Agility, obedience, tracking, building searches, compound/area searches, evidence searches, criminal apprehension and drug detection are the main components of training a PSD (Police Service Dog) for the Lethbridge Police Service. They provide an element to police work that you can’t get anywhere else and in some cases, the PSD’s have the first interaction with subjects engaging in criminal activity, taking on a dangerous role for their human partners.
Come and learn more about the role the Canine Unit plays within the Lethbridge Police Service, the deep bond and special relationship between the police officer and the dog, and the tremendous amount of training that goes into becoming a police dog and canine officer.
Speaker: Constable James DeMone and PSD Arco
James DeMone played 55 games with the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose in the 2005-06 season, and retired from professional hockey in 2007. He is now in his 11th years as a member of the Lehbridge Police Service and is currently a constable with the LPS Canine Unit.
PSD Arco is a Belgian Malinios who has served the Lethbridge Police along side Cst. DeMone for 7 years.
Moderator: Curtis Goodman
Date: Thursday, Dec 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, followed by Q&A , buffet lunch 1:00 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Since 1982 the Lethbridge Food Bank has been operated in the community of Lethbridge and serving the surrounding area with a “food share” program. Lethbridge, is home to nearly 100,000 people and growing, making the Lethbridge Food Bank an important part of a vibrant community to ensure a food security resource for families in need. As a non-profit organization, donations from individuals and businesses are essential.
During the fall of 2017, The Lethbridge Food Bank, in partnership with My City Care, began the Mindful Munchies program, providing students in need, nutritional food items to help them succeed in the classroom. The program started with 11 schools and agencies and 600 lunches a week. However, within a few months, that number grew to 16 schools/agencies and close to 1,100 lunches a week. As of September 2018, the numbers were 19 schools/agencies with 1400 lunches a week.
Child poverty in Canada is no illusion and Lethbridge Food Bank is trying to help remove barriers to learning by aiding children and youth with food. Within the food bank numbers, out of the approximately 1600 individuals served on a monthly bases, 40% are children. The speaker will detail the myriad of services food banks provide and highlight the need to support children and youth with an opportunity to succeed and for people to support agencies who are investing in children’s future.
Speaker: Maral Kiani Tari
Maral Kiani Tari graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Law & Society and furthered her education at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, completing her Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2014. Mrs. Kiani Tari moved to Lethbridge in fall of 2015 to be closer to her family.
Mrs. Kiani Tari became the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Food Bank on October 17, 2016 and has enjoyed every moment giving back to the community and establishing the lunch program. Christmas is her favorite time of the year and she enjoys every moment of the festive spirit with her husband and beautiful three-year-old daughter named Aurora.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, Dec 13, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Donations of non-perishable food items will gratefully be received by SACPA for Lethbridge food banks
Since 1982 the Lethbridge Food Bank has been operated in the community of Lethbridge and serving the surrounding area with a “food share” program. Lethbridge, is home to nearly 100,000 people and growing, making the Lethbridge Food Bank an important part of a vibrant community to ensure a food security resource for families in need. As a non-profit organization, donations from individuals and businesses are essential.
During the fall of 2017, The Lethbridge Food Bank, in partnership with My City Care, began the Mindful Munchies program, providing students in need, nutritional food items to help them succeed in the classroom. The program started with 11 schools and agencies and 600 lunches a week. However, within a few months, that number grew to 16 schools/agencies and close to 1,100 lunches a week. As of September 2018, the numbers were 19 schools/agencies with 1400 lunches a week.
Child poverty in Canada is no illusion and Lethbridge Food Bank is trying to help remove barriers to learning by aiding children and youth with food. Within the food bank numbers, out of the approximately 1600 individuals served on a monthly bases, 40% are children. The speaker will detail the myriad of services food banks provide and highlight the need to support children and youth with an opportunity to succeed and for people to support agencies who are investing in children’s future.
Speaker: Maral Kiani Tari
Maral Kiani Tari graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Law & Society and furthered her education at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, completing her Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2014. Mrs. Kiani Tari moved to Lethbridge in fall of 2015 to be closer to her family.
Mrs. Kiani Tari became the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Food Bank on October 17, 2016 and has enjoyed every moment giving back to the community and establishing the lunch program. Christmas is her favorite time of the year and she enjoys every moment of the festive spirit with her husband and beautiful three-year-old daughter named Aurora.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, Dec 13, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Donations of non-perishable food items will gratefully be received by SACPA for Lethbridge food banks
The City of Lethbridge use the council-manager form of city government i.e. city council makes laws and broad policy decisions for a city manager and staff to carry out. In other words, under the council-manager form of government a city manager fills the role of chief executive officer (CEO) of the government organization. Like a private sector CEO does for a private company, a city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a city and serves as the chief advisor to city council.
In supervising daily operations of a city, a manager is responsible for effective and efficient government service. All city employees ultimately answer to a city manager and such can hire and fire staff as appropriate and allowable by law. As a council’s chief policy advisor, a city manager can recommend city policy for consideration by council. A manager has a professional obligation to give complete and unbiased information to council. A manager should consult with department heads and the city solicitor to ensure the advice he or she gives is sound.
Bramwell Strain, Lethbridge’s new City Manager, will describe his experience in Lethbridge (so far) followed by an outline of his immediate and future priorities, as well as his vision for the City of Lethbridge.
Speaker: Bramwell Strain, Lethbridge City Manager
In his various roles prior to becoming City Manager in Lethbridge, August 2018, Mr. Strain had direct responsibility for more than 2,000 employees in unionized environments and has overseen public programming and capital budgets of up to $1.8 billion. Since 2016, he served as a deputy minister in the Government of Manitoba in the ministries of infrastructure as well as education, training and immigration.
Previous to 2016, Mr. Strain had a background with the Federal Government serving as Assistant Deputy Minister for Western Economic Diversification, Regional Director General for Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Director General for Service Canada, and Associate Regional Director General for Veterans Affairs.
Moderator: Councillor Jeffrey Coffman
Date: Thursday, Dec 6, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The City of Lethbridge use the council-manager form of city government i.e. city council makes laws and broad policy decisions for a city manager and staff to carry out. In other words, under the council-manager form of government a city manager fills the role of chief executive officer (CEO) of the government organization. Like a private sector CEO does for a private company, a city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a city and serves as the chief advisor to city council.
In supervising daily operations of a city, a manager is responsible for effective and efficient government service. All city employees ultimately answer to a city manager and such can hire and fire staff as appropriate and allowable by law. As a council’s chief policy advisor, a city manager can recommend city policy for consideration by council. A manager has a professional obligation to give complete and unbiased information to council. A manager should consult with department heads and the city solicitor to ensure the advice he or she gives is sound.
Bramwell Strain, Lethbridge’s new City Manager, will describe his experience in Lethbridge (so far) followed by an outline of his immediate and future priorities, as well as his vision for the City of Lethbridge.
Speaker: Bramwell Strain, Lethbridge City Manager
In his various roles prior to becoming City Manager in Lethbridge, August 2018, Mr. Strain had direct responsibility for more than 2,000 employees in unionized environments and has overseen public programming and capital budgets of up to $1.8 billion. Since 2016, he served as a deputy minister in the Government of Manitoba in the ministries of infrastructure as well as education, training and immigration.
Previous to 2016, Mr. Strain had a background with the Federal Government serving as Assistant Deputy Minister for Western Economic Diversification, Regional Director General for Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Director General for Service Canada, and Associate Regional Director General for Veterans Affairs.
Moderator: Councillor Jeffrey Coffman
Date: Thursday, Dec 6, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Many Albertan worry about public spending, deficits and a growing debt. Does balancing the books in Alberta hinge on building pipelines to tidewater or are there other ways to achieve that goal? Are the present provincial Government’s budget predictions unrealistic? The speaker will articulate his and the Alberta Liberal Party views on deficits, pipelines, economic development, opioids and Alberta politics.
David Kahn will further talk about his vision for the Alberta Liberals and argue that corporate and union donations to PACs should be barred, restrictions on out-of-province donations and setting donation limits for individuals. Donations to PACs above $250 and PAC expenditures should be made transparent to the public. He will further contend that Alberta’s Government has a golden opportunity to be a national leader in democratic accountability and electoral finance reforms by implementing these recommendation.
Speaker: David Kahn, Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
David Khan was elected Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party in June 2017. He believes strongly in the liberal values of individual rights and freedoms, equality of opportunity for all, and fairness for future generations in fiscal, economic, and environmental terms. David is committed to building a sustainable forward-looking economy that will serve us today and tomorrow. Since becoming Leader David has consistently highlighted the inadequate response of the NDP government to the economic challenges facing Alberta. He has been in the forefront of the fight to get dark money out of politics and bring greater regulation to Political Action Committees and he has championed several other important issues such as the critical situation facing EMS and Red Alerts, Special Needs Education Supports and the Opioid Crisis.
David was born and raised in Calgary. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia and a Juris Doctor degree in Law from the University of Toronto. He studied international and European human rights and constitutional law at Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, and French at l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) in Chicoutimi, Québec. David is fluent in both English and French. Currently, as a lawyer licensed in Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, David practises primarily in the field of Indigenous rights and land claims. He has represented clients at all levels of court in numerous Canadian jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal, and superior and appellate courts in numerous provinces, as well as before regulatory and administrative tribunals and in private arbitrations.
Moderator: Susan Giffen
Date: Thursday, Nov 29, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Many Albertan worry about public spending, deficits and a growing debt. Does balancing the books in Alberta hinge on building pipelines to tidewater or are there other ways to achieve that goal? Are the present provincial Government’s budget predictions unrealistic? The speaker will articulate his and the Alberta Liberal Party views on deficits, pipelines, economic development, opioids and Alberta politics.
David Kahn will further talk about his vision for the Alberta Liberals and argue that corporate and union donations to PACs should be barred, restrictions on out-of-province donations and setting donation limits for individuals. Donations to PACs above $250 and PAC expenditures should be made transparent to the public. He will further contend that Alberta’s Government has a golden opportunity to be a national leader in democratic accountability and electoral finance reforms by implementing these recommendation.
Speaker: David Kahn, Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party
David Khan was elected Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party in June 2017. He believes strongly in the liberal values of individual rights and freedoms, equality of opportunity for all, and fairness for future generations in fiscal, economic, and environmental terms. David is committed to building a sustainable forward-looking economy that will serve us today and tomorrow. Since becoming Leader David has consistently highlighted the inadequate response of the NDP government to the economic challenges facing Alberta. He has been in the forefront of the fight to get dark money out of politics and bring greater regulation to Political Action Committees and he has championed several other important issues such as the critical situation facing EMS and Red Alerts, Special Needs Education Supports and the Opioid Crisis.
David was born and raised in Calgary. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia and a Juris Doctor degree in Law from the University of Toronto. He studied international and European human rights and constitutional law at Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, and French at l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) in Chicoutimi, Québec. David is fluent in both English and French. Currently, as a lawyer licensed in Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, David practises primarily in the field of Indigenous rights and land claims. He has represented clients at all levels of court in numerous Canadian jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal, and superior and appellate courts in numerous provinces, as well as before regulatory and administrative tribunals and in private arbitrations.
Moderator: Susan Giffen
Date: Thursday, Nov 29, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
For 120 years, the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has provided programming and facilities focused on agricultural, social, entertainment, cultural and economic needs of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Over this time the population of the area has increased dramatically and while facilities/programming have been added at Exhibition Park trying to keep pace, arguably, present buildings are old and inadequate.
The Board of Directors of Lethbridge & District Exhibition approved an exciting new development plan for Exhibition Park. This plan represents 3 years of comprehensive examination which included a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and finally a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment.
Along with conceptual designs of a new Trade Centre, the redevelopment plan contains a thoroughly vetted business case which demonstrates long term sustainability. The speakers will contend that the next step of the plan involves community engagement and gathering letters of support for the project and that success will ultimately depend on funding support from all three levels of government.
Speakers: Rudy Friesen and Michael Wuchterl
Rudy Friesen was raised on a farm south of Saskatoon. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, his career in the exhibition industry began in Saskatoon as Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager in 1993. He served as President of the Board of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions in 1995/96. In 1999, Rudy moved to the Swift Current Exhibition as General Manager and in 2002 he became General Manager at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, a position he still holds today.
Michael Wuchterl was born and raised in Edmonton, AB. He played hockey in the WHL from 2003-08 with the Silvertips, Giants and Hurricanes. Mike won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007 and then moved on to play with University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, where he suffered a career ending injury. From then on, Mike transitioned into working as a business professional in marketing and promotions with Clear Sky Radio in Lethbridge. In 2015, he became Supervisor of Marketing & Sales at Exhibition Park.
Moderator: Taren Hager
Date: Monday, Nov 26, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Exhibition Park, Main Pavillion Saddle Room, 3401 Parkside Drive South Lethbridge Cost: $10 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Many thanks to Exhibition Park for kindly donating the lunch making it possible for SACPA to charge a minimal $10 per person, which in turn will support SACPA’s annual Xmas donation to community groups. SACPA will donate the total amount to the Lethbridge’s food banks Christmas Food Hamper program.
For 120 years, the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has provided programming and facilities focused on agricultural, social, entertainment, cultural and economic needs of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Over this time the population of the area has increased dramatically and while facilities/programming have been added at Exhibition Park trying to keep pace, arguably, present buildings are old and inadequate.
The Board of Directors of Lethbridge & District Exhibition approved an exciting new development plan for Exhibition Park. This plan represents 3 years of comprehensive examination which included a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and finally a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment.
Along with conceptual designs of a new Trade Centre, the redevelopment plan contains a thoroughly vetted business case which demonstrates long term sustainability. The speakers will contend that the next step of the plan involves community engagement and gathering letters of support for the project and that success will ultimately depend on funding support from all three levels of government.
Speakers: Rudy Friesen and Michael Wuchterl
Rudy Friesen was raised on a farm south of Saskatoon. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, his career in the exhibition industry began in Saskatoon as Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager in 1993. He served as President of the Board of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions in 1995/96. In 1999, Rudy moved to the Swift Current Exhibition as General Manager and in 2002 he became General Manager at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, a position he still holds today.
Michael Wuchterl was born and raised in Edmonton, AB. He played hockey in the WHL from 2003-08 with the Silvertips, Giants and Hurricanes. Mike won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007 and then moved on to play with University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, where he suffered a career ending injury. From then on, Mike transitioned into working as a business professional in marketing and promotions with Clear Sky Radio in Lethbridge. In 2015, he became Supervisor of Marketing & Sales at Exhibition Park.
Moderator: Taren Hager
Date: Monday, Nov 26, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Exhibition Park, Main Pavillion Saddle Room, 3401 Parkside Drive South Lethbridge Cost: $10 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Many thanks to Exhibition Park for kindly donating the lunch making it possible for SACPA to charge a minimal $10 per person, which in turn will support SACPA’s annual Xmas donation to community groups. SACPA will donate the total amount to the Lethbridge’s food banks Christmas Food Hamper program.
Grieving the loss or change of a cherished natural space has not always been recognized as a true form of grieving. For example, the grief First Nations Peoples in USA and Canada experienced after losing their way of life in the wake of colonization, was generally not recognized as ecological grief.
Wildfires and summers filled with smoke, devastating floods and subtle changes in the seasons seems to be the new normal and following recent IPCC reports, ecological grief is now starting to become recognized as a legitimate form of mourning and anxiety. But like all forms of grief, ecological grief is personal, unique and often does not follow a logical pattern.
The speakers will argue that recognizing and working with ecological grief is an experience familiar to many, but is only now beginning to be understood. How to connect the dots is a work in progress with a multitude of nuances. Grieving a loss of natural space or build environment may or may not be similar to other forms of personal loss.
Speakers: Amy Spark and Jodi Lammiman
Amy Spark is an environmental scientist and advocate focused on the intersection between ecological and mental health. Her research in the Ghost River Valley highlighted patterns of ecological grief – the emotional experience after the loss of cherished natural spaces. She loves her work as the Sustainability Coordinator at Bow Valley College, where she collaborates on environmental solutions that also aid in social cohesion and well-being. She is an amateur urban homesteader, budding writer, and lover of all things X-files. You will usually find her happily exploring Calgary by bike or digging into a good book.
Jodi Lammiman is a lover of life, beauty, art, stimulating conversation and wilderness spaces. With a formal education in Sacred Literature, Leadership and Spiritual Direction, Jodi became interested in the intersections between social and environmental justice, spirituality and the human psyche. She lived and worked in an intentional retreat community for four years where she was immersed in the practices of hospitality, active listening and contemplative living. She is a spiritual director, retreats facilitator, and an avid reader.
Moderator: Kristina Larkin
Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Grieving the loss or change of a cherished natural space has not always been recognized as a true form of grieving. For example, the grief First Nations Peoples in USA and Canada experienced after losing their way of life in the wake of colonization, was generally not recognized as ecological grief.
Wildfires and summers filled with smoke, devastating floods and subtle changes in the seasons seems to be the new normal and following recent IPCC reports, ecological grief is now starting to become recognized as a legitimate form of mourning and anxiety. But like all forms of grief, ecological grief is personal, unique and often does not follow a logical pattern.
The speakers will argue that recognizing and working with ecological grief is an experience familiar to many, but is only now beginning to be understood. How to connect the dots is a work in progress with a multitude of nuances. Grieving a loss of natural space or build environment may or may not be similar to other forms of personal loss.
Speakers: Amy Spark and Jodi Lammiman
Amy Spark is an environmental scientist and advocate focused on the intersection between ecological and mental health. Her research in the Ghost River Valley highlighted patterns of ecological grief – the emotional experience after the loss of cherished natural spaces. She loves her work as the Sustainability Coordinator at Bow Valley College, where she collaborates on environmental solutions that also aid in social cohesion and well-being. She is an amateur urban homesteader, budding writer, and lover of all things X-files. You will usually find her happily exploring Calgary by bike or digging into a good book.
Jodi Lammiman is a lover of life, beauty, art, stimulating conversation and wilderness spaces. With a formal education in Sacred Literature, Leadership and Spiritual Direction, Jodi became interested in the intersections between social and environmental justice, spirituality and the human psyche. She lived and worked in an intentional retreat community for four years where she was immersed in the practices of hospitality, active listening and contemplative living. She is a spiritual director, retreats facilitator, and an avid reader.
Moderator: Kristina Larkin
Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In March 2018, the City of Lethbridge Community Social Development (CSD) Business Unit launched a Strategic Planning Initiative that will provide the comprehensive research-based social assessment required to identify Lethbridge’s priority social issues, identify Lethbridge’s range of social supports and services, bring this information to community, and inform the revisions of the City’s CSD’s 5 Year strategic plan. Project completion is targeted for early 2019, and will support the development of the City of Lethbridge 2019-20 CBO Service Delivery Plan.
The speakers will outline what priorities are important for the City of Lethbridge in terms of Community Social Development and as well, about the trends throughout Alberta, and what the pressure points on communities look like on a broader scale. They will share the Lethbridge map of social assets and services currently in development, and ask the audience to share their perspectives on social challenges and potential solutions.
Speakers: Dr. Alina Turner, Kimberly Lyall and Michael Boh
Alina is recognized as a leading researcher and thinker on social issues with proven implementation results. Her work on system planning is recognized as a leading practice and often called upon as a model across communities. Her drive and passion for this work is grounded in her lived experience of the social issues she continues to challenge in her professional work. Alina is a Fellow at The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary and serves on HomeSpace's Board of Directors as Chair of the Governance Committee. She recently joined the Alberta Rural Development Rural Advisory Board on housing and homelessness.
Kimberly is a visionary business leader who’s able to inspire and motivate, and who faces adversity with determination. Her corporate experience includes extensive work in tourism marketing and development, not-for-profit organization management, business consultation and community development. Her strengths are in strategic planning, communications, and sustainable development. She has managed several award-winnig projects including the Coyote Flats Oral History Project. In addition to consulting Kimberly is a motivational speaker, and an instructor for Lethbridge College Corporate and Continuing Education. Kimberly was named a Lethbridge YWCA Young Woman of Distinction in 2000.
Michael has been an engineer with the City of Lethbridge for nearly a decade since returning with his family to his hometown of Lethbridge. Michael began work in the Infrastructure Department before ultimately moving to Community Services where, as a Project Engineer, he currently leads and supports various Community Services Projects and initiatives, including the Lethbridge Asset Mapping Project. Michael’s passion for the community of Lethbridge extends into his volunteer work, such as Project Management of École Agnes Davidson’s Dragon Park, Lethbridge’s largest playground, as well as past and present seats on various community boards such as the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, Nov 15, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In March 2018, the City of Lethbridge Community Social Development (CSD) Business Unit launched a Strategic Planning Initiative that will provide the comprehensive research-based social assessment required to identify Lethbridge’s priority social issues, identify Lethbridge’s range of social supports and services, bring this information to community, and inform the revisions of the City’s CSD’s 5 Year strategic plan. Project completion is targeted for early 2019, and will support the development of the City of Lethbridge 2019-20 CBO Service Delivery Plan.
The speakers will outline what priorities are important for the City of Lethbridge in terms of Community Social Development and as well, about the trends throughout Alberta, and what the pressure points on communities look like on a broader scale. They will share the Lethbridge map of social assets and services currently in development, and ask the audience to share their perspectives on social challenges and potential solutions.
Speakers: Dr. Alina Turner, Kimberly Lyall and Michael Boh
Alina is recognized as a leading researcher and thinker on social issues with proven implementation results. Her work on system planning is recognized as a leading practice and often called upon as a model across communities. Her drive and passion for this work is grounded in her lived experience of the social issues she continues to challenge in her professional work. Alina is a Fellow at The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary and serves on HomeSpace's Board of Directors as Chair of the Governance Committee. She recently joined the Alberta Rural Development Rural Advisory Board on housing and homelessness.
Kimberly is a visionary business leader who’s able to inspire and motivate, and who faces adversity with determination. Her corporate experience includes extensive work in tourism marketing and development, not-for-profit organization management, business consultation and community development. Her strengths are in strategic planning, communications, and sustainable development. She has managed several award-winnig projects including the Coyote Flats Oral History Project. In addition to consulting Kimberly is a motivational speaker, and an instructor for Lethbridge College Corporate and Continuing Education. Kimberly was named a Lethbridge YWCA Young Woman of Distinction in 2000.
Michael has been an engineer with the City of Lethbridge for nearly a decade since returning with his family to his hometown of Lethbridge. Michael began work in the Infrastructure Department before ultimately moving to Community Services where, as a Project Engineer, he currently leads and supports various Community Services Projects and initiatives, including the Lethbridge Asset Mapping Project. Michael’s passion for the community of Lethbridge extends into his volunteer work, such as Project Management of École Agnes Davidson’s Dragon Park, Lethbridge’s largest playground, as well as past and present seats on various community boards such as the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, Nov 15, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
It can be argued there are Polite Crimes versus Impolite Crimes, Visible Crimes versus Invisible Crimes, and Crimes we can openly discuss, versus Crimes that cannot be discussed. Some crimes we intentionally ignore and instead blame the victims.
Twice recently, the speaker heard the quote, “We cannot arrest our way out of the addiction problems in Southern Alberta”, once by the Chief of Police and recently repeated by an emergency room physician speaking to SACPA. It could be said that "society doesn’t die because we can’t arrest all the criminals at the bottom, rather, society dies because we rarely arrest any criminals at the top."
The speaker will follow that analogy and connect some dots between social and mental stress, illness, addiction, and corporate power or capitalism's contribution to the problems. This talk will focus upon hidden systemic financial crime that regulators (and polite society) are unwilling or unable to discuss, and the “trickle down” effect upon society.
Speaker: Larry Elford
Larry worked inside the investment industry from 1984 to 2004 and has since testified as an expert to four legislative/parliamentary committees on Finance, Justice and Human Rights. In 2009, he produced a documentary film about the unique violence of systemic white collar crime. It is titled “Breach of Trust”.
In 2018 he published a non-fiction book, “About Your Financial Murder”, which described hidden financial industry practices which serve to unjustly enrich corporations, while harming the public. The book outlines specific, hidden harms to society roughly equivalent to the financial harm done by all measured crimes in the land.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, Nov 8, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
It can be argued there are Polite Crimes versus Impolite Crimes, Visible Crimes versus Invisible Crimes, and Crimes we can openly discuss, versus Crimes that cannot be discussed. Some crimes we intentionally ignore and instead blame the victims.
Twice recently, the speaker heard the quote, “We cannot arrest our way out of the addiction problems in Southern Alberta”, once by the Chief of Police and recently repeated by an emergency room physician speaking to SACPA. It could be said that "society doesn’t die because we can’t arrest all the criminals at the bottom, rather, society dies because we rarely arrest any criminals at the top."
The speaker will follow that analogy and connect some dots between social and mental stress, illness, addiction, and corporate power or capitalism's contribution to the problems. This talk will focus upon hidden systemic financial crime that regulators (and polite society) are unwilling or unable to discuss, and the “trickle down” effect upon society.
Speaker: Larry Elford
Larry worked inside the investment industry from 1984 to 2004 and has since testified as an expert to four legislative/parliamentary committees on Finance, Justice and Human Rights. In 2009, he produced a documentary film about the unique violence of systemic white collar crime. It is titled “Breach of Trust”.
In 2018 he published a non-fiction book, “About Your Financial Murder”, which described hidden financial industry practices which serve to unjustly enrich corporations, while harming the public. The book outlines specific, hidden harms to society roughly equivalent to the financial harm done by all measured crimes in the land.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, Nov 8, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or the ex-gay movement, is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from queer (used here as an umbrella term for members of the LGBTQ+ rainbow) to heterosexual using psychological, physical, and/or spiritual interventions. Examples of this range from ‘talk therapy,’ to, on the extreme end, rape.
Historically, lobotomies and electroshock treatments were utilized, among others. To date, only the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba—by legal statute and health regulation, respectively—have made any effort to ban conversion therapy in Canada. The City of Vancouver, in early 2018, also banned the practice within city limits, becoming the first Canadian city to do so.
Speakers: Devon Hargreaves and Jenn Takahashi
Devon Heargreaves is a leader in the not for profit sector, expert in marketing, and a representative for an international company. His talents and interests are varied; from LGBTQIA+ visibility to mental health and student advocacy, to having worked as campaign manager in municipal politics or serving the needs of those with special needs, I am passionate about whatever I put my hands to. Devon is the host of YQL ExPress on Jess fm, Co-President of the YQueerL Society for Change, and Immediate past Chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest.
Jenn Takahashi is the Administrative Director of Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for undergraduate students to engage with environmental and social justice issues. She is committed to supporting and growing the community through volunteering and social activism. In her spare time Jenn is often found on secondary highways late at night chasing the Aurora. One of her favorite things about living in southern Alberta is the changing weather and brilliant night skies.
Moderator: Kari Tanaki
Date: Thursday, Nov 1, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or the ex-gay movement, is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from queer (used here as an umbrella term for members of the LGBTQ+ rainbow) to heterosexual using psychological, physical, and/or spiritual interventions. Examples of this range from ‘talk therapy,’ to, on the extreme end, rape.
Historically, lobotomies and electroshock treatments were utilized, among others. To date, only the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba—by legal statute and health regulation, respectively—have made any effort to ban conversion therapy in Canada. The City of Vancouver, in early 2018, also banned the practice within city limits, becoming the first Canadian city to do so.
Speakers: Devon Hargreaves and Jenn Takahashi
Devon Heargreaves is a leader in the not for profit sector, expert in marketing, and a representative for an international company. His talents and interests are varied; from LGBTQIA+ visibility to mental health and student advocacy, to having worked as campaign manager in municipal politics or serving the needs of those with special needs, I am passionate about whatever I put my hands to. Devon is the host of YQL ExPress on Jess fm, Co-President of the YQueerL Society for Change, and Immediate past Chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest.
Jenn Takahashi is the Administrative Director of Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for undergraduate students to engage with environmental and social justice issues. She is committed to supporting and growing the community through volunteering and social activism. In her spare time Jenn is often found on secondary highways late at night chasing the Aurora. One of her favorite things about living in southern Alberta is the changing weather and brilliant night skies.
Moderator: Kari Tanaki
Date: Thursday, Nov 1, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The last minute new trade agreement among Mexico, Canada and the United States, the so-called USMCA, made headlines in late September. But beneath those headlines, the difference the agreement could mean for those countries are likely to be minimal. The difficult negotiating issues – Canada’s dairy market/supply management, intellectual property, and the dispute settlement mechanism between member countries as well as investors - have been controversial since the inception of NAFTA in 1994 and even earlier
It’s not uncommon for politicians to rebrand existing trade deals, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that President Trump wanted to call the new agreement USMCA. While little has changed, it’s far more eye-catching to announce a brand-new agreement, rather than to work within the confines of existing agreements. Signing ceremonies and new acronyms stick in voters’ minds longer than simply tinkering with an agreement that already is in place—even if the new agreement only includes minor changes.
How will Canada’s dairy farmers and auto workers be affected by the new deal? Was dispute settlement and intellectual property protected? And could the agreement limit Canada’s ability to negotiate trade deal with other nations, for example China? The speaker will draw attention to what sets apart USMCA from NAFTA and speculate on the long term consequences of the agreement.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha
Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt).
Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The last minute new trade agreement among Mexico, Canada and the United States, the so-called USMCA, made headlines in late September. But beneath those headlines, the difference the agreement could mean for those countries are likely to be minimal. The difficult negotiating issues – Canada’s dairy market/supply management, intellectual property, and the dispute settlement mechanism between member countries as well as investors - have been controversial since the inception of NAFTA in 1994 and even earlier
It’s not uncommon for politicians to rebrand existing trade deals, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that President Trump wanted to call the new agreement USMCA. While little has changed, it’s far more eye-catching to announce a brand-new agreement, rather than to work within the confines of existing agreements. Signing ceremonies and new acronyms stick in voters’ minds longer than simply tinkering with an agreement that already is in place—even if the new agreement only includes minor changes.
How will Canada’s dairy farmers and auto workers be affected by the new deal? Was dispute settlement and intellectual property protected? And could the agreement limit Canada’s ability to negotiate trade deal with other nations, for example China? The speaker will draw attention to what sets apart USMCA from NAFTA and speculate on the long term consequences of the agreement.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha
Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt).
Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
With 260 km/h maximum sustained wind speeds, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica on September 18, 2017, causing mass destruction and directly affecting some 73,000 people (the entire population). Sixty-five deaths in Dominica were attributed to Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure - including schools, hospitals, electrical lines, houses, public buildings and government offices, and private structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods - was significantly damaged. Beyond the immediate impact in Dominica, the 2017 hurricane season highlighted existing gaps in the overall disaster preparedness and resilience levels - as well as forcing queries on north/south responsibilities.
Mr. Hypolite and his school, Castle Bruce Secondary School, survived Maria – the tenth most intensive Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the results and challenges, including on the education system, were dramatic. Not only were buildings fully lost or significantly damaged, virtually all educational resources were consumed by Maria and its aftermath.
The IT for Dominica Foundation (www.itfordominica.com), an Alberta-based program has been working with the Miinstry of Education in the Commonwealth of Dominica for nearly 20 years supporting educators in integrating information technology (IT) into classroom settings. This has occurred through provision of technologies (in the early 2000s), installation, technical supports, and professional development. The program has recently increased its efforts in the interest of student learning post Hurricane Maria.
Hurricane Maria has highlighted key questions, “What is our responsibility as northern neighbours – and possibly as creators of global warming/climate change – in supporting southern neighbours who face the wrath of warming ocean temperatures?” The speakers will address the issues at hand.
Speakers: Steve Hypolite and Maurice Hollingsworth
Steve Hypolite is Principal of Castle Bruce Secondary School, one of fifteen secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Dominica. His progressive approaches to school leadership has led to implementing change through UNICEF’s Child Friendly School (CFS) and he is now working closely with the IT for Dominica Foundation and the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education. Mr Hypolite hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration (UWI 2010) and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership (UWI 2016).
Maurice Hollingsworth completed his Ph.D. in information technology in education and has worked throughout the education system - K-12 teacher, district administrator, provincial advisor and university faculty member - bringing meaning to learning technologies in classrooms. He is President of the IT for Dominca Foundation and has led IT for Dominica for the past 19 years.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
With 260 km/h maximum sustained wind speeds, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica on September 18, 2017, causing mass destruction and directly affecting some 73,000 people (the entire population). Sixty-five deaths in Dominica were attributed to Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure - including schools, hospitals, electrical lines, houses, public buildings and government offices, and private structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods - was significantly damaged. Beyond the immediate impact in Dominica, the 2017 hurricane season highlighted existing gaps in the overall disaster preparedness and resilience levels - as well as forcing queries on north/south responsibilities.
Mr. Hypolite and his school, Castle Bruce Secondary School, survived Maria – the tenth most intensive Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the results and challenges, including on the education system, were dramatic. Not only were buildings fully lost or significantly damaged, virtually all educational resources were consumed by Maria and its aftermath.
The IT for Dominica Foundation (www.itfordominica.com), an Alberta-based program has been working with the Miinstry of Education in the Commonwealth of Dominica for nearly 20 years supporting educators in integrating information technology (IT) into classroom settings. This has occurred through provision of technologies (in the early 2000s), installation, technical supports, and professional development. The program has recently increased its efforts in the interest of student learning post Hurricane Maria.
Hurricane Maria has highlighted key questions, “What is our responsibility as northern neighbours – and possibly as creators of global warming/climate change – in supporting southern neighbours who face the wrath of warming ocean temperatures?” The speakers will address the issues at hand.
Speakers: Steve Hypolite and Maurice Hollingsworth
Steve Hypolite is Principal of Castle Bruce Secondary School, one of fifteen secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Dominica. His progressive approaches to school leadership has led to implementing change through UNICEF’s Child Friendly School (CFS) and he is now working closely with the IT for Dominica Foundation and the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education. Mr Hypolite hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration (UWI 2010) and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership (UWI 2016).
Maurice Hollingsworth completed his Ph.D. in information technology in education and has worked throughout the education system - K-12 teacher, district administrator, provincial advisor and university faculty member - bringing meaning to learning technologies in classrooms. He is President of the IT for Dominca Foundation and has led IT for Dominica for the past 19 years.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
What will it take to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Why did the peace negotiations fail? Is the Palestine-Israel conflict beyond a negotiated solution? Is it time for a new approach? In this talk, Mark Ayyash will give the history of the conflict and Fuad Abboud will talk about Israeli law and how it has impacted the Palestinians.
During more than twenty years of peace negotiations, not much have been accomplished. Through it all, Israeli settlements has escalated on occupied land and many Palestinian political adversaries are held behind bars. Palestinian rights – including Palestinian refugees’ right to return – are no closer to implementation. Arguably, conditions in the Gaza Strip can be likened to a prison camp with Israel controlling access from land, sea and air.
It can also be argued that Jews for centuries have been subjected to Anti-Semitic sentiments all over the world, but particulary in Europe, which has created a deep felt fear. Such Jewish fear is real and has been even more deeply felt since the Pogroms and the Holocaust and as such, Israel feels the need to exert its power on anyone standing in their way. This sad reality will have to be addressed in the context of negotiating for peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Speakers: Fuad Abboud and Mark Ayyash
Fuad Abboud was born in Haifa, Palestine. His family fled to Lebanon during the fighting in 1948 and grew up as a Refugee in Lebanon. He studied law at UBC and practiced law in Calgary until retirement. He lives in Calgary.
Mark Ayyash is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the John de Chastelain Peace Studies Initiative at Mount Royal University. He teaches and writes in the areas of social and political theory, the study of violence, decolonial movements, as well as culture and politics in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the Palestinian-Israeli struggle. He has published several academic articles and has a co-edited book on Protests and Generations. His forthcoming book is titled A Hermeneutics of Violence. In his capacity as Director of Peace Studies, Mark oversees and organizes the Annual Calgary Peace Prize Ceremony.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
What will it take to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Why did the peace negotiations fail? Is the Palestine-Israel conflict beyond a negotiated solution? Is it time for a new approach? In this talk, Mark Ayyash will give the history of the conflict and Fuad Abboud will talk about Israeli law and how it has impacted the Palestinians.
During more than twenty years of peace negotiations, not much have been accomplished. Through it all, Israeli settlements has escalated on occupied land and many Palestinian political adversaries are held behind bars. Palestinian rights – including Palestinian refugees’ right to return – are no closer to implementation. Arguably, conditions in the Gaza Strip can be likened to a prison camp with Israel controlling access from land, sea and air.
It can also be argued that Jews for centuries have been subjected to Anti-Semitic sentiments all over the world, but particulary in Europe, which has created a deep felt fear. Such Jewish fear is real and has been even more deeply felt since the Pogroms and the Holocaust and as such, Israel feels the need to exert its power on anyone standing in their way. This sad reality will have to be addressed in the context of negotiating for peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Speakers: Fuad Abboud and Mark Ayyash
Fuad Abboud was born in Haifa, Palestine. His family fled to Lebanon during the fighting in 1948 and grew up as a Refugee in Lebanon. He studied law at UBC and practiced law in Calgary until retirement. He lives in Calgary.
Mark Ayyash is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the John de Chastelain Peace Studies Initiative at Mount Royal University. He teaches and writes in the areas of social and political theory, the study of violence, decolonial movements, as well as culture and politics in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the Palestinian-Israeli struggle. He has published several academic articles and has a co-edited book on Protests and Generations. His forthcoming book is titled A Hermeneutics of Violence. In his capacity as Director of Peace Studies, Mark oversees and organizes the Annual Calgary Peace Prize Ceremony.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, October 11, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
As our city continues to grapple with a growing crisis of drug abuse and seeks solutions to address addiction and its associated negative effects on the community, it may be helpful to take a step back and review some of the root causes of addiction and why this insidious disease is so challenging to treat. From the perspective of someone who has worked in the local emergency department during the onset and evolution of the current opioid crisis, we look at some of the challenges experienced and insights gained in working with this high-risk population. Recurrent patterns of self-destructive behavior in the face of compounding negative personal consequences underscores the impaired ability to make rational choices that is the hallmark of addiction. The collateral effects of all manner of substance addictions continue to cause tremendous harm to users, their families, and the surrounding community, both in visibly drug abusing populations, and in those with a less visible substance abuse problem. Understanding the factors that predispose to addiction and the personal and socioeconomic conditions that impair efforts for meaningful recovery can point towards paradigms to guide future community-based approaches to managing this complex and pervasive problem. Negative impacts on the community such as crime, violence and discarded drug paraphernalia can be seen in this context as symptoms of the greater problem that cannot be adequately addressed without a concerted effort to tackle the underlying contributors to addiction and barriers to recovery. This will continue to require the cooperative efforts of multiple community stake holders, levels of government, local experts in their respective fields and will not come with quick or simple solutions.
Speakers: Dr. Sean Wilde MD, CCFP-EM
Sean Wilde grew up in small town central Alberta, and later moved to Lethbridge where he began university studies and met his future wife. He graduated from U of L in 2003 with a degree in biochemistry, and later attended medical school at University of Calgary, graduating in the class of 2009. He completed family medicine residency training in U of C's Rural Family Medicine program, where he trained in Lethbridge and several surrounding rural communities. This was followed by one year of additional residency training in Emergency Medicine in the City of Calgary. He currently works in the Emergency Department at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge where he has been working since July of 2012. He lives in Lethbridge with his wife and three children who keep him busy when he is not working.
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
As our city continues to grapple with a growing crisis of drug abuse and seeks solutions to address addiction and its associated negative effects on the community, it may be helpful to take a step back and review some of the root causes of addiction and why this insidious disease is so challenging to treat. From the perspective of someone who has worked in the local emergency department during the onset and evolution of the current opioid crisis, we look at some of the challenges experienced and insights gained in working with this high-risk population. Recurrent patterns of self-destructive behavior in the face of compounding negative personal consequences underscores the impaired ability to make rational choices that is the hallmark of addiction. The collateral effects of all manner of substance addictions continue to cause tremendous harm to users, their families, and the surrounding community, both in visibly drug abusing populations, and in those with a less visible substance abuse problem. Understanding the factors that predispose to addiction and the personal and socioeconomic conditions that impair efforts for meaningful recovery can point towards paradigms to guide future community-based approaches to managing this complex and pervasive problem. Negative impacts on the community such as crime, violence and discarded drug paraphernalia can be seen in this context as symptoms of the greater problem that cannot be adequately addressed without a concerted effort to tackle the underlying contributors to addiction and barriers to recovery. This will continue to require the cooperative efforts of multiple community stake holders, levels of government, local experts in their respective fields and will not come with quick or simple solutions.
Speakers: Dr. Sean Wilde MD, CCFP-EM
Sean Wilde grew up in small town central Alberta, and later moved to Lethbridge where he began university studies and met his future wife. He graduated from U of L in 2003 with a degree in biochemistry, and later attended medical school at University of Calgary, graduating in the class of 2009. He completed family medicine residency training in U of C's Rural Family Medicine program, where he trained in Lethbridge and several surrounding rural communities. This was followed by one year of additional residency training in Emergency Medicine in the City of Calgary. He currently works in the Emergency Department at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge where he has been working since July of 2012. He lives in Lethbridge with his wife and three children who keep him busy when he is not working.
Moderator: Mark Goettel
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Divorce is hard. It just is. Even an amicable divorce is a traumatic experience – and where conflict exists, that trauma is magnified. What “was” no longer “is”, and what tomorrow brings is uncertain and frightening – for both parties. So, then, what to do? Well, keeping in mind that no divorce is easy, there are a few tips than can help you move from a difficult past and present to a less difficult and frightening tomorrow. With that in mind, in 32 years of divorce work, and the speaker having gone through a divorce himself, there are tips to help you move from where you are, to where you may want to be collaboratively.
If you have children, allow them to be free to love both their parents. Nothing is worse than submitting your children to a high conflict divorce between their parents and sending them a message that they are not free to love both their parents equally. This can be difficult and it can be tempting to want to “hold on to” your children, and fear separation from them – even for brief periods of time.
If children experience joy with the other parent, encourage those feelings and congratulate yourself on allowing them that opportunity – because not every child gets that chance. Its important to deal with your angst or anger on your own, with supportive friends, or a counselor out of the children’s presence the speakers will argue. They will futher describe how an ugly divorce conflict can severely damage children.
Speakers: Robert Harvie, Cyndi Starzyk-Frey and Harvey Labuhn
Robert Harvie has practiced law in Lethbridge for the past 27 years since graduating with a law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1985. He practices solely in the area of Family Law Litigation and Family Law Dispute Resolution with emphasis on Property and Financial Disputes. Rob’s past practice in Real Estate and Commercial/Corporate transactions has contributed to his expertise in dealing with these disputes
Cyndi Starzyk-Frey, M.Ed., R.S.W. has been a Child and Family Therapist in Lethbridge for over 18 years. She is a trained Child Specialist/Parenting Coach in the Collaborative Divorce Model and is a member of the Lethbridge Collaborative Divorce Group. Cyndi is a Psychology/Sociology instructor at Lethbridge College
Harvey Labuhn is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator with over 35 years of public accounting experience. He has extensive experience as a financial professional in Collaborative Divorce. Primary areas of expertise include valuation of companies, calculation of settlement structures and of guideline income. Strong record of success in achieving settlements that avoids the need to go to court.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Divorce is hard. It just is. Even an amicable divorce is a traumatic experience – and where conflict exists, that trauma is magnified. What “was” no longer “is”, and what tomorrow brings is uncertain and frightening – for both parties. So, then, what to do? Well, keeping in mind that no divorce is easy, there are a few tips than can help you move from a difficult past and present to a less difficult and frightening tomorrow. With that in mind, in 32 years of divorce work, and the speaker having gone through a divorce himself, there are tips to help you move from where you are, to where you may want to be collaboratively.
If you have children, allow them to be free to love both their parents. Nothing is worse than submitting your children to a high conflict divorce between their parents and sending them a message that they are not free to love both their parents equally. This can be difficult and it can be tempting to want to “hold on to” your children, and fear separation from them – even for brief periods of time.
If children experience joy with the other parent, encourage those feelings and congratulate yourself on allowing them that opportunity – because not every child gets that chance. Its important to deal with your angst or anger on your own, with supportive friends, or a counselor out of the children’s presence the speakers will argue. They will futher describe how an ugly divorce conflict can severely damage children.
Speakers: Robert Harvie, Cyndi Starzyk-Frey and Harvey Labuhn
Robert Harvie has practiced law in Lethbridge for the past 27 years since graduating with a law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1985. He practices solely in the area of Family Law Litigation and Family Law Dispute Resolution with emphasis on Property and Financial Disputes. Rob’s past practice in Real Estate and Commercial/Corporate transactions has contributed to his expertise in dealing with these disputes
Cyndi Starzyk-Frey, M.Ed., R.S.W. has been a Child and Family Therapist in Lethbridge for over 18 years. She is a trained Child Specialist/Parenting Coach in the Collaborative Divorce Model and is a member of the Lethbridge Collaborative Divorce Group. Cyndi is a Psychology/Sociology instructor at Lethbridge College
Harvey Labuhn is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator with over 35 years of public accounting experience. He has extensive experience as a financial professional in Collaborative Divorce. Primary areas of expertise include valuation of companies, calculation of settlement structures and of guideline income. Strong record of success in achieving settlements that avoids the need to go to court.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alberta’s budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year’s budget.
Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta’s children.
The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system.
Speaker: Joel French
Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization’s Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College.
He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Alberta’s budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year’s budget.
Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta’s children.
The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system.
Speaker: Joel French
Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization’s Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College.
He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
While most will agree the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games was an overall success and good for the City, Alberta and Canada, the bidding cost alone for the 2026 Games will be at least $30 million and the expenses for hosting the Games if Calgary is chosen, could top $8 billion, including interest, considering all three levels of Government are running deficits – hosting the 1988 Games cost less than $1 billion and turned a profit.
The Alberta and Federal Governments have made their contribution to the 2026 Calgary Olympics conditional on a Nov 13, 2018 City of Calgary plebiscite. The non-binding plebiscite will offer two choices – for or against Calgary hosting. There are other key points to be sorted out as the City can’t rely completely on its 1988 Winter Olympic infrastructure – a new hockey arena and other facilities are needed – and there are still questions about hosting some events outside of Calgary – possibly Whistler, B.C., and Edmonton.
While hosting the 2026 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games will no doubt generate a lot of economic investment and activety in the City of Calgary, the speaker will argue that all taxpayers will end up covering expenses to the tune of several billion dollars for operations, infrastructure and paying off the “mortgage” for such Olympics, including a whopping $1 billion for security measures He will also address whether or not Albertans get “bang for their buck” from such investments and if these expenses will be making proper and lasting use of tax dollars?
Speaker: Tom Sindlinger
Tom Sindlinger is a Canadian Economist with a focus on the marketing of natural resources and transportation, and governance. He is a former elected PC member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and has successfully completed 18 international projects in 12 countries for both private and public entities (such as the Canadian International Development Agency; The National Democratic Institute in Washington; and, The Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta).
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, September 13, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
While most will agree the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games was an overall success and good for the City, Alberta and Canada, the bidding cost alone for the 2026 Games will be at least $30 million and the expenses for hosting the Games if Calgary is chosen, could top $8 billion, including interest, considering all three levels of Government are running deficits – hosting the 1988 Games cost less than $1 billion and turned a profit.
The Alberta and Federal Governments have made their contribution to the 2026 Calgary Olympics conditional on a Nov 13, 2018 City of Calgary plebiscite. The non-binding plebiscite will offer two choices – for or against Calgary hosting. There are other key points to be sorted out as the City can’t rely completely on its 1988 Winter Olympic infrastructure – a new hockey arena and other facilities are needed – and there are still questions about hosting some events outside of Calgary – possibly Whistler, B.C., and Edmonton.
While hosting the 2026 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games will no doubt generate a lot of economic investment and activety in the City of Calgary, the speaker will argue that all taxpayers will end up covering expenses to the tune of several billion dollars for operations, infrastructure and paying off the “mortgage” for such Olympics, including a whopping $1 billion for security measures He will also address whether or not Albertans get “bang for their buck” from such investments and if these expenses will be making proper and lasting use of tax dollars?
Speaker: Tom Sindlinger
Tom Sindlinger is a Canadian Economist with a focus on the marketing of natural resources and transportation, and governance. He is a former elected PC member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and has successfully completed 18 international projects in 12 countries for both private and public entities (such as the Canadian International Development Agency; The National Democratic Institute in Washington; and, The Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta).
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, September 13, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well –being of an older adult. Elder abuse can take several forms including financial, emotional, physical, sexual, medication and neglect, with more than one type of abuse often occurring at the same time.
Elder abuse can include the infliction of physical injury, restraint, financial exploitation, threats, ridicule, insult or humiliation, withholding medication, unwanted touching or sexual contact, forced isolation (physical or social), or forced change in living arrangements. It may also include neglect, which is defined as the refusal or failure to care for an older person.
The Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network (LEARN) is a collaboration of human services organizations that responds to and provides education, awareness and advocacy for everyone that may be affected by abuse. The network consists of a full-time Case Manager, a part time Coordinator, a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge Police Service, Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, City of Lethbridge and representatives from 29 human support service agencies.
The speakers will review what elder abuse may include. They will also detail several measures to deal with such abuse as well as preventative action that can be taken to protect potential victims and their families, friends and caregivers.
Speakers: Rob Miyashiro, one of the founders of LEARN, Joanne Blinco, LEARN Case Manager, Lavonn Mutch, LEARN coordidator and Erin Vogt who is the Coordinator of Support Programs for LSCO and part of LEARN
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Elder abuse is any action or inaction by self or others that jeopardizes the health or well –being of an older adult. Elder abuse can take several forms including financial, emotional, physical, sexual, medication and neglect, with more than one type of abuse often occurring at the same time.
Elder abuse can include the infliction of physical injury, restraint, financial exploitation, threats, ridicule, insult or humiliation, withholding medication, unwanted touching or sexual contact, forced isolation (physical or social), or forced change in living arrangements. It may also include neglect, which is defined as the refusal or failure to care for an older person.
The Lethbridge Elder Abuse Response Network (LEARN) is a collaboration of human services organizations that responds to and provides education, awareness and advocacy for everyone that may be affected by abuse. The network consists of a full-time Case Manager, a part time Coordinator, a Steering Committee made up of representatives from Alberta Health Services, Lethbridge Police Service, Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, City of Lethbridge and representatives from 29 human support service agencies.
The speakers will review what elder abuse may include. They will also detail several measures to deal with such abuse as well as preventative action that can be taken to protect potential victims and their families, friends and caregivers.
Speakers: Rob Miyashiro, one of the founders of LEARN, Joanne Blinco, LEARN Case Manager, Lavonn Mutch, LEARN coordidator and Erin Vogt who is the Coordinator of Support Programs for LSCO and part of LEARN
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alcohol abuse and addiction are two of the most complex and costly challenges facing Canadian society. According to the Washington Post, alcohol kills more people than HIV, AIDS, TB and violence combined. Heavy or even regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, colon and rectum. In 2013, alcohol-related health care, law enforcement and lost productivity cost Canadians $14.6 billion. Globally, more than 3 million people die yearly from causes related to alcohol consumption.
And it’s not just men boozing it up!! All over the western world, including Canada, women are consuming more alcohol than ever before. Compared to a decade ago, the latest Statscan figures show a startling 30 per cent rise in the number of Canadian women engaged in risky drinking. The adverse effects are not limited to women per se. Their children and subsequent generations are being seriously harmed. In Alberta alone, thousands of children are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and many of them begin to drink alcohol at a very young age.
All the while, corporations are reaping huge profits and spending billions to promote more drinking. Look at the television advertising. Everybody is having a good time. Where are those suffering from drunkenness or, worse still, in hospitals or morgues? Our speaker will give you a first-hand account of having to claim the bodies of young students and then consoling a grieving mother. And he will outline other events that led him to write Irrepressible Maggie --- rebounding from alcohol impaired decisions.
Speaker: Al Barnhill, Ph.D. President, Able Administration Ltd.
Al Barnhill is a former Professor of Management at the University of Lethbridge. His career encompasses teaching, management consulting and international development in 16 countries. He has written five management books, an internet text and one about old guys’ hockey. His newest book, Irrepressible Maggie – rebounding from alcohol-impaired decisions was published in December, 2017. It will be available for sale following the meeting. All proceeds will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Alcohol abuse and addiction are two of the most complex and costly challenges facing Canadian society. According to the Washington Post, alcohol kills more people than HIV, AIDS, TB and violence combined. Heavy or even regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, colon and rectum. In 2013, alcohol-related health care, law enforcement and lost productivity cost Canadians $14.6 billion. Globally, more than 3 million people die yearly from causes related to alcohol consumption.
And it’s not just men boozing it up!! All over the western world, including Canada, women are consuming more alcohol than ever before. Compared to a decade ago, the latest Statscan figures show a startling 30 per cent rise in the number of Canadian women engaged in risky drinking. The adverse effects are not limited to women per se. Their children and subsequent generations are being seriously harmed. In Alberta alone, thousands of children are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and many of them begin to drink alcohol at a very young age.
All the while, corporations are reaping huge profits and spending billions to promote more drinking. Look at the television advertising. Everybody is having a good time. Where are those suffering from drunkenness or, worse still, in hospitals or morgues? Our speaker will give you a first-hand account of having to claim the bodies of young students and then consoling a grieving mother. And he will outline other events that led him to write Irrepressible Maggie --- rebounding from alcohol impaired decisions.
Speaker: Al Barnhill, Ph.D. President, Able Administration Ltd.
Al Barnhill is a former Professor of Management at the University of Lethbridge. His career encompasses teaching, management consulting and international development in 16 countries. He has written five management books, an internet text and one about old guys’ hockey. His newest book, Irrepressible Maggie – rebounding from alcohol-impaired decisions was published in December, 2017. It will be available for sale following the meeting. All proceeds will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Presently Canada is engaged in a highly conflictual national struggle over pipelines, to build or not to build. Ricardo Acuna of the Parkland Institute argues that a proper debate on the merits and pitfalls of pipelines would be a good thing for Albertans to engage in. Such a debate should include the impact on the provincial economy and our climate change targets.
The problem is that the elevated rhetoric from both sides of the debate, along with a constant barrage of inflated, unsourced and questionable stats and data from both sides makes a healthy debate next to impossible. Ricardo Acuna will try to make sense of the numbers, stats and data – so that a more sane discussion can take place. He will tackle the central question of whether pipelines are in the public interest or not.
Speaker: Ricardo Acuna
Ricardo Acuna has been the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute, a public policy think tank in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, since May, 2002. In that capacity, he is also on the Steering Committee of the Corporate Mapping Project, a SSHRCC-funded six year research project exploring the corporate and political power of the fossil fuel sector in Western Canada.
Ricardo has written and spoken extensively on topics of energy, fiscal issues, taxation, education and social policy in Alberta. He has a degree in political science from the U of A, and writes a regular column on provincial politics for Vue Weekly in Edmonton. He is currently chair of the Board of Oxfam Canada, and Deputy Chair of Oxfam International, as well as treasurer of the Association of Academic Staff at the U of A.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required.
Presently Canada is engaged in a highly conflictual national struggle over pipelines, to build or not to build. Ricardo Acuna of the Parkland Institute argues that a proper debate on the merits and pitfalls of pipelines would be a good thing for Albertans to engage in. Such a debate should include the impact on the provincial economy and our climate change targets.
The problem is that the elevated rhetoric from both sides of the debate, along with a constant barrage of inflated, unsourced and questionable stats and data from both sides makes a healthy debate next to impossible. Ricardo Acuna will try to make sense of the numbers, stats and data – so that a more sane discussion can take place. He will tackle the central question of whether pipelines are in the public interest or not.
Speaker: Ricardo Acuna
Ricardo Acuna has been the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute, a public policy think tank in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, since May, 2002. In that capacity, he is also on the Steering Committee of the Corporate Mapping Project, a SSHRCC-funded six year research project exploring the corporate and political power of the fossil fuel sector in Western Canada.
Ricardo has written and spoken extensively on topics of energy, fiscal issues, taxation, education and social policy in Alberta. He has a degree in political science from the U of A, and writes a regular column on provincial politics for Vue Weekly in Edmonton. He is currently chair of the Board of Oxfam Canada, and Deputy Chair of Oxfam International, as well as treasurer of the Association of Academic Staff at the U of A.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required.
Ambulance service in Alberta is a borderless system designed to respond as needed, with urban areas using rural ambulances during shortages, and in turn helping those communities when shortages occur. However, that system is problematic as rural areas potentially can go for hours without proper emergency services.
One of the primary reasons for lack of ambulance services in rural areas are inter-facility transfers or appointments that draw ambulances out of those communities and sometimes causing long waits for ambulance service during emergencies. Why for example are non-emergency routine patient transfers tying up rural ambulances for hours when such transport could safely be provided by regular transport, while such ambulances may be needed if a serious emergency occur in their area?
The speaker will argue this issue puts the citizens of Alberta and especially people in rural areas at a higher level of risk during those times when there are no available resources in these communities. He will further contend that the problem can be easily improved if Alberta Health Services (AHS) would implement some common sense recommendations, among them, ambulances spending less time waiting at hospitals.
Speaker: George Porter
George Porter started working EMS in Calgary in 1974. He worked in urban and rural settings, in fire dep't based, hospital based, industrial, remote, air ambulance, private, indigenous, and he has owned and operated EMS services.
He has managed, directed, repaired, and developed a number of EMS services and has taught and mentored students most of his career, as well as taught EMT, Paramedic and a variety of water, ice, and rope rescue programs.
George has lobbied EMS management and Alberta Health Services for over 9 years now, over the lack of adequate area coverage by ambulances, especially in rural areas, and the reasons for it offering multiple solutions - all to no avail. He plans to continue to do so until this gross negligence is corrected.
Moderator: Penny Elford
Date: Thursday, June 7, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required.
Ambulance service in Alberta is a borderless system designed to respond as needed, with urban areas using rural ambulances during shortages, and in turn helping those communities when shortages occur. However, that system is problematic as rural areas potentially can go for hours without proper emergency services.
One of the primary reasons for lack of ambulance services in rural areas are inter-facility transfers or appointments that draw ambulances out of those communities and sometimes causing long waits for ambulance service during emergencies. Why for example are non-emergency routine patient transfers tying up rural ambulances for hours when such transport could safely be provided by regular transport, while such ambulances may be needed if a serious emergency occur in their area?
The speaker will argue this issue puts the citizens of Alberta and especially people in rural areas at a higher level of risk during those times when there are no available resources in these communities. He will further contend that the problem can be easily improved if Alberta Health Services (AHS) would implement some common sense recommendations, among them, ambulances spending less time waiting at hospitals.
Speaker: George Porter
George Porter started working EMS in Calgary in 1974. He worked in urban and rural settings, in fire dep't based, hospital based, industrial, remote, air ambulance, private, indigenous, and he has owned and operated EMS services.
He has managed, directed, repaired, and developed a number of EMS services and has taught and mentored students most of his career, as well as taught EMT, Paramedic and a variety of water, ice, and rope rescue programs.
George has lobbied EMS management and Alberta Health Services for over 9 years now, over the lack of adequate area coverage by ambulances, especially in rural areas, and the reasons for it offering multiple solutions - all to no avail. He plans to continue to do so until this gross negligence is corrected.
Moderator: Penny Elford
Date: Thursday, June 7, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required.
Hutterites are taxed under section 143 of the Income Tax Act. Colonies are taxed as if they were a trust so the collective income of the community gets allocated to colony members who are 18 years of age and older Section 143 does not allow Hutterite colonies to allocate income to community members under the age of 18 while other farmers are allowed to do so. For example, a regular farmer can pay his child who is under the age of 18 up to $ 10,000 tax free, while Hutterites cannot. This is a arguably a disadvantage for Hutterite communities where both male and female young people usually join the colony workforce at age 15.
It wasn’t until 1997 that colonies were allowed to allocate income to their spouses while other farmers have had that ability for many years. Nor do they collect premiums from the Canada Pension Plan or receive social assistance. The income allotted to individuals gets reported on personal income tax returns and colony members pay taxes at the applicable personal tax rates. Hutterites contributes more than 2 billion dollars to the annual economy of Canada. Do they pay taxes? Yes, and the speaker will explain in more detail why they often pay more than their fair share.
Speaker: Gord Tait
Gord Tait, CPA, CA, is a Partner and Business Advisor with MNP, focused on client service delivery to over 300 Hutterite colonies in Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Brandon, Portage and Winnipeg. Prior to joining MNP, Gord operated a family business working exclusively with Hutterite colonies.
Gord began his career at MNP in 1999 as the Regional Managing Partner for Lethbridge. Under his leadership, the region experienced tremendous development, growing from 11 to more than 100 team members in only eight years. As former Director of Hutterite Services, Gord developed recruitment strategies, cultural awareness programs and focused on new products and services for Hutterite clients that go beyond MNP’s traditional services. Gord is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA) who received his Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours from the University of Saskatchewan.
Moderator: Susan Giffen
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Hutterites are taxed under section 143 of the Income Tax Act. Colonies are taxed as if they were a trust so the collective income of the community gets allocated to colony members who are 18 years of age and older Section 143 does not allow Hutterite colonies to allocate income to community members under the age of 18 while other farmers are allowed to do so. For example, a regular farmer can pay his child who is under the age of 18 up to $ 10,000 tax free, while Hutterites cannot. This is a arguably a disadvantage for Hutterite communities where both male and female young people usually join the colony workforce at age 15.
It wasn’t until 1997 that colonies were allowed to allocate income to their spouses while other farmers have had that ability for many years. Nor do they collect premiums from the Canada Pension Plan or receive social assistance. The income allotted to individuals gets reported on personal income tax returns and colony members pay taxes at the applicable personal tax rates. Hutterites contributes more than 2 billion dollars to the annual economy of Canada. Do they pay taxes? Yes, and the speaker will explain in more detail why they often pay more than their fair share.
Speaker: Gord Tait
Gord Tait, CPA, CA, is a Partner and Business Advisor with MNP, focused on client service delivery to over 300 Hutterite colonies in Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Brandon, Portage and Winnipeg. Prior to joining MNP, Gord operated a family business working exclusively with Hutterite colonies.
Gord began his career at MNP in 1999 as the Regional Managing Partner for Lethbridge. Under his leadership, the region experienced tremendous development, growing from 11 to more than 100 team members in only eight years. As former Director of Hutterite Services, Gord developed recruitment strategies, cultural awareness programs and focused on new products and services for Hutterite clients that go beyond MNP’s traditional services. Gord is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA) who received his Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours from the University of Saskatchewan.
Moderator: Susan Giffen
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Alberta Party is a political movement dedicated to transforming government through citizen engagement. Instead of representing a particular segment of the traditional political spectrum, the Alberta Party seeks out the best ideas regardless of whether they are perceived to be from the left or the right. As a result, they are attracting thousands of Albertans from all regions, urban and rural, of all ideological backgrounds including those who have never been involved in a political party. Traditional parties arguably focus on what divides Albertans. The Alberta Party focusses on the common ground that unites them so they can build a stronger economy and society for all.
Many Albertan worry about public spending, deficits and a growing debt. Does balancing the books in Alberta hinge on building pipelines to tidewater or are there other ways to achieve that goal? Are the present provincial Government’s budget predictions unrealistic? The speaker will articulate his and the Alberta Party views on deficits, pipelines, economic development and Alberta politics.
Speaker: Stephen Mandel
Stephen Mandel has been leader of the Alberta party since February 27, 2018. He is an experienced political leader, business person and community volunteer. Before entering public service, he built and ran a successful business. As President of the Mandel Group, he led the company’s activities in residential and commercial real estate development and construction.
Stephen served as Edmonton’s mayor from 2004 to 2013. During this time, he positioned Edmonton for the future by building new infrastructure, renewing older neighbourhoods, and spurring investment in the city. Stephen worked collaboratively with council, other orders of government, the social sector, and businesses to get things done. He led initiatives to fast-track LRT expansion, road improvements, and the construction of new libraries and community recreation facilities and helped to bring billions of dollars of new development into Edmonton’s downtown.
Organizing efforts to address homelessness and community safety, expand seniors housing, and promote engagement with multicultural communities was also dear to Stephen and under his leadership, the Capital Region’s 25 municipalities united for the first time under a common growth management plan. He served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud from 2014-2015 and was appointed Minister of Health on September 15, 2014.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Alberta Party is a political movement dedicated to transforming government through citizen engagement. Instead of representing a particular segment of the traditional political spectrum, the Alberta Party seeks out the best ideas regardless of whether they are perceived to be from the left or the right. As a result, they are attracting thousands of Albertans from all regions, urban and rural, of all ideological backgrounds including those who have never been involved in a political party. Traditional parties arguably focus on what divides Albertans. The Alberta Party focusses on the common ground that unites them so they can build a stronger economy and society for all.
Many Albertan worry about public spending, deficits and a growing debt. Does balancing the books in Alberta hinge on building pipelines to tidewater or are there other ways to achieve that goal? Are the present provincial Government’s budget predictions unrealistic? The speaker will articulate his and the Alberta Party views on deficits, pipelines, economic development and Alberta politics.
Speaker: Stephen Mandel
Stephen Mandel has been leader of the Alberta party since February 27, 2018. He is an experienced political leader, business person and community volunteer. Before entering public service, he built and ran a successful business. As President of the Mandel Group, he led the company’s activities in residential and commercial real estate development and construction.
Stephen served as Edmonton’s mayor from 2004 to 2013. During this time, he positioned Edmonton for the future by building new infrastructure, renewing older neighbourhoods, and spurring investment in the city. Stephen worked collaboratively with council, other orders of government, the social sector, and businesses to get things done. He led initiatives to fast-track LRT expansion, road improvements, and the construction of new libraries and community recreation facilities and helped to bring billions of dollars of new development into Edmonton’s downtown.
Organizing efforts to address homelessness and community safety, expand seniors housing, and promote engagement with multicultural communities was also dear to Stephen and under his leadership, the Capital Region’s 25 municipalities united for the first time under a common growth management plan. He served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud from 2014-2015 and was appointed Minister of Health on September 15, 2014.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Seventy years after Israel’s establishment as an independent state, its accomplishments in high tech, medical research and innovation has far exceeded expectations of a country its size. Some might be surprised to learn that Israel consistently ranks in the top 15 countries on the “Happiness Index.”
All this despite the fact that Israel has been at war with its neighbours since its inception – and the threats to its security are as real today as they were in 1948.
In this talk, the speakers will describe the complex and long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beginning with the longing of the Jewish people for a state, the emergence of the Zionist movement, the British Mandatory period and the Arab world’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist. In the absence of diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbours, wars have played a significant role in determining borders. Hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the 1990s resulted in peace agreements with the Egyptians and Jordanians, but a settlement with the Palestinians remains illusive.
Questions to be explored are: Where are we today? What are the barriers to peace? Is there hope for a two-state solution?
Speakers:
Judy Shapiro, Associate Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation Jared Shore, Chair, Community Relations Committee, Calgary Jewish Federation Jeffrey Smith, Board Member, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Seventy years after Israel’s establishment as an independent state, its accomplishments in high tech, medical research and innovation has far exceeded expectations of a country its size. Some might be surprised to learn that Israel consistently ranks in the top 15 countries on the “Happiness Index.”
All this despite the fact that Israel has been at war with its neighbours since its inception – and the threats to its security are as real today as they were in 1948.
In this talk, the speakers will describe the complex and long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beginning with the longing of the Jewish people for a state, the emergence of the Zionist movement, the British Mandatory period and the Arab world’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist. In the absence of diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbours, wars have played a significant role in determining borders. Hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the 1990s resulted in peace agreements with the Egyptians and Jordanians, but a settlement with the Palestinians remains illusive.
Questions to be explored are: Where are we today? What are the barriers to peace? Is there hope for a two-state solution?
Speakers:
Judy Shapiro, Associate Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation Jared Shore, Chair, Community Relations Committee, Calgary Jewish Federation Jeffrey Smith, Board Member, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The United States has repeatedly indicated that a key tension in NAFTA renegotiations is Canada’s continued protection of dairy, poultry and egg producers. These protectionist policies, known as supply management, were also an irritant in the Trans-Pacific free trade negotiations. The question for Canadians is why broad trade agreements, which benefit almost all Canadians, are being jeopardized to continue to protect a small subset of farmers in Canada—estimated at 13,500 nationwide.
Supply management is a set of government-imposed production quotas and structured prices to limit domestic supply while impeding consumer access to foreign imports through tariffs. The outcome arguable is, reduced choice and higher prices for consumers, and higher revenues for producers.
The speaker will contend that an often overlooked aspect of this protectionism is that it disproportionately affects the poor. Policies that raise prices of milk, cheese, eggs and chicken affect low-income families, and those with children, to a greater degree than higher income families. He will further argue that producers having to purchase very expensive and compulsory production quotas, ties up a lot of money that otherwise could be invested in more productive endeavours within their farming operation.
Speaker: Dr. Danny Le Roy
Danny Le Roy is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lethbridge. He received his B.A. (Honours) in Economics in 1992 from Carleton University and his MSc and PhD in Agricultural Economics in (1994 and 2002, respectively) from the University of Guelph. He teaches courses in agricultural systems modeling, commodity marketing, agricultural policy and micro-economics. ??The focus of Dr. Le Roy's research is on livestock production, marketing and trade, emerging markets for irrigation water in Southern Alberta, and the impact of renewable energy policies on Canadian agriculture. He has been involved in numerous studies involving systems modelling of farms in Canada and assessments of agricultural policy and trade alternatives. ??Le Roy has served as an executive member of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association and the Tiffin Conference Organizing Committee. He has published in and reviewed several papers for the Canadian Journal of Economics, Current Agriculture, Food and Research Issues, Canadian Public Policy and the Western Economic Forum. He has been nominated twice for the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Lethbridge, and in 2004 and in 2008, he received the Agricultural Students Association Distinguished Teaching Award.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The United States has repeatedly indicated that a key tension in NAFTA renegotiations is Canada’s continued protection of dairy, poultry and egg producers. These protectionist policies, known as supply management, were also an irritant in the Trans-Pacific free trade negotiations. The question for Canadians is why broad trade agreements, which benefit almost all Canadians, are being jeopardized to continue to protect a small subset of farmers in Canada—estimated at 13,500 nationwide.
Supply management is a set of government-imposed production quotas and structured prices to limit domestic supply while impeding consumer access to foreign imports through tariffs. The outcome arguable is, reduced choice and higher prices for consumers, and higher revenues for producers.
The speaker will contend that an often overlooked aspect of this protectionism is that it disproportionately affects the poor. Policies that raise prices of milk, cheese, eggs and chicken affect low-income families, and those with children, to a greater degree than higher income families. He will further argue that producers having to purchase very expensive and compulsory production quotas, ties up a lot of money that otherwise could be invested in more productive endeavours within their farming operation.
Speaker: Dr. Danny Le Roy
Danny Le Roy is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lethbridge. He received his B.A. (Honours) in Economics in 1992 from Carleton University and his MSc and PhD in Agricultural Economics in (1994 and 2002, respectively) from the University of Guelph. He teaches courses in agricultural systems modeling, commodity marketing, agricultural policy and micro-economics. ??The focus of Dr. Le Roy's research is on livestock production, marketing and trade, emerging markets for irrigation water in Southern Alberta, and the impact of renewable energy policies on Canadian agriculture. He has been involved in numerous studies involving systems modelling of farms in Canada and assessments of agricultural policy and trade alternatives. ??Le Roy has served as an executive member of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association and the Tiffin Conference Organizing Committee. He has published in and reviewed several papers for the Canadian Journal of Economics, Current Agriculture, Food and Research Issues, Canadian Public Policy and the Western Economic Forum. He has been nominated twice for the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Lethbridge, and in 2004 and in 2008, he received the Agricultural Students Association Distinguished Teaching Award.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Basic income in Canada has been debated since at least the 1930s during the Social Credit movement, but as in other parts of the western world, the discussion has increased during the last decades. Different models can be considered such as a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI), Social Dividend or Basic Income.
William Aberhart, Premier of Alberta, was inspired by Major C. H. Douglas Social Credit theory and tried to implement a basic income for Albertans during the 1930s but was thwarted in his attempts by the Federal Government. The (GAI) model was tested in Manitoba in the 1970s in what was called the Mincome experiment. It allowed every participating family unit to receive a minimum cash benefit, with every dollar earned over the benefit amount taxed back at varying (experimented) levels.
There are some obvious impediments to the implementation of a (GAI) in Canada. For example, how would such a program impact work incentives? What would the program cost? What model is likely to be politically acceptable? Would a GAI benefit the national economy? And would it ultimately benefit low income (or non-income) workers?
The speaker will explain the different options of income support that is available through a GAI program and the results of such in places where it has been applied. More broadly, he will examine the pros and cons of GAI programs as a means of combatting inequality. Finally, he will speculate on the likelihood of such a program’s adoption in Canada and elsewhere.
Speaker: Dr Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta. He worked on Manitoba’s Guaranteed Annual Income experiment in the 1970s.??His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Basic income in Canada has been debated since at least the 1930s during the Social Credit movement, but as in other parts of the western world, the discussion has increased during the last decades. Different models can be considered such as a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI), Social Dividend or Basic Income.
William Aberhart, Premier of Alberta, was inspired by Major C. H. Douglas Social Credit theory and tried to implement a basic income for Albertans during the 1930s but was thwarted in his attempts by the Federal Government. The (GAI) model was tested in Manitoba in the 1970s in what was called the Mincome experiment. It allowed every participating family unit to receive a minimum cash benefit, with every dollar earned over the benefit amount taxed back at varying (experimented) levels.
There are some obvious impediments to the implementation of a (GAI) in Canada. For example, how would such a program impact work incentives? What would the program cost? What model is likely to be politically acceptable? Would a GAI benefit the national economy? And would it ultimately benefit low income (or non-income) workers?
The speaker will explain the different options of income support that is available through a GAI program and the results of such in places where it has been applied. More broadly, he will examine the pros and cons of GAI programs as a means of combatting inequality. Finally, he will speculate on the likelihood of such a program’s adoption in Canada and elsewhere.
Speaker: Dr Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta. He worked on Manitoba’s Guaranteed Annual Income experiment in the 1970s.??His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, May 3, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones at that time and arguably laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. However, since Donald Trump became US President last year, renegotiating NAFTA along with other trade deals, has been high on his agenda
The original NAFTA took 14 months to negotiate and just as long to ratify. The current negotiations are into their eight month and of the roughly 30 chapters to complete, many are not agreed upon. That's too slow, current U.S. trade czar Robert Lighthizer, said at the close of a recent negotiating session in Mexico City.
The Trump administration are hoping to complete negotiations by May, 2018 so the agreement can be ratified before the opposition Democrats have a chance to regain control of Congress and or the Senate in January 2019. Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could also hurt progress on a NAFTA deal if it’s not completed soon, should he be elected later this year.
The speaker will untangle the web of possible scenarios surrounding NAFTA negotiations and speculate on its final outcome, including the potential of Canada getting caught up in a trade war with US
Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha
Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt).
Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, April 26, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones at that time and arguably laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. However, since Donald Trump became US President last year, renegotiating NAFTA along with other trade deals, has been high on his agenda
The original NAFTA took 14 months to negotiate and just as long to ratify. The current negotiations are into their eight month and of the roughly 30 chapters to complete, many are not agreed upon. That's too slow, current U.S. trade czar Robert Lighthizer, said at the close of a recent negotiating session in Mexico City.
The Trump administration are hoping to complete negotiations by May, 2018 so the agreement can be ratified before the opposition Democrats have a chance to regain control of Congress and or the Senate in January 2019. Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could also hurt progress on a NAFTA deal if it’s not completed soon, should he be elected later this year.
The speaker will untangle the web of possible scenarios surrounding NAFTA negotiations and speculate on its final outcome, including the potential of Canada getting caught up in a trade war with US
Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha
Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt).
Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, April 26, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The FASD Adult Justice Program was developed as a partnership under the umbrella of the South Alberta FASD Service Network and the 10-year strategic plan, in response to a need identified by the Alberta Government. The Program works collaboratively with a number of service providers, community agencies and professionals committed to effecting change within the Justice System for individuals and families affected by FASD.
The FASD Justice Program operation model is based, in part on the FASD Youth Justice Project which has been operating successfully in South Western Alberta since 2000. Peak, the organization that oversees the Adult FASD Justice Program, began providing services in 1992. The original vision of Peak was to provide maximum vocational integration in the community. Peak Vocational and Support Services was established as an employment placement agency that now provides, full time day program supports, residential, employment, outreach and complex needs supports including supports in the Justice System.
Changes have taken place over the years to expand services and now the agency accommodates individuals with different types of goals for their lives. Peak believes that all people in this world have the right to have goals, to have dreams and to be able to fulfill them to greatest extent that they are able to. The speaker will describe the variable roles Peak can play in helping individuals who live with an FASD achieve fulfilment in their daily lives as well as what that looks like in terms of a social return on investment.
Speaker: Sabrina Hacker
Sabrina Hacker Is the FASD Adult Justice and Community Outreach Program Coordinator at Peak Vocational and Support Services. Sabrina worked in local law enforcement as the Dangerous Dog Officer for 11 years becoming a certified member of NACA level three and was recognized as being the highest trained officer in Canada.
In 2004 Sabrina went back to school majoring in Justice Studies/Corrections. Upon graduating, Sabrina was approached to create a diversionary Justice Program that would identify the struggles FASD clients face in main stream Justice. Once identified, the program develops a case plan, connects with community partners and works collaboratively to reduce recidivism.
Moderator: Ross Samuel
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The FASD Adult Justice Program was developed as a partnership under the umbrella of the South Alberta FASD Service Network and the 10-year strategic plan, in response to a need identified by the Alberta Government. The Program works collaboratively with a number of service providers, community agencies and professionals committed to effecting change within the Justice System for individuals and families affected by FASD.
The FASD Justice Program operation model is based, in part on the FASD Youth Justice Project which has been operating successfully in South Western Alberta since 2000. Peak, the organization that oversees the Adult FASD Justice Program, began providing services in 1992. The original vision of Peak was to provide maximum vocational integration in the community. Peak Vocational and Support Services was established as an employment placement agency that now provides, full time day program supports, residential, employment, outreach and complex needs supports including supports in the Justice System.
Changes have taken place over the years to expand services and now the agency accommodates individuals with different types of goals for their lives. Peak believes that all people in this world have the right to have goals, to have dreams and to be able to fulfill them to greatest extent that they are able to. The speaker will describe the variable roles Peak can play in helping individuals who live with an FASD achieve fulfilment in their daily lives as well as what that looks like in terms of a social return on investment.
Speaker: Sabrina Hacker
Sabrina Hacker Is the FASD Adult Justice and Community Outreach Program Coordinator at Peak Vocational and Support Services. Sabrina worked in local law enforcement as the Dangerous Dog Officer for 11 years becoming a certified member of NACA level three and was recognized as being the highest trained officer in Canada.
In 2004 Sabrina went back to school majoring in Justice Studies/Corrections. Upon graduating, Sabrina was approached to create a diversionary Justice Program that would identify the struggles FASD clients face in main stream Justice. Once identified, the program develops a case plan, connects with community partners and works collaboratively to reduce recidivism.
Moderator: Ross Samuel
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The terrestrial biosphere is under increasing pressure as a result of climatic changes, human disturbance, and secondary effects of these, including fire and pathogen/insect outbreaks. In many regions, land surface changes may be occurring more rapidly than expected.
The Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS) is dedicated to the characterization of process feedbacks through the 3D environment in both space and time, and from plant to region. The fusion of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research, spectral and active remote sensing tools, in situ measurements, and long-term environmental monitoring of ecosystems provides process-based understanding at scales that are relevant for making decisions.
With an emphasis on fire and water issues, the speakers will explain how advancements in 3D monitoring technologies improve our ability to forecast and prepare for some of the natural resource and hazard challenges faced by Albertans.
Speakers: Dr. Chris Hopkinson and Dr. Laura Chasmer
Dr. Chris Hopkinson founded the ARTeMIS Lab in 2013, when he joined the University of Lethbridge after working as an Environmental Research Scientist with CSIRO in Canberra, Australia. Prior to this, he directed the airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research operations and outreach of the Canadian Consortium for LiDAR Environmental Applications Research (C-CLEAR), while employed as a Research Scientist and Lecturer at the Applied Geomatics Research Group in Nova Scotia. With a background in engineering and geography, Chris' earliest and still active research interests are water and forest resources and how they change through time. Chris is interested in the integration of in situ, high-resolution remote sensing, spatial and temporal data sources to better understand hydrological and biological process dynamics in mountain and northern environments.
Dr. Laura Chasmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge and member of the ARTeMiS Lab. She did her Ph.D. in hydro-meteorology and remote sensing at Queen's University as part of the Canadian Carbon Program. Laura has worked with airborne and terrestrial LiDAR data since 2000, and with leading researchers in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Laura's research integrates ecosystem processes in ecology, hydrology and meteorology with an advanced understanding of spatial and temporal remote sensing data analysis. Her research focus has gradually shifted towards wildfires as a result of her Boreal Forest field sites being destroyed in the Slave Lake Fire of 2011.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The terrestrial biosphere is under increasing pressure as a result of climatic changes, human disturbance, and secondary effects of these, including fire and pathogen/insect outbreaks. In many regions, land surface changes may be occurring more rapidly than expected.
The Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS) is dedicated to the characterization of process feedbacks through the 3D environment in both space and time, and from plant to region. The fusion of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research, spectral and active remote sensing tools, in situ measurements, and long-term environmental monitoring of ecosystems provides process-based understanding at scales that are relevant for making decisions.
With an emphasis on fire and water issues, the speakers will explain how advancements in 3D monitoring technologies improve our ability to forecast and prepare for some of the natural resource and hazard challenges faced by Albertans.
Speakers: Dr. Chris Hopkinson and Dr. Laura Chasmer
Dr. Chris Hopkinson founded the ARTeMIS Lab in 2013, when he joined the University of Lethbridge after working as an Environmental Research Scientist with CSIRO in Canberra, Australia. Prior to this, he directed the airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research operations and outreach of the Canadian Consortium for LiDAR Environmental Applications Research (C-CLEAR), while employed as a Research Scientist and Lecturer at the Applied Geomatics Research Group in Nova Scotia. With a background in engineering and geography, Chris' earliest and still active research interests are water and forest resources and how they change through time. Chris is interested in the integration of in situ, high-resolution remote sensing, spatial and temporal data sources to better understand hydrological and biological process dynamics in mountain and northern environments.
Dr. Laura Chasmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge and member of the ARTeMiS Lab. She did her Ph.D. in hydro-meteorology and remote sensing at Queen's University as part of the Canadian Carbon Program. Laura has worked with airborne and terrestrial LiDAR data since 2000, and with leading researchers in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Laura's research integrates ecosystem processes in ecology, hydrology and meteorology with an advanced understanding of spatial and temporal remote sensing data analysis. Her research focus has gradually shifted towards wildfires as a result of her Boreal Forest field sites being destroyed in the Slave Lake Fire of 2011.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
One of Bryan Kolb’s most memorable talks was a public lecture in Lac La Biche, AB, attended by many First Nations elders. Kolb spoke about how stress and abuse during childhood can cause certain genes in the brain to be turned on or off, and how these changes can be passed from one generation to another — altering the behaviour of the offspring. Through this explanation, the elders began to see the problem of residential schools in an entirely new light.
Dr. Kolb will explain how severe stress, for example in residential schools, can cross generations and cause all kinds of problems later. Thanks to institutions like U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, it is now recognized that childhood stress and abuse has many consequences. But the wide-ranging societal implications of the ongoing research, being conducted by Kolb at the University of Lethbridge, suggests the most important work — actually reversing the neurological effects of early adversity — is still to come.
Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb
Dr. Bryan Kolb has played a founding role in the study of neuroscience. As a neuroscientist at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) in Lethbridge, Kolb’s primary interests are in brain development, brain plasticity, and brain changes over time, including after injury.
A recipient of the Order of Canada, Kolb has published seven books and more than 400 articles and chapters. In the process, Kolb and a pioneering faculty and research team, has helped turn the University of Lethbridge, a relatively young institution that just celebrated its 50th anniversary, into a hotbed for neuroscience research.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
One of Bryan Kolb’s most memorable talks was a public lecture in Lac La Biche, AB, attended by many First Nations elders. Kolb spoke about how stress and abuse during childhood can cause certain genes in the brain to be turned on or off, and how these changes can be passed from one generation to another — altering the behaviour of the offspring. Through this explanation, the elders began to see the problem of residential schools in an entirely new light.
Dr. Kolb will explain how severe stress, for example in residential schools, can cross generations and cause all kinds of problems later. Thanks to institutions like U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, it is now recognized that childhood stress and abuse has many consequences. But the wide-ranging societal implications of the ongoing research, being conducted by Kolb at the University of Lethbridge, suggests the most important work — actually reversing the neurological effects of early adversity — is still to come.
Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb
Dr. Bryan Kolb has played a founding role in the study of neuroscience. As a neuroscientist at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) in Lethbridge, Kolb’s primary interests are in brain development, brain plasticity, and brain changes over time, including after injury.
A recipient of the Order of Canada, Kolb has published seven books and more than 400 articles and chapters. In the process, Kolb and a pioneering faculty and research team, has helped turn the University of Lethbridge, a relatively young institution that just celebrated its 50th anniversary, into a hotbed for neuroscience research.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 5, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
The Honourable Premier Rachel Notley has graciously made herself available to Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) for a speaking event. After 50 years of trying, SACPA is very happy to finally host a sitting Premier of Alberta. Rachel previously spoke at SACPA in 2011 and 2014 as an MLA.
Premier Notley will explain some of the items in last week’s Alberta budget and the importance of pipelines and transportation in getting Alberta resources to tidewater. She will also give the audience her view of Alberta’s political landscape.
The Honourable Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge West and Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office will introduce the Premier. Dr. Leroy Little Bear will bring greetings from the Blackfoot Nation
Speaker: The Honourable Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta
Rachel Notley was sworn in as Alberta’s 17th Premier on May 24, 2015. She grew up in Fairview, Alberta, and is the daughter of former Alberta ND leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Having grown up in a passionate political family that believed in the importance of building a fairer, more inclusive society, Rachel was naturally drawn to work to make her home province better, and first ran for election for the Alberta New Democrats in Edmonton-Strathcona in 2008. She was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2015.
Rachel holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Alberta, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She has worked for a variety of labour unions in both Alberta and British Columbia and served as a ministerial advisor to British Columbia's Attorney General in the 1990s. Rachel's work during her legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues. Rachel lives in Edmonton's Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, March 29, 2018 Time: 12 noon presentation, Q & A to follow at 12:30 pm Location: Southminster United Church, 1011 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge Cost: Free admission, everyone welcome
There are several significant shifts underway in Alberta’s electricity sector including: the phase-out of coal power plants, the Renewable Energy Program, development of micro and community generation, the design of the capacity market, changes to the regulated rate option (RRO) including a price cap, and banning of door-to-door energy sales. In addition, rapid technological change continues to impact all aspects of the electricity sector from generation to transmission and distribution, to how consumers use their electricity.
Chris Hunt leads the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) which has a mandate to educate, advocate, and mediate for Alberta’s residential, farm, and small business electricity and natural gas consumers. Chris will provide an overview of Alberta’s electricity sector and emerging trends, and factors residential, small business, and farm consumers should consider when making choices about their electricity and natural gas services.
Speaker: Chris Hunt
Chris joined the Alberta Public Service following a 14 year career as an armoured corps officer in the Regular Canadian Army. He served on operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as here in Canada, and he continues to serve in the Army Reserve part-time.
Since joining the Alberta Public Service 10 years ago, Chris has held several Director and Senior Management roles with the Government of Alberta, particularly in the Departments of Energy and Environment. He has worked on a wide variety of policy, legislation, and regulatory projects related to energy development and environmental management.
Since his appointment as Utilities Consumer Advocate three years ago, Chris directed the creation and implementation of the UCA Consumer Education Program, including its website and social media channels, and the UCA’s Regulatory Affairs team has submitted evidence cited in Alberta Utility Commission decisions that saved consumers over $300 million.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
There are several significant shifts underway in Alberta’s electricity sector including: the phase-out of coal power plants, the Renewable Energy Program, development of micro and community generation, the design of the capacity market, changes to the regulated rate option (RRO) including a price cap, and banning of door-to-door energy sales. In addition, rapid technological change continues to impact all aspects of the electricity sector from generation to transmission and distribution, to how consumers use their electricity.
Chris Hunt leads the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) which has a mandate to educate, advocate, and mediate for Alberta’s residential, farm, and small business electricity and natural gas consumers. Chris will provide an overview of Alberta’s electricity sector and emerging trends, and factors residential, small business, and farm consumers should consider when making choices about their electricity and natural gas services.
Speaker: Chris Hunt
Chris joined the Alberta Public Service following a 14 year career as an armoured corps officer in the Regular Canadian Army. He served on operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as here in Canada, and he continues to serve in the Army Reserve part-time.
Since joining the Alberta Public Service 10 years ago, Chris has held several Director and Senior Management roles with the Government of Alberta, particularly in the Departments of Energy and Environment. He has worked on a wide variety of policy, legislation, and regulatory projects related to energy development and environmental management.
Since his appointment as Utilities Consumer Advocate three years ago, Chris directed the creation and implementation of the UCA Consumer Education Program, including its website and social media channels, and the UCA’s Regulatory Affairs team has submitted evidence cited in Alberta Utility Commission decisions that saved consumers over $300 million.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Please note that this is a special Tuesday session at the Royal Canadian Legion
The Alberta Cannabis Framework has outlined what Albertans can expect when cannabis becomes legal in Canada on July 1, 2018. After months of engagement with Albertans, stakeholders and partners, extensive research of other jurisdictions, and consideration of existing liquor and tobacco laws, the framework sets the stage for the responsible use of cannabis in Alberta . Aspects of this framework will be implemented through various pieces of legislation introduced during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, including substantive changes to the Gaming and Liquor Act that will address oversight, distribution and licensing for non-medical cannabis. To properly reflect this, the amendments will include renaming the act to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis: Privately run retail stores and government-operated online sales. Physical retail locations will be subject to government regulations and the terms of licenses granted by the AGLC. Consumers will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.
Though cannabis cafes and lounges will not be permitted on July 1, 2018, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these forms of establishments should the government decide to allow them at a later date. The speaker will explain the many regulation scenarios related to retail sales of cannabis in Alberta.
Speaker: Mack Andrews
Mack Andrews is a Calgary native and Queen’s University alumnus (BASc) taking a material role in Canada’s Cannabis industry. After a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, he turned his focus to the blooming cannabis industry in early 2017
Upon identifying a gap in the industry, Mack co-founded the Alberta Cannabis Collective (‘ABCC’), the leading association for above board cannabis retail in Alberta. The ABCC’s mission is to foster a functional, safe, and flourishing cannabis industry.
Currently, Mack occupies the position of Vice-President of the ABCC and his main focus is collaboration with future cannabis retailers and all levels of Government in Alberta. In addition to an active role with the ABCC, Mack is involved with an organization establishing retail locations in Calgary.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Time: 12 noon to 1:30 pm, doors open at 11:30 am, buffet lunch after presentation at 12:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Please note that this is a special Tuesday session at the Royal Canadian Legion
The Alberta Cannabis Framework has outlined what Albertans can expect when cannabis becomes legal in Canada on July 1, 2018. After months of engagement with Albertans, stakeholders and partners, extensive research of other jurisdictions, and consideration of existing liquor and tobacco laws, the framework sets the stage for the responsible use of cannabis in Alberta . Aspects of this framework will be implemented through various pieces of legislation introduced during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, including substantive changes to the Gaming and Liquor Act that will address oversight, distribution and licensing for non-medical cannabis. To properly reflect this, the amendments will include renaming the act to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis: Privately run retail stores and government-operated online sales. Physical retail locations will be subject to government regulations and the terms of licenses granted by the AGLC. Consumers will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.
Though cannabis cafes and lounges will not be permitted on July 1, 2018, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these forms of establishments should the government decide to allow them at a later date. The speaker will explain the many regulation scenarios related to retail sales of cannabis in Alberta.
Speaker: Mack Andrews
Mack Andrews is a Calgary native and Queen’s University alumnus (BASc) taking a material role in Canada’s Cannabis industry. After a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, he turned his focus to the blooming cannabis industry in early 2017
Upon identifying a gap in the industry, Mack co-founded the Alberta Cannabis Collective (‘ABCC’), the leading association for above board cannabis retail in Alberta. The ABCC’s mission is to foster a functional, safe, and flourishing cannabis industry.
Currently, Mack occupies the position of Vice-President of the ABCC and his main focus is collaboration with future cannabis retailers and all levels of Government in Alberta. In addition to an active role with the ABCC, Mack is involved with an organization establishing retail locations in Calgary.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Time: 12 noon to 1:30 pm, doors open at 11:30 am, buffet lunch after presentation at 12:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
It can be argued that one of Lethbridge’s greatest assets is its diverse and dynamic population, which continues to grow at a steady pace and now sits at over 100.000 with more than 25 percent of the adult population age 35 or less.
Over the past several years, Lethbridge’s population has grown by an average of nearly two per cent per year. That’s around 150 new arrivals each month including immigrants and refugees. Lethbridge continues to demonstrate a stable and balanced labour market where employers have access to most of the newcomers.
Lethbridge’s labour market also benefits from numerous students graduating from University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College and area high schools each year, which in turn enables graduates to possibly stay in this area and pursue a wide range of employment opportunities.
As is the case in any community, a percentage of its residents, for various reasons, are not able to fully embrace these opportunities. The speaker will outline some of the issues involved and shed light on the many long term benefits we continue to receive from adding energetic and culturally diverse refugees, immigrants and newcomers to our community.
Speaker: Sarah Amies
Sarah Amies has lived, worked and raised a family in Lethbridge since 1982. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge (’BA – Distinction) in 1988. For the next 13 years, she worked as the Applied Studies program coordinator and as an Arts and Science Academic Advisor for the U of L. ?In 2001, Sarah started working with Lethbridge Family Services as the Program Director for the Immigrant Services department. In this capacity, Sarah is involved in community development and educational initiatives as well as overseeing the daily operations of the settlement office. Sarah is very dedicated working with the City and its citizens in order to develop a community that is supportive of and welcoming to our newest neighbours. In 2012, Sarah received YWCA’s Women of Distinction award and she was named a U of L Alumni Honour Society Inductee in 2013.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
It can be argued that one of Lethbridge’s greatest assets is its diverse and dynamic population, which continues to grow at a steady pace and now sits at over 100.000 with more than 25 percent of the adult population age 35 or less.
Over the past several years, Lethbridge’s population has grown by an average of nearly two per cent per year. That’s around 150 new arrivals each month including immigrants and refugees. Lethbridge continues to demonstrate a stable and balanced labour market where employers have access to most of the newcomers.
Lethbridge’s labour market also benefits from numerous students graduating from University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College and area high schools each year, which in turn enables graduates to possibly stay in this area and pursue a wide range of employment opportunities.
As is the case in any community, a percentage of its residents, for various reasons, are not able to fully embrace these opportunities. The speaker will outline some of the issues involved and shed light on the many long term benefits we continue to receive from adding energetic and culturally diverse refugees, immigrants and newcomers to our community.
Speaker: Sarah Amies
Sarah Amies has lived, worked and raised a family in Lethbridge since 1982. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge (’BA – Distinction) in 1988. For the next 13 years, she worked as the Applied Studies program coordinator and as an Arts and Science Academic Advisor for the U of L. ?In 2001, Sarah started working with Lethbridge Family Services as the Program Director for the Immigrant Services department. In this capacity, Sarah is involved in community development and educational initiatives as well as overseeing the daily operations of the settlement office. Sarah is very dedicated working with the City and its citizens in order to develop a community that is supportive of and welcoming to our newest neighbours. In 2012, Sarah received YWCA’s Women of Distinction award and she was named a U of L Alumni Honour Society Inductee in 2013.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Canada’s justice system is working poorly for Indigenous peoples. Not-guilty verdicts arrived at recently in two separate murder cases involving First Nations victims, Tina Fontaine and Colten Boushie, have arguably yet again exposed Canada’s justice system as failing Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous people have been murdered or gone missing for a long time without due diligence from law enforcement and only now are we starting to expose these patterns of neglect in a meaningful way. Still, if you are an Indigenous person in Canada today, chances are, you will have difficulty receiving justice.
The speaker will explain Canada’s jury selection system and argue that it needs a serious overhaul. She will also contend that unless we come to terms with the staggering amount of racism that still exists in our institutions, and in our society as a whole towards Indigenous peoples in Canada, not much will change.
Speaker: Ingrid Hess
Ingrid Hess is a lawyer from Lethbridge who has been practicing for over 21 years. For the majority of her career she has focussed on criminal defence work, representing clients on all kinds of criminal and quasi-criminal charges in the Provincial Court, Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal of Alberta, including a number of serious jury trials. She has worked extensively with clients of Indigenous background. Some of her important court cases have been cited in academic work pertaining to the treatment of individuals with FASD in the legal system. In 2010 she was drawn into working on the Residential Schools Independent Assessment Process for compensation for serious physical and sexual abuse. In that capacity she has worked on over 300 individual claims from BC through to Ontario and across the North, acquiring a very personal but also broad understanding of the historical and cultural circumstances of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Ms. Hess lives in Lethbridge and is mother to three young men. Her eldest son is a member of the Big Stone Cree Nation and her younger two are both Blood Tribe members.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Time: 11:30 am – 12:15 pm buffet lunch, 12:15 – 12:45 pm presentation, 1 – 1:30 pm Q & A Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Canada’s justice system is working poorly for Indigenous peoples. Not-guilty verdicts arrived at recently in two separate murder cases involving First Nations victims, Tina Fontaine and Colten Boushie, have arguably yet again exposed Canada’s justice system as failing Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous people have been murdered or gone missing for a long time without due diligence from law enforcement and only now are we starting to expose these patterns of neglect in a meaningful way. Still, if you are an Indigenous person in Canada today, chances are, you will have difficulty receiving justice.
The speaker will explain Canada’s jury selection system and argue that it needs a serious overhaul. She will also contend that unless we come to terms with the staggering amount of racism that still exists in our institutions, and in our society as a whole towards Indigenous peoples in Canada, not much will change.
Speaker: Ingrid Hess
Ingrid Hess is a lawyer from Lethbridge who has been practicing for over 21 years. For the majority of her career she has focussed on criminal defence work, representing clients on all kinds of criminal and quasi-criminal charges in the Provincial Court, Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal of Alberta, including a number of serious jury trials. She has worked extensively with clients of Indigenous background. Some of her important court cases have been cited in academic work pertaining to the treatment of individuals with FASD in the legal system. In 2010 she was drawn into working on the Residential Schools Independent Assessment Process for compensation for serious physical and sexual abuse. In that capacity she has worked on over 300 individual claims from BC through to Ontario and across the North, acquiring a very personal but also broad understanding of the historical and cultural circumstances of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Ms. Hess lives in Lethbridge and is mother to three young men. Her eldest son is a member of the Big Stone Cree Nation and her younger two are both Blood Tribe members.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Time: 11:30 am – 12:15 pm buffet lunch, 12:15 – 12:45 pm presentation, 1 – 1:30 pm Q & A Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required
Although much of the world’s scientific research have been done by women, science is arguably still dominated by men, even though a sizable number of women enter the science and engineering fields. Their work however, is seldom recognized in a meaningful way and numerous women leave the profession before they become well established. Why is this still happening in 2018?
Women do not enter or do not thrive in careers in science and engineering, not just because babies get in the way (although they do), but because women often are made and seen to be unimportant. It is generally a fact that women are paid less to do the same work, asked to do less valued jobs even if they are well qualified, seen as unpleasant if they voice their opinion at meetings, and talked over when they do speak up.
Systemic barriers are slow to change, but what will it take before any measurable improvements are achieved for women in science? The speaker will contend that female scientists still face a tough road ahead, but that if we all work at it, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Mather
Dr. Mather was born in Victoria, BC, where she developed her fascination for sea animals. She holds a BSc in Biology from UBC, an MSc in Biology from Florida State, and a PhD in Psychology from Brandeis University (1978), after which she earned a University Research Fellowship and worked as a Research Assistant Professor at Western University for five years.
Dr. Mather has been at the University of Lethbridge since 1985, where she currently works as a Professor of Psychology, researching octopus behaviour. Beyond this research interest, Dr. Mather's work is also concerned with women in science (having been involved in activism and teaching on gender issues), non-standard university teaching, human-animal interactions and invertebrate welfare.
Moderator: Krysty Munns
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Although much of the world’s scientific research have been done by women, science is arguably still dominated by men, even though a sizable number of women enter the science and engineering fields. Their work however, is seldom recognized in a meaningful way and numerous women leave the profession before they become well established. Why is this still happening in 2018?
Women do not enter or do not thrive in careers in science and engineering, not just because babies get in the way (although they do), but because women often are made and seen to be unimportant. It is generally a fact that women are paid less to do the same work, asked to do less valued jobs even if they are well qualified, seen as unpleasant if they voice their opinion at meetings, and talked over when they do speak up.
Systemic barriers are slow to change, but what will it take before any measurable improvements are achieved for women in science? The speaker will contend that female scientists still face a tough road ahead, but that if we all work at it, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Mather
Dr. Mather was born in Victoria, BC, where she developed her fascination for sea animals. She holds a BSc in Biology from UBC, an MSc in Biology from Florida State, and a PhD in Psychology from Brandeis University (1978), after which she earned a University Research Fellowship and worked as a Research Assistant Professor at Western University for five years.
Dr. Mather has been at the University of Lethbridge since 1985, where she currently works as a Professor of Psychology, researching octopus behaviour. Beyond this research interest, Dr. Mather's work is also concerned with women in science (having been involved in activism and teaching on gender issues), non-standard university teaching, human-animal interactions and invertebrate welfare.
Moderator: Krysty Munns
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
The Canada Summer Jobs Program now states that In order to receive federal Canada job grants, employers must attest that both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect Canada’s individual human rights, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
This formulation raises worries: If the Canadian government requires organizations to attest in such way, does it thereby require them to make a declaration that goes against their deeply felt beliefs in order to obtain funding for activities meant to help the community? If it does, then that seems to go directly against some of the very values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that it cites in the attestation: the protection of religious rights and freedom of conscience.
In this talk, the speaker will attempt to disentangle some of the possible misunderstandings surrounding the question whether the mandate for the summer job program is respectful of religious rights and freedom of conscience. She will not provide a definite answer, but will try to surround the question with clarifications and background considerations that can help with creating an informed and thoughtful opinion. The speaker will then hand the whole package back to the audience for the Q & A, looking forward to their engagement.
Speaker: Dr. Katharina Stevens
Kat Stevens is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, where she teaches legal philosophy and argumentation theory. She arrived in Southern Alberta last summer and is enjoying the city very much. Being both a young woman and a person with a conscience, she has a horse in the race on both sides of the topic, so she is excited to hear thoughts and questions that the audience will have to offer.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 1, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
The Canada Summer Jobs Program now states that In order to receive federal Canada job grants, employers must attest that both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect Canada’s individual human rights, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
This formulation raises worries: If the Canadian government requires organizations to attest in such way, does it thereby require them to make a declaration that goes against their deeply felt beliefs in order to obtain funding for activities meant to help the community? If it does, then that seems to go directly against some of the very values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that it cites in the attestation: the protection of religious rights and freedom of conscience.
In this talk, the speaker will attempt to disentangle some of the possible misunderstandings surrounding the question whether the mandate for the summer job program is respectful of religious rights and freedom of conscience. She will not provide a definite answer, but will try to surround the question with clarifications and background considerations that can help with creating an informed and thoughtful opinion. The speaker will then hand the whole package back to the audience for the Q & A, looking forward to their engagement.
Speaker: Dr. Katharina Stevens
Kat Stevens is an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, where she teaches legal philosophy and argumentation theory. She arrived in Southern Alberta last summer and is enjoying the city very much. Being both a young woman and a person with a conscience, she has a horse in the race on both sides of the topic, so she is excited to hear thoughts and questions that the audience will have to offer.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 1, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
In April 2017, Alberta announced Phase 1 of the Early Learning and Child Care Centres (ELCC) pilot program capping fees at 22 quality child care centres at $25 per day per child. ELCC Centre’s offers flexible child care for parents who work part-time or shifts that are outside typical day care hours or offers care in accessible settings such as co-location with other public buildings. These centres will provide support for children with diverse needs and implement an early learning child care curriculum.
Following a Federal ELCC funding commitment, Alberta’s program was expanded to 78 more Centres in December 2018. A rigorous evaluation process has already begun for the Phase 1 ELCC Centres. The results from the evaluation will allow governments to determine continued funding and/or possible expansion of the program.
The Minister will speak about the benefits of affordable, quality and accessible child care and how the pilot ELCC centres are making life better for families.
Speaker: Hon. Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services
Danielle Larivee was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Member for Lesser Slave Lake on May 5, 2015. She was sworn into Cabinet as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Service Alberta on October 22, 2015. On January 19, 2017 she was appointed Minister of Children’s Services.
In 2015, Minister Larivee served as the co-chair of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Committee, and in 2016 she was named the lead Minister during the Fort McMurray wildfires.
As a nurse, Minister Larivee is a passionate advocate for the well-being of Albertans. Prior to becoming an MLA, she spent more than 17 years caring for the people of the Lesser Slave Lake Region. Minister Larivee holds a bachelor of science in midwifery from the Midwives College of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Alberta.
Together with her children, Ms. Larivee lives in Slave Lake, a community she has called home for more than 35 years.
Moderator: Tanya Pace-Crosschild
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
In April 2017, Alberta announced Phase 1 of the Early Learning and Child Care Centres (ELCC) pilot program capping fees at 22 quality child care centres at $25 per day per child. ELCC Centre’s offers flexible child care for parents who work part-time or shifts that are outside typical day care hours or offers care in accessible settings such as co-location with other public buildings. These centres will provide support for children with diverse needs and implement an early learning child care curriculum.
Following a Federal ELCC funding commitment, Alberta’s program was expanded to 78 more Centres in December 2018. A rigorous evaluation process has already begun for the Phase 1 ELCC Centres. The results from the evaluation will allow governments to determine continued funding and/or possible expansion of the program.
The Minister will speak about the benefits of affordable, quality and accessible child care and how the pilot ELCC centres are making life better for families.
Speaker: Hon. Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services
Danielle Larivee was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Member for Lesser Slave Lake on May 5, 2015. She was sworn into Cabinet as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Service Alberta on October 22, 2015. On January 19, 2017 she was appointed Minister of Children’s Services.
In 2015, Minister Larivee served as the co-chair of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Committee, and in 2016 she was named the lead Minister during the Fort McMurray wildfires.
As a nurse, Minister Larivee is a passionate advocate for the well-being of Albertans. Prior to becoming an MLA, she spent more than 17 years caring for the people of the Lesser Slave Lake Region. Minister Larivee holds a bachelor of science in midwifery from the Midwives College of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Alberta.
Together with her children, Ms. Larivee lives in Slave Lake, a community she has called home for more than 35 years.
Moderator: Tanya Pace-Crosschild
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
For all the wealth they potentially possess, Alberta’s vast petroleum reserves have arguably been badly mismanaged since the early 1990s both in terms of collecting proper royalties and environmental sustainability. Even some of the industry’s biggest promoters have conceded that the laborious extraction of oil from sand and clay has left the province’s economic fortunes in an unreliable economic situation, not to mention the resulting ecological degradation that bitumen mining causes.
The speaker will argue that the revolving door between cabinet tables and the corporate board rooms, since Ralph Klein became Premier of Alberta, effectively allowed the oil industry to dictate public policy and thereby undermine the democratic process. He will also speculate on whether or not Alberta’s fortunes can improve with Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP Government promoting pipelines and implementing a tax on carbon as a way of taking action on climate change and environmental issues.
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Taft
Kevin Taft is delighted to return to Lethbridge to speak at SACPA. Kevin is the author of five books, including Oil’s Deep State, published in 2017. Taft served three terms in the Alberta legislature with the Alberta Liberal Party, and was Leader of the Official Opposition from 2004 to 2008, through two general elections. Prior to entering politics he had a long career working in public policy in the Alberta government, the non-profit sector, and the private sector. He has a PhD in Business from University of Warwick and is a distinguished research fellow at the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta, and served as a visiting fellow at Western Sydney University in Australia. Taft grew up in Edmonton, where he and his wife still live. He is no longer involved in party politics, and is a frequent public speaker.
Moderator: Cameron Howey
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost:$11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
For all the wealth they potentially possess, Alberta’s vast petroleum reserves have arguably been badly mismanaged since the early 1990s both in terms of collecting proper royalties and environmental sustainability. Even some of the industry’s biggest promoters have conceded that the laborious extraction of oil from sand and clay has left the province’s economic fortunes in an unreliable economic situation, not to mention the resulting ecological degradation that bitumen mining causes.
The speaker will argue that the revolving door between cabinet tables and the corporate board rooms, since Ralph Klein became Premier of Alberta, effectively allowed the oil industry to dictate public policy and thereby undermine the democratic process. He will also speculate on whether or not Alberta’s fortunes can improve with Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP Government promoting pipelines and implementing a tax on carbon as a way of taking action on climate change and environmental issues.
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Taft
Kevin Taft is delighted to return to Lethbridge to speak at SACPA. Kevin is the author of five books, including Oil’s Deep State, published in 2017. Taft served three terms in the Alberta legislature with the Alberta Liberal Party, and was Leader of the Official Opposition from 2004 to 2008, through two general elections. Prior to entering politics he had a long career working in public policy in the Alberta government, the non-profit sector, and the private sector. He has a PhD in Business from University of Warwick and is a distinguished research fellow at the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta, and served as a visiting fellow at Western Sydney University in Australia. Taft grew up in Edmonton, where he and his wife still live. He is no longer involved in party politics, and is a frequent public speaker.
Moderator: Cameron Howey
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost:$11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
A historic treaty to bring back bison (buffalo) was signed in 2014 in Montana by First Nations and tribes on both sides of the Canada-United States border. The Northern Tribes Buffalo Treaty — the first of its kind in 150 years — is meant to work to establish inter-tribal alliances for the restoration of bison on reserves or co-managed lands within the U.S. and Canada.
Bison may bring about better ecological balance by allowing plants, animals and birds that disappeared with the demise of the bison in the mid to late 1800s. The first wild bison to roam Banff National Park in more than a century was reintroduces last year and will eventually graze the eastern slopes of that park. The speaker will address the many issues related to reintroduction of bison to this area. He will also explain the cultural importance that bison plays in the lives of First Nations Peoples.
Speaker: Dr. Leroy Little Bear
Renowned as an international scholar, speaker and leader, Dr. Leroy Little Bear is a pioneer in the field of Indigenous education and the winner of the 2017 University of Lethbridge Speaker Research Award. A mentor and instructor of students and an esteemed advisor on Aboriginal matters at the local, provincial, national and international level, Little Bear was a founder of the University’s Department of Native American Studies, one of the first such departments in Canada.
Little Bear breathed life into Indigenous scholarship by developing ethical, respectful and rigorous Aboriginal programs. His educational service did not end with his formal retirement, but rather transitioned into the role of mentor and advisor, guiding Indigenous programming and establishing a legacy of inclusivity.
Little Bear now serves as the Special Assistant to the President and has played an integral role in breaking boundaries between traditional Indigenous and western sciences, and his writings have influenced legal and policy realms. He and his wife, Amethyst First Rider, were major proponents in bringing about the signing of the Buffalo Treaty between American and First Nations.
He has received the key to the City of Lethbridge, an Urban Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award, an honorary Doctor of Arts and Science from the U of L, an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Northern British Columbia and was recently inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Moderator: Cody Spencer
Date: Thursday, February 8, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
A historic treaty to bring back bison (buffalo) was signed in 2014 in Montana by First Nations and tribes on both sides of the Canada-United States border. The Northern Tribes Buffalo Treaty — the first of its kind in 150 years — is meant to work to establish inter-tribal alliances for the restoration of bison on reserves or co-managed lands within the U.S. and Canada.
Bison may bring about better ecological balance by allowing plants, animals and birds that disappeared with the demise of the bison in the mid to late 1800s. The first wild bison to roam Banff National Park in more than a century was reintroduces last year and will eventually graze the eastern slopes of that park. The speaker will address the many issues related to reintroduction of bison to this area. He will also explain the cultural importance that bison plays in the lives of First Nations Peoples.
Speaker: Dr. Leroy Little Bear
Renowned as an international scholar, speaker and leader, Dr. Leroy Little Bear is a pioneer in the field of Indigenous education and the winner of the 2017 University of Lethbridge Speaker Research Award. A mentor and instructor of students and an esteemed advisor on Aboriginal matters at the local, provincial, national and international level, Little Bear was a founder of the University’s Department of Native American Studies, one of the first such departments in Canada.
Little Bear breathed life into Indigenous scholarship by developing ethical, respectful and rigorous Aboriginal programs. His educational service did not end with his formal retirement, but rather transitioned into the role of mentor and advisor, guiding Indigenous programming and establishing a legacy of inclusivity.
Little Bear now serves as the Special Assistant to the President and has played an integral role in breaking boundaries between traditional Indigenous and western sciences, and his writings have influenced legal and policy realms. He and his wife, Amethyst First Rider, were major proponents in bringing about the signing of the Buffalo Treaty between American and First Nations.
He has received the key to the City of Lethbridge, an Urban Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award, an honorary Doctor of Arts and Science from the U of L, an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Northern British Columbia and was recently inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Moderator: Cody Spencer
Date: Thursday, February 8, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Maintaining healthy landscapes has benefits that extend well beyond the boundaries of a given property. These ecological services include things like water filtration and storage, healthy wildlife populations, and aesthetic values which support tourism and the preservation of our heritage. The economic value of these ecological services is enormous and once compromised they are often irreplaceable. In southwest Alberta a significant portion of the lands that provide these important ecological services are private lands.
As our population grows, so does the demand for these services. And while demand continues to grow, the intact land base that provides these services is shrinking. Based on historic rates, “business as usual” will see much of the private land in our foothills developed over the next 50 to 100 years. This is occurring through a continual process of subdivision, road and residential development, and industrial activity. The result will be further loss of iconic vistas, fresh water, wildlife, and the working ranches of our foothills communities.
This ever-expanding human footprint in rural areas will also have measurable impacts on resources that we rely on in neighbouring communities, such as clean water. The speaker will argue that protection of private lands in the Oldman River Watershed is crucial to the health and economic well-being of rural communities but also all downstream including Lethbridge. He will also highlight many of the exciting initiatives that are going on not only to increase awareness but also to protect valuable areas in the watershed.
Speaker: Justin Thompson
Justin is the Executive Director of Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS). He spent much of his childhood and youth exploring the foothills of southern Alberta, including his family’s ranch land west of Pincher Creek. This clearly influenced his decision to pursue a B.Sc. in Biology and a Master’s in Public Administration, with an eye to influencing a change in environmental practices.
Justin got to know SALTS when he started looking for options to preserve wildlife habitat and watersheds on his own land. He, along with his family and several of their neighbours, ended up doing conservation easements with SALTS. His positive experience with SALTS and his passion for preserving Alberta’s natural landscapes led to him working full time on private land conservation.
Prior to SALTS, Justin had a varied career in wildlife conservation, renewable energy development, and his own energy efficient home-building business. He also continues to run a small cow/calf operation on his land in partnership with a local rancher. This combination of experiences is helpful in his role as he directs and implements the work of the organization.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Maintaining healthy landscapes has benefits that extend well beyond the boundaries of a given property. These ecological services include things like water filtration and storage, healthy wildlife populations, and aesthetic values which support tourism and the preservation of our heritage. The economic value of these ecological services is enormous and once compromised they are often irreplaceable. In southwest Alberta a significant portion of the lands that provide these important ecological services are private lands.
As our population grows, so does the demand for these services. And while demand continues to grow, the intact land base that provides these services is shrinking. Based on historic rates, “business as usual” will see much of the private land in our foothills developed over the next 50 to 100 years. This is occurring through a continual process of subdivision, road and residential development, and industrial activity. The result will be further loss of iconic vistas, fresh water, wildlife, and the working ranches of our foothills communities.
This ever-expanding human footprint in rural areas will also have measurable impacts on resources that we rely on in neighbouring communities, such as clean water. The speaker will argue that protection of private lands in the Oldman River Watershed is crucial to the health and economic well-being of rural communities but also all downstream including Lethbridge. He will also highlight many of the exciting initiatives that are going on not only to increase awareness but also to protect valuable areas in the watershed.
Speaker: Justin Thompson
Justin is the Executive Director of Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS). He spent much of his childhood and youth exploring the foothills of southern Alberta, including his family’s ranch land west of Pincher Creek. This clearly influenced his decision to pursue a B.Sc. in Biology and a Master’s in Public Administration, with an eye to influencing a change in environmental practices.
Justin got to know SALTS when he started looking for options to preserve wildlife habitat and watersheds on his own land. He, along with his family and several of their neighbours, ended up doing conservation easements with SALTS. His positive experience with SALTS and his passion for preserving Alberta’s natural landscapes led to him working full time on private land conservation.
Prior to SALTS, Justin had a varied career in wildlife conservation, renewable energy development, and his own energy efficient home-building business. He also continues to run a small cow/calf operation on his land in partnership with a local rancher. This combination of experiences is helpful in his role as he directs and implements the work of the organization.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Pollinators are insects and animals that carry pollen from one plant to another. These include honey bees, wild bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, birds and more.
In recent years, most people have become aware that a large portion of the foods we eat — fruits, nuts, vegetables, and herbs — depend on pollinators to reproduce. Pollinators also increase the yield of our crops, improve the quality of our produce and are an essential puzzle piece in keeping our growing population fed.
We’ve also been hearing over the last few decades about threats to pollinators, with special attention on the plight of the honey bee. Should we be worried about bees? If so, about what, exactly? And is there anything we can do about it?
The speaker will open our eyes to the breadth of diversity of bees, and contend that they are worthy of our consideration besides the economic benefit we humans derive from them. Moreover, she will describe what it would take to make Lethbridge a bee paradise.
Speaker: Chelsea Sherbut
Chelsea Sherbut is a beekeeper, and has kept honey bees commercially and recreationally with her husband, Jeff, for the past 8 years. She completed her Bee Master certificate through the BC Ministry of Agriculture in 2012. In 2016, Chelsea helped start the Lethbridge Bee Enthusiasts, which is an informal club that meets monthly to share their passion for bees. Although she is most familiar with honey bees, she is an admirer of all other kinds of bees and believes native bees are especially worth our attention and conservation efforts. Outside of her bee interests, Chelsea works as the Volunteer & Fund Development Coordinator for Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, is a passionate volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross and Environment Lethbridge and loves to play disc golf and hike. She is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where she minored in Dialogue (School of Communication).
Moderator: Erin McIlwraith
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
Pollinators are insects and animals that carry pollen from one plant to another. These include honey bees, wild bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, ants, birds and more.
In recent years, most people have become aware that a large portion of the foods we eat — fruits, nuts, vegetables, and herbs — depend on pollinators to reproduce. Pollinators also increase the yield of our crops, improve the quality of our produce and are an essential puzzle piece in keeping our growing population fed.
We’ve also been hearing over the last few decades about threats to pollinators, with special attention on the plight of the honey bee. Should we be worried about bees? If so, about what, exactly? And is there anything we can do about it?
The speaker will open our eyes to the breadth of diversity of bees, and contend that they are worthy of our consideration besides the economic benefit we humans derive from them. Moreover, she will describe what it would take to make Lethbridge a bee paradise.
Speaker: Chelsea Sherbut
Chelsea Sherbut is a beekeeper, and has kept honey bees commercially and recreationally with her husband, Jeff, for the past 8 years. She completed her Bee Master certificate through the BC Ministry of Agriculture in 2012. In 2016, Chelsea helped start the Lethbridge Bee Enthusiasts, which is an informal club that meets monthly to share their passion for bees. Although she is most familiar with honey bees, she is an admirer of all other kinds of bees and believes native bees are especially worth our attention and conservation efforts. Outside of her bee interests, Chelsea works as the Volunteer & Fund Development Coordinator for Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, is a passionate volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross and Environment Lethbridge and loves to play disc golf and hike. She is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where she minored in Dialogue (School of Communication).
Moderator: Erin McIlwraith
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required
A top priority of Canada’s Liberal government has been – after a long period of stagnation – to reassess Canada’s federal funding of university-based research. Dr. Claudia Malacrida was a key member of a red ribbon Ministerial panel struck to investigate the current state of research in Canada. In her talk, she will provide insights into why research matters not only to universities and researchers, but to students, the community, and local, national and global economies.
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Malacrida
Claudia Malacrida is Associate Vice President Research at the University of Lethbridge. She served as the Chair of the Sociology Department from 2011 to 2015 and is emeritus Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology.
Dr. Malacrida is internationally recognized as a leading scholar in the fields of disability studies and the sociology of the body. She is the author of five books on disability/body issues and has published many articles, chapters and papers on a wide range of related topics. She is a sought-after speaker on qualitative research methods, the history of medicine, childbirth and medicalization, the social construction of difference, and the history of institutionalization and eugenic sterilization in Canada.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11.00 (includes soup and bun) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
A top priority of Canada’s Liberal government has been – after a long period of stagnation – to reassess Canada’s federal funding of university-based research. Dr. Claudia Malacrida was a key member of a red ribbon Ministerial panel struck to investigate the current state of research in Canada. In her talk, she will provide insights into why research matters not only to universities and researchers, but to students, the community, and local, national and global economies.
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Malacrida
Claudia Malacrida is Associate Vice President Research at the University of Lethbridge. She served as the Chair of the Sociology Department from 2011 to 2015 and is emeritus Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology.
Dr. Malacrida is internationally recognized as a leading scholar in the fields of disability studies and the sociology of the body. She is the author of five books on disability/body issues and has published many articles, chapters and papers on a wide range of related topics. She is a sought-after speaker on qualitative research methods, the history of medicine, childbirth and medicalization, the social construction of difference, and the history of institutionalization and eugenic sterilization in Canada.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11.00 (includes soup and bun) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Recognition and discussion around violence and abuse has recently been prominent in social media campaigns, particularly with the #metoo campaign. Why are these age-old topics still today so easily being brushed under the rug? What ideas and systems maintain this silence? Join us for an intersectional analysis of the barriers and myths that continue the injustices of violence and abuse, with stories and statistics from frontline crisis and educational work at Safe Haven.
Speaker: Jaisie Walker
Jaisie Walker is the Awareness & Public Education Coordinator at Safe Haven Women's Shelter Society in Taber, and a dedicated community activist. They graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Lethbridge, with a minor in Women and Gender studies. In the past, Jaisie was a coordinator for the Campus Women's Centre, a SACPA publication editor, and an LPIRG Board member.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11.00 (includes soup and bun) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Recognition and discussion around violence and abuse has recently been prominent in social media campaigns, particularly with the #metoo campaign. Why are these age-old topics still today so easily being brushed under the rug? What ideas and systems maintain this silence? Join us for an intersectional analysis of the barriers and myths that continue the injustices of violence and abuse, with stories and statistics from frontline crisis and educational work at Safe Haven.
Speaker: Jaisie Walker
Jaisie Walker is the Awareness & Public Education Coordinator at Safe Haven Women's Shelter Society in Taber, and a dedicated community activist. They graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Lethbridge, with a minor in Women and Gender studies. In the past, Jaisie was a coordinator for the Campus Women's Centre, a SACPA publication editor, and an LPIRG Board member.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11.00 (includes soup and bun) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Controversy over new parks in the Castle area has been as intense and divisive as ongoing debates over development in Banff and Waterton. Is park protection an outdated approach to biodiversity conservation? Are there better ways to protect nature or are we just thinking about parks in the wrong ways?
The speaker will illustrate this thought-provoking talk with excerpts from his recently released book Our Place: Changing the Nature of Alberta, a collection of writings spanning a third of a century that chronicle the ecology, conservation history, missed opportunities and emerging possibilities of a place that should have been about so much more than resource exploitation.
Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem
Kevin Van Tighem is a landscape ecologist, author and retired park superintendent whose family roots in southern Alberta go back to 1875. He currently chairs the Science and Stewardship Committee for the Nature Conservancy of Canada and serves on the boards of the Livingstone Landowners Group and Alberta Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Van Tighem is an outspoken advocate for the preservation of Alberta’s wilderness areas, headwaters landscapes, rivers and native prairies. ?Kevin Van Tighem has written dozens of articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife which have garnered many awards, including Western Magazine Awards, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards, Banff Mountain Book Festival awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. His most recent books include Bears: Without Fear (2013), The Homeward Wolf (2013), Heart Waters (2015) and Our Place: Changing the Nature of Alberta (2017)
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below the Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Controversy over new parks in the Castle area has been as intense and divisive as ongoing debates over development in Banff and Waterton. Is park protection an outdated approach to biodiversity conservation? Are there better ways to protect nature or are we just thinking about parks in the wrong ways?
The speaker will illustrate this thought-provoking talk with excerpts from his recently released book Our Place: Changing the Nature of Alberta, a collection of writings spanning a third of a century that chronicle the ecology, conservation history, missed opportunities and emerging possibilities of a place that should have been about so much more than resource exploitation.
Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem
Kevin Van Tighem is a landscape ecologist, author and retired park superintendent whose family roots in southern Alberta go back to 1875. He currently chairs the Science and Stewardship Committee for the Nature Conservancy of Canada and serves on the boards of the Livingstone Landowners Group and Alberta Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Van Tighem is an outspoken advocate for the preservation of Alberta’s wilderness areas, headwaters landscapes, rivers and native prairies. ?Kevin Van Tighem has written dozens of articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife which have garnered many awards, including Western Magazine Awards, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards, Banff Mountain Book Festival awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. His most recent books include Bears: Without Fear (2013), The Homeward Wolf (2013), Heart Waters (2015) and Our Place: Changing the Nature of Alberta (2017)
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below the Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Since 1986, National Philanthropy Day has been celebrated on November 15 in the US following the signing of a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. In 2013, the Canadian government signed into law a similar proclamation to celebrate November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. Donating and volunteering of course does not begin nor stop on that day, but it does serve the purpose of drawing attention to the importance of “giving back” to the many causes that increasingly rely on philanthropic assistance.
Almost half of Canada’s population over 15 years of age volunteer an average of 150 hours per year or nearly 2 billion hours in total donated. Yearly monetary donations to Canadian charitable and non-profit organizations amount to approx. $15 billion. Of that total, two-thirds of the donations were made by the most generous 10 percent of the donors. Around 40 percent of all financial donations went to religious organizations while health and social service groups received nearly 25 percent of the total.
How was National Philanthropy Day celebrated in Lethbridge and how does this community generally stack up in terms of giving and volunteering? The speaker will shed light on that question and contend that showing love for humanity is more than wealthy individuals and companies donating millions of dollars to charities and institutions. It is the numerous acts of charity and volunteerism, however small, that make a huge impact on people’s lives …….. including your own.
Speaker: Brandie Lea
You may wonder how in the world a person with a Graduate Degree in Kinesiology ends up as a “Recruiter for Noble Causes” (i.e. Fundraiser). Brandie graduated from the University of Lethbridge with an MSc in Kinesiology, yet has been involved in the non-for-profit world for almost 10 years. She began her path at Covenant Health working as the Foundation Coordinator for the St. Michael’s Health Centre, and recently graduated from that role into a position as Faculty Development Officer for the University of Lethbridge.
Brandie is an eye-witness to many of the big hearts and brilliant people that are found in our city. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and is currently involved at the board level. She has also been part of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and volunteered as a member of their Board of Directors. Most recently Brandie was instrumental in initiating a Chamber committee known as the Corporate Philanthropy Taskforce. Her engagement with this Taskforce, as well as her role with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, gave her a flash of inspiration that led to a city-wide message of thanks to our local citizens. #ThanksYQL was a phenomenal week of appreciation that she hopes touched nearly everyone.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below the Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Since 1986, National Philanthropy Day has been celebrated on November 15 in the US following the signing of a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. In 2013, the Canadian government signed into law a similar proclamation to celebrate November 15 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. Donating and volunteering of course does not begin nor stop on that day, but it does serve the purpose of drawing attention to the importance of “giving back” to the many causes that increasingly rely on philanthropic assistance.
Almost half of Canada’s population over 15 years of age volunteer an average of 150 hours per year or nearly 2 billion hours in total donated. Yearly monetary donations to Canadian charitable and non-profit organizations amount to approx. $15 billion. Of that total, two-thirds of the donations were made by the most generous 10 percent of the donors. Around 40 percent of all financial donations went to religious organizations while health and social service groups received nearly 25 percent of the total.
How was National Philanthropy Day celebrated in Lethbridge and how does this community generally stack up in terms of giving and volunteering? The speaker will shed light on that question and contend that showing love for humanity is more than wealthy individuals and companies donating millions of dollars to charities and institutions. It is the numerous acts of charity and volunteerism, however small, that make a huge impact on people’s lives …….. including your own.
Speaker: Brandie Lea
You may wonder how in the world a person with a Graduate Degree in Kinesiology ends up as a “Recruiter for Noble Causes” (i.e. Fundraiser). Brandie graduated from the University of Lethbridge with an MSc in Kinesiology, yet has been involved in the non-for-profit world for almost 10 years. She began her path at Covenant Health working as the Foundation Coordinator for the St. Michael’s Health Centre, and recently graduated from that role into a position as Faculty Development Officer for the University of Lethbridge.
Brandie is an eye-witness to many of the big hearts and brilliant people that are found in our city. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge and is currently involved at the board level. She has also been part of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and volunteered as a member of their Board of Directors. Most recently Brandie was instrumental in initiating a Chamber committee known as the Corporate Philanthropy Taskforce. Her engagement with this Taskforce, as well as her role with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, gave her a flash of inspiration that led to a city-wide message of thanks to our local citizens. #ThanksYQL was a phenomenal week of appreciation that she hopes touched nearly everyone.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below the Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Many Canadians are now sitting 9 hours or more per day whether they are part of the work force or retired. There may be health risks associated with “too much sitting”, and this has given birth to the catch phrase, ‘sitting is the new smoking’. A large percentage of today’s jobs require people to work sitting in front of a computer and although increasing numbers now have the option to stand, there is little doubt that a sedentary lifestyle can affect your well-being, especially in your “golden” years.
For the majority of the speaker’s research life, the focus was directed towards studies of physical activity across the lifespan and healthy aging. Now she is interested in also studying the opposite end of the movement spectrum – sedentary behaviour. There has been a shift away from looking at physical activity in isolation, because we now know that all daily movement behaviours interact to influence your health.
The speaker will talk about her latest research into how sedentary time affects our overall health. She will also offer some creative suggestions on ways to sit less and move more every day!
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Jennifer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She completed a B.Sc. in Biology at Mount Allison University and attended graduate school at the University of New Brunswick where she earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. Jennifer’s main research interests are the effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on healthy ageing.
Jennifer is passionate about translating research into knowledge with the hope that her work can ultimately contribute to improving population health. To achieve that goal she regularly collaborates with community partners and stakeholders, and also takes every opportunity to present and explain the evidence of why people of all ages should move more and sit less.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Many Canadians are now sitting 9 hours or more per day whether they are part of the work force or retired. There may be health risks associated with “too much sitting”, and this has given birth to the catch phrase, ‘sitting is the new smoking’. A large percentage of today’s jobs require people to work sitting in front of a computer and although increasing numbers now have the option to stand, there is little doubt that a sedentary lifestyle can affect your well-being, especially in your “golden” years.
For the majority of the speaker’s research life, the focus was directed towards studies of physical activity across the lifespan and healthy aging. Now she is interested in also studying the opposite end of the movement spectrum – sedentary behaviour. There has been a shift away from looking at physical activity in isolation, because we now know that all daily movement behaviours interact to influence your health.
The speaker will talk about her latest research into how sedentary time affects our overall health. She will also offer some creative suggestions on ways to sit less and move more every day!
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Jennifer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She completed a B.Sc. in Biology at Mount Allison University and attended graduate school at the University of New Brunswick where she earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. Jennifer’s main research interests are the effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on healthy ageing.
Jennifer is passionate about translating research into knowledge with the hope that her work can ultimately contribute to improving population health. To achieve that goal she regularly collaborates with community partners and stakeholders, and also takes every opportunity to present and explain the evidence of why people of all ages should move more and sit less.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Alberta’s minimum wage increased to $13.60 on Oct 1, 2017 and is scheduled for a further hike to $15 on Oct 1, 2018. As well, thanks to recent changes to the provincial Labour Code, it will now be a little easier for workers to exercise their constitutional right to join a union and bargain collectively with their employers.
What will that mean for Alberta businesses and workers? Arguably, the people who light their hair on fire about unions are the same ones who said tax cuts for the rich would bring prosperity for everyone (instead, they brought rising inequality); that budget cuts could end recessions (instead, they ended up making them worse); and that de-regulation would strengthen the economy (instead, it brought us things like the global financial crisis of 2008). It can be said too that the process of collective bargaining between workers and employers is good for both workers and the economy.
The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the OECD have all concluded that jurisdictions who support and facilitate collective bargaining have stronger economies than those that do not, mainly because of increased consumer purchasing power. The speaker will contend that even though Alberta’s average wages are nearly 20 per cent higher than the national average, the province is likely to lead the country in investments and economic growth this coming year.
Speaker: Gil McGowan
Gil McGowan is serving his third term as the elected president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta’s largest union advocacy organization representing more than 170,000 workers from unions in both the public and private sectors. He also serves as a board member for Friends of Medicare and the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute.??Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been successful in moving a number of work-related issues to the centre of public debate in Alberta, including: workplace health and safety; the use (and abuse) of temporary foreign workers; and the increasing loss of oil sands jobs as the result of raw bitumen exports. As well, McGowan played an important role in campaigns to increase the provincial minimum wage and to stop the introduction of former Premier Ralph Klein’s controversial Third Way plan for health care.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Alberta’s minimum wage increased to $13.60 on Oct 1, 2017 and is scheduled for a further hike to $15 on Oct 1, 2018. As well, thanks to recent changes to the provincial Labour Code, it will now be a little easier for workers to exercise their constitutional right to join a union and bargain collectively with their employers.
What will that mean for Alberta businesses and workers? Arguably, the people who light their hair on fire about unions are the same ones who said tax cuts for the rich would bring prosperity for everyone (instead, they brought rising inequality); that budget cuts could end recessions (instead, they ended up making them worse); and that de-regulation would strengthen the economy (instead, it brought us things like the global financial crisis of 2008). It can be said too that the process of collective bargaining between workers and employers is good for both workers and the economy.
The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the OECD have all concluded that jurisdictions who support and facilitate collective bargaining have stronger economies than those that do not, mainly because of increased consumer purchasing power. The speaker will contend that even though Alberta’s average wages are nearly 20 per cent higher than the national average, the province is likely to lead the country in investments and economic growth this coming year.
Speaker: Gil McGowan
Gil McGowan is serving his third term as the elected president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta’s largest union advocacy organization representing more than 170,000 workers from unions in both the public and private sectors. He also serves as a board member for Friends of Medicare and the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute.??Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been successful in moving a number of work-related issues to the centre of public debate in Alberta, including: workplace health and safety; the use (and abuse) of temporary foreign workers; and the increasing loss of oil sands jobs as the result of raw bitumen exports. As well, McGowan played an important role in campaigns to increase the provincial minimum wage and to stop the introduction of former Premier Ralph Klein’s controversial Third Way plan for health care.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
It is difficult to look at a newspaper, watch TV, listen to the radio, or scan the news on the internet without some reference to personal privacy being compromised. Intrusions into government and private-sector systems have often exposed sensitive information and increasingly, systems are breached with more personal information uncovered. But what happens when this complex network of digital and industrial technologies becomes so fast, so automated and so ubiquitous (everywhere) that we are no longer capable of discerning the differences between public and private, real and fake, human and machine? And what if that process of technological change is so rapid and disruptive that we lose the very capability and/or willingness to even care?
New Media Professor James Graham will argue that we are currently on the doorstep of this new era - a “perfect storm” of new technologies and systems – that will so completely automate and accelerate our physical and digital environment as to risk placing it beyond our ability to monitor, comprehend or control the impact of that change. Specifically, the speaker will examine and make understandable the complex technologies that make up this next, Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it is commonly called, including: AI, Machine Learning, Block Chain, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, Virtual Currencies, The Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, GPU Cluster computing and autonomous devices and vehicles.
The speaker will argue that, while there will certainly be societal benefits associated with these coming technology systems, it is critical for governments, educators, industrialists and citizens to take a hard look at the ethical and societal implications associated with allowing these technologies to re-engineer or “fix”, our urban infrastructure and social matrix. It is critical that we must try to retain the ability to shape and limit the technological systems that increasingly demand our adoption, participation and consent.
Speaker: James Graham
James Graham is an Associate Professor and founding member of the University of Lethbridge Department of New Media. In the private sector, Graham is the founder and CEO of Neospatial Corp - an augmented reality/virtual reality company – and Director of Research and Development with Insitu Media Corporation, a Vancouver-based digital innovator in server-side 3D media insertion systems.
Graham’s academic research is focused on developing industry and artistic applications of 3D virtual and augmented reality technology. Theory-based research is in “disruptor media” innovation and ethics.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, November 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
It is difficult to look at a newspaper, watch TV, listen to the radio, or scan the news on the internet without some reference to personal privacy being compromised. Intrusions into government and private-sector systems have often exposed sensitive information and increasingly, systems are breached with more personal information uncovered. But what happens when this complex network of digital and industrial technologies becomes so fast, so automated and so ubiquitous (everywhere) that we are no longer capable of discerning the differences between public and private, real and fake, human and machine? And what if that process of technological change is so rapid and disruptive that we lose the very capability and/or willingness to even care?
New Media Professor James Graham will argue that we are currently on the doorstep of this new era - a “perfect storm” of new technologies and systems – that will so completely automate and accelerate our physical and digital environment as to risk placing it beyond our ability to monitor, comprehend or control the impact of that change. Specifically, the speaker will examine and make understandable the complex technologies that make up this next, Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it is commonly called, including: AI, Machine Learning, Block Chain, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, Virtual Currencies, The Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, GPU Cluster computing and autonomous devices and vehicles.
The speaker will argue that, while there will certainly be societal benefits associated with these coming technology systems, it is critical for governments, educators, industrialists and citizens to take a hard look at the ethical and societal implications associated with allowing these technologies to re-engineer or “fix”, our urban infrastructure and social matrix. It is critical that we must try to retain the ability to shape and limit the technological systems that increasingly demand our adoption, participation and consent.
Speaker: James Graham
James Graham is an Associate Professor and founding member of the University of Lethbridge Department of New Media. In the private sector, Graham is the founder and CEO of Neospatial Corp - an augmented reality/virtual reality company – and Director of Research and Development with Insitu Media Corporation, a Vancouver-based digital innovator in server-side 3D media insertion systems.
Graham’s academic research is focused on developing industry and artistic applications of 3D virtual and augmented reality technology. Theory-based research is in “disruptor media” innovation and ethics.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, November 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Prompted by a drug related death epidemic that has devastated families across Alberta and indeed Canada, a former night club in Lethbridge is scheduled to become North America’s first supervised inhalation site when it opens early in 2018. To date, this facility is the only one to be granted approval by Health Canada for a site that will permit four types of drug consumption: injection, oral, intranasal and inhalation.
ARCHES, the local harm reduction organization that will be operating the facility, currently support about 3,000 clients in Lethbridge and a similar number in rural areas surrounding the city. So far, Health Canada has approved six supervised consumption sites in Alberta, including four in Edmonton and one in Calgary.
The latest provincial data from January to August, 2017 shows 315 individuals in Alberta died from an apparent drug overdose related to fentanyl, up more than 50 per cent from the same period last year. Per capita, Lethbridge’s drug overdose death rate exceeds that of both Calgary and Edmonton.
The speaker will emphasize that harm reduction is job one. She will also explain why having a safe drug consumption facility in Lethbridge, including separate rooms for supervised inhalation, goes a long way towards keeping drug users alive.
Speaker: Jill Manning
Jill Manning has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge and has been working in the Human Services field for the past ten years, in the areas of Domestic Violence, Developmental Disabilities, Youth, and Addictions. Jill is currently the Managing Director for ARCHES (AIDS Outreach Community Harm Reduction Education Support) Society. Additionally, Jill has been a Rotarian for the past 8 years, and is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Urban Spirits.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Prompted by a drug related death epidemic that has devastated families across Alberta and indeed Canada, a former night club in Lethbridge is scheduled to become North America’s first supervised inhalation site when it opens early in 2018. To date, this facility is the only one to be granted approval by Health Canada for a site that will permit four types of drug consumption: injection, oral, intranasal and inhalation.
ARCHES, the local harm reduction organization that will be operating the facility, currently support about 3,000 clients in Lethbridge and a similar number in rural areas surrounding the city. So far, Health Canada has approved six supervised consumption sites in Alberta, including four in Edmonton and one in Calgary.
The latest provincial data from January to August, 2017 shows 315 individuals in Alberta died from an apparent drug overdose related to fentanyl, up more than 50 per cent from the same period last year. Per capita, Lethbridge’s drug overdose death rate exceeds that of both Calgary and Edmonton.
The speaker will emphasize that harm reduction is job one. She will also explain why having a safe drug consumption facility in Lethbridge, including separate rooms for supervised inhalation, goes a long way towards keeping drug users alive.
Speaker: Jill Manning
Jill Manning has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge and has been working in the Human Services field for the past ten years, in the areas of Domestic Violence, Developmental Disabilities, Youth, and Addictions. Jill is currently the Managing Director for ARCHES (AIDS Outreach Community Harm Reduction Education Support) Society. Additionally, Jill has been a Rotarian for the past 8 years, and is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Urban Spirits.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Nearly a quarter of a million patients are signed up for medical marijuana in Canada, compared with about 30,000 just two years ago. That number is growing steadily every month, according to Health Canada. Private growers licensed by Health Canada to sell to medical users will also supply the recreational pot market. Many growers are expanding as fast as they can and Health Canada is approving licences more quickly with the department streamlining the procedure for obtaining them and hiring more staff.
Considering there may not be enough marijuana for everyone by July 2018, when the federal government has promised recreational pot will be legal, should supply be prioritized for users of medical marijuana? The speaker will outline the benefits medical marijuana, in its many forms, provides for people to manage pain and suffering – and its limitations. He will also address potential issues concerning the pending legalization of cannabis in Canada.
Speaker: Dr. Ife Abiola
Dr. Abiola began his postsecondary training at the University of Lethbridge where he majored in Biological Science and Behavioral Ecology. He published his works in journals related to Behavioral Ecology and Animal Behavior through the University of Lethbridge Biology Department. Working out of U of L President Dr. Bill Cade’s laboratory, Dr. Abiola was a featured lecturer in the Dan Otte Symposium in 2009.
Dr. Abiloa then transitioned into medicine completing his basic science, tropical medicine and infectious disease certification in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia at Spartan Health University School of Medicine and his clinical rotations in Chicago, Illinois. After focusing on Internal Medicine and Interventional Pain Management, Dr. Abiola began working at Chicago’s Norwegian American Hospital and Madison Clinic where he worked in the Suboxone (Buprenorphine) program for patients suffering from opiate dependency in 2014.
In 2016, Dr. Abiola began working in Calgary and Lethbridge clinics that facilitates patients acquiring medical cannabis for medical purposes and he is excited for the future of the industry in regards to healthcare.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Nearly a quarter of a million patients are signed up for medical marijuana in Canada, compared with about 30,000 just two years ago. That number is growing steadily every month, according to Health Canada. Private growers licensed by Health Canada to sell to medical users will also supply the recreational pot market. Many growers are expanding as fast as they can and Health Canada is approving licences more quickly with the department streamlining the procedure for obtaining them and hiring more staff.
Considering there may not be enough marijuana for everyone by July 2018, when the federal government has promised recreational pot will be legal, should supply be prioritized for users of medical marijuana? The speaker will outline the benefits medical marijuana, in its many forms, provides for people to manage pain and suffering – and its limitations. He will also address potential issues concerning the pending legalization of cannabis in Canada.
Speaker: Dr. Ife Abiola
Dr. Abiola began his postsecondary training at the University of Lethbridge where he majored in Biological Science and Behavioral Ecology. He published his works in journals related to Behavioral Ecology and Animal Behavior through the University of Lethbridge Biology Department. Working out of U of L President Dr. Bill Cade’s laboratory, Dr. Abiola was a featured lecturer in the Dan Otte Symposium in 2009.
Dr. Abiloa then transitioned into medicine completing his basic science, tropical medicine and infectious disease certification in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia at Spartan Health University School of Medicine and his clinical rotations in Chicago, Illinois. After focusing on Internal Medicine and Interventional Pain Management, Dr. Abiola began working at Chicago’s Norwegian American Hospital and Madison Clinic where he worked in the Suboxone (Buprenorphine) program for patients suffering from opiate dependency in 2014.
In 2016, Dr. Abiola began working in Calgary and Lethbridge clinics that facilitates patients acquiring medical cannabis for medical purposes and he is excited for the future of the industry in regards to healthcare.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Wireless devices such as cellphones, cordless landline phones, Wi-Fi routers and Bluetooth headphones, are becoming more and more popular. The wireless signals emitted from these devices, mostly in microwave spectrum, are penetrating our living spaces as well as most of the objects surrounding us. Even our newer model doorbells and electricity meters are emitting microwave signals.
Wireless technology brings us convenience and the feeling of luxurious accessibility, but there has been a long time concern and more recently, heated debates regarding the impact of microwave radiation on human health. The center of such concern is that the national safety standards of many countries, including Canada, may not be adequate for protecting human safety from the astonishing level of increase in man-made microwave radiation all around our habitat. Trained in Industrial Design and currently a New Media educator at the University of Lethbridge, the speaker has been following this matter closely for the past three years. He will explain some of the related physics knowledge in layman’s term and examine the questions surrounding the safety of microwave wireless technologies. He has also discussed this issue in classroom teachings as a case study for critical thinking on social responsibilities and new technology.
Speaker: Lance Chong
Lance Chong is a teaching faculty at the University of Lethbridge, New Media Department. He received his MFA degree in Industrial Design from University of Illinois in 2001. Lance’s professional practice in design, 3D computer animation, and experimental new media technologies started in 1999.
His past works includes 3D animations for PBS and the Discovery Channel; 3D interface/content design for virtual reality environments; pioneering in the usage of motion capture technologies in real-time interactive 3D animation installations for on-stage dance performances.
His current teaching and research work covers the application of design philosophy and methodology to the improvement of social responsibility and sustainability in an age of rapid technological advancements.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Wireless devices such as cellphones, cordless landline phones, Wi-Fi routers and Bluetooth headphones, are becoming more and more popular. The wireless signals emitted from these devices, mostly in microwave spectrum, are penetrating our living spaces as well as most of the objects surrounding us. Even our newer model doorbells and electricity meters are emitting microwave signals.
Wireless technology brings us convenience and the feeling of luxurious accessibility, but there has been a long time concern and more recently, heated debates regarding the impact of microwave radiation on human health. The center of such concern is that the national safety standards of many countries, including Canada, may not be adequate for protecting human safety from the astonishing level of increase in man-made microwave radiation all around our habitat. Trained in Industrial Design and currently a New Media educator at the University of Lethbridge, the speaker has been following this matter closely for the past three years. He will explain some of the related physics knowledge in layman’s term and examine the questions surrounding the safety of microwave wireless technologies. He has also discussed this issue in classroom teachings as a case study for critical thinking on social responsibilities and new technology.
Speaker: Lance Chong
Lance Chong is a teaching faculty at the University of Lethbridge, New Media Department. He received his MFA degree in Industrial Design from University of Illinois in 2001. Lance’s professional practice in design, 3D computer animation, and experimental new media technologies started in 1999.
His past works includes 3D animations for PBS and the Discovery Channel; 3D interface/content design for virtual reality environments; pioneering in the usage of motion capture technologies in real-time interactive 3D animation installations for on-stage dance performances.
His current teaching and research work covers the application of design philosophy and methodology to the improvement of social responsibility and sustainability in an age of rapid technological advancements.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Win, lose or draw is a common phrase in many sports. It can be argued that in municipal elections, that phrase should read win, place or thanks for participating. At the recent 2017 Lethbridge municipal election, 29 candidates for Council and 3 candidates for Mayor put their name forward and while it was difficult for the voting public to properly assess 32 candidates, getting to know what they stood for was nevertheless possible through flyers, forums, electronic surveys, social media and newspaper articles featuring all the individual candidates.
The speaker will analyze the election results focusing on what defined the campaign overall. She will also speculate on whether or not different personalities on Council may hamper the 2017-21 Lethbridge City Council from performing at an optimal level. Also added to the challenge will be to find ways for Council to work with a new City Manager starting in January 2018 following Garth Sherwin’s retirement.
Speaker: Bonnie Farries
Bonnie is a Political Scientist and holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge. Although all levels of government are fascinating in how they interact and affect our daily lives, Bonnie’s passion is at the local level, having worked in municipal government for over 14 years. Currently Bonnie is the Manager of Institutional Planning, Analysis and Risk Services at Lethbridge College.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Win, lose or draw is a common phrase in many sports. It can be argued that in municipal elections, that phrase should read win, place or thanks for participating. At the recent 2017 Lethbridge municipal election, 29 candidates for Council and 3 candidates for Mayor put their name forward and while it was difficult for the voting public to properly assess 32 candidates, getting to know what they stood for was nevertheless possible through flyers, forums, electronic surveys, social media and newspaper articles featuring all the individual candidates.
The speaker will analyze the election results focusing on what defined the campaign overall. She will also speculate on whether or not different personalities on Council may hamper the 2017-21 Lethbridge City Council from performing at an optimal level. Also added to the challenge will be to find ways for Council to work with a new City Manager starting in January 2018 following Garth Sherwin’s retirement.
Speaker: Bonnie Farries
Bonnie is a Political Scientist and holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge. Although all levels of government are fascinating in how they interact and affect our daily lives, Bonnie’s passion is at the local level, having worked in municipal government for over 14 years. Currently Bonnie is the Manager of Institutional Planning, Analysis and Risk Services at Lethbridge College.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Carding is the police practice of arbitrarily stopping people in public for identification and questioning. The practice has come under fire as discriminatory and a violation of civil rights. And while some jurisdictions are working to reduce or eliminate this practice, it is arguable still commonplace in Lethbridge and Alberta.
Data shows black people may be nine times more likely and Indigenous people five times more likely to be stopped and asked by police to provide identification and other personal information in Lethbridge. Should police be able to stop people and ask for information without being advised that they can refuse to answer without consequence? Is carding part of an ongoing systemic racist practice and an example of discrimination in our system? Will consultations by the Alberta Government result in tighter regulations?
Generally, there are questions whether carding is in fact a legal process and there are court challenges ongoing in Ontario asking if carding is consistent with Canadian law. The speaker will argue that it should stop, but if any form of carding is to continue, protection to prevent random or arbitrary stops should be in place by providing clear reasons why people are being questioned. Receipts by the investigating officer should also be provided to individuals indicating reasons for such stops.
Speaker: Miranda Hlady
Miranda was likely Canada’s youngest lawyer at the time of her Yukon Territory bar call in May 2012. She completed a rotation for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada during her articles and has worked for her entire career almost exclusively in the area of criminal defense.
Miranda is active in her community as a volunteer. She was the 2013 recipient of a Volunteer Excellence Award from Volunteer Lethbridge and a 2014 YWCA Young Woman of Promise. As a law school student she was the recipient of the Maritime Law Book Award in Ethics and Professional Responsibility. She volunteers regularly for Lethbridge Legal Guidance and has also volunteered for Law Day, the Lethbridge Bar Association, Pro Bono Law Alberta and the Public Legal Education of Alberta Program
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Carding is the police practice of arbitrarily stopping people in public for identification and questioning. The practice has come under fire as discriminatory and a violation of civil rights. And while some jurisdictions are working to reduce or eliminate this practice, it is arguable still commonplace in Lethbridge and Alberta.
Data shows black people may be nine times more likely and Indigenous people five times more likely to be stopped and asked by police to provide identification and other personal information in Lethbridge. Should police be able to stop people and ask for information without being advised that they can refuse to answer without consequence? Is carding part of an ongoing systemic racist practice and an example of discrimination in our system? Will consultations by the Alberta Government result in tighter regulations?
Generally, there are questions whether carding is in fact a legal process and there are court challenges ongoing in Ontario asking if carding is consistent with Canadian law. The speaker will argue that it should stop, but if any form of carding is to continue, protection to prevent random or arbitrary stops should be in place by providing clear reasons why people are being questioned. Receipts by the investigating officer should also be provided to individuals indicating reasons for such stops.
Speaker: Miranda Hlady
Miranda was likely Canada’s youngest lawyer at the time of her Yukon Territory bar call in May 2012. She completed a rotation for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada during her articles and has worked for her entire career almost exclusively in the area of criminal defense.
Miranda is active in her community as a volunteer. She was the 2013 recipient of a Volunteer Excellence Award from Volunteer Lethbridge and a 2014 YWCA Young Woman of Promise. As a law school student she was the recipient of the Maritime Law Book Award in Ethics and Professional Responsibility. She volunteers regularly for Lethbridge Legal Guidance and has also volunteered for Law Day, the Lethbridge Bar Association, Pro Bono Law Alberta and the Public Legal Education of Alberta Program
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
The Senate is going through a period of remarkable change as the institution aims to become more independent, transparent, and accountable and less partisan. A significant part of this modernization process has involved the establishment of a new, non-partisan, merit-based process to advise on Senate appointments. Furthermore, the Government has created a Representative Team in the Senate, consisting of three Independent Senators, to ensure Senate business can be effectively coordinated in Parliament.
These measures have catalyzed changes that will have an historic impact on how the Senate functions, improve its capacity to serve Canadians, and help restore public confidence. The speaker will share his perspective on the changing dynamics in the Senate of Canada and outline his role as Government Liaison.
Speaker: Senator Grant Mitchell
Senator Grant Mitchell is proud to represent Alberta as an Independent Senator. He has had careers in the public service, business, and politics in Alberta, and was called to the Senate in 2005. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from the University of Alberta in 1973, a Master of Arts in Political Studies from Queen’s University in 1976 and a Chartered Financial Analyst title in 1983. He worked for the Government of Alberta from 1976 until 1979 and then became an executive for the Principal Group until 1986.
From 1994 until 1998, Senator Mitchell was leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of Alberta’s official opposition. He was a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly for the riding of Edmonton McClung and served his constituents with dedication and diligence from 1986 to 1998. Senator Mitchell later worked as an investment advisor and taught graduate level courses at the University of Calgary and Edmonton.
Senator Mitchell was appointed to the position of Government Liaison in the Senate in May 2016. As Government Liaison he is one of 3 members of the Government Representative Team in the Senate, responsible for helping guide government legislation through the Upper Chamber whilst advocating for a transparent and accountable Senate that works for Canadians. He is an advocate for Senate modernization, and takes a proactive role in contributing to Senate reform.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, Oct 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
The Senate is going through a period of remarkable change as the institution aims to become more independent, transparent, and accountable and less partisan. A significant part of this modernization process has involved the establishment of a new, non-partisan, merit-based process to advise on Senate appointments. Furthermore, the Government has created a Representative Team in the Senate, consisting of three Independent Senators, to ensure Senate business can be effectively coordinated in Parliament.
These measures have catalyzed changes that will have an historic impact on how the Senate functions, improve its capacity to serve Canadians, and help restore public confidence. The speaker will share his perspective on the changing dynamics in the Senate of Canada and outline his role as Government Liaison.
Speaker: Senator Grant Mitchell
Senator Grant Mitchell is proud to represent Alberta as an Independent Senator. He has had careers in the public service, business, and politics in Alberta, and was called to the Senate in 2005. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from the University of Alberta in 1973, a Master of Arts in Political Studies from Queen’s University in 1976 and a Chartered Financial Analyst title in 1983. He worked for the Government of Alberta from 1976 until 1979 and then became an executive for the Principal Group until 1986.
From 1994 until 1998, Senator Mitchell was leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of Alberta’s official opposition. He was a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly for the riding of Edmonton McClung and served his constituents with dedication and diligence from 1986 to 1998. Senator Mitchell later worked as an investment advisor and taught graduate level courses at the University of Calgary and Edmonton.
Senator Mitchell was appointed to the position of Government Liaison in the Senate in May 2016. As Government Liaison he is one of 3 members of the Government Representative Team in the Senate, responsible for helping guide government legislation through the Upper Chamber whilst advocating for a transparent and accountable Senate that works for Canadians. He is an advocate for Senate modernization, and takes a proactive role in contributing to Senate reform.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, Oct 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Liberal education and its role in the 21st century do not appear to be widely understood or valued in society as a whole. Many parents and prospective students are attracted to professional programs or applied studies perceiving that they are the best routes for gainful employment. The University of Lethbridge is committed to a strong liberal education program at the undergraduate level but needs to modernize and remodel the program and communicate the uniqueness of its approach and the positive outcomes of such an education.
Many University of Lethbride graduates only understand the value of their liberal education degree years after the fact. This observation underscores their degree’s true worth as a pathway to meaningful employment and engaged living, but also how challenging it might be to build a tangible case for liberal education in today’s crowded market. The speaker will give perspective to U of L’s long standing commitment of supporting liberal education and offer insight into U of L’s decision to recently establish a dedicated School of Liberal Education.
Speaker: Dr Andrew Hakin
Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.
In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.
Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, Oct 5, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Liberal education and its role in the 21st century do not appear to be widely understood or valued in society as a whole. Many parents and prospective students are attracted to professional programs or applied studies perceiving that they are the best routes for gainful employment. The University of Lethbridge is committed to a strong liberal education program at the undergraduate level but needs to modernize and remodel the program and communicate the uniqueness of its approach and the positive outcomes of such an education.
Many University of Lethbride graduates only understand the value of their liberal education degree years after the fact. This observation underscores their degree’s true worth as a pathway to meaningful employment and engaged living, but also how challenging it might be to build a tangible case for liberal education in today’s crowded market. The speaker will give perspective to U of L’s long standing commitment of supporting liberal education and offer insight into U of L’s decision to recently establish a dedicated School of Liberal Education.
Speaker: Dr Andrew Hakin
Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.
In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.
Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, Oct 5, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Hurricanes, typhoons, killer heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires — these things seem to be getting worse all the time. Are these events caused by global warming? Or are they just bad weather? Climate scientists are careful to explain that one cannot attribute any particular storm or wildfire to climate change alone. But there is strong evidence that global warming is steadily increasing the chance that the intensity and sometimes the frequency of such disasters will occur.
Climate is complex, but the simple fact is that there is more heat than there used to be in the atmosphere and oceans and all that heat has to go somewhere. And go it will, whether or not there are people with their vulnerable infrastructures in the way.
Is the human species doomed? The speaker will say that reports of our imminent extinction are greatly exaggerated. But there is no hope of getting through our present ecological bottleneck without acknowledging the reality and the seriousness of the self-induced survival challenges our species faces today. The speaker will sketch some of the reasons why he think we still have a good chance of seeing our way out of this jam, with special reference to priorities here in Alberta.
Speaker: Dr. Kent Peacock
Dr. Peacock attained his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His special interests are professional ethics, environmental issues, logic, and foundations of physics. These interests impelled his inquiry into issues related to acquiring and applying energy to the needs of modern global society.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, Sep 28, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Hurricanes, typhoons, killer heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires — these things seem to be getting worse all the time. Are these events caused by global warming? Or are they just bad weather? Climate scientists are careful to explain that one cannot attribute any particular storm or wildfire to climate change alone. But there is strong evidence that global warming is steadily increasing the chance that the intensity and sometimes the frequency of such disasters will occur.
Climate is complex, but the simple fact is that there is more heat than there used to be in the atmosphere and oceans and all that heat has to go somewhere. And go it will, whether or not there are people with their vulnerable infrastructures in the way.
Is the human species doomed? The speaker will say that reports of our imminent extinction are greatly exaggerated. But there is no hope of getting through our present ecological bottleneck without acknowledging the reality and the seriousness of the self-induced survival challenges our species faces today. The speaker will sketch some of the reasons why he think we still have a good chance of seeing our way out of this jam, with special reference to priorities here in Alberta.
Speaker: Dr. Kent Peacock
Dr. Peacock attained his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His special interests are professional ethics, environmental issues, logic, and foundations of physics. These interests impelled his inquiry into issues related to acquiring and applying energy to the needs of modern global society.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, Sep 28, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
At a time when The House of Commons, The Senate and all institutions generally are facing criticism, it can be argued that the long awaited reform of the Canadian Senate couldn’t come at a better time. Indeed, a group of Senators are working on reforms to make the institution less partisan and more effective.
The initiative is still being defined and obviously not everyone agrees with recommended changes. However, in the face of public disillusionment with the Senate, bold and decisive reform seems appropriate. Nevertheless, such changes cannot be made without careful consideration by the 36 Conservatives, 35 Independents, 18 Liberals and 7 Non-affiliated Senators currently making up Canada’s Senate.
The speaker will relate her views on Senate reform and describe how partisanship sometimes can be beneficial and other times not, while debating legislation and considering amendments to such.
Speaker: The Honourable Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M
The Honourable Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M. was appointed to the Senate of Canada on December 22, 2008. She sits as an Independent Senator from Saskatchewan. Pamela is an Officer of the Order of Canada, this country’s highest civilian honour (2007) and a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1999). She has fourteen Honourary Doctorates and was named to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame. She is also a former Chancellor of the University of Guelph. Pamela served as Canada’s Consul General in New York from 2002-2006, in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. She was then named to the Special Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan who successfully recommended support and airlift for our service personnel. She is committed to building and enhancing the military/civilian understanding and continues to work with veterans.
She is an active volunteer, and has been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for her public service and numerous achievements. She is the author of three best-selling books. The wide-ranging career of the journalist, diplomat, entrepreneur and Senator has spanned more than 40 years, several continents, and always with a focus on politics and foreign policy.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
At a time when The House of Commons, The Senate and all institutions generally are facing criticism, it can be argued that the long awaited reform of the Canadian Senate couldn’t come at a better time. Indeed, a group of Senators are working on reforms to make the institution less partisan and more effective.
The initiative is still being defined and obviously not everyone agrees with recommended changes. However, in the face of public disillusionment with the Senate, bold and decisive reform seems appropriate. Nevertheless, such changes cannot be made without careful consideration by the 36 Conservatives, 35 Independents, 18 Liberals and 7 Non-affiliated Senators currently making up Canada’s Senate.
The speaker will relate her views on Senate reform and describe how partisanship sometimes can be beneficial and other times not, while debating legislation and considering amendments to such.
Speaker: The Honourable Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M
The Honourable Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M. was appointed to the Senate of Canada on December 22, 2008. She sits as an Independent Senator from Saskatchewan. Pamela is an Officer of the Order of Canada, this country’s highest civilian honour (2007) and a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (1999). She has fourteen Honourary Doctorates and was named to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame. She is also a former Chancellor of the University of Guelph. Pamela served as Canada’s Consul General in New York from 2002-2006, in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11. She was then named to the Special Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan who successfully recommended support and airlift for our service personnel. She is committed to building and enhancing the military/civilian understanding and continues to work with veterans.
She is an active volunteer, and has been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for her public service and numerous achievements. She is the author of three best-selling books. The wide-ranging career of the journalist, diplomat, entrepreneur and Senator has spanned more than 40 years, several continents, and always with a focus on politics and foreign policy.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date: Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
In December 2015, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released their 94 “Calls to Action” calling on all forms of government to begin the process of Reconciliation. The Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network (LISN), which is a network of Urban Indigenous Agencies, came together to start discussing Urban Indigenous issues in Lethbridge. In 2016, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit and Native Counselling Services, led the LISN through a series of strategic planning sessions, which resulted in the creation of a community based “Urban Indigenous Community Plan”. Of the recommendations in the plan, reconciliation was considered a main priority to be addressed.
In September 2016, a reconciliation sub-committee was formed consisting of many stakeholders and the process towards creating a “Reconciliation Implementation Plan” commenced. The reconciliation sub-committee collaborated with appropriate members of Lethbridge City Council and administration and consulted with Elders from the Blackfoot Confederacy to come up with a plan. The plan, approved by Lethbridge City Council in June 2017, provides recommendations for municipal action as specified in the TRC, as well as actions that the broader community can take, through various agencies, organizations and individuals. The speaker will elaborate on the specifics of the plan, which also will be highlighted during various events at Lethbridge Reconciliation Week, September 18-23, 2017
Speaker: Roy Pogorzelski
Roy Pogorzelski, a traditional Métis from Saskatchewan, is the director for the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) FNMI Gathering Place at U of L. He has worked with several municipalities to create a National Equity and Inclusion Guide, facilitated human rights training in Europe, instructed courses at the First Nations University of Canada and at the U of L and chaired the Reconciliation Committee for the City of Lethbridge. Melanie Joly, Canadian Heritage minister, recently appointed Pogorzelski to a four-year term as a director for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Pogorzelski was the Inclusion Consultant with the City of Lethbridge and in that role was recently invited to represent UNESCO Canada for the City at the International Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ICCAR) meetings in Kenya. In addition to being a U of L senator, Pogorzelski is a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce where he serves as co-chair of the Aboriginal Opportunities Committee. He is also a member of the Alberta Provincial Hate Crimes Committee and a founding member of Lethbridge Rotary Club Mosaic.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
In December 2015, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released their 94 “Calls to Action” calling on all forms of government to begin the process of Reconciliation. The Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network (LISN), which is a network of Urban Indigenous Agencies, came together to start discussing Urban Indigenous issues in Lethbridge. In 2016, Alberta Culture and Community Spirit and Native Counselling Services, led the LISN through a series of strategic planning sessions, which resulted in the creation of a community based “Urban Indigenous Community Plan”. Of the recommendations in the plan, reconciliation was considered a main priority to be addressed.
In September 2016, a reconciliation sub-committee was formed consisting of many stakeholders and the process towards creating a “Reconciliation Implementation Plan” commenced. The reconciliation sub-committee collaborated with appropriate members of Lethbridge City Council and administration and consulted with Elders from the Blackfoot Confederacy to come up with a plan. The plan, approved by Lethbridge City Council in June 2017, provides recommendations for municipal action as specified in the TRC, as well as actions that the broader community can take, through various agencies, organizations and individuals. The speaker will elaborate on the specifics of the plan, which also will be highlighted during various events at Lethbridge Reconciliation Week, September 18-23, 2017
Speaker: Roy Pogorzelski
Roy Pogorzelski, a traditional Métis from Saskatchewan, is the director for the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) FNMI Gathering Place at U of L. He has worked with several municipalities to create a National Equity and Inclusion Guide, facilitated human rights training in Europe, instructed courses at the First Nations University of Canada and at the U of L and chaired the Reconciliation Committee for the City of Lethbridge. Melanie Joly, Canadian Heritage minister, recently appointed Pogorzelski to a four-year term as a director for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
Pogorzelski was the Inclusion Consultant with the City of Lethbridge and in that role was recently invited to represent UNESCO Canada for the City at the International Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ICCAR) meetings in Kenya. In addition to being a U of L senator, Pogorzelski is a member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce where he serves as co-chair of the Aboriginal Opportunities Committee. He is also a member of the Alberta Provincial Hate Crimes Committee and a founding member of Lethbridge Rotary Club Mosaic.
Moderator: Kristin Krein
Date: Thursday, Sep 14, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
During a white nationalists protest rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA on August 12, 2017, a 20-year-old man allegedly accelerated his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a woman, Heather Heyer, and wounding many others. This particular conflict over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert Lee from Charlottesville had been brewing for months, but since the founding of the nation, racial tensions have been present.
It can be argued that the confrontation by the white nationalists in Charlottesville, where Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819, was not a fluke as this is the tension the city was founded on and it has long been an ideological battleground. Judging by the response of both protestors and national leaders to the violence on August 12, the history of racial conflict continues to be at the epicentre of the nation’s future.
But is the violence in Charlottesville part of a larger movement? Has KKK, white nationalists/supremacists and Nazi sympathizers been emboldened by mixed messages from President Trump in condemning the violence? Is the violence likely to escalate? The speaker will examine the evolving history of racism in the southern USA and give perspective to how the current violence fits into that narrative.
Speaker: Dr. Lynn Kennedy
Dr. Kennedy received her BA (Hons) from the University of Western Ontario in 1993. In 1994 she completed her Master's Degree in history at Queen's University in Kingston, and then earned a Masters of Library and Information Science at UWO in 1995. In 1999 she once again returned to the University of Western Ontario to begin her PhD. Her doctoral dissertation, "Partus Sequitur Ventrem: Meanings of Childbirth and Motherhood in the Antebellum South," was completed in 2004 and received the 2005 Lerner-Scott Prize for the best dissertation in US Women's history from the Organization of American Historians.
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests focus on the Southern United States before the Civil War, particularly on the link between domestic relationships and broader social and political structures. Her book Born Southern: Childbirth, Motherhood & Social Networks in the Old South was published in 2010. Her current book project examines the use of gossip in forming social communities among elite whites in the antebellum South. Her class offerings include courses on Slavery & Abolition, the American South, and the history of the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, Sep 7, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
During a white nationalists protest rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA on August 12, 2017, a 20-year-old man allegedly accelerated his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a woman, Heather Heyer, and wounding many others. This particular conflict over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert Lee from Charlottesville had been brewing for months, but since the founding of the nation, racial tensions have been present.
It can be argued that the confrontation by the white nationalists in Charlottesville, where Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819, was not a fluke as this is the tension the city was founded on and it has long been an ideological battleground. Judging by the response of both protestors and national leaders to the violence on August 12, the history of racial conflict continues to be at the epicentre of the nation’s future.
But is the violence in Charlottesville part of a larger movement? Has KKK, white nationalists/supremacists and Nazi sympathizers been emboldened by mixed messages from President Trump in condemning the violence? Is the violence likely to escalate? The speaker will examine the evolving history of racism in the southern USA and give perspective to how the current violence fits into that narrative.
Speaker: Dr. Lynn Kennedy
Dr. Kennedy received her BA (Hons) from the University of Western Ontario in 1993. In 1994 she completed her Master's Degree in history at Queen's University in Kingston, and then earned a Masters of Library and Information Science at UWO in 1995. In 1999 she once again returned to the University of Western Ontario to begin her PhD. Her doctoral dissertation, "Partus Sequitur Ventrem: Meanings of Childbirth and Motherhood in the Antebellum South," was completed in 2004 and received the 2005 Lerner-Scott Prize for the best dissertation in US Women's history from the Organization of American Historians.
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests focus on the Southern United States before the Civil War, particularly on the link between domestic relationships and broader social and political structures. Her book Born Southern: Childbirth, Motherhood & Social Networks in the Old South was published in 2010. Her current book project examines the use of gossip in forming social communities among elite whites in the antebellum South. Her class offerings include courses on Slavery & Abolition, the American South, and the history of the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, Sep 7, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Racism is a serious world-wide issue and recently it was on display in Lethbridge, proving that racism is still alive in this community, despite efforts on many fronts to the contrary. Grad students from a local high school organized a “Cowboys and Indians” themed graduation party held off campus and images of students wearing headdresses, war paint and feathers was shared on social media.
Many indigenous peoples were upset by the theme and event, which they say illustrates the brutal history of colonization and minimizes the importance of indigenous cultures. Some of the students involved apologized for the theme saying that the event was not intended to be a racist party and that they were very sorry about their actions while apologizing to the aboriginal communities.
Although the event was privately held and only attended by some grad students, the school later called an assembly to address the concerns. Dialog among the school and students are continuing, but what is the take-away from this incident?
Are children and young adults being conditioned that racism is acceptable? Should parents largely be responsible for their children’s cultural behavior or should schools also play a prominent role? How can schools and the wider community use this incident to further cultural understanding and inclusion? In the context of racism, the speaker will offer hope that this incident may be an opportunity to grow respect for indigenous and other cultures by all Canadians.
Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa.
Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development.
Moderator: Kristin Krein Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Racism is a serious world-wide issue and recently it was on display in Lethbridge, proving that racism is still alive in this community, despite efforts on many fronts to the contrary. Grad students from a local high school organized a “Cowboys and Indians” themed graduation party held off campus and images of students wearing headdresses, war paint and feathers was shared on social media.
Many indigenous peoples were upset by the theme and event, which they say illustrates the brutal history of colonization and minimizes the importance of indigenous cultures. Some of the students involved apologized for the theme saying that the event was not intended to be a racist party and that they were very sorry about their actions while apologizing to the aboriginal communities.
Although the event was privately held and only attended by some grad students, the school later called an assembly to address the concerns. Dialog among the school and students are continuing, but what is the take-away from this incident?
Are children and young adults being conditioned that racism is acceptable? Should parents largely be responsible for their children’s cultural behavior or should schools also play a prominent role? How can schools and the wider community use this incident to further cultural understanding and inclusion? In the context of racism, the speaker will offer hope that this incident may be an opportunity to grow respect for indigenous and other cultures by all Canadians.
Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa.
Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development.
Moderator: Kristin Krein Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
BikeMaps.org is a project that collects reports about cycling collisions and related data and presents the information on an interactive online map and through visualized data (bar charts). More importantly, it also provides information about near-misses, hazards, and bicycle thefts.
What makes BikeMaps.org so interesting is that in addition to the official police reports, it collects information provided by cyclists themselves. This is valuable because the data provided by police reports are often very limited and don’t show everything happening on the road and trails.
BikeMaps.org began at the University of Victoria in October 2014. In partnership with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), BikeMaps.org received $930,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada to bring the project to more Canadian cities. It wants to help government planning and infrastructure development for cycling, and it also hopes to encourage more people to get on their bicycles.
The speaker will give perspective to how this project works and the almost endless possibilities it may entail for bicycle commuters and recreational riders alike.
Speaker: Karen Laberee
Karen Laberee is the Executive Director of BikeMaps.org and has been part of the team since the project began in 2014. She has managed many aspects of the project and has been heavily involved in community outreach and engagement. Prior to the creation of BikeMaps.org, Karen worked at the Spatial Pattern Analysis and Research (SPAR) lab in the Department of Geography at the University of Victoria on a wide variety of research projects.
In her personal life, Karen has gained considerable experience volunteering on numerous boards that support amateur sports or community initiatives. In addition to being mom to a bike-crazy family, Karen can be found running the trails around Victoria.
Moderator: Tyler Stewart
Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017 Time: 7 - 9 pm Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Community Room, Main Branch, 810 – 5th Ave. South
Free admission, everyone welcome Many thanks to BikeBridge Cycling Association, Lethbridge for helping arrange this presentation
SACPA is proud to present this session as part of the Gordon Campbell Memorial Speaker Series.
China is achieving Great Power status based on its economic prowess, its political clout and its increasingly capable military. With the US under President Trump seemingly less willing to lead, China has shown a willingness to take onto itself a much more prominent role.
President Xi Jingping and President Trump have, surprisingly, found much common ground, both on trade issues, but also in dealing with the dangerous question of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capability.
What does a rising China mean for Canada, and for the international community? What are the benefits and what are the risks of a prosperous Chinese state and a mature or possibly declining United States? Issues ranging from the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula will be addressed.
Speaker: Gordon Houlden
Professor Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Alberta He is also Adjunct Research Professor at China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies.
Professor Houlden is a former Canadian Foreign Service Officer, with 22 years working on Chinese affairs for the Government of Canada, including 5 China postings. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre, a federal Crown Corporation. Under his leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the People’s Republic of China.
Moderator: Trevor Page Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
SACPA is proud to present this session as part of the Gordon Campbell Memorial Speaker Series.
China is achieving Great Power status based on its economic prowess, its political clout and its increasingly capable military. With the US under President Trump seemingly less willing to lead, China has shown a willingness to take onto itself a much more prominent role.
President Xi Jingping and President Trump have, surprisingly, found much common ground, both on trade issues, but also in dealing with the dangerous question of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capability.
What does a rising China mean for Canada, and for the international community? What are the benefits and what are the risks of a prosperous Chinese state and a mature or possibly declining United States? Issues ranging from the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula will be addressed.
Speaker: Gordon Houlden
Professor Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Alberta He is also Adjunct Research Professor at China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies.
Professor Houlden is a former Canadian Foreign Service Officer, with 22 years working on Chinese affairs for the Government of Canada, including 5 China postings. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre, a federal Crown Corporation. Under his leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the People’s Republic of China.
Moderator: Trevor Page Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Canada has a long and sometimes forgotten history of accepting refugees dating back to its founding. This history connects with present-day refugee approaches and challenges that are in contrast with the emerging policies and attitudes south of our border and in many other countries.
It is not only Canada’s reliance on a provision in the 1976 Immigration Act that allows for groups of individuals to privately sponsor refugees that makes Canada a possible model for other countries, but our distinction as an accepting and supportive home for refugees.
Refugees to Canada indeed come from war-torn, discriminatory and poor countries throughout the world. Canada resettled 60,000 refugees from places like Vietnam and Cambodia between 1979 and 1980, for example, including about 34,000 who were privately sponsored. Nearly 300,000 refugees have resettled in Canada since the late 1970s.That extraordinary effort helped Canada win the 1986 UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award in recognition of the collective work of the government and residents.
But, refugees from other places have also enriched Canada for a very long time. It is those streams that will be discussed here as forming a fundamental part of our country and communities.
Speaker: Dr. Susan McDaniel
Dr. Susan McDaniel is Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Global Population and Life Course, Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. McDaniel relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where for two years she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. She had previously taught at the Universities of Alberta and Waterloo.
An internationally known sociologist/social demographer, Dr. McDaniel is the author of many books and research articles. She has been the recipient of many awards and honours: She has long been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and last year was awarded the Ingrid Speaker Medal by the U of L for Outstanding Research. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and around the World. Dr. McDaniel serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Canadian Council of Academies (CCA). Recently, the CCA has been asked by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to do assessments related to Medical Assistance in Dying.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
Canada has a long and sometimes forgotten history of accepting refugees dating back to its founding. This history connects with present-day refugee approaches and challenges that are in contrast with the emerging policies and attitudes south of our border and in many other countries.
It is not only Canada’s reliance on a provision in the 1976 Immigration Act that allows for groups of individuals to privately sponsor refugees that makes Canada a possible model for other countries, but our distinction as an accepting and supportive home for refugees.
Refugees to Canada indeed come from war-torn, discriminatory and poor countries throughout the world. Canada resettled 60,000 refugees from places like Vietnam and Cambodia between 1979 and 1980, for example, including about 34,000 who were privately sponsored. Nearly 300,000 refugees have resettled in Canada since the late 1970s.That extraordinary effort helped Canada win the 1986 UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award in recognition of the collective work of the government and residents.
But, refugees from other places have also enriched Canada for a very long time. It is those streams that will be discussed here as forming a fundamental part of our country and communities.
Speaker: Dr. Susan McDaniel
Dr. Susan McDaniel is Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Global Population and Life Course, Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. McDaniel relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where for two years she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. She had previously taught at the Universities of Alberta and Waterloo.
An internationally known sociologist/social demographer, Dr. McDaniel is the author of many books and research articles. She has been the recipient of many awards and honours: She has long been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and last year was awarded the Ingrid Speaker Medal by the U of L for Outstanding Research. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and around the World. Dr. McDaniel serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Canadian Council of Academies (CCA). Recently, the CCA has been asked by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to do assessments related to Medical Assistance in Dying.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
As police services struggle to address addictions and spin-off crime, it has become clear the days of a law and order-only approach are over. Crime and disorder are the effect, not the cause and while the concept of harm reduction may seem contrary to the fundamental principles of law enforcement, the reality is we cannot arrest our way out of this situation.
There will always be a need for traditional proactive and reactive policing, but it’s important for the public to understand that only about 20 per cent of the incidents police deal with are actually criminal in nature. The vast majority of calls for service – roughly 80 per cent – are non-criminal matters that arise from social issues such as addictions, substance abuse and mental illness, and an endless cycle of arrest, detention and release does little to address these root causes or change the behaviour.
Over the past two years, the significant increase in fatal overdoses as a result of the abuse of fentanyl and other street drugs has been declared a public health crisis. Police have also seen a sharp increase in the volume of drug-related crime as addicts commit offences to fuel their habit or pay off drug debts.
To reduce drug-related deaths and curb crime and social disorder, the need for sustainable harm reduction strategies has never been greater. The Lethbridge Police Service is part of a broad-based coalition of leaders, including health, EMS, justice, post-secondary and municipal, public and social service sectors working to advance harm reduction initiatives that will not only support individuals struggling with addictions and other social issues, but help protect the rest of society from their actions.
Speaker: Rob Davis, Lethbridge Police Chief
Rob Davis has served as a police officer for 26 years and was sworn in as Chief of the Lethbridge Police Service in 2015. Davis began his career with the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police Service as a Special Constable while he was completing a sociology degree from McMaster University.
Over the years he rose through the ranks while serving with various agencies in Ontario, including the Nishawbe Aski Police, Six Nations Police Service and Dryden Police Service. He was also seconded to the RCMP where he served at the Canadian Police College contributing to the creation and delivery of courses designed to combat the impacts of gangs and organized crime on Aboriginal populations. Davis is a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and the only Aboriginal to serve as Chief of Police for non-Aboriginal Police Services in Ontario and Alberta.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, June 1, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
As police services struggle to address addictions and spin-off crime, it has become clear the days of a law and order-only approach are over. Crime and disorder are the effect, not the cause and while the concept of harm reduction may seem contrary to the fundamental principles of law enforcement, the reality is we cannot arrest our way out of this situation.
There will always be a need for traditional proactive and reactive policing, but it’s important for the public to understand that only about 20 per cent of the incidents police deal with are actually criminal in nature. The vast majority of calls for service – roughly 80 per cent – are non-criminal matters that arise from social issues such as addictions, substance abuse and mental illness, and an endless cycle of arrest, detention and release does little to address these root causes or change the behaviour.
Over the past two years, the significant increase in fatal overdoses as a result of the abuse of fentanyl and other street drugs has been declared a public health crisis. Police have also seen a sharp increase in the volume of drug-related crime as addicts commit offences to fuel their habit or pay off drug debts.
To reduce drug-related deaths and curb crime and social disorder, the need for sustainable harm reduction strategies has never been greater. The Lethbridge Police Service is part of a broad-based coalition of leaders, including health, EMS, justice, post-secondary and municipal, public and social service sectors working to advance harm reduction initiatives that will not only support individuals struggling with addictions and other social issues, but help protect the rest of society from their actions.
Speaker: Rob Davis, Lethbridge Police Chief
Rob Davis has served as a police officer for 26 years and was sworn in as Chief of the Lethbridge Police Service in 2015. Davis began his career with the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police Service as a Special Constable while he was completing a sociology degree from McMaster University.
Over the years he rose through the ranks while serving with various agencies in Ontario, including the Nishawbe Aski Police, Six Nations Police Service and Dryden Police Service. He was also seconded to the RCMP where he served at the Canadian Police College contributing to the creation and delivery of courses designed to combat the impacts of gangs and organized crime on Aboriginal populations. Davis is a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and the only Aboriginal to serve as Chief of Police for non-Aboriginal Police Services in Ontario and Alberta.
Moderator: Chelsea Sherbut
Date: Thursday, June 1, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) RSVP is not necessary
A number of factors contributed to the creation of Canada’s first public community college here in Lethbridge. A growing population, the prosperity of post-war southern Alberta with the size and wealth of the City, and the lack of post-secondary educational opportunities in the southern part of the province all factored into the formation of Lethbridge Junior College as it opened in 1957 with 38 students enrolled for classes in space leased at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute high school.
When the first classes got underway, the College Board began searching for a permanent campus site and in the end settled on 80 acres of land south of the City with the first buildings ready in 1962. Unique in many ways, the College campus offered and housed both university and non-university courses in the same place in those early years. When the University of Lethbridge was established in 1967, it was initially housed at the College, but moved to their newly built west Lethbridge campus in 1972.
Lethbridge Junior College changed its name to Lethbridge Community College in 1969 and to Lethbridge College in 2007 following its steady growth in both educational facilities, students and instructors. Numerous programs have been added over the years and students now number 6500 plus. Much have changed since its humble beginning and the speaker will explain the many factors at play before decisions on adding programs are made. She will also speculate on what the future may hold for Lethbridge College in our fast changing world of high tech, automation and robots.
Speaker: Dr. Paula Burns
Dr. Paula Burns, the 8th president and CEO of Lethbridge College, is a collaborative leader who invests her commitment, passion and energy to advance education and to support and create a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff. Dr. Burns is a life-long learner and appreciates the many opportunities she has to interact with students at the college.
Before coming to Lethbridge College in February 2013, Dr. Burns had served as NAIT’s Provost and Vice President Academic. She started on her educational path as a college student at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996. Later, she attended Central Michigan University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Education in 1999 and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto, where she earned her PhD in 2005. She earned her MBA with a specialization in leadership at Royal Roads University in 2010.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea
A number of factors contributed to the creation of Canada’s first public community college here in Lethbridge. A growing population, the prosperity of post-war southern Alberta with the size and wealth of the City, and the lack of post-secondary educational opportunities in the southern part of the province all factored into the formation of Lethbridge Junior College as it opened in 1957 with 38 students enrolled for classes in space leased at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute high school.
When the first classes got underway, the College Board began searching for a permanent campus site and in the end settled on 80 acres of land south of the City with the first buildings ready in 1962. Unique in many ways, the College campus offered and housed both university and non-university courses in the same place in those early years. When the University of Lethbridge was established in 1967, it was initially housed at the College, but moved to their newly built west Lethbridge campus in 1972.
Lethbridge Junior College changed its name to Lethbridge Community College in 1969 and to Lethbridge College in 2007 following its steady growth in both educational facilities, students and instructors. Numerous programs have been added over the years and students now number 6500 plus. Much have changed since its humble beginning and the speaker will explain the many factors at play before decisions on adding programs are made. She will also speculate on what the future may hold for Lethbridge College in our fast changing world of high tech, automation and robots.
Speaker: Dr. Paula Burns
Dr. Paula Burns, the 8th president and CEO of Lethbridge College, is a collaborative leader who invests her commitment, passion and energy to advance education and to support and create a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff. Dr. Burns is a life-long learner and appreciates the many opportunities she has to interact with students at the college.
Before coming to Lethbridge College in February 2013, Dr. Burns had served as NAIT’s Provost and Vice President Academic. She started on her educational path as a college student at Fanshawe College in London, Ont., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996. Later, she attended Central Michigan University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Education in 1999 and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto, where she earned her PhD in 2005. She earned her MBA with a specialization in leadership at Royal Roads University in 2010.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea
From its humble beginning at Lethbridge College in 1967 with 825 undergraduate students, the University of Lethbridge is now home to over 8400 students, including graduate students, at its campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary. The growth has been fairly steady – almost 4300 students at its 25th anniversary – but heavily driven by students from afar, particularly Calgary.
Founded on the principals of a liberal education, U of L still aspires to that ideal and recently just approved a new School of Liberal Education. However, it may be a delicate balance to increasingly demonstrate research power while remaining committed to the undergraduate student. It can be said that U of L is now a global institution, with students from more than 80 countries and U of L students furthering their studies at institutions in all corners of the world.
50 years in the life of an institution arguably represents adolescence and preparing for the next generations will mean providing students at all levels with high quality research experiences through enhanced community outreach, industry engagement and knowledge mobilization. The speaker will outline how some key project decisions made in the past has affected U of L and also speculate on what the future holds in the context of shrinking operational funding notwithstanding the Alberta Government’s $260 million investment in U of L’s new science building.
Speaker: Dr. Mike Mahon Dr. Mike Mahon was installed as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010 and reappointed for a second term beginning July 1, 2015. As the sixth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Mahon is committed to building a comprehensive, Destination University in western Canada. During his first term, Dr. Mahon introduced the university’s first Academic and Strategic Research Plan followed closely by Destination 2020, the University of Lethbridge Strategic Plan. Under these plans, Dr. Mahon initiated the “Destination Project”, a monumental construction project to develop a new science and academic building and was successful in obtaining a $260 million investment from the Government of Alberta to fund the $280 million project. A former two sport university athlete, Dr. Mahon serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (USports). Dr. Mahon is also on the Board of Directors of Universities Canada where he serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and is the current Chair of the Council of Western Canadian University Presidents.
Moderator: Hailey Babb, U of L Student Union President
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
From its humble beginning at Lethbridge College in 1967 with 825 undergraduate students, the University of Lethbridge is now home to over 8400 students, including graduate students, at its campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary. The growth has been fairly steady – almost 4300 students at its 25th anniversary – but heavily driven by students from afar, particularly Calgary.
Founded on the principals of a liberal education, U of L still aspires to that ideal and recently just approved a new School of Liberal Education. However, it may be a delicate balance to increasingly demonstrate research power while remaining committed to the undergraduate student. It can be said that U of L is now a global institution, with students from more than 80 countries and U of L students furthering their studies at institutions in all corners of the world.
50 years in the life of an institution arguably represents adolescence and preparing for the next generations will mean providing students at all levels with high quality research experiences through enhanced community outreach, industry engagement and knowledge mobilization. The speaker will outline how some key project decisions made in the past has affected U of L and also speculate on what the future holds in the context of shrinking operational funding notwithstanding the Alberta Government’s $260 million investment in U of L’s new science building.
Speaker: Dr. Mike Mahon Dr. Mike Mahon was installed as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010 and reappointed for a second term beginning July 1, 2015. As the sixth President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Mahon is committed to building a comprehensive, Destination University in western Canada. During his first term, Dr. Mahon introduced the university’s first Academic and Strategic Research Plan followed closely by Destination 2020, the University of Lethbridge Strategic Plan. Under these plans, Dr. Mahon initiated the “Destination Project”, a monumental construction project to develop a new science and academic building and was successful in obtaining a $260 million investment from the Government of Alberta to fund the $280 million project. A former two sport university athlete, Dr. Mahon serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (USports). Dr. Mahon is also on the Board of Directors of Universities Canada where he serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and is the current Chair of the Council of Western Canadian University Presidents.
Moderator: Hailey Babb, U of L Student Union President
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, almost half a million Syrians have been killed in the fighting, more than a million injured and nearly half the country's prewar population of 25 million have been displaced from their homes.
What became known as the “Arab Spring” in 2011, toppled presidents of Tunisian, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and is ongoing. Peaceful protests also erupted in Syria, but the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, responded to the protests by killing hundreds of demonstrators and imprisoning many more. In July 2011, defectors from the military announced the formation of the “Free Syrian Army”, a rebel group aiming to overthrow the government, and Syria began to slide into civil war.
Since the Free Syrian Army formed, many new rebel groups have joined the fighting in Syria, including ISIL, Jabhat Fateh al Sham, Iran-backed Hezbollah, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Arguable, foreign involvement has played a very large role in the Syrian hostilities and the speaker will give perspective to the many factors that have been at play in the Middle East over the past several decades and eventually contributing to the carnage in Syria, Palestine and Iraq specifically, and the region in general.
Speaker: Mohammad Abushaban
Mohammed Abushaban is a Palestinian Canadian who immigrated to Ottawa to pursue higher education and opportunity. He is a Computer Science graduate with many years of global experience in the Information Technology and Telecommunication field; most recently, having founded his own company in the UAE, before deciding to return to Canada in 2015.
Through personal experience, Mr. Abushaban is intimately familiar with life under occupation and war, as well as the refugee and immigration experience from the Middle East region. It is these experiences which have lent themselves to his heavy involvement with the current Syrian refugees. In supporting and facilitating the entry of these soon-to-be Canadians into a new, bright, but sometimes challenging experience, Mr. Abushaban believes he is giving back to Canada a little of all which it continues to give him and his family.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, almost half a million Syrians have been killed in the fighting, more than a million injured and nearly half the country's prewar population of 25 million have been displaced from their homes.
What became known as the “Arab Spring” in 2011, toppled presidents of Tunisian, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and is ongoing. Peaceful protests also erupted in Syria, but the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, responded to the protests by killing hundreds of demonstrators and imprisoning many more. In July 2011, defectors from the military announced the formation of the “Free Syrian Army”, a rebel group aiming to overthrow the government, and Syria began to slide into civil war.
Since the Free Syrian Army formed, many new rebel groups have joined the fighting in Syria, including ISIL, Jabhat Fateh al Sham, Iran-backed Hezbollah, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dominated by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Arguable, foreign involvement has played a very large role in the Syrian hostilities and the speaker will give perspective to the many factors that have been at play in the Middle East over the past several decades and eventually contributing to the carnage in Syria, Palestine and Iraq specifically, and the region in general.
Speaker: Mohammad Abushaban
Mohammed Abushaban is a Palestinian Canadian who immigrated to Ottawa to pursue higher education and opportunity. He is a Computer Science graduate with many years of global experience in the Information Technology and Telecommunication field; most recently, having founded his own company in the UAE, before deciding to return to Canada in 2015.
Through personal experience, Mr. Abushaban is intimately familiar with life under occupation and war, as well as the refugee and immigration experience from the Middle East region. It is these experiences which have lent themselves to his heavy involvement with the current Syrian refugees. In supporting and facilitating the entry of these soon-to-be Canadians into a new, bright, but sometimes challenging experience, Mr. Abushaban believes he is giving back to Canada a little of all which it continues to give him and his family.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Former MP and federal Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney became the new leader of Alberta's Progressive Conservative (PC) Party on March 18, 2017. Kenney ran on a platform to unite Alberta conservatives by dissolving the PC Party and creating a single right-wing party under a new constitution combining with the Wildrose Party of Alberta.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean has roughly the same goal as Kenney but may differ on how to get there. Jean envisions his party being the foundation of a united conservative movement. The Wildrose Party has even registered the name it alone can use to rebrand itself. The Conservative Party of Alberta.
Several of the PC Party leadership candidates running against Kenney became disenchanted with the process during the race and withdrew. Recently, Alberta’s PC party president Katherine O'Neill resigned her post, further fueling apparent discontent within that party. The speaker will untangle the intricate web of the politics surrounding this possible right-wing merger in Alberta and speculate on the possibility of such party having their ducks in a row by the next provincial election in 2019.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy.
Duane’s primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Former MP and federal Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney became the new leader of Alberta's Progressive Conservative (PC) Party on March 18, 2017. Kenney ran on a platform to unite Alberta conservatives by dissolving the PC Party and creating a single right-wing party under a new constitution combining with the Wildrose Party of Alberta.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean has roughly the same goal as Kenney but may differ on how to get there. Jean envisions his party being the foundation of a united conservative movement. The Wildrose Party has even registered the name it alone can use to rebrand itself. The Conservative Party of Alberta.
Several of the PC Party leadership candidates running against Kenney became disenchanted with the process during the race and withdrew. Recently, Alberta’s PC party president Katherine O'Neill resigned her post, further fueling apparent discontent within that party. The speaker will untangle the intricate web of the politics surrounding this possible right-wing merger in Alberta and speculate on the possibility of such party having their ducks in a row by the next provincial election in 2019.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is a political science Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy.
Duane’s primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Our city and communities continue to welcome newcomer youth from around the world. These young people embody unique barriers and strengths, and bring their experiences to the systems that operate in our community. To support the healthy development and active participation of newcomer youth, we must listen to the stories of youth’s experiences and hopes for their new lives and examine our work and actions as a community.
Newcomer youth bring with them a variety of strengths including incredible resilience, unique skills and interests, as well as being emergent multilinguals. They often correspondingly face barriers and challenges including racism, limited education or employment opportunities, and working with service providers who are not sufficiently educated or responsive to newcomer youth’s needs.
The speakers will highlight the lived experience of newcomer youth, and the action and development of community services which aims to meet their needs.
Speakers: Douhouk Dabbas & Kristina Larkin
Douhouk Dabbas is from Syria and has been in Canada for one year and three months. She lives with her family and is studying in LCI High School.
Kristina Larkin is a Canadian born daughter of an Irish immigrant, and the manager of Youth Settlement Services at Lethbridge Family Services, and has 10 years of youth work experience in Lethbridge. She and her team support newcomer children and youth ages 3 to 25 with in-school and community based programs, and work to structure their programs to truly meet the needs of young people.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Our city and communities continue to welcome newcomer youth from around the world. These young people embody unique barriers and strengths, and bring their experiences to the systems that operate in our community. To support the healthy development and active participation of newcomer youth, we must listen to the stories of youth’s experiences and hopes for their new lives and examine our work and actions as a community.
Newcomer youth bring with them a variety of strengths including incredible resilience, unique skills and interests, as well as being emergent multilinguals. They often correspondingly face barriers and challenges including racism, limited education or employment opportunities, and working with service providers who are not sufficiently educated or responsive to newcomer youth’s needs.
The speakers will highlight the lived experience of newcomer youth, and the action and development of community services which aims to meet their needs.
Speakers: Douhouk Dabbas & Kristina Larkin
Douhouk Dabbas is from Syria and has been in Canada for one year and three months. She lives with her family and is studying in LCI High School.
Kristina Larkin is a Canadian born daughter of an Irish immigrant, and the manager of Youth Settlement Services at Lethbridge Family Services, and has 10 years of youth work experience in Lethbridge. She and her team support newcomer children and youth ages 3 to 25 with in-school and community based programs, and work to structure their programs to truly meet the needs of young people.
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In the ever-changing landscape of Canadian agriculture, efficiency is the new buzzword. If cattle feeding efficiency can be increased by about five per cent, Alberta livestock producers can save approx. $100 million a year, even if only one-third of them adopt those efficiency improvements.
With about three billion people moving into the middle class in emerging economies like China and India, the demand for meat is likely to increase substantially over the next decades. Canada is one of five or six countries that have the ability to provide this food in a safe, affordable, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable manner. Canadian producers have always done quite well increasing efficiency in their production practices. From 1977 to 2007 for example, producing the same amount of beef required 70% of the animals, 81% of the feed, 88% of the water and 67% of the land. For those who want to count carbon, that resulted in a 16 per cent decrease in the carbon footprint of beef animals.
Through genomics and “big date”, scientists are able to select the more efficient animals with heritability of about 40 per cent for those traits. Once low residual feed intake bulls are selected, the process of passing on those genes to their offspring’s can start. The speaker will explain the details of how genomics and “big data” works and speculate on the future of Canadian beef production.
Speaker: Dr. Erasmus Okine
Dr. Erasmus Okine commenced his term as Vice-President (Research) July 1, 2015, joining the University of Lethbridge from the University of Alberta, where he served in a dual capacity as the Associate Vice-President (Research) and Associate Vice-President (Academic). Dr. Okine’s research interests focus on topics relevant to Canadian agriculture, including: elucidating the roles of the key enzymes involved in marbling and synthesis of sub-cutaneous adipose tissue in beef cattle; providing insights into mechanisms controlling glucose and starch utilization for increased animal productivity; and residual feed intake (RFI), methane emission and mitigation in the ruminant animal, especially in beef cattle.
A native of Ghana, Dr. Okine completed his Bachelor of Science (1978) and Master of Science (1981) in Animal Science at the University of Ghana in Legon, followed by his PhD (1990) at the University of Alberta. He served as a lecturer at the University of Ghana from 1983 to 1985, prior to the completion of his PhD in Animal Nutrition and Digestive Physiology.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In the ever-changing landscape of Canadian agriculture, efficiency is the new buzzword. If cattle feeding efficiency can be increased by about five per cent, Alberta livestock producers can save approx. $100 million a year, even if only one-third of them adopt those efficiency improvements.
With about three billion people moving into the middle class in emerging economies like China and India, the demand for meat is likely to increase substantially over the next decades. Canada is one of five or six countries that have the ability to provide this food in a safe, affordable, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable manner. Canadian producers have always done quite well increasing efficiency in their production practices. From 1977 to 2007 for example, producing the same amount of beef required 70% of the animals, 81% of the feed, 88% of the water and 67% of the land. For those who want to count carbon, that resulted in a 16 per cent decrease in the carbon footprint of beef animals.
Through genomics and “big date”, scientists are able to select the more efficient animals with heritability of about 40 per cent for those traits. Once low residual feed intake bulls are selected, the process of passing on those genes to their offspring’s can start. The speaker will explain the details of how genomics and “big data” works and speculate on the future of Canadian beef production.
Speaker: Dr. Erasmus Okine
Dr. Erasmus Okine commenced his term as Vice-President (Research) July 1, 2015, joining the University of Lethbridge from the University of Alberta, where he served in a dual capacity as the Associate Vice-President (Research) and Associate Vice-President (Academic). Dr. Okine’s research interests focus on topics relevant to Canadian agriculture, including: elucidating the roles of the key enzymes involved in marbling and synthesis of sub-cutaneous adipose tissue in beef cattle; providing insights into mechanisms controlling glucose and starch utilization for increased animal productivity; and residual feed intake (RFI), methane emission and mitigation in the ruminant animal, especially in beef cattle.
A native of Ghana, Dr. Okine completed his Bachelor of Science (1978) and Master of Science (1981) in Animal Science at the University of Ghana in Legon, followed by his PhD (1990) at the University of Alberta. He served as a lecturer at the University of Ghana from 1983 to 1985, prior to the completion of his PhD in Animal Nutrition and Digestive Physiology.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Alberta NDP government’s 2017 budget was presented on March 16 and projects a $10.3 billion deficit this year on revenue of $45 billion. While the budget will see Alberta go further into the red, despite its implementation of a carbon levy, it also promises hospital spending, new schools and other infrastructure along with more money for seniors and social services. Opposition leaders have loudly been calling for the government to curb pending, saying that the cost of a growing debt load will handicap future generations unfairly.
However, Alberta's population is still growing despite the economic downturn caused by low oil/gas prices. Cutting services and deferring capital projects could hurt the economy short term and may jeopardize future prosperity. The budget sets aside $4.5 billion over four years for infrastructure project and $100 million to help First Nations reserves get reliable access to clean drinking water
Education spending is on the rise and cutting school fees for parents to the tune of $54 million was announced earlier. Plans to build 10 new schools and upgrade or replace 16 more are in the works as is a freeze on post-secondary tuition fees. The province is investing heavily in tax credits and other financial incentives to diversify the economy and get off what it calls the "oil and gas roller-coaster." The speaker will put Alberta’s current economic difficulties into perspective and look to his “crystal ball” for answers on how Alberta can overcome the plague of boom and bust cycles.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Nicol
Dr. Christopher Nicol arrived on the U of L campus in 2001 and assumed his duties as a professor in economics while also serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Nicol, took on the role of Acting University Librarian in Sept. 1, 2012 and was appointed to a three-year term as University Librarian July 1, 2013 and he will continue in that role for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016. Nicol will also continue on as a professor of economics in the Department of Economics while serving as the University Librarian.
An esteemed researcher, Nicol's interests are in econometrics, applied econometrics and the theory of consumer behaviour. He has been awarded numerous grants from national funding agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and was recently honoured with a Lethbridge Family Services Immigrant Achievement Award as a distinguished professional.
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Alberta NDP government’s 2017 budget was presented on March 16 and projects a $10.3 billion deficit this year on revenue of $45 billion. While the budget will see Alberta go further into the red, despite its implementation of a carbon levy, it also promises hospital spending, new schools and other infrastructure along with more money for seniors and social services. Opposition leaders have loudly been calling for the government to curb pending, saying that the cost of a growing debt load will handicap future generations unfairly.
However, Alberta's population is still growing despite the economic downturn caused by low oil/gas prices. Cutting services and deferring capital projects could hurt the economy short term and may jeopardize future prosperity. The budget sets aside $4.5 billion over four years for infrastructure project and $100 million to help First Nations reserves get reliable access to clean drinking water
Education spending is on the rise and cutting school fees for parents to the tune of $54 million was announced earlier. Plans to build 10 new schools and upgrade or replace 16 more are in the works as is a freeze on post-secondary tuition fees. The province is investing heavily in tax credits and other financial incentives to diversify the economy and get off what it calls the "oil and gas roller-coaster." The speaker will put Alberta’s current economic difficulties into perspective and look to his “crystal ball” for answers on how Alberta can overcome the plague of boom and bust cycles.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Nicol
Dr. Christopher Nicol arrived on the U of L campus in 2001 and assumed his duties as a professor in economics while also serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Nicol, took on the role of Acting University Librarian in Sept. 1, 2012 and was appointed to a three-year term as University Librarian July 1, 2013 and he will continue in that role for a five-year term effective July 1, 2016. Nicol will also continue on as a professor of economics in the Department of Economics while serving as the University Librarian.
An esteemed researcher, Nicol's interests are in econometrics, applied econometrics and the theory of consumer behaviour. He has been awarded numerous grants from national funding agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and was recently honoured with a Lethbridge Family Services Immigrant Achievement Award as a distinguished professional.
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act: How’s it Working?
On December 10, 2015, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. Bill 6, much of it implemented on Jan 1, 2016, has generated considerable controversy in the Province. Bill 6 repeals the exemptions for farm and ranch workers that are found in a range of legislation. Generally speaking, Bill 6 affects four aspects of the employment relationship: general working conditions, the right to organize, worker safety, and WCB coverage for non-family workers by repealing earlier exemptions.
As a result of the controversy generated by Bill 6, the Government of Alberta amended Bill 6 to allow owners, family members and neighbours to work on farms and ranches without being subject to all of the rules and restrictions as other workers. Specifically, the parts of Bill 6 pertaining to OHS regulations and workers compensation were amended to exclude paid farm and ranch owners and their family members, as well as friends and neighbours who do not work for wages as defined by the Employment Standards Code.
The speaker will present information from an Occupational Health and Safety perspective. What changes came about as a result of the new legislation? How was the legislation changed? What is the definition of a worker or employer reportable incident? What does OHS jurisdiction look like? What are the trends we are seeing after the first year and, what is still to come? Speaker: Mike Rappel, CRSP, EMT-P (ret), OHS Officer Born and raised in Grande Prairie, AB, Mike began his career working as a paramedic for 10 years in Northern Alberta stationed in Hinton, Spirit River and Grande Prairie. He worked rural EMS in Alberta for almost 10 years. In 2001, he moved over to Alberta Occupational Health and Safety as an OHS Officer. Over his 15 years with that department, Mike has conducted inspections and investigations into just about every industry in Alberta. In Sept 2015, he was asked to be a part of organizing the farm and ranch team responsible for investigating and inspecting farm, ranch, and agricultural work sites in the province as related to the expected changes to legislation in January 2016. Mike has strong ties to the farming community. Much of his family still reside on the family farms in Spirit River, Fahler, Manning and Camrose areas, growing wheat & canola, and raising cattle. The original homestead in the Spirit River area is still owned by his family to this day more than 90 years after it was first homesteaded. Moderator: Heather Oxman Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act: How’s it Working?
On December 10, 2015, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. Bill 6, much of it implemented on Jan 1, 2016, has generated considerable controversy in the Province. Bill 6 repeals the exemptions for farm and ranch workers that are found in a range of legislation. Generally speaking, Bill 6 affects four aspects of the employment relationship: general working conditions, the right to organize, worker safety, and WCB coverage for non-family workers by repealing earlier exemptions.
As a result of the controversy generated by Bill 6, the Government of Alberta amended Bill 6 to allow owners, family members and neighbours to work on farms and ranches without being subject to all of the rules and restrictions as other workers. Specifically, the parts of Bill 6 pertaining to OHS regulations and workers compensation were amended to exclude paid farm and ranch owners and their family members, as well as friends and neighbours who do not work for wages as defined by the Employment Standards Code.
The speaker will present information from an Occupational Health and Safety perspective. What changes came about as a result of the new legislation? How was the legislation changed? What is the definition of a worker or employer reportable incident? What does OHS jurisdiction look like? What are the trends we are seeing after the first year and, what is still to come? Speaker: Mike Rappel, CRSP, EMT-P (ret), OHS Officer Born and raised in Grande Prairie, AB, Mike began his career working as a paramedic for 10 years in Northern Alberta stationed in Hinton, Spirit River and Grande Prairie. He worked rural EMS in Alberta for almost 10 years. In 2001, he moved over to Alberta Occupational Health and Safety as an OHS Officer. Over his 15 years with that department, Mike has conducted inspections and investigations into just about every industry in Alberta. In Sept 2015, he was asked to be a part of organizing the farm and ranch team responsible for investigating and inspecting farm, ranch, and agricultural work sites in the province as related to the expected changes to legislation in January 2016. Mike has strong ties to the farming community. Much of his family still reside on the family farms in Spirit River, Fahler, Manning and Camrose areas, growing wheat & canola, and raising cattle. The original homestead in the Spirit River area is still owned by his family to this day more than 90 years after it was first homesteaded. Moderator: Heather Oxman Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In many cultures, worldwide, more than two genders are recognized. In such places, individuals exist that are perceived as being neither men, nor women. Instead, such individuals are recognized as “third” genders.
The speaker works in two such cultures. Since 2003, he has conducted research in the south Pacific island nation of Samoa, where feminine same-sex attracted males are recognized as a third gender, known locally as fa’afafine.
Since 2015, he has worked in the Istmo region of Oaxaca, Mexico, where feminine same-sex attracted males are recognized as a third gender, known locally by the indigenous Zapotec as muxes. The speaker will describe his research in both these cultures that illuminate the role third gender males play within the family.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Vasey
Dr. Vasey is a Professor and a Board of Governors Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge. His research has been funded by all three of the Canadian tri-council agencies (NSERC, SSHRC & CIHR) in addition to local, provincial and international agencies. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on sexuality and gender and co-editor of two books. His is an Associate Editor of the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Vasey’s work has been the subject of various television documentaries (National Geographic, Discovery Channel, The Nature of Things) and has been reported on in hundreds of newspapers and magazines worldwide including Globe & Mail, New York Times, The Economist, National Geographic, and Oprah Magazine. He has been interviewed on U.S National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Radio Netherlands.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
In many cultures, worldwide, more than two genders are recognized. In such places, individuals exist that are perceived as being neither men, nor women. Instead, such individuals are recognized as “third” genders.
The speaker works in two such cultures. Since 2003, he has conducted research in the south Pacific island nation of Samoa, where feminine same-sex attracted males are recognized as a third gender, known locally as fa’afafine.
Since 2015, he has worked in the Istmo region of Oaxaca, Mexico, where feminine same-sex attracted males are recognized as a third gender, known locally by the indigenous Zapotec as muxes. The speaker will describe his research in both these cultures that illuminate the role third gender males play within the family.
Speaker: Dr. Paul Vasey
Dr. Vasey is a Professor and a Board of Governors Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge. His research has been funded by all three of the Canadian tri-council agencies (NSERC, SSHRC & CIHR) in addition to local, provincial and international agencies. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on sexuality and gender and co-editor of two books. His is an Associate Editor of the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Vasey’s work has been the subject of various television documentaries (National Geographic, Discovery Channel, The Nature of Things) and has been reported on in hundreds of newspapers and magazines worldwide including Globe & Mail, New York Times, The Economist, National Geographic, and Oprah Magazine. He has been interviewed on U.S National Public Radio, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Radio Netherlands.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, March 30, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Canada’s economy and energy independence relies heavily on the fossil fuels we extract within our own national borders. However, our global environmental reputation has allegedly taken a hit over the past few decades as CO2 emissions per capita have the singular focus for environmentalists. As a result, we have been labeled everything from “corrupt petro state” to “colossal fossil” for our perceived inaction on climate change.
Now, the governments of Canada and Alberta have opted for carbon taxation in order to fight climate change embarrassment. They believe that Canada should lead by example, forcing Canadian industries and consumers to adopt a “green future” without a clear plan for what that entails, let alone how it will affect the environment or our economy.
Former provincial and federal official Larry Martin will examine how ideology may have buried science in the current policy, where we went wrong, and who stands to win and lose from this arguably misguided approach.
Speaker: F. Larry Martin
F. Larry Martin is a retired civil servant. He ultimately served as Deputy Minister to the Premier of Saskatchewan and Assistant Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Intergovernmental Affairs in Manitoba. His career commenced in the federal Department of Industry, Trade, and Commerce some forty years ago. Larry grew up farming near St Brieux, SK. He holds a Bachelor of History and a Master of Agricultural Economics, both from the University of Saskatchewan. He is retired and lives in Canmore, AB.
Larry is now contemplating Canada’s approach to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. His column, “Canada may already be carbon neutral, so why are we keeping it a secret?” was published in the Financial Post last year and addresses the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by Canada’s terrestrial biomes. His January article in The Huffington Post, “Carbon Tax Won’t Make Canada a Climate Leader If Nobody Follows” considers Canada’s influence on climate policy in India, China and other developing countries. Both articles rank high in measurements of reading and sharing on social media.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Canada’s economy and energy independence relies heavily on the fossil fuels we extract within our own national borders. However, our global environmental reputation has allegedly taken a hit over the past few decades as CO2 emissions per capita have the singular focus for environmentalists. As a result, we have been labeled everything from “corrupt petro state” to “colossal fossil” for our perceived inaction on climate change.
Now, the governments of Canada and Alberta have opted for carbon taxation in order to fight climate change embarrassment. They believe that Canada should lead by example, forcing Canadian industries and consumers to adopt a “green future” without a clear plan for what that entails, let alone how it will affect the environment or our economy.
Former provincial and federal official Larry Martin will examine how ideology may have buried science in the current policy, where we went wrong, and who stands to win and lose from this arguably misguided approach.
Speaker: F. Larry Martin
F. Larry Martin is a retired civil servant. He ultimately served as Deputy Minister to the Premier of Saskatchewan and Assistant Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Intergovernmental Affairs in Manitoba. His career commenced in the federal Department of Industry, Trade, and Commerce some forty years ago. Larry grew up farming near St Brieux, SK. He holds a Bachelor of History and a Master of Agricultural Economics, both from the University of Saskatchewan. He is retired and lives in Canmore, AB.
Larry is now contemplating Canada’s approach to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change. His column, “Canada may already be carbon neutral, so why are we keeping it a secret?” was published in the Financial Post last year and addresses the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide by Canada’s terrestrial biomes. His January article in The Huffington Post, “Carbon Tax Won’t Make Canada a Climate Leader If Nobody Follows” considers Canada’s influence on climate policy in India, China and other developing countries. Both articles rank high in measurements of reading and sharing on social media.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Virtual reality (VR) typically refers to computer technologies that use software to generate the realistic images, sounds and other sensations that replicate a real environment, and simulate a user's physical presence in this environment. VR can be defined as a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional environment, created using interactive software and hardware, and experienced or controlled by movement of the body or as an immersive, interactive experience generated by a computer.
Virtual reality will arguably be the future of gaming and that is a concern for some people. But there’s no denying the incredible opportunities businesses will have to adopt the technology in several industries including healthcare, advertising, journalism and more. However, a generational gap seems to be forming between older and younger folks over what this new medium will do.
Concerns have already been discussed in the past about rock and roll music, comic books, movies, video games, and virtual reality systems of the ’90s. The speaker will explain how modern virtual reality technology works and what benefits businesses and individuals stand to gain in this brave new world.
Speaker: Kris Hodgson
Kris Hodgson is a Digital Journalism Instructor in the Digital Communications and Media department at Lethbridge College. He is currently pursuing his masters in Virtual Reality (360 degree) storytelling through the University of Alberta’s Masters of Arts in Communication and Technology program.
Hodgson’s varied background includes working for weekly newspapers across western Canada, working for economic development agencies in Leduc/Nisku and Lethbridge as well as working as a wind energy community liaison with Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy advocating for renewable energy adoption.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, March 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Virtual reality (VR) typically refers to computer technologies that use software to generate the realistic images, sounds and other sensations that replicate a real environment, and simulate a user's physical presence in this environment. VR can be defined as a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional environment, created using interactive software and hardware, and experienced or controlled by movement of the body or as an immersive, interactive experience generated by a computer.
Virtual reality will arguably be the future of gaming and that is a concern for some people. But there’s no denying the incredible opportunities businesses will have to adopt the technology in several industries including healthcare, advertising, journalism and more. However, a generational gap seems to be forming between older and younger folks over what this new medium will do.
Concerns have already been discussed in the past about rock and roll music, comic books, movies, video games, and virtual reality systems of the ’90s. The speaker will explain how modern virtual reality technology works and what benefits businesses and individuals stand to gain in this brave new world.
Speaker: Kris Hodgson
Kris Hodgson is a Digital Journalism Instructor in the Digital Communications and Media department at Lethbridge College. He is currently pursuing his masters in Virtual Reality (360 degree) storytelling through the University of Alberta’s Masters of Arts in Communication and Technology program.
Hodgson’s varied background includes working for weekly newspapers across western Canada, working for economic development agencies in Leduc/Nisku and Lethbridge as well as working as a wind energy community liaison with Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy advocating for renewable energy adoption.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, March 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. More than one million women and men showed their support of women by participating in public events. In 1977, following the long-standing movements for women to participate equally in society, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada chose March 8 as IWD and it has grown to become a global day of recognition, celebration and action. In many countries it is an official holiday. In Canada, more than 40 events will be held this year.
Last year, organizations and individuals around the world supported the Pledge for Parity campaign and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias, particularly against indigenous people and people of colour; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive cultures.
The 2017 IWD campaign slogan is Be Bold for Change and it is hoped that women, men and non-binary people will join forces to create influence and take bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. However, the World Economic Forum predicts the gender gap won't close entirely until the next century. The speakers will offer their thoughts on what it may take to close that gap sooner rather than later.
Speakers: Glenda Bonifacio and Caroline Hodes
Dr. Glenda Bonifacio joined the University of Lethbridge Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2005 and holds a BA in Social Sciences major in Political Science (magna cum laude, University of the Philippines); MA in Asian Studies (University of the Philippines); and a Ph.D. from the School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, Australia. In 2015, Dr. Bonifacio was selected as one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the World in the innovator and thought leader category. The award by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) recognizes women who have broken new ground in the global workplace and has improved the lives of others.
Dr. Caroline Hodes received her PhD from York University in 2013 and joined the University of Lethbridge Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2015. Prior to her appointment in Lethbridge she taught at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston and in Sociology at Trent University’s Oshawa campus. Dr. Hodes research interests include human rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian and US feminist constitutionalism, and she has recently won a ULRF grant to fund her current work on representations of the body in Charter equality rights and Aboriginal rights litigation
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. More than one million women and men showed their support of women by participating in public events. In 1977, following the long-standing movements for women to participate equally in society, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada chose March 8 as IWD and it has grown to become a global day of recognition, celebration and action. In many countries it is an official holiday. In Canada, more than 40 events will be held this year.
Last year, organizations and individuals around the world supported the Pledge for Parity campaign and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias, particularly against indigenous people and people of colour; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive cultures.
The 2017 IWD campaign slogan is Be Bold for Change and it is hoped that women, men and non-binary people will join forces to create influence and take bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. However, the World Economic Forum predicts the gender gap won't close entirely until the next century. The speakers will offer their thoughts on what it may take to close that gap sooner rather than later.
Speakers: Glenda Bonifacio and Caroline Hodes
Dr. Glenda Bonifacio joined the University of Lethbridge Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2005 and holds a BA in Social Sciences major in Political Science (magna cum laude, University of the Philippines); MA in Asian Studies (University of the Philippines); and a Ph.D. from the School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, Australia. In 2015, Dr. Bonifacio was selected as one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the World in the innovator and thought leader category. The award by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) recognizes women who have broken new ground in the global workplace and has improved the lives of others.
Dr. Caroline Hodes received her PhD from York University in 2013 and joined the University of Lethbridge Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2015. Prior to her appointment in Lethbridge she taught at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston and in Sociology at Trent University’s Oshawa campus. Dr. Hodes research interests include human rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian and US feminist constitutionalism, and she has recently won a ULRF grant to fund her current work on representations of the body in Charter equality rights and Aboriginal rights litigation
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Many Albertans identify with wild landscapes and in southwestern Alberta, the Castle region is iconic. The struggle for protection dates back more than a century, when the young government of Canada set aside much of the Eastern Slopes in Alberta as a forest reserve to protect water sources and to benefit future generations on the Prairies. For several decades in earlier times, the Castle was part of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Fast forward to January 20, 2017, the Alberta Government announced the establishment of the Castle and Wildland Provincial Parks. That all came about after years of advocacy and lobbying by many individual and groups, among them the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) and Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y). The widely applauded protected area covers 105,500 hectares.
However, there are concerns and voices about what a protected area should look like. The speakers will present science-based research and area-focused surveys that suggest legally protecting the area is in the best long-term interest of Albertans, despite special interests concerns.
Speakers: Andrea Hlady and Connie Simmons
Andrea Hlady is passionate about working to protect our natural spaces. In her current role as President of the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition she leads a group of scientists, land-owners, and concerned citizens to use their voices and skills most effectively to advocate for legal... protection of the Castle Wilderness area in SW Alberta. Andrea has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In addition to her work in conservation, Andrea advises NGO's on how to increase the numbers and strength of women supporters to the organizations. In 2013, she founded the Women Pronghorns Basketball Endowment fund at the University of Lethbridge.
Connie Simmons has been actively involved in watershed stewardship, environmental education, and activism for over 30 years. She has a PhD. from the University of Alberta within the discipline on environmental ethics and conservation history, and has used this focus to chart paths through many positions, including working as a coordinator for the First Nations led Keepers of the Athabasca; as Executive Director of the Athabasca Watershed Planning and Advisory Council; and as Planning Manager with the Oldman Watershed Council to complete the Oldman Headwaters Action Plan 2014. Currently, Connie is actively working with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative to bring their perspectives to the Draft Castle Management Plan process, and will be continuing her work with Y2Y as their Crown Program Coordinator.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Many Albertans identify with wild landscapes and in southwestern Alberta, the Castle region is iconic. The struggle for protection dates back more than a century, when the young government of Canada set aside much of the Eastern Slopes in Alberta as a forest reserve to protect water sources and to benefit future generations on the Prairies. For several decades in earlier times, the Castle was part of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Fast forward to January 20, 2017, the Alberta Government announced the establishment of the Castle and Wildland Provincial Parks. That all came about after years of advocacy and lobbying by many individual and groups, among them the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) and Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y). The widely applauded protected area covers 105,500 hectares.
However, there are concerns and voices about what a protected area should look like. The speakers will present science-based research and area-focused surveys that suggest legally protecting the area is in the best long-term interest of Albertans, despite special interests concerns.
Speakers: Andrea Hlady and Connie Simmons
Andrea Hlady is passionate about working to protect our natural spaces. In her current role as President of the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition she leads a group of scientists, land-owners, and concerned citizens to use their voices and skills most effectively to advocate for legal... protection of the Castle Wilderness area in SW Alberta. Andrea has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s of Arts in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In addition to her work in conservation, Andrea advises NGO's on how to increase the numbers and strength of women supporters to the organizations. In 2013, she founded the Women Pronghorns Basketball Endowment fund at the University of Lethbridge.
Connie Simmons has been actively involved in watershed stewardship, environmental education, and activism for over 30 years. She has a PhD. from the University of Alberta within the discipline on environmental ethics and conservation history, and has used this focus to chart paths through many positions, including working as a coordinator for the First Nations led Keepers of the Athabasca; as Executive Director of the Athabasca Watershed Planning and Advisory Council; and as Planning Manager with the Oldman Watershed Council to complete the Oldman Headwaters Action Plan 2014. Currently, Connie is actively working with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative to bring their perspectives to the Draft Castle Management Plan process, and will be continuing her work with Y2Y as their Crown Program Coordinator.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
There are two stories from Alberta that illustrate the unintended consequences of utilities trying to beat the returns available from full regulation. One is the story of the phase-out of coal-fired generation. The other is the story of the treatment of regulatory assets that are not used and useful. In both cases, utilities have sought to get better than normal returns but are now paying the price for the chain of events they set in motion.
Starting with the story of the coal-fired generators, the previously fully integrated electricity companies in Alberta were about 50/50 on deregulation when it was being rolled out as a policy. A compromise was reached that would allow the previously regulated plants to continue to be paid as if they were fully regulated through Power Purchase Agreements established by the Government.
Since that timid beginning, all the companies have come around wanting to make more out of their assets than the previous regulatory model would allow. Arguable, they are big on the upside, but they sure don't seem to like the downside of being outside of the regulatory system. The speaker will articulate what may have motivated this complicated web of electricity (de) regulation and what can be done about it going forward.
Speaker: David Gray
David Gray is a dedicated consumer advocate, and has been for many years prior to starting Gray Energy Economics Inc. David has had experience as the senior economist for a utility company, as a senior analyst for the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and as the senior executive of the Alberta Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate.
David's experience as an executive was continued as President of an innovative company developing energy recapture technology for oilfield applications and his passion for understanding every aspect of regulated and deregulated energy markets has led him to the forefront of the energy industry. David aims to give his customers more control over their energy usage and costs than most realize. The mission of his current company is to ensure that neither a dollar nor a kilowatt hour is wasted by its customers.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
There are two stories from Alberta that illustrate the unintended consequences of utilities trying to beat the returns available from full regulation. One is the story of the phase-out of coal-fired generation. The other is the story of the treatment of regulatory assets that are not used and useful. In both cases, utilities have sought to get better than normal returns but are now paying the price for the chain of events they set in motion.
Starting with the story of the coal-fired generators, the previously fully integrated electricity companies in Alberta were about 50/50 on deregulation when it was being rolled out as a policy. A compromise was reached that would allow the previously regulated plants to continue to be paid as if they were fully regulated through Power Purchase Agreements established by the Government.
Since that timid beginning, all the companies have come around wanting to make more out of their assets than the previous regulatory model would allow. Arguable, they are big on the upside, but they sure don't seem to like the downside of being outside of the regulatory system. The speaker will articulate what may have motivated this complicated web of electricity (de) regulation and what can be done about it going forward.
Speaker: David Gray
David Gray is a dedicated consumer advocate, and has been for many years prior to starting Gray Energy Economics Inc. David has had experience as the senior economist for a utility company, as a senior analyst for the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and as the senior executive of the Alberta Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate.
David's experience as an executive was continued as President of an innovative company developing energy recapture technology for oilfield applications and his passion for understanding every aspect of regulated and deregulated energy markets has led him to the forefront of the energy industry. David aims to give his customers more control over their energy usage and costs than most realize. The mission of his current company is to ensure that neither a dollar nor a kilowatt hour is wasted by its customers.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Disappearing jobs have become a major political issue in recent years, and clearly a factor in the election of Donald Trump in the recent US presidential election. As automation and globalization continue to wipe out many conventional jobs, politicians, voters and the general public wonder where the jobs of the future will come from.
The speaker will weigh in on what strategies governments and businesses could adopt to tackle these issues from the perspective of current economic realities.
Speaker: Dr. Richard Mueller
Richard E. Mueller is Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics and a Research Affiliate at the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, both at the University of Lethbridge, where he has been since 2000. He is also Associate Director of the Education Policy Research Initiative (EPRI) at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Mueller has a wide range of interests and has taught and given presentations in Europe, Asia, the US and Latin America. He was seconded to Statistics Canada in Ottawa from 2009 to 2011. His research has been published in various economics and higher education journals, a number of edited volumes and reports, and highlighted by various media outlets. He holds a B.A. (Hons) and an M.A. from the University of Calgary and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
Moderator: Graeme Greenlee
Date:Thursday, February 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Disappearing jobs have become a major political issue in recent years, and clearly a factor in the election of Donald Trump in the recent US presidential election. As automation and globalization continue to wipe out many conventional jobs, politicians, voters and the general public wonder where the jobs of the future will come from.
The speaker will weigh in on what strategies governments and businesses could adopt to tackle these issues from the perspective of current economic realities.
Speaker: Dr. Richard Mueller
Richard E. Mueller is Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics and a Research Affiliate at the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, both at the University of Lethbridge, where he has been since 2000. He is also Associate Director of the Education Policy Research Initiative (EPRI) at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Mueller has a wide range of interests and has taught and given presentations in Europe, Asia, the US and Latin America. He was seconded to Statistics Canada in Ottawa from 2009 to 2011. His research has been published in various economics and higher education journals, a number of edited volumes and reports, and highlighted by various media outlets. He holds a B.A. (Hons) and an M.A. from the University of Calgary and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.
Moderator: Graeme Greenlee
Date:Thursday, February 16, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Lethbridge faces many challenges in regards to its airport. At one time, when governments owned and operated airports, and regulated air service levels, a small city could count on being served under all circumstances. In the deregulated world however, lower prices tend to prevail. This also means carriers must pay very close attention to their revenues and expenses while the same hold true for the airports they fly into.
Much has been made of the availability of cheap flights from Great Falls and the frequency of flights from Calgary. Previous attempts to attract new services to Lethbridge have not been successful. The response has been numerous expensive studies commissioned by the Airports Committee which, by and large, have been gathering dust as unimplemented recommendations.
Arguably, Lethbridge County, who manages the airport, and the City are unable or reluctant to invest the funds necessary before needed improvements can be made to Lethbridge Airport. Funding, is only one of the barriers to making improvements. Most other airports across Southern Alberta and Northern Montana have a proper governance model. The Canadian Airports Council, the main body to which many of Lethbridge Airport’s peers belong, advocates for an Independent Airport Authority to oversee operations.
The speaker will argue that if the airport becomes a self-funded entity with powers to borrow, set fees and planning for improvements, Lethbridge Airport will be liberated to focus on the needs of people and airport operation rather than power struggles among local governmental entities.
Speaker: Dale Leier Dale Leier is a Lethbridge-born business person with interests in a range of projects, including sustainable cleaning products, shellfish hatchery, renewable energy and regional business development. In addition to a successful career as an Air Traffic Controller, Dale is a Domino’s Pizza Franchisee award winner, an Investor’s Group Financial Planner, mobile app developer and inventor. For the sheer experience, he ran as the Libertarian Party candidate in the 2008 Federal Election for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Lethbridge faces many challenges in regards to its airport. At one time, when governments owned and operated airports, and regulated air service levels, a small city could count on being served under all circumstances. In the deregulated world however, lower prices tend to prevail. This also means carriers must pay very close attention to their revenues and expenses while the same hold true for the airports they fly into.
Much has been made of the availability of cheap flights from Great Falls and the frequency of flights from Calgary. Previous attempts to attract new services to Lethbridge have not been successful. The response has been numerous expensive studies commissioned by the Airports Committee which, by and large, have been gathering dust as unimplemented recommendations.
Arguably, Lethbridge County, who manages the airport, and the City are unable or reluctant to invest the funds necessary before needed improvements can be made to Lethbridge Airport. Funding, is only one of the barriers to making improvements. Most other airports across Southern Alberta and Northern Montana have a proper governance model. The Canadian Airports Council, the main body to which many of Lethbridge Airport’s peers belong, advocates for an Independent Airport Authority to oversee operations.
The speaker will argue that if the airport becomes a self-funded entity with powers to borrow, set fees and planning for improvements, Lethbridge Airport will be liberated to focus on the needs of people and airport operation rather than power struggles among local governmental entities.
Speaker: Dale Leier Dale Leier is a Lethbridge-born business person with interests in a range of projects, including sustainable cleaning products, shellfish hatchery, renewable energy and regional business development. In addition to a successful career as an Air Traffic Controller, Dale is a Domino’s Pizza Franchisee award winner, an Investor’s Group Financial Planner, mobile app developer and inventor. For the sheer experience, he ran as the Libertarian Party candidate in the 2008 Federal Election for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
Moderator: Austin Fennell
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The recent US election, following on the heels of the UK’s referendum on Brexit and the rise of right-wing movements throughout Europe, has been widely attributed to a rise in populism.
This talk examines the concept of populism in its various historic manifestations, while also situating its recent reemergence within the theoretical tradition of Karl Polanyi’s work on the politically destabilizing nature of self-regulating markets, a.k.a., the thirty year experiment known as neo-liberal globalization.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The recent US election, following on the heels of the UK’s referendum on Brexit and the rise of right-wing movements throughout Europe, has been widely attributed to a rise in populism.
This talk examines the concept of populism in its various historic manifestations, while also situating its recent reemergence within the theoretical tradition of Karl Polanyi’s work on the politically destabilizing nature of self-regulating markets, a.k.a., the thirty year experiment known as neo-liberal globalization.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Before WW II, Japanese people had long suffered the sting of racism in Canada. Ever since the first Japanese person, a man named Manzo Nagano, stepped ashore in 1877 at New Westminster, white settlers in British Columbia tried to exclude people whom they considered to be “undesirables.” In so doing, they passed laws to keep Japanese people from working in the mines, to prevent them from voting and to prohibit them from working on provincially funded projects.
On the heels of Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, Canadian fears of a Japanese invasion were sparked and their flames fanned by a sensationalist press. Distrust of Japanese Canadians spread along the Pacific Coast. The RCMP moved quickly to arrest suspected Japanese operatives, while the Royal Canadian Navy began to impound 1,200 Japanese-owned fishing boats. On the recommendation of the RCMP and in order to avoid racist backlash, Japanese newspapers and schools were voluntarily shut down.
Beginning in early 1942, the Canadian government detained and dispossessed the vast majority of over 22,000 people of Japanese descent living in British Columbia. Most were interned in ghost town camps in the West Kootenays and others as farm workers in Southern Alberta and Manitoba etc. for the rest of the Second World War. During this time, their homes and businesses were sold by the government in order to pay for their detention. The speaker will reflect on the issues leading up to, as well as the results, of this dark chapter in Canadian history.
Speaker: George Takashima
Dr. George Takashima, B.A., M.Ed., D.D. is a retired educator, hospital chaplain, and pastor (United Church of Canada). He spent 34 years in public education as classroom teacher, elementary & high school principal, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools, Language Consultant, in the provinces of ON, MB, and SK. He also served as a Field Services officer, Manitoba Department of Education.
George has been sharing the story of the Japanese Canadians and their wartime and post-war experiences in Canada. To this end he has been conducting bus tours of the internment camp ghost towns in the West Kootenays.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 26, Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Before WW II, Japanese people had long suffered the sting of racism in Canada. Ever since the first Japanese person, a man named Manzo Nagano, stepped ashore in 1877 at New Westminster, white settlers in British Columbia tried to exclude people whom they considered to be “undesirables.” In so doing, they passed laws to keep Japanese people from working in the mines, to prevent them from voting and to prohibit them from working on provincially funded projects.
On the heels of Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, Canadian fears of a Japanese invasion were sparked and their flames fanned by a sensationalist press. Distrust of Japanese Canadians spread along the Pacific Coast. The RCMP moved quickly to arrest suspected Japanese operatives, while the Royal Canadian Navy began to impound 1,200 Japanese-owned fishing boats. On the recommendation of the RCMP and in order to avoid racist backlash, Japanese newspapers and schools were voluntarily shut down.
Beginning in early 1942, the Canadian government detained and dispossessed the vast majority of over 22,000 people of Japanese descent living in British Columbia. Most were interned in ghost town camps in the West Kootenays and others as farm workers in Southern Alberta and Manitoba etc. for the rest of the Second World War. During this time, their homes and businesses were sold by the government in order to pay for their detention. The speaker will reflect on the issues leading up to, as well as the results, of this dark chapter in Canadian history.
Speaker: George Takashima
Dr. George Takashima, B.A., M.Ed., D.D. is a retired educator, hospital chaplain, and pastor (United Church of Canada). He spent 34 years in public education as classroom teacher, elementary & high school principal, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools, Language Consultant, in the provinces of ON, MB, and SK. He also served as a Field Services officer, Manitoba Department of Education.
George has been sharing the story of the Japanese Canadians and their wartime and post-war experiences in Canada. To this end he has been conducting bus tours of the internment camp ghost towns in the West Kootenays.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 26, Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, is a plan that identifies required capital projects and provides a planning schedule and financing plan. The City of Lethbridge is currently in the process of planning for its next CIP (2018-2027) and has identified there is only $5.5 million available for community projects. The Performing Arts Centre Advocacy Group (PACAG) is working to ensure the Performing Arts Centre remains on the next CIP.
Since Lethbridge’s beginnings there has been a need to build a suitable performance venue for both performers and audiences alike. The 488-seat Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, while not a theatre but an auditorium, was built in 1966 when the population was 37,000. It is the only major community performance venue in Lethbridge. The Sterndale Bennett Theatre is a 180-seat black box theatre. The University of Lethbridge has two theatres and a recital hall which are used primarily for student productions. Lethbridge currently has less than 1000 traditional theatre seats for a populations nearing 100,000. We are slated to lose half of those seats once the Yates closes for renovations.
A Performing Arts Centre will increase the number of seats available for events, providing access to existing community groups and touring acts to book in Lethbridge. Lethbridge would be viewed as a regional hub for cultural experiences, attracting visitors from southeast British Columbia, northern Montana and southwestern Saskatchewan. And, as the community continues to grow, this project would provide community space to a myriad of events.
The speaker will discuss the rich history of performing arts in Lethbridge, the vibrancy of our arts community, future growth and economic benefits a Performing Arts Centre would bring to Lethbridge.
Speaker: Dawn Leite
Dawn Leite is a member of the PACAG and the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at the Allied Arts Council. Dawn has worked in arts administration in Lethbridge for nearly 15 years, and is an active and passionate member of the performing arts community. Dawn is committed to the development of our community, being a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Heart of Our City, and Vice-President of the newly established Lethbridge & District Music & Speech Arts Festival Society. She is also a member of the Lethbridge Community Band Society.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, is a plan that identifies required capital projects and provides a planning schedule and financing plan. The City of Lethbridge is currently in the process of planning for its next CIP (2018-2027) and has identified there is only $5.5 million available for community projects. The Performing Arts Centre Advocacy Group (PACAG) is working to ensure the Performing Arts Centre remains on the next CIP.
Since Lethbridge’s beginnings there has been a need to build a suitable performance venue for both performers and audiences alike. The 488-seat Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, while not a theatre but an auditorium, was built in 1966 when the population was 37,000. It is the only major community performance venue in Lethbridge. The Sterndale Bennett Theatre is a 180-seat black box theatre. The University of Lethbridge has two theatres and a recital hall which are used primarily for student productions. Lethbridge currently has less than 1000 traditional theatre seats for a populations nearing 100,000. We are slated to lose half of those seats once the Yates closes for renovations.
A Performing Arts Centre will increase the number of seats available for events, providing access to existing community groups and touring acts to book in Lethbridge. Lethbridge would be viewed as a regional hub for cultural experiences, attracting visitors from southeast British Columbia, northern Montana and southwestern Saskatchewan. And, as the community continues to grow, this project would provide community space to a myriad of events.
The speaker will discuss the rich history of performing arts in Lethbridge, the vibrancy of our arts community, future growth and economic benefits a Performing Arts Centre would bring to Lethbridge.
Speaker: Dawn Leite
Dawn Leite is a member of the PACAG and the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at the Allied Arts Council. Dawn has worked in arts administration in Lethbridge for nearly 15 years, and is an active and passionate member of the performing arts community. Dawn is committed to the development of our community, being a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Heart of Our City, and Vice-President of the newly established Lethbridge & District Music & Speech Arts Festival Society. She is also a member of the Lethbridge Community Band Society.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Have you ever wondered what some of the big issues in southwestern Alberta are? With its annual Vital Signs report, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta presents important issues, topics, and themes in six key impact areas. The Community Foundation uses Vital Signs to build local knowledge, set strategic priorities, inform granting, and connect donors with causes close to their hearts.
One of the issues identified in this year’s report is the high rate of interpersonal violence in Alberta, the highest in the country, and the resulting demand on local women’s emergency shelters, which are increasingly forced to turn away women and children in distress due to a lack of space. Other issues include the impact of Alberta’s economic downturn on local food banks across our region, the cost of sport in Alberta, and the low percentage of high school completion rates.
The speaker will address these and other issues identified in the 2016 Vital Signs report. Vital Signs is an initiative of the Community Foundations of Canada, and is published annually by community foundations across Canada.
Founded in 1966, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta currently has just under $25 million in assets. Thanks to the financial support of generous donors, the Community Foundation awards over $700,000 in grants annually to registered charities across the region.
Speaker: Charleen Davidson
Charleen Davidson joined the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta as Executive Director in April 2016 after working for the Alberta Museums Association, where she was the Director of Operations and the Project Manager for the Museum Flood Funding Program.
A 14-year resident of Lethbridge, Davidson has also worked extensively in the not-for profit sector in the community. She was earlier the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection Society and volunteered as a city-appointed member of the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives Board of Directors, among other community service interests.
Davidson has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto. Her passion for history and archaeology has taken her world-wide, from nearby Taber, AB, to Israel and across Canada. Her passion for community led her to the Community Foundation, and she is very proud to be its Executive Director.
Moderator: Dianne King
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Have you ever wondered what some of the big issues in southwestern Alberta are? With its annual Vital Signs report, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta presents important issues, topics, and themes in six key impact areas. The Community Foundation uses Vital Signs to build local knowledge, set strategic priorities, inform granting, and connect donors with causes close to their hearts.
One of the issues identified in this year’s report is the high rate of interpersonal violence in Alberta, the highest in the country, and the resulting demand on local women’s emergency shelters, which are increasingly forced to turn away women and children in distress due to a lack of space. Other issues include the impact of Alberta’s economic downturn on local food banks across our region, the cost of sport in Alberta, and the low percentage of high school completion rates.
The speaker will address these and other issues identified in the 2016 Vital Signs report. Vital Signs is an initiative of the Community Foundations of Canada, and is published annually by community foundations across Canada.
Founded in 1966, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta currently has just under $25 million in assets. Thanks to the financial support of generous donors, the Community Foundation awards over $700,000 in grants annually to registered charities across the region.
Speaker: Charleen Davidson
Charleen Davidson joined the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta as Executive Director in April 2016 after working for the Alberta Museums Association, where she was the Director of Operations and the Project Manager for the Museum Flood Funding Program.
A 14-year resident of Lethbridge, Davidson has also worked extensively in the not-for profit sector in the community. She was earlier the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection Society and volunteered as a city-appointed member of the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives Board of Directors, among other community service interests.
Davidson has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto. Her passion for history and archaeology has taken her world-wide, from nearby Taber, AB, to Israel and across Canada. Her passion for community led her to the Community Foundation, and she is very proud to be its Executive Director.
Moderator: Dianne King
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Many factors played into the 1968 decision to build U of L’s new campus in what is now West Lethbridge. University administration, faculty, students and the City of Lethbridge all agreed the west-side location was well suited and autonomous from their temporary Junior College campus home. The Provincial Government however, did not agree and instead proposed a City referendum to determine where the university campus should be build.
Student activists in particular fought that idea and took to the streets protesting in front of Lethbridge’s MLA. Police got involved and arrested two students, (without charging them) but the battle lines had been drawn and two days later another demonstration occurred following U of L’s first (1968) convocation ceremony in Southminster Church. With the pressure on, the Provincial Government finally relented and ratified the plans to build the new campus on the west-side.
Arguable, it is the vision of these early university leaders that caused west Lethbridge to grow and flourish around the new campus in such a short time span. And certainly, the City of Lethbridge leadership was visionary in providing plenty of land for such an undertaking.
The speaker will discuss the history of U of L since its inception 50 years ago. He will also describe the 1968 controversy regarding the university’s location and introduce the key players and arguments that were instrumental in positioning the U of L campus where it is today.
Speaker: Michael Perry
Michael Perry is the archivist at the University of Lethbridge and has been on staff there for over 20 years. His research interest is exploring the University’s history while preserving and making it accessible through the University’s Archives.
Michael’s current research interests include the history of the U of L architecture and the beginnings of U of L’s liberal arts education. He has also worked on the First Generation Oral History Project with Dr. James Tagg. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science, a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Education.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, January 5,2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Many factors played into the 1968 decision to build U of L’s new campus in what is now West Lethbridge. University administration, faculty, students and the City of Lethbridge all agreed the west-side location was well suited and autonomous from their temporary Junior College campus home. The Provincial Government however, did not agree and instead proposed a City referendum to determine where the university campus should be build.
Student activists in particular fought that idea and took to the streets protesting in front of Lethbridge’s MLA. Police got involved and arrested two students, (without charging them) but the battle lines had been drawn and two days later another demonstration occurred following U of L’s first (1968) convocation ceremony in Southminster Church. With the pressure on, the Provincial Government finally relented and ratified the plans to build the new campus on the west-side.
Arguable, it is the vision of these early university leaders that caused west Lethbridge to grow and flourish around the new campus in such a short time span. And certainly, the City of Lethbridge leadership was visionary in providing plenty of land for such an undertaking.
The speaker will discuss the history of U of L since its inception 50 years ago. He will also describe the 1968 controversy regarding the university’s location and introduce the key players and arguments that were instrumental in positioning the U of L campus where it is today.
Speaker: Michael Perry
Michael Perry is the archivist at the University of Lethbridge and has been on staff there for over 20 years. His research interest is exploring the University’s history while preserving and making it accessible through the University’s Archives.
Michael’s current research interests include the history of the U of L architecture and the beginnings of U of L’s liberal arts education. He has also worked on the First Generation Oral History Project with Dr. James Tagg. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science, a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Education.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, January 5,2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Christmas is a big deal. In the religious pluralism of multicultural Canada, it is the dominant winter holiday. There are tensions between secular and religious aspects of Christmas, as well as debates about the merits of the more inclusive greeting, “Happy Holidays,” rather than “Merry Christmas,” but Buddhist festivities are not poised to replace Christmas in seasonal plays, pageants and concerts.
In fact, there is no culture war raging between Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism is quite tolerant of festivals and cultural practices from other religious traditions. Despite overlapping values of generosity and compassion, there are Buddhist teachings that are certainly wary of the rampant consumerism that many associate with Christmas. Critiques of the commercialization of the holiday are not new, but Buddhist critiques revolve more around the links between suffering, desire, and attachment rather than concerns about the loss of Christian specific teachings.
In this talk, the speaker will share some Buddhists’ views about Christmas in Canada along with instances of overlapping symbols, contrasting cultural understandings, a pop culture portrayal of competition between Buddhism and Christmas, and a few reflections on connections and tensions in the relationship between Buddhism and Christmas.
Speaker: Dr. John Harding
John Harding (B.A. in Asian Studies, University of Puget Sound; Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania) joined the University of Lethbridge in 2003 where he is an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and the Coordinator of Asian Studies. His primary areas of interest include Japanese Buddhism and the cross-cultural exchange between Asia and the West that has shaped the development of modern Buddhism worldwide.
Dr. Harding has co-authored two works on the academic study of religion and is the author or editor of four books on Buddhism with particular focus on Buddhism in the West and on “The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective,” which is the title of his five-year collaborative SSHRC research project.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea)
Christmas is a big deal. In the religious pluralism of multicultural Canada, it is the dominant winter holiday. There are tensions between secular and religious aspects of Christmas, as well as debates about the merits of the more inclusive greeting, “Happy Holidays,” rather than “Merry Christmas,” but Buddhist festivities are not poised to replace Christmas in seasonal plays, pageants and concerts.
In fact, there is no culture war raging between Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism is quite tolerant of festivals and cultural practices from other religious traditions. Despite overlapping values of generosity and compassion, there are Buddhist teachings that are certainly wary of the rampant consumerism that many associate with Christmas. Critiques of the commercialization of the holiday are not new, but Buddhist critiques revolve more around the links between suffering, desire, and attachment rather than concerns about the loss of Christian specific teachings.
In this talk, the speaker will share some Buddhists’ views about Christmas in Canada along with instances of overlapping symbols, contrasting cultural understandings, a pop culture portrayal of competition between Buddhism and Christmas, and a few reflections on connections and tensions in the relationship between Buddhism and Christmas.
Speaker: Dr. John Harding
John Harding (B.A. in Asian Studies, University of Puget Sound; Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania) joined the University of Lethbridge in 2003 where he is an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and the Coordinator of Asian Studies. His primary areas of interest include Japanese Buddhism and the cross-cultural exchange between Asia and the West that has shaped the development of modern Buddhism worldwide.
Dr. Harding has co-authored two works on the academic study of religion and is the author or editor of four books on Buddhism with particular focus on Buddhism in the West and on “The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective,” which is the title of his five-year collaborative SSHRC research project.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea)
Lethbridge is nearing 100,000 residents which offers us a unique moment to reflect on how we grow, protect the environment, celebrate our past and plan for the next 10, 20 and even 30 years. 100k+ conversations is a way of starting thoughtful discussions that will help us understanding the growing needs of our diverse community. We're growing up and it's time to talk about our future.
100K+ Conversations feed into the on-going review and update of the City’s Master Plan (the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan / Municipal Development Plan or ICSP/MDP). The ICSP/MDP is the City’s highest-level Statutory Plan, and establishes a community vision for the next 40 years.
Apart from being an engagement strategy for the next ICSP/MDP, 100K+ conversations is a tool to link together other on-going planning projects (e.g. Master Plans, Area Structure Plans) and community milestones (e.g., facility openings) and events together into a larger conversation about growth and the future of our City. The speakers will articulate what the plans may include as well as highlight the importance of public input and how such info is helping future planning by our City.
Speakers: Andrew Malcolm and Perry Stein
Andrew Malcolm is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2011. Andrew has an active role in the short and long term planning of the city specifically with interests in mature neighbourhoods, heritage planning, and transportation planning. Andrew has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a certificate in Next Generation Transportation Planning from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Andrew is heavily involved with U of L Pronghorns Men’s Soccer team as their assistant coach. Perry Stein is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2014. Perry has a background in community development and planning having worked in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities in Western Canada and Latin America. Perry has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a MA in Latin American Studies from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Perry enjoys traveling, being in nature, and flying airplanes and rocket ships with his three year old daughter Noa and new baby Julian.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date:Thursday, December 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Lethbridge is nearing 100,000 residents which offers us a unique moment to reflect on how we grow, protect the environment, celebrate our past and plan for the next 10, 20 and even 30 years. 100k+ conversations is a way of starting thoughtful discussions that will help us understanding the growing needs of our diverse community. We're growing up and it's time to talk about our future.
100K+ Conversations feed into the on-going review and update of the City’s Master Plan (the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan / Municipal Development Plan or ICSP/MDP). The ICSP/MDP is the City’s highest-level Statutory Plan, and establishes a community vision for the next 40 years.
Apart from being an engagement strategy for the next ICSP/MDP, 100K+ conversations is a tool to link together other on-going planning projects (e.g. Master Plans, Area Structure Plans) and community milestones (e.g., facility openings) and events together into a larger conversation about growth and the future of our City. The speakers will articulate what the plans may include as well as highlight the importance of public input and how such info is helping future planning by our City.
Speakers: Andrew Malcolm and Perry Stein
Andrew Malcolm is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2011. Andrew has an active role in the short and long term planning of the city specifically with interests in mature neighbourhoods, heritage planning, and transportation planning. Andrew has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a certificate in Next Generation Transportation Planning from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Andrew is heavily involved with U of L Pronghorns Men’s Soccer team as their assistant coach. Perry Stein is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2014. Perry has a background in community development and planning having worked in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities in Western Canada and Latin America. Perry has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a MA in Latin American Studies from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Perry enjoys traveling, being in nature, and flying airplanes and rocket ships with his three year old daughter Noa and new baby Julian.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date:Thursday, December 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Governments are taking on assorted policies to reduce carbon emissions including regulations, green subsidies and carbon taxes. Assuming the desirability of reducing GHG emissions, what is Canada's appropriate policy response? Are governments spending sufficient effort to find least cost effective methods? Dr. Jack Mintz will challenge the current policy framework including that used in Alberta.
Speaker: Dr. Jack Mintz
Dr. Jack M. Mintz is the President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary as of July 1, 2015 after serving as the Palmer Chair and Director since 2008.
He also serves on the boards of Imperial Oil Limited, Morneau Shepell and is chair and Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. As of September 1 2015, he has been appointed as the National Policy Advisor for the accounting firm EY.
Dr. Mintz previously held the positions of Professor of Business Economics at the Rotman School of Business from 1989-2007 and Department of Economics at Queen’s University, Kingston, 1978-89. He was a Scholar-in-Residence at Columbia Law School 2016; Visiting Professor, New York University Law School, 2007; President and CEO of the C. D. Howe Institute from 1999-2006; Clifford Clark Visiting Economist at the Department of Finance, Ottawa; and Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Management, University of Toronto, 1993 – 1995.
Dr. Mintz has consulted widely with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, federal and provincial governments in Canada, and various businesses and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Mintz became a member of the Order of Canada in 2015 and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for service to the Canadian tax policy community. Alberta Venture magazine has recognized him as one of the fifty most influential Albertans in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The Financial Post named him one of the five most influential Canadians in regulation in 2012.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, December 01, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Governments are taking on assorted policies to reduce carbon emissions including regulations, green subsidies and carbon taxes. Assuming the desirability of reducing GHG emissions, what is Canada's appropriate policy response? Are governments spending sufficient effort to find least cost effective methods? Dr. Jack Mintz will challenge the current policy framework including that used in Alberta.
Speaker: Dr. Jack Mintz
Dr. Jack M. Mintz is the President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary as of July 1, 2015 after serving as the Palmer Chair and Director since 2008.
He also serves on the boards of Imperial Oil Limited, Morneau Shepell and is chair and Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. As of September 1 2015, he has been appointed as the National Policy Advisor for the accounting firm EY.
Dr. Mintz previously held the positions of Professor of Business Economics at the Rotman School of Business from 1989-2007 and Department of Economics at Queen’s University, Kingston, 1978-89. He was a Scholar-in-Residence at Columbia Law School 2016; Visiting Professor, New York University Law School, 2007; President and CEO of the C. D. Howe Institute from 1999-2006; Clifford Clark Visiting Economist at the Department of Finance, Ottawa; and Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Management, University of Toronto, 1993 – 1995.
Dr. Mintz has consulted widely with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, federal and provincial governments in Canada, and various businesses and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Mintz became a member of the Order of Canada in 2015 and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for service to the Canadian tax policy community. Alberta Venture magazine has recognized him as one of the fifty most influential Albertans in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The Financial Post named him one of the five most influential Canadians in regulation in 2012.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, December 01, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Lethbridge produces more waste than almost any other city in Canada. Since 2010, we have seen a decline in the amount of waste that each person in Lethbridge generates. However, our waste generation remains well above provincial and national averages. In 2014, while the average Albertan created 997 kg of waste and the average Canadian produced 706 kg, Lethbridge residents wasted 1150 kg per person.
Where does our waste come from and what are the solutions? How can we waste less? The speaker will outline ways to reduce current waste amounts and relate to initiatives and opportunities for tackling this trashy problem.
Speaker: Kathleen Sheppard
Kathleen Sheppard joined Environment Lethbridge as Executive Director in November of 2015. Originally from Pincher Creek, Kathleen has more than 25 years of experience working for non-profit organizations in British Columbia and Alberta. Prior to coming to Environment Lethbridge, she was the Executive Director for Social Planning Cowichan, located in Duncan, BC.
Kathleen has a B.Sc. in Geography and Biology from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Management from Ryerson University. Her previous experience includes work in land conservation, wildlife rescue, wilderness protection and environmental sustainability.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date:Thursday, November 24, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Lethbridge produces more waste than almost any other city in Canada. Since 2010, we have seen a decline in the amount of waste that each person in Lethbridge generates. However, our waste generation remains well above provincial and national averages. In 2014, while the average Albertan created 997 kg of waste and the average Canadian produced 706 kg, Lethbridge residents wasted 1150 kg per person.
Where does our waste come from and what are the solutions? How can we waste less? The speaker will outline ways to reduce current waste amounts and relate to initiatives and opportunities for tackling this trashy problem.
Speaker: Kathleen Sheppard
Kathleen Sheppard joined Environment Lethbridge as Executive Director in November of 2015. Originally from Pincher Creek, Kathleen has more than 25 years of experience working for non-profit organizations in British Columbia and Alberta. Prior to coming to Environment Lethbridge, she was the Executive Director for Social Planning Cowichan, located in Duncan, BC.
Kathleen has a B.Sc. in Geography and Biology from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Management from Ryerson University. Her previous experience includes work in land conservation, wildlife rescue, wilderness protection and environmental sustainability.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley
Date:Thursday, November 24, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Oldman Watershed Council is producing a film that will become a signature communication piece for southwest Alberta. The core message is "We are all downstream." It will not be a typical educational film. Rather, it will create a space for people to have an experience and draw their own conclusions through presentation of the story. The goal of the film is to communicate clearly where water comes from, where it goes and ultimately what happens in between. This is important in a watershed with great stakeholder diversity.
About 10-15 minutes in length, the film, when ready, will be shown to audiences throughout the watershed - and beyond - with the intent to educate, inspire and contribute to a stronger sense of community. It will portray southern Alberta's diversity and entrepreneurship via watershed use. Following the growth of the region from the mid-1700s through to 2060, it will use historical photos, interactive maps, and spectacular footage of the people, places and landscapes. Short video presentations related to the Oldman Watershed will be interactively discussed between speakers and the audience throughout this presentation.
Over the years, the OWC has had incredible support from its many volunteers and donors. The OWC mandate has much in common with the environmental stewardship goals of other groups and organizations that are working hard to promote progressive water management practices with the inherent awareness that: "Water is vital to life, the environment and the social and economic wellbeing of communities". The speakers will argue that a common understanding of the issues are essential and believe the film project will increase that common understanding exponentially. Video of the talk can be found here: http://oldmanwatershed.ca/blog-posts/2016/11/29/rwb8q2plc7xty3gh8hkleyntegvepb?ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)&mc_cid=a43423f06a&mc_eid=620b1c9219
Speakers: Shannon Frank and Anna Garleff
Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council, Shannon Frank completed her Environmental Science degree at University of Lethbridge. She previously worked for MULTISAR (Multiple Species at Risk) as the Extension Coordinator where she learned a great deal, especially from ranchers who are often the true stewards of the land and water.
Anna Garleff is an OWC Senior Communications Specialist with Ph.D. in proficio, and over twenty years of international experience in the design and implementation of corporate organizational psychology. Many years ago, she worked as editor of a local newspaper and years later, she was researching, writing and delivering curriculum for universities and organizations across Europe.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Main Branch, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome Many thanks to Lethbridge Public Library, the Oldman Watershed Council and U of L for support.
Is the judiciary sexist? Should Robin Camp be removed from the bench? Is contrition enough? These are some of the questions that have been raised in response to Justice Robin Camp’s comments and his acquittal of the accused in the 2014 R. v. Wagar sexual assault case.
Unfortunately, Robin Camp’s commentary is not an isolated incident nor is it unique in sexual assault cases in Canada. Instead, it underscores what has been characterized as a much broader crisis in confidence in the criminal justice process for survivors of sexual violence. Sexual violence is one of the most under reported forms of violence for a number of complex reasons.
Commentators have identified Robin Camp’s conduct as something that could put an even more chilling effect on reporting and access to justice for those who have been assaulted. Without understanding the contextual and intersectional factors at play in this case, including presumptions about the sexual availability of Indigenous women, substance use, poverty and homelessness, it is not possible to understand the gravity of Justice Camp’s commentary.
The speaker will discuss two of the most poignant lessons that can be learned from this case: 1) the insights that it provides into the many barriers to access to justice for survivors in sexual assault cases and 2) the need for due diligence on the bench.
Speaker: Dr. Caroline Hodes
Dr. Caroline Hodes joined the University of Lethbridge in the Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2015. Prior to her appointment at Lethbridge, she taught at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston and in Sociology at Trent University’s Oshawa campus. Dr. Hodes received her PhD from York University in 2013. Her doctoral research was funded by the Helena Orton Memorial fund and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Dr. Hodes research interests include human rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian and US feminist constitutionalism, and she has recently won a ULRF grant to fund her current work on representations of the body in Charter equality rights and s. 35 Aboriginal rights litigation. Her forthcoming publication in Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture & Social Justice is entitled “Intersectionality in the Canadian Courts: In Search of a Decolonial Politics of Possibility” and traces the limitations of the grounds approach in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms equality rights cases.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date:Thursday, November 17, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Is the judiciary sexist? Should Robin Camp be removed from the bench? Is contrition enough? These are some of the questions that have been raised in response to Justice Robin Camp’s comments and his acquittal of the accused in the 2014 R. v. Wagar sexual assault case.
Unfortunately, Robin Camp’s commentary is not an isolated incident nor is it unique in sexual assault cases in Canada. Instead, it underscores what has been characterized as a much broader crisis in confidence in the criminal justice process for survivors of sexual violence. Sexual violence is one of the most under reported forms of violence for a number of complex reasons.
Commentators have identified Robin Camp’s conduct as something that could put an even more chilling effect on reporting and access to justice for those who have been assaulted. Without understanding the contextual and intersectional factors at play in this case, including presumptions about the sexual availability of Indigenous women, substance use, poverty and homelessness, it is not possible to understand the gravity of Justice Camp’s commentary.
The speaker will discuss two of the most poignant lessons that can be learned from this case: 1) the insights that it provides into the many barriers to access to justice for survivors in sexual assault cases and 2) the need for due diligence on the bench.
Speaker: Dr. Caroline Hodes
Dr. Caroline Hodes joined the University of Lethbridge in the Department of Women & Gender Studies in 2015. Prior to her appointment at Lethbridge, she taught at the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston and in Sociology at Trent University’s Oshawa campus. Dr. Hodes received her PhD from York University in 2013. Her doctoral research was funded by the Helena Orton Memorial fund and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Dr. Hodes research interests include human rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian and US feminist constitutionalism, and she has recently won a ULRF grant to fund her current work on representations of the body in Charter equality rights and s. 35 Aboriginal rights litigation. Her forthcoming publication in Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture & Social Justice is entitled “Intersectionality in the Canadian Courts: In Search of a Decolonial Politics of Possibility” and traces the limitations of the grounds approach in Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms equality rights cases.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date:Thursday, November 17, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history. It continued to spread across northern Alberta into Saskatchewan, consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. The fire spread across approximately 590,000 hectares before it was finally declared to be under control on July 5, 2016. It is the costliest disaster in Canadian history with billions of dollars in direct and indirect damage. $300 million have been raised through individual/corporate donations from across Canada and beyond, including contributions by provincial and federal governments. Some of the money raised is administered by the Canadian Red Cross who so far has distributed more than $100 million directly to the nearly 90,000 evacuees impacted by the fire. Most Fort McMurray residents returned home in early June only to find their homes in various states of disrepair and smoke damage. Water supply was initially not safe for drinking and insurance issues continue to be a challenge for many. The speaker will explain how the Red Cross and government recovery response has been working and give thoughts to where the remaining disaster relief funds may be spent. Speaker: Jennifer McManus Jennifer McManus became the Alberta Provincial Director of the Canadian Red Cross weeks after the June 2013 flood. Since then, she has been part of leadership on both the relief and recovery teams. Jennifer’s role has many different facets; from supporting the provincial Red Cross operation to holding the external and government relations portfolios in Alberta. Having travelled to over 40 countries, Jennifer has vast experience and brings a unique perspective to her position.
Jennifer studied Political Science at Simon Fraser University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong and took a course on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which aided in her choice to specialize in International Relations with a focus on Public International Law. She has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Issues Program in Alberta and played a key role in evaluating programs for Indigenous youth for the Canadian Red Cross in Treaty 7. Moderator: Michelle Day
Date:Thursday, November 10, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history. It continued to spread across northern Alberta into Saskatchewan, consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. The fire spread across approximately 590,000 hectares before it was finally declared to be under control on July 5, 2016. It is the costliest disaster in Canadian history with billions of dollars in direct and indirect damage. $300 million have been raised through individual/corporate donations from across Canada and beyond, including contributions by provincial and federal governments. Some of the money raised is administered by the Canadian Red Cross who so far has distributed more than $100 million directly to the nearly 90,000 evacuees impacted by the fire. Most Fort McMurray residents returned home in early June only to find their homes in various states of disrepair and smoke damage. Water supply was initially not safe for drinking and insurance issues continue to be a challenge for many. The speaker will explain how the Red Cross and government recovery response has been working and give thoughts to where the remaining disaster relief funds may be spent. Speaker: Jennifer McManus Jennifer McManus became the Alberta Provincial Director of the Canadian Red Cross weeks after the June 2013 flood. Since then, she has been part of leadership on both the relief and recovery teams. Jennifer’s role has many different facets; from supporting the provincial Red Cross operation to holding the external and government relations portfolios in Alberta. Having travelled to over 40 countries, Jennifer has vast experience and brings a unique perspective to her position.
Jennifer studied Political Science at Simon Fraser University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong and took a course on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which aided in her choice to specialize in International Relations with a focus on Public International Law. She has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Issues Program in Alberta and played a key role in evaluating programs for Indigenous youth for the Canadian Red Cross in Treaty 7. Moderator: Michelle Day
Date:Thursday, November 10, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The September 26, 2016 presidential debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump drew 84 million U.S. television viewers, a record for such an event and numbers rarely seen on TV in the age of digital streaming and social media. Any true understanding of this election requires an appreciation of the one huge political fault line, arguable nationalists vs. globalists, which is driving America into a period of serious political tremors, certain to jolt the political Richter scale. Donald Trump is one of the most unlikely main party presidential candidates ever and he brings with him plenty of controversy, including questionably conduct towards women and minorities. Clinton as well is challenged with regards to her past, including controversial emails while serving as Secretary of State in 2012. Clinton, age 68 and Trump, age 70 are also among the oldest candidates ever. With a much higher percentage than usual of undecided voters, it could be a close election on Tuesday, Nov 8. The speaker will speculate on the eventual outcome and give thoughts to the future direction of American politics, including how it may affect the Canada/US relationship. Speaker: Dr. James Tagg Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date:Thursday, November 3, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The September 26, 2016 presidential debate between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump drew 84 million U.S. television viewers, a record for such an event and numbers rarely seen on TV in the age of digital streaming and social media. Any true understanding of this election requires an appreciation of the one huge political fault line, arguable nationalists vs. globalists, which is driving America into a period of serious political tremors, certain to jolt the political Richter scale. Donald Trump is one of the most unlikely main party presidential candidates ever and he brings with him plenty of controversy, including questionably conduct towards women and minorities. Clinton as well is challenged with regards to her past, including controversial emails while serving as Secretary of State in 2012. Clinton, age 68 and Trump, age 70 are also among the oldest candidates ever. With a much higher percentage than usual of undecided voters, it could be a close election on Tuesday, Nov 8. The speaker will speculate on the eventual outcome and give thoughts to the future direction of American politics, including how it may affect the Canada/US relationship. Speaker: Dr. James Tagg Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date:Thursday, November 3, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
A serious criminal act in Lethbridge recently brought to the surface a long simmering discourse of racialized tensions in Lethbridge. When such situations are perpetrated by a person of colour, their whole culture and race are blamed. When a similar situation is perpetrated by a white person, it is seen as an individual act where culture is not held accountable. Seeing each other as individuals is a perspective that is only afforded to the dominant group.
Why is it so difficult to discuss and challenge racism in dominant groups? What does it mean to be an ally to people of colour? The speaker will give perspective to what brings on racism and intolerance toward First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) culture. Attention will also be given to help understand what racism is and ways to alleviate it.
Speaker: Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske
Jo-Anne Fiske joined the University of Lethbridge in May, 2004 as a professor and coordinator of Women's Studies. She served as Dean of Graduate Studies from 2006 to 2010 and as Associate VP Research from 2006 to 2007. She earned her doctorate degree in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. A committed interdisciplinary scholar, she has taught in Women's Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, and First Nations Studies at several Canadian Universities.
While at the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Fiske has completed several research projects that address cultural and social foundations of racism. She worked with members of our First Nations community of women during the movement of their transition home in Lethbridge, with First Nations leaders in BC to understand categorization and stigma of women and children in regard to social entertainment such as community bingo, and with an inter-university research team on homeless. Dr. Fiske’s teaching specialties include: Feminist research methods, political economy and kinship, and feminist legal Anthropology and feminist theories.
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Date:Thursday, October 27, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
A serious criminal act in Lethbridge recently brought to the surface a long simmering discourse of racialized tensions in Lethbridge. When such situations are perpetrated by a person of colour, their whole culture and race are blamed. When a similar situation is perpetrated by a white person, it is seen as an individual act where culture is not held accountable. Seeing each other as individuals is a perspective that is only afforded to the dominant group.
Why is it so difficult to discuss and challenge racism in dominant groups? What does it mean to be an ally to people of colour? The speaker will give perspective to what brings on racism and intolerance toward First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) culture. Attention will also be given to help understand what racism is and ways to alleviate it.
Speaker: Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske
Jo-Anne Fiske joined the University of Lethbridge in May, 2004 as a professor and coordinator of Women's Studies. She served as Dean of Graduate Studies from 2006 to 2010 and as Associate VP Research from 2006 to 2007. She earned her doctorate degree in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. A committed interdisciplinary scholar, she has taught in Women's Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, and First Nations Studies at several Canadian Universities.
While at the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Fiske has completed several research projects that address cultural and social foundations of racism. She worked with members of our First Nations community of women during the movement of their transition home in Lethbridge, with First Nations leaders in BC to understand categorization and stigma of women and children in regard to social entertainment such as community bingo, and with an inter-university research team on homeless. Dr. Fiske’s teaching specialties include: Feminist research methods, political economy and kinship, and feminist legal Anthropology and feminist theories.
Moderator: Bob Campbell
Date:Thursday, October 27, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Parks Canada is investing in a new Visitors Centre in Waterton Lakes National Park. A Visitors Centre is a primary service offered in national parks and the current Waterton Lakes Visitors Centre, in its present location, can no longer support the over 400,000 annual visitors adequately. A decision to relocate the Visitors Centre to the often congested “downtown” area of Waterton village has been made despite much local opposition. Parks Canada argues that they engaged a range of stakeholders and leaseholders before the decision was made, including Improvement District #4, the Waterton Lakes Leaseholders Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterton Park Community Association and individual cottage and commercial leaseholders.
Parks Canada manages national parks on behalf of all Canadians and supposedly welcome input from the community and visitors alike. They have heard a wide range of comments on the Visitors Centre, its purpose and its location and say they are committed to working collaboratively with all interested Canadians in the planning of this important facility. The speakers will describe the process of local consultation and collaboration by Parks Canada. (Parks Canada was contacted by SACPA, but declined our request for a speaker on this topic)
Speakers: Lesley Little and Garry Ursenbach Lesley Little has spent at least part of the past 55 summers in Waterton. Her oldest daughter worked there for two summers and now her grandchildren have discovered life at "The Mountain House", as one grandson describes it. Lesley has served on the Waterton Lakes Leaseholders Association (WLLA) Board since 2013 and has produced the WLLA Newsletter since then.
Garry Ursenbach honeymooned in Waterton in 1957 and have spent time there every year since then - except when doing volunteer work in Africa and Mexico. Bought a Waterton cottage in 1975. As a professional engineer spent 40 years with oil/gas pipelines. Served 25 years on CSA Pipeline Code Committee and Chaired Western Canada Section of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other community work.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Parks Canada is investing in a new Visitors Centre in Waterton Lakes National Park. A Visitors Centre is a primary service offered in national parks and the current Waterton Lakes Visitors Centre, in its present location, can no longer support the over 400,000 annual visitors adequately. A decision to relocate the Visitors Centre to the often congested “downtown” area of Waterton village has been made despite much local opposition. Parks Canada argues that they engaged a range of stakeholders and leaseholders before the decision was made, including Improvement District #4, the Waterton Lakes Leaseholders Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterton Park Community Association and individual cottage and commercial leaseholders.
Parks Canada manages national parks on behalf of all Canadians and supposedly welcome input from the community and visitors alike. They have heard a wide range of comments on the Visitors Centre, its purpose and its location and say they are committed to working collaboratively with all interested Canadians in the planning of this important facility. The speakers will describe the process of local consultation and collaboration by Parks Canada. (Parks Canada was contacted by SACPA, but declined our request for a speaker on this topic)
Speakers: Lesley Little and Garry Ursenbach Lesley Little has spent at least part of the past 55 summers in Waterton. Her oldest daughter worked there for two summers and now her grandchildren have discovered life at "The Mountain House", as one grandson describes it. Lesley has served on the Waterton Lakes Leaseholders Association (WLLA) Board since 2013 and has produced the WLLA Newsletter since then.
Garry Ursenbach honeymooned in Waterton in 1957 and have spent time there every year since then - except when doing volunteer work in Africa and Mexico. Bought a Waterton cottage in 1975. As a professional engineer spent 40 years with oil/gas pipelines. Served 25 years on CSA Pipeline Code Committee and Chaired Western Canada Section of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other community work.
Moderator: Heather Oxman
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
It could cost tax payers billions of dollars to clean up the 100,000 plus abandoned oil and gas wells throughout Alberta. However, if used as geothermal energy, many of these wells can be an asset instead of a liability. Abandoned wells can cost $300,000 each to reclaim. Converting those same wells to operate as geothermal greenhouses may be much cheaper and more cost effective.
The Living Energy Project at the Leduc #1 Energy Discover Centre is converting an abandoned oil well to capture geothermal energy. This energy will be used to heat the building and an 8000 square-foot greenhouse. Provided that Government gives the green light, this could be the first time in Canada’s history that a disused well will be used as a tool for agricultural production, which in turn could help increase local food security and make it possible for farmers to profit.
The potential for Canadian geothermal greenhouses are extensive. Clean local heating and electric energy for smaller and remote communities are also possibilities, utilizing disused wells. These benefits highlight the potential of creative solutions and job creation through geothermal energy.
Despite Alberta’s great geological potential and available technology and workforce for producing geothermal energy, there is currently no framework permitting its development. In order to develop policies for geothermal, there must be agreement between Government, industry and the public.
The speaker will make a case that the current economic downturn in the energy sector is a great opportunity to develop geothermal energy and at the same time boost the economy, bring the skilled workforce back to employment, develop an industry for a reliable and low-emission resource, and decrease the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Speaker: Katie Huang
Katie is a newly graduated geologist (BSc Honours, Geological Science from UBC) volunteering as an ambassador with CanGEA to bring awareness and educate Canadians about geothermal energy potential. She is co-founder/board of director member for the International Vision Organization which brings eye health care to underdeveloped countries and supports projects that bring economic support to women and environmental education to students.
Katie hopes that her passion for geothermal energy, the environment and community can positively impact others, and that advocating for geothermal energy will help inspire Government, industry and Albertans to create policies which allow for such development.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
It could cost tax payers billions of dollars to clean up the 100,000 plus abandoned oil and gas wells throughout Alberta. However, if used as geothermal energy, many of these wells can be an asset instead of a liability. Abandoned wells can cost $300,000 each to reclaim. Converting those same wells to operate as geothermal greenhouses may be much cheaper and more cost effective.
The Living Energy Project at the Leduc #1 Energy Discover Centre is converting an abandoned oil well to capture geothermal energy. This energy will be used to heat the building and an 8000 square-foot greenhouse. Provided that Government gives the green light, this could be the first time in Canada’s history that a disused well will be used as a tool for agricultural production, which in turn could help increase local food security and make it possible for farmers to profit.
The potential for Canadian geothermal greenhouses are extensive. Clean local heating and electric energy for smaller and remote communities are also possibilities, utilizing disused wells. These benefits highlight the potential of creative solutions and job creation through geothermal energy.
Despite Alberta’s great geological potential and available technology and workforce for producing geothermal energy, there is currently no framework permitting its development. In order to develop policies for geothermal, there must be agreement between Government, industry and the public.
The speaker will make a case that the current economic downturn in the energy sector is a great opportunity to develop geothermal energy and at the same time boost the economy, bring the skilled workforce back to employment, develop an industry for a reliable and low-emission resource, and decrease the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Speaker: Katie Huang
Katie is a newly graduated geologist (BSc Honours, Geological Science from UBC) volunteering as an ambassador with CanGEA to bring awareness and educate Canadians about geothermal energy potential. She is co-founder/board of director member for the International Vision Organization which brings eye health care to underdeveloped countries and supports projects that bring economic support to women and environmental education to students.
Katie hopes that her passion for geothermal energy, the environment and community can positively impact others, and that advocating for geothermal energy will help inspire Government, industry and Albertans to create policies which allow for such development.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Aquaponics is a syntergistic growing technique in which both fish and plants are grown together in the same system. The word aquaponics comes from the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil in nutrient rich water). The speaker will argue that aquaponics solves many of the problems and environmental issues associated with aquaculture and hydroponics while retaining the benefits of both.
Today's modern aquaculture systems are great at growing lots of fish in a small area, but produce lots of fish waste that must be dealt with. Hydroponics offers many benefits including the fact that it is more efficient than soil farming in both density, growth rate and can be done almost anywhere. But hydroponic systems use man-made chemicals as feed and must dump the nutrient solution periodically when salts or pathogens build up which is a waste management and pollution issue.
The microorganisms in an aquaponic system turn the "waste" in aquaculture into a valuable input for hydroponics. This more natural input results in food that is healthier and much better tasting. The filtered water from the plants is then returned to the fish thereby closing the loop. This conserves water and avoids waste management issues and pollution. A myriad of beneficial microorganisms also create an environment that hinders the harmful organisms that are such a problem in hydroponics and aquaculture.
Speaker: Nick Savidov
Dr. Nick Savidov is a Senior Research Scientist with Lethbridge College and is an internationally recognized expert in aquaponics. His improvements of aquaponics design include aerobic bio-digestion to recover nutrients and water, full automation, and more efficient oxygenating system. His system design produces no waste, solid or liquid, and it has been adopted for commercial use in Canada.
Savidov was born and raised in Russia, where he received his Ph.D. degrees in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry at the Russian State Agricultural University in Moscow in 1991. He conducted his postdoctoral studies in Plant Biochemistry Lab at Ben-Gurion University in Israel before moving to Canada in 1997, where he continued his research in Plant Molecular Biology Lab at University of Alberta until 2001.
Savidov assumed the position of leader of Research Greenhouse Crops Program at Crop Diversification Centre South with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in 2001, where he worked on a variety of projects related to greenhouse production including aquaponics and biochar. Savidov has received many research grants in his scientific career and his work has gained national and international recognition. He has spoken at many conferences around the world and he is a member of several national and international committees.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date:Thursday, October 6, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Aquaponics is a syntergistic growing technique in which both fish and plants are grown together in the same system. The word aquaponics comes from the combination of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil in nutrient rich water). The speaker will argue that aquaponics solves many of the problems and environmental issues associated with aquaculture and hydroponics while retaining the benefits of both.
Today's modern aquaculture systems are great at growing lots of fish in a small area, but produce lots of fish waste that must be dealt with. Hydroponics offers many benefits including the fact that it is more efficient than soil farming in both density, growth rate and can be done almost anywhere. But hydroponic systems use man-made chemicals as feed and must dump the nutrient solution periodically when salts or pathogens build up which is a waste management and pollution issue.
The microorganisms in an aquaponic system turn the "waste" in aquaculture into a valuable input for hydroponics. This more natural input results in food that is healthier and much better tasting. The filtered water from the plants is then returned to the fish thereby closing the loop. This conserves water and avoids waste management issues and pollution. A myriad of beneficial microorganisms also create an environment that hinders the harmful organisms that are such a problem in hydroponics and aquaculture.
Speaker: Nick Savidov
Dr. Nick Savidov is a Senior Research Scientist with Lethbridge College and is an internationally recognized expert in aquaponics. His improvements of aquaponics design include aerobic bio-digestion to recover nutrients and water, full automation, and more efficient oxygenating system. His system design produces no waste, solid or liquid, and it has been adopted for commercial use in Canada.
Savidov was born and raised in Russia, where he received his Ph.D. degrees in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry at the Russian State Agricultural University in Moscow in 1991. He conducted his postdoctoral studies in Plant Biochemistry Lab at Ben-Gurion University in Israel before moving to Canada in 1997, where he continued his research in Plant Molecular Biology Lab at University of Alberta until 2001.
Savidov assumed the position of leader of Research Greenhouse Crops Program at Crop Diversification Centre South with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in 2001, where he worked on a variety of projects related to greenhouse production including aquaponics and biochar. Savidov has received many research grants in his scientific career and his work has gained national and international recognition. He has spoken at many conferences around the world and he is a member of several national and international committees.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date:Thursday, October 6, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Presently, federal elections in Canada use the first past the post (FPTP) system where the candidate with the most votes in a riding becomes its Member of Parliament. As a result, many candidates win their seats with less than 50 per cent of votes. During last year’s election campaign, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said he would, if elected, create a committee to look at alternatives to the FPTP system and promised that next election, likely in 2019, a new system would be in place. Alternatives include proportional representation, ranked ballots, mandatory voting and online voting.
Electoral reform often proves to be difficult to accomplish because it combines debates over different and often competing values, political party and politician self-interest, and the need for citizen acceptance, even though many citizens have only a poor understanding of the alternatives available to them. The potential impact of changes to our electoral system are huge and the stakes are high for politicians, political parties, and citizens.
The speaker, who supports a mixed member proportional electoral system, recently appeared as an expert witness before a meeting of the House of Commons all party Special Committee on Electoral Reform.
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen is a political scientist at the University of Lethbridge interested in the ways in which Canadians and Albertans interact with their governments through political parties and new technology. He completed his B.A. at the University of Alberta and earned his M.A. at Carleton University in Ottawa before returning to the University of Alberta and finishing his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1998.
Jansen came to the University of Lethbridge shortly after receiving his Ph.D. and has been here ever since. His research has focused on Alberta politics, electoral systems and electoral reform, Canadian political party finance, and the impact of the Internet on political communication and democratic citizenship.
Passionate about teaching, Jansen appreciates the opportunities which smaller universities offer for mentoring undergraduate students. From July 2013 to June 2015, he served as one of the university's two Board of Governors Teaching Chairs and on July 1, 2015, Jansen became Chair of the Political Science department at U of L.
Moderator: TBA
Date:Thursday, September 29, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Presently, federal elections in Canada use the first past the post (FPTP) system where the candidate with the most votes in a riding becomes its Member of Parliament. As a result, many candidates win their seats with less than 50 per cent of votes. During last year’s election campaign, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said he would, if elected, create a committee to look at alternatives to the FPTP system and promised that next election, likely in 2019, a new system would be in place. Alternatives include proportional representation, ranked ballots, mandatory voting and online voting.
Electoral reform often proves to be difficult to accomplish because it combines debates over different and often competing values, political party and politician self-interest, and the need for citizen acceptance, even though many citizens have only a poor understanding of the alternatives available to them. The potential impact of changes to our electoral system are huge and the stakes are high for politicians, political parties, and citizens.
The speaker, who supports a mixed member proportional electoral system, recently appeared as an expert witness before a meeting of the House of Commons all party Special Committee on Electoral Reform.
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen is a political scientist at the University of Lethbridge interested in the ways in which Canadians and Albertans interact with their governments through political parties and new technology. He completed his B.A. at the University of Alberta and earned his M.A. at Carleton University in Ottawa before returning to the University of Alberta and finishing his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1998.
Jansen came to the University of Lethbridge shortly after receiving his Ph.D. and has been here ever since. His research has focused on Alberta politics, electoral systems and electoral reform, Canadian political party finance, and the impact of the Internet on political communication and democratic citizenship.
Passionate about teaching, Jansen appreciates the opportunities which smaller universities offer for mentoring undergraduate students. From July 2013 to June 2015, he served as one of the university's two Board of Governors Teaching Chairs and on July 1, 2015, Jansen became Chair of the Political Science department at U of L.
Moderator: TBA
Date:Thursday, September 29, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta has recently undertaken major changes to our electricity system. The intent is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change, thereby gaining “social license” to facilitate the sale and export of our fossil fuel energy products.
There is considerable controversy over the effectiveness of many aspects of proposed changes. The speaker will discuss the need to conduct more long term environmental studies which consider the decades long life cycle of alternative systems before embarking on such major changes.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos
Cosmos Voutsinos is a mechanical engineer graduated from the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. He specializes in energy conversion systems, in particular conversion to electrical energy. He has worked in various capacities in the design, construction and manufacturing of equipment and operation of energy conversion facilities for most energy technologies. This list includes nuclear and fossil fuel fired power plants as well as a variety of renewable energy projects.
In nuclear power he has participated as a design engineer, as a construction manager, as a manufacturer of nuclear equipment and as a techno-economic consultant. His work has brought him from Canada, to USA, Taiwan, China, S. Korea, Japan and Belgium. He has been a member of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), Organization of Candu Industries (OCI) and the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS). At present he retains his Alberta P. Eng. membership.
Over his 40 year working career Cosmos has got to know not only the energy technologies involved but also the people and the social structures behind them. He has recently returned from presenting a paper titled; “The Clash of Energy Supply and Climate Change” at the 2016 International Conference on Environmental Science and Engineering held in China this year. He will share his experience with us.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, September 22, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta has recently undertaken major changes to our electricity system. The intent is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change, thereby gaining “social license” to facilitate the sale and export of our fossil fuel energy products.
There is considerable controversy over the effectiveness of many aspects of proposed changes. The speaker will discuss the need to conduct more long term environmental studies which consider the decades long life cycle of alternative systems before embarking on such major changes.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos
Cosmos Voutsinos is a mechanical engineer graduated from the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. He specializes in energy conversion systems, in particular conversion to electrical energy. He has worked in various capacities in the design, construction and manufacturing of equipment and operation of energy conversion facilities for most energy technologies. This list includes nuclear and fossil fuel fired power plants as well as a variety of renewable energy projects.
In nuclear power he has participated as a design engineer, as a construction manager, as a manufacturer of nuclear equipment and as a techno-economic consultant. His work has brought him from Canada, to USA, Taiwan, China, S. Korea, Japan and Belgium. He has been a member of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), Organization of Candu Industries (OCI) and the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS). At present he retains his Alberta P. Eng. membership.
Over his 40 year working career Cosmos has got to know not only the energy technologies involved but also the people and the social structures behind them. He has recently returned from presenting a paper titled; “The Clash of Energy Supply and Climate Change” at the 2016 International Conference on Environmental Science and Engineering held in China this year. He will share his experience with us.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, September 22, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Historic persons, places and events are commemorated every day, from plaques and monument to the naming of sites. How are decisions made as to what is commemorated?
While this presentation will discuss commemoration in a broader sense, the timing of it coincides with Lethbridge City Council’s recent designation of the Galt Mine No. 6 site near Hardieville in north Lethbridge as a Municipal Historic Resource. The mine got its name from Sir Alexander Galt, who with his son Elliott started the coal mining industry in Lethbridge in the 1880s.
Galt Mine No. 6 was active from 1908 to 1935 (its tipple was then moved to newly build Galt Mine No.8) and not much remains of the mine aside from the boiler hoist base, tipple foundation and drift tunnel. Lethbridge Historical Society is working with a developer of the adjacent Legacy Ridge neighbourhood to turn the land into a visitor attractive interpretive park.
Obviously, turning every one of the many coal mines in Lethbridge and area into a tourist friendly historic park is not feasible. However, the west-side Galt Mine No. 8, built in 1935, with its landmark tipple and water tower, near the iconic high level bridge, is arguably a more visible and commercially attractive location for an interpretive historic park than the Galt Mine No. 6 site.
The speaker will give a background on how commemoration has been done historically in Lethbridge, provide her perspective on how decisions are arrived at and explain some of the background work that goes into the commemoration of local history.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is a member of the Lethbridge Historical Society's Heritage Conservation Committee and sits as the LHS representative on the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Committee. The LHS Heritage Conservation Committee, one of many initiatives of the historical society, is designed to advocate for historic buildings.
Currently, Belinda is the President of Lethbridge Historical Society, she is also past President of the Historical Society of Alberta and the author of four books on local history
Moderator: TBA
Date:Thursday, September 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Historic persons, places and events are commemorated every day, from plaques and monument to the naming of sites. How are decisions made as to what is commemorated?
While this presentation will discuss commemoration in a broader sense, the timing of it coincides with Lethbridge City Council’s recent designation of the Galt Mine No. 6 site near Hardieville in north Lethbridge as a Municipal Historic Resource. The mine got its name from Sir Alexander Galt, who with his son Elliott started the coal mining industry in Lethbridge in the 1880s.
Galt Mine No. 6 was active from 1908 to 1935 (its tipple was then moved to newly build Galt Mine No.8) and not much remains of the mine aside from the boiler hoist base, tipple foundation and drift tunnel. Lethbridge Historical Society is working with a developer of the adjacent Legacy Ridge neighbourhood to turn the land into a visitor attractive interpretive park.
Obviously, turning every one of the many coal mines in Lethbridge and area into a tourist friendly historic park is not feasible. However, the west-side Galt Mine No. 8, built in 1935, with its landmark tipple and water tower, near the iconic high level bridge, is arguably a more visible and commercially attractive location for an interpretive historic park than the Galt Mine No. 6 site.
The speaker will give a background on how commemoration has been done historically in Lethbridge, provide her perspective on how decisions are arrived at and explain some of the background work that goes into the commemoration of local history.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is a member of the Lethbridge Historical Society's Heritage Conservation Committee and sits as the LHS representative on the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Committee. The LHS Heritage Conservation Committee, one of many initiatives of the historical society, is designed to advocate for historic buildings.
Currently, Belinda is the President of Lethbridge Historical Society, she is also past President of the Historical Society of Alberta and the author of four books on local history
Moderator: TBA
Date:Thursday, September 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In the business of conservation we are often so intent on staring into the fog called tomorrow, we rarely turn around and look back at the pathway called yesterday stretching behind us. This presentation will use archival images and information to paint a picture of the slippery hordes of native fish in Alberta’s past.
The current status of fish populations in the Eastern Slopes cannot be appreciated until we acknowledge where we were, by reviewing historical abundance and distribution. Only then, will we be ready to see where we need to be. By reviewing what was, perhaps we can see what can be. Fish populations were reduced and lost because our understanding and comprehension of aquatic systems was so rudimentary. We rarely measured, we didn’t monitor and we didn’t pay attention. If a view of the past has taught us anything, it is if we don’t pay attention, things go missing.
We do not feel the need to mourn that which we do not understand enough to miss. A fundamentally important task is to provide perspectives on changes over time in ecosystem integrity and in biodiversity to avoid the syndrome of shifting benchmarks- like being satisfied with fewer and fewer native fish, poorer water quality and an industrialized landscape.
Speaker: Lorne Fitch
Lorne Fitch grew up on a mixed farm in west central Alberta. He left the farm but the experience of growing up in semi-wild circumstances never left him. Lorne has been a biologist for over 40 years, working mostly in Alberta but also in other parts of Canada and internationally with the many issues related to use of land and water.
Those experiences have allowed Lorne to conclude that how we treat the land and water is a result of how we see these elements, how we value them, and what our vision is for their future. It has led him to understand how knowledge levels affect people’s environmental opinions and has caused him to become an educator because if we want a future with clean water, productive soil, fish, wildlife and space, we must make proper choices now.
Lorne is the Provincial Riparian Specialist with the Alberta Cows and Fish program. He is also an adjunct professor with the University of Calgary
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In the business of conservation we are often so intent on staring into the fog called tomorrow, we rarely turn around and look back at the pathway called yesterday stretching behind us. This presentation will use archival images and information to paint a picture of the slippery hordes of native fish in Alberta’s past.
The current status of fish populations in the Eastern Slopes cannot be appreciated until we acknowledge where we were, by reviewing historical abundance and distribution. Only then, will we be ready to see where we need to be. By reviewing what was, perhaps we can see what can be. Fish populations were reduced and lost because our understanding and comprehension of aquatic systems was so rudimentary. We rarely measured, we didn’t monitor and we didn’t pay attention. If a view of the past has taught us anything, it is if we don’t pay attention, things go missing.
We do not feel the need to mourn that which we do not understand enough to miss. A fundamentally important task is to provide perspectives on changes over time in ecosystem integrity and in biodiversity to avoid the syndrome of shifting benchmarks- like being satisfied with fewer and fewer native fish, poorer water quality and an industrialized landscape.
Speaker: Lorne Fitch
Lorne Fitch grew up on a mixed farm in west central Alberta. He left the farm but the experience of growing up in semi-wild circumstances never left him. Lorne has been a biologist for over 40 years, working mostly in Alberta but also in other parts of Canada and internationally with the many issues related to use of land and water.
Those experiences have allowed Lorne to conclude that how we treat the land and water is a result of how we see these elements, how we value them, and what our vision is for their future. It has led him to understand how knowledge levels affect people’s environmental opinions and has caused him to become an educator because if we want a future with clean water, productive soil, fish, wildlife and space, we must make proper choices now.
Lorne is the Provincial Riparian Specialist with the Alberta Cows and Fish program. He is also an adjunct professor with the University of Calgary
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta has a complex educational system that includes public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Recent action in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and by some school boards, as well as the current review of legislation, demonstrate a need for a provincial conversation. What makes for an equitable educational system that serves diverse learning needs and provides for quality schooling?
Historical reasons for this complexity will be explored detailing the various school systems and how each are funded. The speakers will also explain differences between the systems in terms of accessibility and governance and describe how an equitable and fair education system ought to function in today’s Alberta.
Speakers: Barbara Silva and Lisa Turner
Barbara Silva is a Public Education Advocate and Communications Director for Support our Students Alberta. Born in Ontario but raised all over Canada she attended 11 different public and separate schools in Alberta & Ontario. She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary. She worked in the Oil & Gas industry for 6 years before pursuing her Master of Education from the University of Western Ontario in London. After working in the Rockyview School Division for four years, she now volunteers her time to advocate for children’s rights to an accessible, quality and equitable public education with the organization “Support Our Students Alberta”, which was the proud recipient of Alberta Teachers Association’s 2015 Public Education Award for outstanding contribution to Public Education
Lisa Turner is the Policy Director for Support our Students Alberta and a passionate public education advocate. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, she had the pleasure of attending public schools in the Regina Board of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Regina and a diploma in Nuclear Medicine Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. After working in acute care medicine, Lisa moved to the not-for-profit sector, whetting her advocacy chops at the Canadian Cancer Society through initiatives to bring smoke-free spaces to Alberta. Now a serial volunteer and mom, Lisa enjoys supporting important community initiatives like accessible and equitable public education.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta has a complex educational system that includes public schools, charter schools, and private schools. Recent action in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and by some school boards, as well as the current review of legislation, demonstrate a need for a provincial conversation. What makes for an equitable educational system that serves diverse learning needs and provides for quality schooling?
Historical reasons for this complexity will be explored detailing the various school systems and how each are funded. The speakers will also explain differences between the systems in terms of accessibility and governance and describe how an equitable and fair education system ought to function in today’s Alberta.
Speakers: Barbara Silva and Lisa Turner
Barbara Silva is a Public Education Advocate and Communications Director for Support our Students Alberta. Born in Ontario but raised all over Canada she attended 11 different public and separate schools in Alberta & Ontario. She holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary. She worked in the Oil & Gas industry for 6 years before pursuing her Master of Education from the University of Western Ontario in London. After working in the Rockyview School Division for four years, she now volunteers her time to advocate for children’s rights to an accessible, quality and equitable public education with the organization “Support Our Students Alberta”, which was the proud recipient of Alberta Teachers Association’s 2015 Public Education Award for outstanding contribution to Public Education
Lisa Turner is the Policy Director for Support our Students Alberta and a passionate public education advocate. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, she had the pleasure of attending public schools in the Regina Board of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Regina and a diploma in Nuclear Medicine Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. After working in acute care medicine, Lisa moved to the not-for-profit sector, whetting her advocacy chops at the Canadian Cancer Society through initiatives to bring smoke-free spaces to Alberta. Now a serial volunteer and mom, Lisa enjoys supporting important community initiatives like accessible and equitable public education.
Moderator: Shannan Little
Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta’s official opposition has criticized the recent provincial NDP budget, expressing concern about the huge anticipated provincial deficit. They have called for cuts to provincial staff levels and some programs.
Official opposition leader, Brian Jean will speak to this. He will outline the Wildrose Party vision for Alberta and his party’s view on a better fiscal management plan of Alberta’s finances. We will hear where a Wildose government would take Alberta. Speaker: Brian Jean, Alberta’s Official Opposition leader
Brian Jean was elected as Wildrose Leader on March 28, 2015 and has served as leader of the Official Opposition and MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin since May 5, 2015. Raised in his home riding of Fort McMurray, Brian understands what makes Alberta the best place to live in the world. With extensive experience in construction, communications, farming, business and as a lawyer, Brian knows what it takes to get Alberta working again. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science, an MBA and an LLB. But Brian isn’t just book smart – he’s people smart. He knows that the backbone of Alberta is the hardworking and entrepreneurial spirit of its people. To this end, Brian has worked in numerous trades including logging and being a registered trapper. As a committed fiscal manager, Brian knows that low taxes and smaller government spur economic prosperity and unleash the Alberta Advantage. His goal is to build an Alberta that we can be proud of – one where all Albertans can enjoy a high quality of life.
Moderator: Ed Bardock
Date: Thursday, June 9, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Alberta’s official opposition has criticized the recent provincial NDP budget, expressing concern about the huge anticipated provincial deficit. They have called for cuts to provincial staff levels and some programs.
Official opposition leader, Brian Jean will speak to this. He will outline the Wildrose Party vision for Alberta and his party’s view on a better fiscal management plan of Alberta’s finances. We will hear where a Wildose government would take Alberta. Speaker: Brian Jean, Alberta’s Official Opposition leader
Brian Jean was elected as Wildrose Leader on March 28, 2015 and has served as leader of the Official Opposition and MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin since May 5, 2015. Raised in his home riding of Fort McMurray, Brian understands what makes Alberta the best place to live in the world. With extensive experience in construction, communications, farming, business and as a lawyer, Brian knows what it takes to get Alberta working again. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science, an MBA and an LLB. But Brian isn’t just book smart – he’s people smart. He knows that the backbone of Alberta is the hardworking and entrepreneurial spirit of its people. To this end, Brian has worked in numerous trades including logging and being a registered trapper. As a committed fiscal manager, Brian knows that low taxes and smaller government spur economic prosperity and unleash the Alberta Advantage. His goal is to build an Alberta that we can be proud of – one where all Albertans can enjoy a high quality of life.
Moderator: Ed Bardock
Date: Thursday, June 9, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Alberta Biochar Initiative (ABI) was established on December 15, 2011 to develop and demonstrate technologies that will enable the large scale commercial deployment of biochar products and applications for the benefit of Albertans. Significant progress has been made including CFIA approval for Air Terra supplied biochar as a soil supplement, and the development of value added products including activated carbons from biochar.
Biochar has particular benefits including the improvement of marginal soils, the reclamation of soils damaged by human activity, and its affinity to adsorb toxic organic extractive compounds from oil sands tailings water and the potential to capture mercury from coal fired power generating stations. It also sequesters carbon when applied to the soil.
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) has been at the forefront of biochar research efforts and continues to lead the research and networking activities of the ABI after the successful conclusion of the WD funded project in June 2015.
The speaker will provide an update on biochar research and the ABI. As a supplement to this presentation, Lethbridge College is providing a tour of their Aquaponics facility, which illustrates another opportunity to make the most of carbon dioxide produced and consumed by living organisms. The tour begins at 2:00 pm at the Aquaponics facility near the College (south end)
Speaker: Don Harfield, P.Eng. P.M.P.
Don Harfield is the Thermochemical Processing and Special Projects Leader of Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. Don specializes in the development of thermo-chemical biomass conversion technologies which convert solid waste materials into value added products and energy.
Tour Host: Dr. Nick Savidov, M. Sc., Ph. D., Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian State Agricultural University, Moscow. Research Scientist, Lethbridge College.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The Alberta Biochar Initiative (ABI) was established on December 15, 2011 to develop and demonstrate technologies that will enable the large scale commercial deployment of biochar products and applications for the benefit of Albertans. Significant progress has been made including CFIA approval for Air Terra supplied biochar as a soil supplement, and the development of value added products including activated carbons from biochar.
Biochar has particular benefits including the improvement of marginal soils, the reclamation of soils damaged by human activity, and its affinity to adsorb toxic organic extractive compounds from oil sands tailings water and the potential to capture mercury from coal fired power generating stations. It also sequesters carbon when applied to the soil.
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) has been at the forefront of biochar research efforts and continues to lead the research and networking activities of the ABI after the successful conclusion of the WD funded project in June 2015.
The speaker will provide an update on biochar research and the ABI. As a supplement to this presentation, Lethbridge College is providing a tour of their Aquaponics facility, which illustrates another opportunity to make the most of carbon dioxide produced and consumed by living organisms. The tour begins at 2:00 pm at the Aquaponics facility near the College (south end)
Speaker: Don Harfield, P.Eng. P.M.P.
Don Harfield is the Thermochemical Processing and Special Projects Leader of Alberta Innovates Technology Futures. Don specializes in the development of thermo-chemical biomass conversion technologies which convert solid waste materials into value added products and energy.
Tour Host: Dr. Nick Savidov, M. Sc., Ph. D., Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian State Agricultural University, Moscow. Research Scientist, Lethbridge College.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Early in April the Alberta Progressive Conservative Caucus launched an initiative, “ENGAGE – A Conversation with Albertans”. ENGAGE will invite Albertans into a conversation about budget, finances and where our province is heading. With low oil prices, increasing budgetary pressures, and job losses in industries across the province, Alberta is experiencing many challenges.
ENGAGE will seek public input on a variety of policy issues facing Alberta. Ric McIver will address these issues, and invite response as to future directions for our province. We will hear an update on what he is hearing from Albertans in the early stages of this conversation. He will also address the recent provincial budget, the PC response to it and offer some ideas about where he would lead Albertans.
Speaker: Alberta P.C. party leader, Ric McIver Ric McIver is the MLA for Calgary-Hays and Interim leader of PC Alberta. He currently serves as a member of Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and as critic for Treasury Board & Finance, Municipal Affairs, and Labour portfolios. Mr. McIver is a former cabinet minister who served on the Treasury Board and Transportation, Infrastructure and Jobs, Skills Training and Labour ministries. He is also a former City of Calgary alderman and a former food distribution and marketing wholesale business owner. He is married to Christine, the founder and CEO of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Early in April the Alberta Progressive Conservative Caucus launched an initiative, “ENGAGE – A Conversation with Albertans”. ENGAGE will invite Albertans into a conversation about budget, finances and where our province is heading. With low oil prices, increasing budgetary pressures, and job losses in industries across the province, Alberta is experiencing many challenges.
ENGAGE will seek public input on a variety of policy issues facing Alberta. Ric McIver will address these issues, and invite response as to future directions for our province. We will hear an update on what he is hearing from Albertans in the early stages of this conversation. He will also address the recent provincial budget, the PC response to it and offer some ideas about where he would lead Albertans.
Speaker: Alberta P.C. party leader, Ric McIver Ric McIver is the MLA for Calgary-Hays and Interim leader of PC Alberta. He currently serves as a member of Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and as critic for Treasury Board & Finance, Municipal Affairs, and Labour portfolios. Mr. McIver is a former cabinet minister who served on the Treasury Board and Transportation, Infrastructure and Jobs, Skills Training and Labour ministries. He is also a former City of Calgary alderman and a former food distribution and marketing wholesale business owner. He is married to Christine, the founder and CEO of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The speaker will be discussing the current global refugee crisis and its implications for Canada. What are the root causes of the refugee crisis and how are governments responding? What are the limitations of the current government's announcement to welcome Syrian refugees?
What are the systemic barriers to inclusion, access, permanent residency and full rights and dignity for all migrants, refugees, and migrant workers in Canada? How can we oppose all forms of displacement and affirm the inherent human right to stay, freedom to move, and right to return.
Speaker: Harsha Walia Harsha Walia is a South Asian author and activist, currently residing in Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territories. Harsha is a cofounder of the migrant justice group, No One Is Illegal and the progressive South Asian network Radical Desis. She attended law school at UBC and currently works at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Haesha is the author of Undoing Border Imperialism, which is currently in its second print run and she has won the CCPA Power of Youth Award, the Westender's Best of the City in Activism and been called "one of Canada's most brilliant and effective organizers" by Naomi Klein. Moderator: Sage Strobel Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The speaker will be discussing the current global refugee crisis and its implications for Canada. What are the root causes of the refugee crisis and how are governments responding? What are the limitations of the current government's announcement to welcome Syrian refugees?
What are the systemic barriers to inclusion, access, permanent residency and full rights and dignity for all migrants, refugees, and migrant workers in Canada? How can we oppose all forms of displacement and affirm the inherent human right to stay, freedom to move, and right to return.
Speaker: Harsha Walia Harsha Walia is a South Asian author and activist, currently residing in Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territories. Harsha is a cofounder of the migrant justice group, No One Is Illegal and the progressive South Asian network Radical Desis. She attended law school at UBC and currently works at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Haesha is the author of Undoing Border Imperialism, which is currently in its second print run and she has won the CCPA Power of Youth Award, the Westender's Best of the City in Activism and been called "one of Canada's most brilliant and effective organizers" by Naomi Klein. Moderator: Sage Strobel Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Because the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated that the Crown must negotiate and sign treaties with the indigenous people before land could be ceded to a colony, the Numbered Treaties were negotiated in most parts of the Prairie Provinces. The Government of the Colony of British Columbia however, largely failed to negotiate treaties and as a result, most of the province's land is not covered by treaties.
The Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties) are a series of eleven treaties signed between the Aboriginal peoples in Canada (or First Nations) and the reigning monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. Today, these agreements are managed by the Government of Canada, administered by Canadian Aboriginal law and overseen by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
What are the myriad of issues related to the upholding of these treaties and how are non-treaties being viewed in the context of Canadian law? The speaker will paint a picture of the historical and current negotiation process and how First Nations Peoples arguable were/are at a disadvantage.
Speaker: Don McIntyre Don McIntyre is an Ojibway of the Wolf Clan from Timiskaming First Nation and is an award winning painter and carver working throughout his life in the traditional style of his territories, and more recently layering modern urban-life visions into his work. A lifetime academic as well, Don is currently completing his PhD in Laws looking at Legal Pluralism and the abilities of Indigenous Socio-Legal practices to enhance and improve Western legal paradigms. He received his LLB/JD and Master of Laws from University of British Columbia. Briefly working in the area of Corporate-Commercial Litigation for a large international law firm, Don went on to launch his own law corporation specializing in the areas of Aboriginal Law, Governance, Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Art Law. His passion for academics and creativity drew him away from his practice and naturally to teaching. Don has taught at colleges, universities and in First Nation communities in North America and around the world providing knowledge in the areas of Indigenous Art and Traditions, Social Innovation, Law and Society, Negotiations, and Treaty. He is presently Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Native American Studies Department. He is also ongoing faculty at The Banff Centre in the Indigenous Leadership and Management Development programs.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Because the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated that the Crown must negotiate and sign treaties with the indigenous people before land could be ceded to a colony, the Numbered Treaties were negotiated in most parts of the Prairie Provinces. The Government of the Colony of British Columbia however, largely failed to negotiate treaties and as a result, most of the province's land is not covered by treaties.
The Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties) are a series of eleven treaties signed between the Aboriginal peoples in Canada (or First Nations) and the reigning monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. Today, these agreements are managed by the Government of Canada, administered by Canadian Aboriginal law and overseen by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
What are the myriad of issues related to the upholding of these treaties and how are non-treaties being viewed in the context of Canadian law? The speaker will paint a picture of the historical and current negotiation process and how First Nations Peoples arguable were/are at a disadvantage.
Speaker: Don McIntyre Don McIntyre is an Ojibway of the Wolf Clan from Timiskaming First Nation and is an award winning painter and carver working throughout his life in the traditional style of his territories, and more recently layering modern urban-life visions into his work. A lifetime academic as well, Don is currently completing his PhD in Laws looking at Legal Pluralism and the abilities of Indigenous Socio-Legal practices to enhance and improve Western legal paradigms. He received his LLB/JD and Master of Laws from University of British Columbia. Briefly working in the area of Corporate-Commercial Litigation for a large international law firm, Don went on to launch his own law corporation specializing in the areas of Aboriginal Law, Governance, Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Art Law. His passion for academics and creativity drew him away from his practice and naturally to teaching. Don has taught at colleges, universities and in First Nation communities in North America and around the world providing knowledge in the areas of Indigenous Art and Traditions, Social Innovation, Law and Society, Negotiations, and Treaty. He is presently Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Native American Studies Department. He is also ongoing faculty at The Banff Centre in the Indigenous Leadership and Management Development programs.
Moderator: Larry Elford
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College are now partners in a project designed to further cooperation between the institutions in the delivery of agriculture-related programming. The agreement is a commitment between the university and college to collectively advance learning, research and innovation opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness, including the development of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Agribusiness Innovation (CARAI) and the implementation of the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program.
It also calls for the formalization of initiatives that will bring together the mandates of other agencies and organizations in the region, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as relevant producer and agriculture industry companies and organizations.
How will new programs benefit learners and the future of the agricultural industry? What will be the main focus of such research and innovation? Will the emphasis be mainly on large scale industrial farming or are smaller local producers also likely to benefit? Is sustainability the primary aim? Will crops depending on irrigation be prioritized? The speaker will explain challenges and possible benefits of this new project which is funded by both private and public money.
Speaker: Mr. David Hill David Hill currently holds two roles at the University of Lethbridge. He is jointly appointed by the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College as the Director of Development for the Southern Alberta Agriculture Program. This initiative brings together and integrates academic training, research and applied research across the university college in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness and capitalizes on research collaborations with federal, provincial, industry and producer groups. David is also the Director of Centres and Institutes and Research Advocacy for the University of Lethbridge. In this role, David assists university research institutes and centres in meeting their goals and objectives, in finding new opportunities for trans-disciplinary collaboration between centres and institutes and between the University of Lethbridge and other national and international research universities and organizations. David has over 40 years of experience in water, agriculture and natural resource management. He was a member of the Alberta Water Council for 9 years until joining the University of Lethbridge in 2012. David is the Chair of the ASTech Foundation, a Board member of the Agriculture and Food Council and Inside Education. He also serves as Water Policy Co-Chair for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College are now partners in a project designed to further cooperation between the institutions in the delivery of agriculture-related programming. The agreement is a commitment between the university and college to collectively advance learning, research and innovation opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness, including the development of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Agribusiness Innovation (CARAI) and the implementation of the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program.
It also calls for the formalization of initiatives that will bring together the mandates of other agencies and organizations in the region, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as relevant producer and agriculture industry companies and organizations.
How will new programs benefit learners and the future of the agricultural industry? What will be the main focus of such research and innovation? Will the emphasis be mainly on large scale industrial farming or are smaller local producers also likely to benefit? Is sustainability the primary aim? Will crops depending on irrigation be prioritized? The speaker will explain challenges and possible benefits of this new project which is funded by both private and public money.
Speaker: Mr. David Hill David Hill currently holds two roles at the University of Lethbridge. He is jointly appointed by the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge College as the Director of Development for the Southern Alberta Agriculture Program. This initiative brings together and integrates academic training, research and applied research across the university college in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness and capitalizes on research collaborations with federal, provincial, industry and producer groups. David is also the Director of Centres and Institutes and Research Advocacy for the University of Lethbridge. In this role, David assists university research institutes and centres in meeting their goals and objectives, in finding new opportunities for trans-disciplinary collaboration between centres and institutes and between the University of Lethbridge and other national and international research universities and organizations. David has over 40 years of experience in water, agriculture and natural resource management. He was a member of the Alberta Water Council for 9 years until joining the University of Lethbridge in 2012. David is the Chair of the ASTech Foundation, a Board member of the Agriculture and Food Council and Inside Education. He also serves as Water Policy Co-Chair for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
At some point in the life of every Albertan they are touched by mental illness and addiction. Released in February 2016, an Alberta report (co-authored by Dr. David Swann) on addictions and mental health, highlights the system changes which are critically needed to reduce wait times, improve quality care, and reduce the cost of our current systems of care. Psychiatrists do play a vital role dealing with severe mental illness along with teams of supporting professionals. However, it’s clear that the great majority of mental health and addictions issues could and should be handled by other professionals, including psychologists, family physicians, and their teams. Furthermore, to improve patient outcomes, there must be a shift of resources upstream into prevention efforts with individuals, families, and communities at risk. Without a dramatic shift in the planning and allocation of resources to identify and reduce risk factors earlier and prevent breakdown, the human and financial toll will continue to rise in Alberta. Alberta Health and the health board must take leadership and also provide a new planning partnership that includes education, human services, housing, and police. Two questions must be dealt with in the transformation this report calls for. How do Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services lead a dramatic change within a massive and entrenched top-down culture let alone include other ministries in a new collaborative planning process? And how do the primary care networks step up to a larger role as the mental health home for the 1 in 5 people who need ongoing treatment-based, team-based care to be well?
Speaker: Dr. David Swann Liberal MLA for Calgary-Mountain View
David Swann was elected to his fourth term on May 5th as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View. From December 15, 2008 to September 12, 2011, Dr. Swann served as leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition. Dr. Swann was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills on May 24, 2012, and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012. He previously served as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Dr. Swann served as a member of the following Standing Committees: Public Health and Safety, Private Bills, Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing. Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practiced as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.
Moderator: Mary Shillington Date: Thursday, April 28, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
At some point in the life of every Albertan they are touched by mental illness and addiction. Released in February 2016, an Alberta report (co-authored by Dr. David Swann) on addictions and mental health, highlights the system changes which are critically needed to reduce wait times, improve quality care, and reduce the cost of our current systems of care. Psychiatrists do play a vital role dealing with severe mental illness along with teams of supporting professionals. However, it’s clear that the great majority of mental health and addictions issues could and should be handled by other professionals, including psychologists, family physicians, and their teams. Furthermore, to improve patient outcomes, there must be a shift of resources upstream into prevention efforts with individuals, families, and communities at risk. Without a dramatic shift in the planning and allocation of resources to identify and reduce risk factors earlier and prevent breakdown, the human and financial toll will continue to rise in Alberta. Alberta Health and the health board must take leadership and also provide a new planning partnership that includes education, human services, housing, and police. Two questions must be dealt with in the transformation this report calls for. How do Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services lead a dramatic change within a massive and entrenched top-down culture let alone include other ministries in a new collaborative planning process? And how do the primary care networks step up to a larger role as the mental health home for the 1 in 5 people who need ongoing treatment-based, team-based care to be well?
Speaker: Dr. David Swann Liberal MLA for Calgary-Mountain View
David Swann was elected to his fourth term on May 5th as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View. From December 15, 2008 to September 12, 2011, Dr. Swann served as leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition. Dr. Swann was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills on May 24, 2012, and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012. He previously served as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Dr. Swann served as a member of the following Standing Committees: Public Health and Safety, Private Bills, Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing. Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practiced as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.
Moderator: Mary Shillington Date: Thursday, April 28, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
It is conventional wisdom in Alberta that bringing in a sales tax would be political suicide, but there is nothing unusual about sales taxes. They are part of the fiscal fabric everywhere else in Canada, many U.S. states, and throughout Europe. A provincial sales tax of five percent could net Alberta $5 billion yearly and still be one of the lowest taxed provinces.
The Alberta Taxpayer Protection Act, introduced by Premier Ralph Klein in 1995, states that a referendum must be held before a Provincial Sales Tax can be introduced. However, previous governments have shown that they have no problem sweeping away old laws like this one. In 2009, the PC government amended their much touted Fiscal Responsibility Act which prohibited deficit budgets in order to pass a deficit budget.
What are the sources of opposition in Alberta and what impact would a sales tax have on the politics and finances of the province? The speaker will analyze these questions and assert that relying on a boom-bust economy with a real lack of long-term financial planning has been Alberta’s biggest weakness over the past several decades.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers.
Moderator: Graeme Greenlee Date: Thursday, April 21, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
It is conventional wisdom in Alberta that bringing in a sales tax would be political suicide, but there is nothing unusual about sales taxes. They are part of the fiscal fabric everywhere else in Canada, many U.S. states, and throughout Europe. A provincial sales tax of five percent could net Alberta $5 billion yearly and still be one of the lowest taxed provinces.
The Alberta Taxpayer Protection Act, introduced by Premier Ralph Klein in 1995, states that a referendum must be held before a Provincial Sales Tax can be introduced. However, previous governments have shown that they have no problem sweeping away old laws like this one. In 2009, the PC government amended their much touted Fiscal Responsibility Act which prohibited deficit budgets in order to pass a deficit budget.
What are the sources of opposition in Alberta and what impact would a sales tax have on the politics and finances of the province? The speaker will analyze these questions and assert that relying on a boom-bust economy with a real lack of long-term financial planning has been Alberta’s biggest weakness over the past several decades.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers.
Moderator: Graeme Greenlee Date: Thursday, April 21, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Financial mismanagement by financial institutions and brokers is affecting individuals, municipalities, universities, retirement plans and pension funds in Canada. Seniors have been hardest hit since low interest rates have reduced their retirement investment income, forcing them into potentially risky investments.
Arguably, there are systemic methods by which Provincial Securities Commissions violate or “exempt” Provincial Securities Act laws for the benefit of investment firms and brokers. This costs Canadians billions of dollars each year and has gone on for years without notice to the investing public. It is doing irreversible harm to our economy and to society. It also illustrates where government agencies and Provincial Securities Commissions are forgetting their mandate to protect Canadians.
The speaker will show how regulators are willfully blind to thousands of industry registrants who are legally registered in the capacity of “dealing representatives”. (Salespersons) Thousands of such product sellers owe no legal fiduciary duty to protect investors and are flaunting Securities Act laws. This is not what they promise investors.
Speaker: Larry Elford, retired CFP, CIM, FCSI, Associate Portfolio Manager
Larry worked inside the largest financial institutions in Canada for twenty years until his retirement in 2004. Today he investigates, writes, speaks and coaches the public on how to obtain honest treatment for investors. He also does forensic investment account evaluations for victims of financial abuse. He produced a documentary film to benefit investors, legislators and those who investigate financial crime. Larry is founder and executive director of a web forum dedicated to revealing predatory practices. He has appeared in two CTV W5 investigative reports on investment malpractice and has also participated in CBC news programs, and as a witness in Ottawa to Bill C-21 (Standing up for Victims of White Collar Crime Act 2010 ), as well as a Parliamentary Committee on Finance in April 2008
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, April 14, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Financial mismanagement by financial institutions and brokers is affecting individuals, municipalities, universities, retirement plans and pension funds in Canada. Seniors have been hardest hit since low interest rates have reduced their retirement investment income, forcing them into potentially risky investments.
Arguably, there are systemic methods by which Provincial Securities Commissions violate or “exempt” Provincial Securities Act laws for the benefit of investment firms and brokers. This costs Canadians billions of dollars each year and has gone on for years without notice to the investing public. It is doing irreversible harm to our economy and to society. It also illustrates where government agencies and Provincial Securities Commissions are forgetting their mandate to protect Canadians.
The speaker will show how regulators are willfully blind to thousands of industry registrants who are legally registered in the capacity of “dealing representatives”. (Salespersons) Thousands of such product sellers owe no legal fiduciary duty to protect investors and are flaunting Securities Act laws. This is not what they promise investors.
Speaker: Larry Elford, retired CFP, CIM, FCSI, Associate Portfolio Manager
Larry worked inside the largest financial institutions in Canada for twenty years until his retirement in 2004. Today he investigates, writes, speaks and coaches the public on how to obtain honest treatment for investors. He also does forensic investment account evaluations for victims of financial abuse. He produced a documentary film to benefit investors, legislators and those who investigate financial crime. Larry is founder and executive director of a web forum dedicated to revealing predatory practices. He has appeared in two CTV W5 investigative reports on investment malpractice and has also participated in CBC news programs, and as a witness in Ottawa to Bill C-21 (Standing up for Victims of White Collar Crime Act 2010 ), as well as a Parliamentary Committee on Finance in April 2008
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, April 14, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
How many times have you answered the phone only to hear a voice telling you that you have won something fabulous. You know it is a scam and you hang up. Fraudsters know that people are getting smarter, so they are becoming craftier and are fine tuning their methods to get our money.
Constable Dan Shurtz will alert us to a variety of scams aimed to separate us from our hard earned money: Some of the things he will cover in his talk are: Phishing, Overpayment scams, the CRA scam, the Grandparent scam, the Microsoft scam and Lottery schemes. He will also talk about what to do if you have been a victim of fraud.
Speaker: Constable Dan Shurtz
Dan Shurtz is a university graduate with a degree in Japanese and Economics from the University of Alberta and also spent a year of post-graduate work in linguistics at Northern Arizona University. He has worked as an English teacher, computer technician and interpreter. Constable Shurtz began his law enforcement profession as a police officer in 2003 in Edmonton, where he spent five years before coming to Lethbridge in 2008. He has served in the following areas of law enforcement: patrols, drugs, surveillance and training. He is currently working as a Detective in the Economic Crimes Unit and as a sniper in the Tactical Unit of Lethbridge Police Service.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
How many times have you answered the phone only to hear a voice telling you that you have won something fabulous. You know it is a scam and you hang up. Fraudsters know that people are getting smarter, so they are becoming craftier and are fine tuning their methods to get our money.
Constable Dan Shurtz will alert us to a variety of scams aimed to separate us from our hard earned money: Some of the things he will cover in his talk are: Phishing, Overpayment scams, the CRA scam, the Grandparent scam, the Microsoft scam and Lottery schemes. He will also talk about what to do if you have been a victim of fraud.
Speaker: Constable Dan Shurtz
Dan Shurtz is a university graduate with a degree in Japanese and Economics from the University of Alberta and also spent a year of post-graduate work in linguistics at Northern Arizona University. He has worked as an English teacher, computer technician and interpreter. Constable Shurtz began his law enforcement profession as a police officer in 2003 in Edmonton, where he spent five years before coming to Lethbridge in 2008. He has served in the following areas of law enforcement: patrols, drugs, surveillance and training. He is currently working as a Detective in the Economic Crimes Unit and as a sniper in the Tactical Unit of Lethbridge Police Service.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The movement away from task-oriented care toward person-centered care (i.e., care based on residents’ individualized care needs and preferences) is considered by many to be essential to both the quality of care and quality of life of people residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially of those who have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia.
The consistent provision of person-centered care is widely recognized as the goal of the residential care culture change movement. This talk will be explain why the attainment of this goal has remained elusive for the majority of LTC facilities, despite significant effort to alter practice. Intervention factors and organizational systems that support the uptake of practice and culture change initiatives will be described.
Evidence for this discussion is derived from both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across multiple long-term care settings.
Speaker: Dr. Sienna Caspar
Sienna Caspar has worked in long-term care facilities in both Canada and the US for over 20 years. As a postdoctoral fellow in a cross appointment at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/University Health Network and the University of Victoria, she conducted an intervention study aimed at improving leadership and collaborative decision making in long-term care settings. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Health Sciences—Therapeutic Recreation program.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The movement away from task-oriented care toward person-centered care (i.e., care based on residents’ individualized care needs and preferences) is considered by many to be essential to both the quality of care and quality of life of people residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially of those who have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia.
The consistent provision of person-centered care is widely recognized as the goal of the residential care culture change movement. This talk will be explain why the attainment of this goal has remained elusive for the majority of LTC facilities, despite significant effort to alter practice. Intervention factors and organizational systems that support the uptake of practice and culture change initiatives will be described.
Evidence for this discussion is derived from both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across multiple long-term care settings.
Speaker: Dr. Sienna Caspar
Sienna Caspar has worked in long-term care facilities in both Canada and the US for over 20 years. As a postdoctoral fellow in a cross appointment at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/University Health Network and the University of Victoria, she conducted an intervention study aimed at improving leadership and collaborative decision making in long-term care settings. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Health Sciences—Therapeutic Recreation program.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Several hundred people have died from fentanyl overdoses in the past few years and critics have charged that more need to be done to curb that trend. Fentanyl, an opioid painkiller prescribed to relieve chronic, intense pain—like that experienced with cancer—is increasingly being used illegally. Both the prescribed and illegally-manufactured form of the drug are being sold, and sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Fentanyl is killing users, at increasingly high rates. The 272 deaths in Alberta in 2015 represent a significant increase from the previous year, when it was tied to a total of 120 deaths. In 2011, fentanyl was implicated in just six deaths in the province.
Opioid abuse has been rising in general across Canada for some years, due in part to a spike in the prescription of OxyContin and related painkillers. But the increasing availability and use of fentanyl represents a dangerous new direction because of the drug’s potency— fentanyl is up to 100 times more toxic than morphine, heroin, or oxycodone. The speaker will explain how little fentanyl it takes to cause an overdose and discuss the current health response aimed at reducing the impacts of this dangerous drug.
Speaker: Dr. Karin Goodison Dr. Karin Goodison is a Medical Officer of Health in South Zone, Alberta Health Services. She trained and worked as a family doctor, prior to going back to medical school to get her specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Her interest areas include harm reduction, mental health, Aboriginal health and injury prevention.
Moderator: Vivien Kossuth
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Several hundred people have died from fentanyl overdoses in the past few years and critics have charged that more need to be done to curb that trend. Fentanyl, an opioid painkiller prescribed to relieve chronic, intense pain—like that experienced with cancer—is increasingly being used illegally. Both the prescribed and illegally-manufactured form of the drug are being sold, and sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine.
Fentanyl is killing users, at increasingly high rates. The 272 deaths in Alberta in 2015 represent a significant increase from the previous year, when it was tied to a total of 120 deaths. In 2011, fentanyl was implicated in just six deaths in the province.
Opioid abuse has been rising in general across Canada for some years, due in part to a spike in the prescription of OxyContin and related painkillers. But the increasing availability and use of fentanyl represents a dangerous new direction because of the drug’s potency— fentanyl is up to 100 times more toxic than morphine, heroin, or oxycodone. The speaker will explain how little fentanyl it takes to cause an overdose and discuss the current health response aimed at reducing the impacts of this dangerous drug.
Speaker: Dr. Karin Goodison Dr. Karin Goodison is a Medical Officer of Health in South Zone, Alberta Health Services. She trained and worked as a family doctor, prior to going back to medical school to get her specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Her interest areas include harm reduction, mental health, Aboriginal health and injury prevention.
Moderator: Vivien Kossuth
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The recent influx of refugees, mainly from Syria, has kept Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) and their Immigrant Services department plenty busy since before New Year. LFS is expecting up to 240 Government-sponsored Syrian refugees by the end of 2016 in addition to the 40 or so that is privately-sponsored. About half of the expected refugees are in Lethbridge now.
A steering committee of community partners including immigration services, education, health, social services, law enforcement and others, including many volunteers, are set up to help transition refugees into the city. Most of the refugees come from refugee camps in Jordan and all have passed Canada’s five-stage screening process.
Questions about housing and when children can start attending school, are legitimate concerns as are, whether adults generally have the skills necessary to enter the job market and how soon. The speakers will address these questions and also outline the many cultural, economic and educational issues involved with resettling refugees.
Speaker: Sarah Amies and Elma Guinto Sarah Amies has lived, worked and raised a family in Lethbridge since 1982. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge (’BA – Distinction) in 1988. For the next 13 years, she worked as the Applied Studies program coordinator and as an Arts and Science Academic Advisor for the U of L. In 2001, Sarah started working with Lethbridge Family Services as the Program Director for the Immigrant Services department. In this capacity, Sarah is involved in community development and educational initiatives as well as overseeing the daily operations of the settlement office. Sarah is very dedicated working with the City and its citizens in order to develop a community that is supportive of and welcoming to our newest neighbours. In 2012, Sarah received YWCA’s Women of Distinction award and she was named a U of L Alumni Honour Society Inductee in 2013. Elma Guinto has been a teacher for 40 years, most of that time as an ESL teacher. For the past 25 years, she has owned and operated Flexibility Learning Systems, an English as a Second Language school, in downtown Lethbridge which provides language classes and employment assistance to immigrants and refugees coming to Canada. Elma received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge, and has taught in elementary and junior high school, and in a correctional centre before focusing her teaching on Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language. She also trained elementary school teachers in Nigeria for two years, and volunteered with an elementary school in Siem Reap, Cambodia. In her spare time, she loves to read, garden, and travel, and has visited more than 60 countries.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The recent influx of refugees, mainly from Syria, has kept Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) and their Immigrant Services department plenty busy since before New Year. LFS is expecting up to 240 Government-sponsored Syrian refugees by the end of 2016 in addition to the 40 or so that is privately-sponsored. About half of the expected refugees are in Lethbridge now.
A steering committee of community partners including immigration services, education, health, social services, law enforcement and others, including many volunteers, are set up to help transition refugees into the city. Most of the refugees come from refugee camps in Jordan and all have passed Canada’s five-stage screening process.
Questions about housing and when children can start attending school, are legitimate concerns as are, whether adults generally have the skills necessary to enter the job market and how soon. The speakers will address these questions and also outline the many cultural, economic and educational issues involved with resettling refugees.
Speaker: Sarah Amies and Elma Guinto Sarah Amies has lived, worked and raised a family in Lethbridge since 1982. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge (’BA – Distinction) in 1988. For the next 13 years, she worked as the Applied Studies program coordinator and as an Arts and Science Academic Advisor for the U of L. In 2001, Sarah started working with Lethbridge Family Services as the Program Director for the Immigrant Services department. In this capacity, Sarah is involved in community development and educational initiatives as well as overseeing the daily operations of the settlement office. Sarah is very dedicated working with the City and its citizens in order to develop a community that is supportive of and welcoming to our newest neighbours. In 2012, Sarah received YWCA’s Women of Distinction award and she was named a U of L Alumni Honour Society Inductee in 2013. Elma Guinto has been a teacher for 40 years, most of that time as an ESL teacher. For the past 25 years, she has owned and operated Flexibility Learning Systems, an English as a Second Language school, in downtown Lethbridge which provides language classes and employment assistance to immigrants and refugees coming to Canada. Elma received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge, and has taught in elementary and junior high school, and in a correctional centre before focusing her teaching on Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language. She also trained elementary school teachers in Nigeria for two years, and volunteered with an elementary school in Siem Reap, Cambodia. In her spare time, she loves to read, garden, and travel, and has visited more than 60 countries.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Harassment occurs when a person is subjected to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct. This can include threats and intimidation, one time or over an extended period. When the harassment is based on a protected ground of discrimination, it is contrary to the Alberta Human Rights Act or the Canadian Human Rights Act.
In Alberta, protected grounds include race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation. Employers are responsible for providing a workplace that is free of harassment.
How is harassment defined? How often does it occur in workplaces and boardrooms? What options do victims of harassment have? The speaker will discuss these questions and relate to the benefits of having harassment-free workplaces and boardrooms?
Speaker: Raj Hari Bio: Raj worked as an officer for Citizenship and Immigration Canada for 17 years and for the past ten years has worked as a Regional Representative for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) the union that represents most Federal Public Service employees among others.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Harassment occurs when a person is subjected to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct. This can include threats and intimidation, one time or over an extended period. When the harassment is based on a protected ground of discrimination, it is contrary to the Alberta Human Rights Act or the Canadian Human Rights Act.
In Alberta, protected grounds include race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation. Employers are responsible for providing a workplace that is free of harassment.
How is harassment defined? How often does it occur in workplaces and boardrooms? What options do victims of harassment have? The speaker will discuss these questions and relate to the benefits of having harassment-free workplaces and boardrooms?
Speaker: Raj Hari Bio: Raj worked as an officer for Citizenship and Immigration Canada for 17 years and for the past ten years has worked as a Regional Representative for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) the union that represents most Federal Public Service employees among others.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
On June 1, 2015, Alberta’s Bill 10 became law. The content of this bill has twofold implications for policy within school districts. The first impact is that Gay Straight Alliances (GSA’s) must be allowed in any school where students request to have them. The second is that “gender identity” and “gender expression” are now included in Alberta’s Bill of Rights. In December, 2015, those rights were also added to Alberta’s Human Rights Act through Bill 7. In the fall of 2015, Alberta’s Minister of Education released Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression for all publicly funded schools and gave each Alberta school board until March 31, 2016 to come up with their own policy to accommodate the provincial guidelines. However, the question has been asked: Why not draft the same LGBTQ policy for all school boards? The speaker will elaborate on that question and explain more details of Bill 7 and 10. Speaker: Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for Lethbridge East Maria Fitzpatrick was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-East, on May 5, 2015. She currently serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future. Born and educated in Newfoundland, Maria attended Memorial University in St. John's between 1966 and 1972 and received a diploma in education from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 1988. Her work career began as a teacher with the Catholic school board in St. John's, but she dedicated over 30 years of her life in the field of corrections, finishing her career working for National Headquarters of the Correctional Service of Canada working in policy and project management. Ms. Fitzpatrick's extensive community service spans over several decades and involves participation on several boards and in numerous associations, including United Way Ottawa, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the National Association of Federal Retirees. In addition, she served as chair of the Lethbridge Regional Women's Committee, as vice-president of the Canadian Federation of University Women and as an event organizer with the Ottawa Regional Women's Committee. She is also a member of the McKillop United church choir. Moderator: Courtney Reiger Date: Thursday, March 3, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
On June 1, 2015, Alberta’s Bill 10 became law. The content of this bill has twofold implications for policy within school districts. The first impact is that Gay Straight Alliances (GSA’s) must be allowed in any school where students request to have them. The second is that “gender identity” and “gender expression” are now included in Alberta’s Bill of Rights. In December, 2015, those rights were also added to Alberta’s Human Rights Act through Bill 7. In the fall of 2015, Alberta’s Minister of Education released Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression for all publicly funded schools and gave each Alberta school board until March 31, 2016 to come up with their own policy to accommodate the provincial guidelines. However, the question has been asked: Why not draft the same LGBTQ policy for all school boards? The speaker will elaborate on that question and explain more details of Bill 7 and 10. Speaker: Maria Fitzpatrick, MLA for Lethbridge East Maria Fitzpatrick was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-East, on May 5, 2015. She currently serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future. Born and educated in Newfoundland, Maria attended Memorial University in St. John's between 1966 and 1972 and received a diploma in education from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 1988. Her work career began as a teacher with the Catholic school board in St. John's, but she dedicated over 30 years of her life in the field of corrections, finishing her career working for National Headquarters of the Correctional Service of Canada working in policy and project management. Ms. Fitzpatrick's extensive community service spans over several decades and involves participation on several boards and in numerous associations, including United Way Ottawa, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the National Association of Federal Retirees. In addition, she served as chair of the Lethbridge Regional Women's Committee, as vice-president of the Canadian Federation of University Women and as an event organizer with the Ottawa Regional Women's Committee. She is also a member of the McKillop United church choir. Moderator: Courtney Reiger Date: Thursday, March 3, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Societal responsibility is an ethical framework which suggests that an entity, be it individual, corporate or governmental, has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Societal responsibility is arguable a duty every individual has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and our ecosystem. A trade-off may exist between economic development, in the material sense, and the welfare of the society though this is increasingly being challenged because of pollution and climate change issues.
To what degree should societal responsibility include sustainable development? Should it pertain mainly to corporations and governments, or to everyone whose action may impact the environment and society? Should this responsibility be passive, by avoiding socially harmful acts and or active, by performing activities that directly help advance societal goals? The speakers were finalists in the recent 2016 U of L Student Speaker Challenge and they will give their perspective on societal responsibilities and how this globalized world ideally can be sustainable for all.
Speakers: Kristin Krein and Scott Huff Kristin Krein is a first year Women & Gender Studies Major. She is an active member in the U of L Sociology Club, Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp Vice President, Electric Eye Music Festival Volunteer Coordinator, Blueprint Records Art Gallery curator, Theatre Outré board member, CKXU board member and sits on the CKXU Justice & Advocacy committee. Kristin was named YWCA Women of Distinction in 2015 and is incredibly passionate about social justice and leaving this world better than she found it. She is thankful for the opportunity to work towards a community we can all be proud of. Scott Huff hails from the southeastern U.S. He was born in Alabama, raised in Georgia and most recently resided in Tennessee. Now he is loving Canada and he is here to study archaeology with friends and professors with whom he became associated while volunteering at the excavation of Tel Beth-Shemesh in Israel. He hopes to earn a doctorate one day through studying the ancient religious building that is being unearthed there. Despite his young age, Scott has learned that while life is not always easy to handle, other people are always an incontrovertibly important, powerful, and wonderful part of it. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, February 25, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Societal responsibility is an ethical framework which suggests that an entity, be it individual, corporate or governmental, has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Societal responsibility is arguable a duty every individual has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and our ecosystem. A trade-off may exist between economic development, in the material sense, and the welfare of the society though this is increasingly being challenged because of pollution and climate change issues.
To what degree should societal responsibility include sustainable development? Should it pertain mainly to corporations and governments, or to everyone whose action may impact the environment and society? Should this responsibility be passive, by avoiding socially harmful acts and or active, by performing activities that directly help advance societal goals? The speakers were finalists in the recent 2016 U of L Student Speaker Challenge and they will give their perspective on societal responsibilities and how this globalized world ideally can be sustainable for all.
Speakers: Kristin Krein and Scott Huff Kristin Krein is a first year Women & Gender Studies Major. She is an active member in the U of L Sociology Club, Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp Vice President, Electric Eye Music Festival Volunteer Coordinator, Blueprint Records Art Gallery curator, Theatre Outré board member, CKXU board member and sits on the CKXU Justice & Advocacy committee. Kristin was named YWCA Women of Distinction in 2015 and is incredibly passionate about social justice and leaving this world better than she found it. She is thankful for the opportunity to work towards a community we can all be proud of. Scott Huff hails from the southeastern U.S. He was born in Alabama, raised in Georgia and most recently resided in Tennessee. Now he is loving Canada and he is here to study archaeology with friends and professors with whom he became associated while volunteering at the excavation of Tel Beth-Shemesh in Israel. He hopes to earn a doctorate one day through studying the ancient religious building that is being unearthed there. Despite his young age, Scott has learned that while life is not always easy to handle, other people are always an incontrovertibly important, powerful, and wonderful part of it. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, February 25, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Canada's spanking laws may be heading for an overhaul as part of the government's promise to adopt all of the recommendations stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. One of the 94 "calls to action" after the six-year inquiry into widespread abuse at residential schools for indigenous children is to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code.
The Canadian Law, under section 43 of the Criminal Code, offers Canadian parents and caregivers a defence to use reasonable force to discipline a child. However, as section 43 recognizes, this is controversial and not in fact, of the rights and best interest of the children in our country. The United Nations committee on the rights of the child addressed Canada on September 19, 2012 during their ten-year goal review; “What we are telling you is, to raise the bar and rise to the challenge, because Canada is one of the top five economies in the world.”
Multiple researchers and a longitude of studies support that physical discipline has short and long term negative outcomes, such as developmentally, mental and physical health issues. According to ACE, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, physical abuse is the number one reason for childhood trauma. The risk of parents escalating and using unreasonable force, is four times more likely if they are attempting to use spanking in the form of discipline. The speaker will elaborate on those findings and offer positive strategies in child rearing without using physical discipline.
Speaker: Petra DeBow Petra DeBow has been supporting and educating parents in various roles over the past 15 years. She has been in the position of the Triple P Coordinator / Parent Educator at Family Centre for the past 3 years, where she supports parents, facilitates parenting groups and coordinates and supports local Triple P practitioners. Petra has her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Petra believes in a strengths-based and attachment approach in her work with families. She believes parenting shapes the quality of a child’s development and it is instrumental to strengthen families by providing relevant, effective and research based parent education and support for the healthy growth and development of parents/caregivers and children in our community. Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date:Thursday, February 18, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Canada's spanking laws may be heading for an overhaul as part of the government's promise to adopt all of the recommendations stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. One of the 94 "calls to action" after the six-year inquiry into widespread abuse at residential schools for indigenous children is to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code.
The Canadian Law, under section 43 of the Criminal Code, offers Canadian parents and caregivers a defence to use reasonable force to discipline a child. However, as section 43 recognizes, this is controversial and not in fact, of the rights and best interest of the children in our country. The United Nations committee on the rights of the child addressed Canada on September 19, 2012 during their ten-year goal review; “What we are telling you is, to raise the bar and rise to the challenge, because Canada is one of the top five economies in the world.”
Multiple researchers and a longitude of studies support that physical discipline has short and long term negative outcomes, such as developmentally, mental and physical health issues. According to ACE, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, physical abuse is the number one reason for childhood trauma. The risk of parents escalating and using unreasonable force, is four times more likely if they are attempting to use spanking in the form of discipline. The speaker will elaborate on those findings and offer positive strategies in child rearing without using physical discipline.
Speaker: Petra DeBow Petra DeBow has been supporting and educating parents in various roles over the past 15 years. She has been in the position of the Triple P Coordinator / Parent Educator at Family Centre for the past 3 years, where she supports parents, facilitates parenting groups and coordinates and supports local Triple P practitioners. Petra has her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Petra believes in a strengths-based and attachment approach in her work with families. She believes parenting shapes the quality of a child’s development and it is instrumental to strengthen families by providing relevant, effective and research based parent education and support for the healthy growth and development of parents/caregivers and children in our community. Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date:Thursday, February 18, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
“Where is Home” is a documentary film focused on homelessness and the complex social issues facing the city of Lethbridge, Alberta and many other communities across Canada. The film presents unique perspectives from numerous individuals, including members of the homeless population, municipal government, law enforcement, service providers, doctors, mental health professionals, as well as members of the local business community and the general public.
Through these perspectives, the film presents a thoughtful, respectful look at history, the reality of the current situation, and hope for what can be done to make things better for everyone in the future. The speakers will show clips of the film and comment on real life situations facing the homeless people in Lethbridge
Speaker: Dan Berdusco and Mark Brave Rock
Dan Berdusco is a local entrepreneur and filmmaker, founder of LethbridgeLink.com Inc. and the SouthernAlberta.com Network. As a creative professional for over 15 years, Dan has produced hundreds of websites, television commercials and web video productions, some of which have been recognized with local, regional and international awards.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
“Where is Home” is a documentary film focused on homelessness and the complex social issues facing the city of Lethbridge, Alberta and many other communities across Canada. The film presents unique perspectives from numerous individuals, including members of the homeless population, municipal government, law enforcement, service providers, doctors, mental health professionals, as well as members of the local business community and the general public.
Through these perspectives, the film presents a thoughtful, respectful look at history, the reality of the current situation, and hope for what can be done to make things better for everyone in the future. The speakers will show clips of the film and comment on real life situations facing the homeless people in Lethbridge
Speaker: Dan Berdusco and Mark Brave Rock
Dan Berdusco is a local entrepreneur and filmmaker, founder of LethbridgeLink.com Inc. and the SouthernAlberta.com Network. As a creative professional for over 15 years, Dan has produced hundreds of websites, television commercials and web video productions, some of which have been recognized with local, regional and international awards.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that people with "grievous and irremediable medical conditions" have the right to ask a doctor to help them die. The court gave the Federal Government one year to develop new laws and guidelines. Recently, a panel appointed by the previous Conservative Government released a report with recommendations on how to implement physician-assisted death in Canada. The present Liberal Government has yet to act on the SCC directive and were recently given a four month extendtion of the deadline.
The speaker will argue that the SCC decision will set a dangerous precedent and that Parliament must first use the notwithstanding clause to continue to equally protect every Canadian. Then Parliament and Provincial governments must commit to: Improving access to end-of-life care, creating awareness to change social attitudes towards the lives of people with disabilities and the reality of elder abuse, and focusing on effective suicide prevention strategies to provide the care that Canadians require and deserve.
Speaker: Alex Schadenberg Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, and Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition International Moderator: Susan Giffen Date: Thursday, February 4, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that people with "grievous and irremediable medical conditions" have the right to ask a doctor to help them die. The court gave the Federal Government one year to develop new laws and guidelines. Recently, a panel appointed by the previous Conservative Government released a report with recommendations on how to implement physician-assisted death in Canada. The present Liberal Government has yet to act on the SCC directive and were recently given a four month extendtion of the deadline.
The speaker will argue that the SCC decision will set a dangerous precedent and that Parliament must first use the notwithstanding clause to continue to equally protect every Canadian. Then Parliament and Provincial governments must commit to: Improving access to end-of-life care, creating awareness to change social attitudes towards the lives of people with disabilities and the reality of elder abuse, and focusing on effective suicide prevention strategies to provide the care that Canadians require and deserve.
Speaker: Alex Schadenberg Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, and Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition International Moderator: Susan Giffen Date: Thursday, February 4, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Leading-edge researchers forecast wind, solar and water power will become our primary energy sources. CanGEA, the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, suggests geothermal energy can be a mainstay in our future energy grid.
Ground-based heat pumps, often called geothermal energy exchange, are used to heat and cool many Canadian homes. Deep geothermal energy produces electricity and provides heat derived several thousand metres below the Earth's surface. Canada has no commercial geothermal power plants, despite CanGEA Reports stating we have abundant potential and expertise. Canadian energy companies are operating geothermal power plants elsewhere around the world. A recent study of Canada’s geothermal potential suggests there is great capacity for geothermal energy production in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Under the right conditions, geothermal energy is generally cheaper than all other forms of electricity generation over the entire life span of a power plant, according to a 2009 report from investment bank Credit Suisse.
Dr. Byrne will offer insight on the possible role(s) for geothermal energy in our energy future.
Speaker: Jim Byrne Ph.D.
James Byrne is Professor and past Chair of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. His expertise is global environmental change and water resources. Dr. Byrne has an extensive refereed publication list, and has given expert testimony to environmental hearings and legal proceedings on climate change, water and environmental issues.
Dr. Byrne is the lead scientist and co-producer of the award winning Global Change three-part Television series (2002), the seven-part TV series Water under Fire (2004), Choking Lake Winnipeg (2011) and co-produced a series of videos on climate change science and solutions in 2014. He is a founding member of the Canadian Water Network (CWN), serving as National Theme Leader in Water Resources Management and a member of the CWN Research Management Committee from 2001-04. He continues to work on environmental change, climate and water resources modeling, and leads several international initiatives in science communication and education.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, January 28, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Leading-edge researchers forecast wind, solar and water power will become our primary energy sources. CanGEA, the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, suggests geothermal energy can be a mainstay in our future energy grid.
Ground-based heat pumps, often called geothermal energy exchange, are used to heat and cool many Canadian homes. Deep geothermal energy produces electricity and provides heat derived several thousand metres below the Earth's surface. Canada has no commercial geothermal power plants, despite CanGEA Reports stating we have abundant potential and expertise. Canadian energy companies are operating geothermal power plants elsewhere around the world. A recent study of Canada’s geothermal potential suggests there is great capacity for geothermal energy production in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Under the right conditions, geothermal energy is generally cheaper than all other forms of electricity generation over the entire life span of a power plant, according to a 2009 report from investment bank Credit Suisse.
Dr. Byrne will offer insight on the possible role(s) for geothermal energy in our energy future.
Speaker: Jim Byrne Ph.D.
James Byrne is Professor and past Chair of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. His expertise is global environmental change and water resources. Dr. Byrne has an extensive refereed publication list, and has given expert testimony to environmental hearings and legal proceedings on climate change, water and environmental issues.
Dr. Byrne is the lead scientist and co-producer of the award winning Global Change three-part Television series (2002), the seven-part TV series Water under Fire (2004), Choking Lake Winnipeg (2011) and co-produced a series of videos on climate change science and solutions in 2014. He is a founding member of the Canadian Water Network (CWN), serving as National Theme Leader in Water Resources Management and a member of the CWN Research Management Committee from 2001-04. He continues to work on environmental change, climate and water resources modeling, and leads several international initiatives in science communication and education.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, January 28, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is an initiative under the World Council of Church’s Ecumenical Campaign to end the illegal occupation of Palestine in the Middle East. Its mission is to accompany churches and others in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation and support a just peace between Israel and Palestine.
Participants monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Palestinians of all faiths and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation.
Speaker: Debbie Hubbard
Growing up in a rural Saskatchewan community as part of a family with a mixed farming operation set the foundation for Debbie’s lifelong interest in healthy living and community life. Debbie and her husband Dean have traveled extensively to various corners of the world. She has seen first-hand some of the impact her life style has had on the lives of our global neighbours and the environment. This has sparked both an interest and a passion for working to build relationships among diverse groups in order to create a world and a community that is just for all and where everyone has the same rights of citizenship that she has enjoyed her entire life. Most recently she has worked to form the Westend Food Hub Alliance, a neigbhourhood response to food insecurity in West Edmonton, and on the Regional Advisory Committee for the 7th National Event for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. . In October 2014, Debbie retired from a 35-year career as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She was appointed by The United Church of Canada to serve as an Ecumenical Accompanier in East Jeruslalem from October 2014 to January 2015. Debbie will give an account of her experiences through the framework of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Moderator: Ed Bardock Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is an initiative under the World Council of Church’s Ecumenical Campaign to end the illegal occupation of Palestine in the Middle East. Its mission is to accompany churches and others in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation and support a just peace between Israel and Palestine.
Participants monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts of non-violent resistance alongside local Palestinians of all faiths and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent presence, engage in public policy advocacy and in general, stand in solidarity with the churches and all those struggling against the occupation.
Speaker: Debbie Hubbard
Growing up in a rural Saskatchewan community as part of a family with a mixed farming operation set the foundation for Debbie’s lifelong interest in healthy living and community life. Debbie and her husband Dean have traveled extensively to various corners of the world. She has seen first-hand some of the impact her life style has had on the lives of our global neighbours and the environment. This has sparked both an interest and a passion for working to build relationships among diverse groups in order to create a world and a community that is just for all and where everyone has the same rights of citizenship that she has enjoyed her entire life. Most recently she has worked to form the Westend Food Hub Alliance, a neigbhourhood response to food insecurity in West Edmonton, and on the Regional Advisory Committee for the 7th National Event for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. . In October 2014, Debbie retired from a 35-year career as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She was appointed by The United Church of Canada to serve as an Ecumenical Accompanier in East Jeruslalem from October 2014 to January 2015. Debbie will give an account of her experiences through the framework of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. Moderator: Ed Bardock Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Recent statistics indicate the suicide rate in Alberta has increased dramatically concurrent with mounting job losses across the province. The most recent data indicate that 30 per cent more Albertans took their lives in 2015 compared to 2014. Some attribute this grim statistic to the downturn in oil prices and the economy, but what really lies behind these suicide statistics? What are the causes of depression, and why does Alberta have such a high suicide rate? The speakers will explore what some of the early warning signs of depression are and what preventative measures can be taken. As well, they will explain how family and community can help victims of depression.
Speakers: Mackenzie Becker and Adam Greaves
Mackenzie Becker is a graduate student at the University of Lethbridge completing a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology (with a special focus in addictions and mental health). Mackenzie also holds a Masters of Science (MSc.) in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour from McMaster University.
Mackenzie has worked in a variety of settings, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta – Lethbridge & Area, and in numerous research and teaching assistant roles, focusing on depression, human sexuality, women’s issues, and counselling skills.
Adam Greaves BSW, MSW, RSW is a committed and award winning social worker and educator who believes that his profession is actually a wonderful way of being. He is currently based in Lethbridge, AB where he works as a mental health therapist for Alberta Health Services and as a sessional social work instructor with the University of Calgary.
Adam’s greatest professional passion is engaging in meaningful relationships with people and their communities. To this end he has worked in a wide range of social work positions in Alberta and British Columbia, in both non-profits and government agencies with a focus on major issues such as homelessness, addiction, children’s services and mental health.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date:Thursday, January 14, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Recent statistics indicate the suicide rate in Alberta has increased dramatically concurrent with mounting job losses across the province. The most recent data indicate that 30 per cent more Albertans took their lives in 2015 compared to 2014. Some attribute this grim statistic to the downturn in oil prices and the economy, but what really lies behind these suicide statistics? What are the causes of depression, and why does Alberta have such a high suicide rate? The speakers will explore what some of the early warning signs of depression are and what preventative measures can be taken. As well, they will explain how family and community can help victims of depression.
Speakers: Mackenzie Becker and Adam Greaves
Mackenzie Becker is a graduate student at the University of Lethbridge completing a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology (with a special focus in addictions and mental health). Mackenzie also holds a Masters of Science (MSc.) in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour from McMaster University.
Mackenzie has worked in a variety of settings, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta – Lethbridge & Area, and in numerous research and teaching assistant roles, focusing on depression, human sexuality, women’s issues, and counselling skills.
Adam Greaves BSW, MSW, RSW is a committed and award winning social worker and educator who believes that his profession is actually a wonderful way of being. He is currently based in Lethbridge, AB where he works as a mental health therapist for Alberta Health Services and as a sessional social work instructor with the University of Calgary.
Adam’s greatest professional passion is engaging in meaningful relationships with people and their communities. To this end he has worked in a wide range of social work positions in Alberta and British Columbia, in both non-profits and government agencies with a focus on major issues such as homelessness, addiction, children’s services and mental health.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date:Thursday, January 14, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Benga Mining Ltd has applied to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Canada Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) for approval to develop a 4 million tonne per year metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain, 8 km north of Blairmore, Alberta. The site of the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project is a historical open pit mine that operated from the late 1940’s to the early 1960’s. It will be the first coal mine in the Crowsnest Pass in 50 years and arguable bring much needed economic and social stimulus to the area over an anticipated 20 some years. The project, if approved, will produce high quality coking coal for the overseas steel manufacturing market.
The Grassy Mountain Coal Project, like any resource development project, raises social, economic and environmental concerns. Many of these issues are addressed in the project application and supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document. The proposed project application and supporting EIA is currently undergoing both provincial and federal regulatory review which is expected to culminate in a joint (Federal-Provincial) Regulatory Review Panel Hearing within the next 18 months to decide if the project can proceed.
The speaker will provide a brief description of the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, including a bit of history of the site and its legacy. He will also briefly discuss the regulatory process underway and some of the key issues and concerns facing the project including how to manage the social license for resource development i.e. finding the balance between conflicting social, economic and environmental values before proceeding with resource development.
Speaker: Cal Clark
Cal Clark is responsible for environmental management, regulatory affairs, community engagement and First Nations collaboration as manager of sustainable development for Benga Mining Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Riversdale Resources. Previously, Cal was with Cenovus Energy working on developing environmental management strategies to address key issues and enhance environmental performance related to their oil and gas operations.
Cal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology (University of Guelph), and a Master of Education degree (University of Calgary) and has a career spanning more than 25 years in forestry, mining and energy sectors. Cal is married with three children and have recently relocated from Calgary to the Crowsnest Pass. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, January 7, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Benga Mining Ltd has applied to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Canada Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) for approval to develop a 4 million tonne per year metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain, 8 km north of Blairmore, Alberta. The site of the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project is a historical open pit mine that operated from the late 1940’s to the early 1960’s. It will be the first coal mine in the Crowsnest Pass in 50 years and arguable bring much needed economic and social stimulus to the area over an anticipated 20 some years. The project, if approved, will produce high quality coking coal for the overseas steel manufacturing market.
The Grassy Mountain Coal Project, like any resource development project, raises social, economic and environmental concerns. Many of these issues are addressed in the project application and supporting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document. The proposed project application and supporting EIA is currently undergoing both provincial and federal regulatory review which is expected to culminate in a joint (Federal-Provincial) Regulatory Review Panel Hearing within the next 18 months to decide if the project can proceed.
The speaker will provide a brief description of the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, including a bit of history of the site and its legacy. He will also briefly discuss the regulatory process underway and some of the key issues and concerns facing the project including how to manage the social license for resource development i.e. finding the balance between conflicting social, economic and environmental values before proceeding with resource development.
Speaker: Cal Clark
Cal Clark is responsible for environmental management, regulatory affairs, community engagement and First Nations collaboration as manager of sustainable development for Benga Mining Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Riversdale Resources. Previously, Cal was with Cenovus Energy working on developing environmental management strategies to address key issues and enhance environmental performance related to their oil and gas operations.
Cal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology (University of Guelph), and a Master of Education degree (University of Calgary) and has a career spanning more than 25 years in forestry, mining and energy sectors. Cal is married with three children and have recently relocated from Calgary to the Crowsnest Pass. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, January 7, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)
Violence against women and children is an issue in most countries, provinces, cities and indeed anywhere. It certainly exists in Lethbridge, yet the resources to help those affected can’t keep up with demand. Last year 535 women and children used the 24 emergency beds at Lethbridge and District YWCA Harbour House, but over 1200 were turned away as all beds were full.
It’s the fourth highest shelter turn away rate in the entire province after Calgary, Edmonton and Sherwood Park and 2015 will surpass those grim statistics. Higher demand for shelter space may stem partly from increased awareness and more people reaching out for help, but nevertheless, more second-stage emergency housing is needed in Lethbridge, where women and children can move to and obtain counselling once leaving a violent relationship.
The increasing level of violence against women and children in Alberta is unacceptable and require long-term societal solutions in addition to short-term fixes. Aboriginal women and children are particularly at risk. Governments have responsibilities to deal effectively with this issue at all levels. The speaker will elaborate on the local situation and as well, explain other measures that are likely to assist abused women and children get on with their lives.
Speaker: Kristine Cassie
Kristine is the CEO for YWCA Lethbridge & District and has been with the YWCA in various capacities for over 24 years. Kristine has been part of the human services field for 32 years working within the not for profit sector with youth, domestic and sexual violence, girls programming and housing. She has contributed to the advancement of several community working groups including SHIA, CMARD, Sexual Violence Action Committee (SVAC) and Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT). Moderator: Maria Fitzpatrick MLA
Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
At this session, SACPA will be donating the money from their share of lunch proceeds to Lethbridge YWCA Harbour House. SACPA will also gratefully accept donations to Harbour House from session attendees.
Violence against women and children is an issue in most countries, provinces, cities and indeed anywhere. It certainly exists in Lethbridge, yet the resources to help those affected can’t keep up with demand. Last year 535 women and children used the 24 emergency beds at Lethbridge and District YWCA Harbour House, but over 1200 were turned away as all beds were full.
It’s the fourth highest shelter turn away rate in the entire province after Calgary, Edmonton and Sherwood Park and 2015 will surpass those grim statistics. Higher demand for shelter space may stem partly from increased awareness and more people reaching out for help, but nevertheless, more second-stage emergency housing is needed in Lethbridge, where women and children can move to and obtain counselling once leaving a violent relationship.
The increasing level of violence against women and children in Alberta is unacceptable and require long-term societal solutions in addition to short-term fixes. Aboriginal women and children are particularly at risk. Governments have responsibilities to deal effectively with this issue at all levels. The speaker will elaborate on the local situation and as well, explain other measures that are likely to assist abused women and children get on with their lives.
Speaker: Kristine Cassie
Kristine is the CEO for YWCA Lethbridge & District and has been with the YWCA in various capacities for over 24 years. Kristine has been part of the human services field for 32 years working within the not for profit sector with youth, domestic and sexual violence, girls programming and housing. She has contributed to the advancement of several community working groups including SHIA, CMARD, Sexual Violence Action Committee (SVAC) and Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT). Moderator: Maria Fitzpatrick MLA
Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
At this session, SACPA will be donating the money from their share of lunch proceeds to Lethbridge YWCA Harbour House. SACPA will also gratefully accept donations to Harbour House from session attendees.
Getting Off the Electric Grid: Is the Sun All We Need?
Solar Power Systems have been getting a lot more attention in the last few years. While most of the attention has been focussed on “Grid Interactive” systems, there is a growing desire to go “Off Grid”.
Is being totally solar powered possible or feasible? Why go “Off Grid”? What are the pros and cons to living “Off Grid”? What makes up a good “Off Grid” system? Different philosophies in going “Off Grid” will determine the type of “Off Grid” system. What are the paybacks, or are there any? What is it like living “Off Grid”? What are the challenges?
Electrical codes, safety codes, Government regulations, human resources and weather all affect the design and installation of both the “On” and “Off Grid” installations. What challenges do these represent? Energy efficiency and lifestyle play a large part in the design and size of the system. Is a lifestyle change required? Is going “Off Grid” for me?
Speaker: Erhard Hermann, CME Erhard is a Certified Master Electrician and Certified Hydronic Designer. He has worked with electricity from his youth and always strived to learn and perform excellent work. He received several awards during his schooling and training and continued by taking on the various challenges that arose during his career. This led to his work in leadership, troubleshooting, electrical controls and other challenging work. Erhard is one of Alberta’s pioneers in renewable energy with the primary focus of providing quality, reliable storage based systems in Alberta and the NWT. He has extensive experience in the testing of these systems at his home and shop, which is one of the most comprehensive and complex private test centers of renewable energy products. He now focuses his attention on “Off Grid” Solar Power systems and custom electrical control systems. Moderator: Mark Goettel Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Getting Off the Electric Grid: Is the Sun All We Need?
Solar Power Systems have been getting a lot more attention in the last few years. While most of the attention has been focussed on “Grid Interactive” systems, there is a growing desire to go “Off Grid”.
Is being totally solar powered possible or feasible? Why go “Off Grid”? What are the pros and cons to living “Off Grid”? What makes up a good “Off Grid” system? Different philosophies in going “Off Grid” will determine the type of “Off Grid” system. What are the paybacks, or are there any? What is it like living “Off Grid”? What are the challenges?
Electrical codes, safety codes, Government regulations, human resources and weather all affect the design and installation of both the “On” and “Off Grid” installations. What challenges do these represent? Energy efficiency and lifestyle play a large part in the design and size of the system. Is a lifestyle change required? Is going “Off Grid” for me?
Speaker: Erhard Hermann, CME Erhard is a Certified Master Electrician and Certified Hydronic Designer. He has worked with electricity from his youth and always strived to learn and perform excellent work. He received several awards during his schooling and training and continued by taking on the various challenges that arose during his career. This led to his work in leadership, troubleshooting, electrical controls and other challenging work. Erhard is one of Alberta’s pioneers in renewable energy with the primary focus of providing quality, reliable storage based systems in Alberta and the NWT. He has extensive experience in the testing of these systems at his home and shop, which is one of the most comprehensive and complex private test centers of renewable energy products. He now focuses his attention on “Off Grid” Solar Power systems and custom electrical control systems. Moderator: Mark Goettel Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Marijuana is the most highly abused illegal substance during pregnancy and in adolescence and yet, many people are not aware that it is addicting to the user and toxic to the developing nervous system. This talk will present the scope of the problem, an outline of the role of cannabinoids in normal brain function and an illustration of how marijuana causes chaotic neuronal growth early in development.
The speaker will review the longitudinal human studies, from both maternal and adolescent smoking, and show some data on the effects of early stress on marijuana responses in animal models and as well, illustrate the role of natural cannabinoids in stress responses. With Canada considering legalization of marijuana, the goal is to better understand the role of cannabinoids in development and how smoking marijuana during sensitive periods can permanently alter the developmental trajectory of important neuronal circuits.
Speaker: Diana Dow-Edwards, PhD
Dr. Dow-Edwards is Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York and Fulbright Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge. She has been studying the effects of a variety of abuse substances on brain functional development for over 30 years. Her lab focuses on the effects of drugs on the functional ontogeny of the nervous system with a special emphasis on male-female differences in these effects. Dr. Dow-Edwards research has characterized the sex differences in the effects of cocaine on brain functional development and behavior.
Additionally, she is interested in the effects of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) on components of executive function. Her highly translational studies have contributed greatly to understanding brain-behavior relationships and how drug exposure during development permanently alters the neural circuits mediating these relationships. Dr. Dow-Edwards is working with Dr. Robbin Gibb at U of L’s Department of Neuroscience and Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience to determine whether the effects of adolescent THC on behavior and brain architecture can be reversed.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Marijuana is the most highly abused illegal substance during pregnancy and in adolescence and yet, many people are not aware that it is addicting to the user and toxic to the developing nervous system. This talk will present the scope of the problem, an outline of the role of cannabinoids in normal brain function and an illustration of how marijuana causes chaotic neuronal growth early in development.
The speaker will review the longitudinal human studies, from both maternal and adolescent smoking, and show some data on the effects of early stress on marijuana responses in animal models and as well, illustrate the role of natural cannabinoids in stress responses. With Canada considering legalization of marijuana, the goal is to better understand the role of cannabinoids in development and how smoking marijuana during sensitive periods can permanently alter the developmental trajectory of important neuronal circuits.
Speaker: Diana Dow-Edwards, PhD
Dr. Dow-Edwards is Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York and Fulbright Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at the University of Lethbridge. She has been studying the effects of a variety of abuse substances on brain functional development for over 30 years. Her lab focuses on the effects of drugs on the functional ontogeny of the nervous system with a special emphasis on male-female differences in these effects. Dr. Dow-Edwards research has characterized the sex differences in the effects of cocaine on brain functional development and behavior.
Additionally, she is interested in the effects of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) on components of executive function. Her highly translational studies have contributed greatly to understanding brain-behavior relationships and how drug exposure during development permanently alters the neural circuits mediating these relationships. Dr. Dow-Edwards is working with Dr. Robbin Gibb at U of L’s Department of Neuroscience and Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience to determine whether the effects of adolescent THC on behavior and brain architecture can be reversed.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram (to name a few) are social media sites that have become the voice of our generation. These Internet platforms are tools used to discover who we are, to connect with each other and think globally, but these can also become spaces that perpetuate toxic norms and violence.
The problem of cyber violence and online abuse is the greatest challenge the Internet faces today. While social media sites do not cause cyber violence they do impact the ways in which this violence occurs and they can impact the ways in which this violence is prevented. Learn what cyber violence is and isn’t, how young women are becoming change-makers and why social media companies have a responsibility to intervene. Today's topic is in conjunction with 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Speaker: Erin Leigh and Dillon Black
Erin Leigh has a long-standing commitment to feminism and to anti-racist and anti-oppression principles and ways of working. She is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW). She has experience in international, Canadian and UK women’s rights. She has a graduate degree in gender and development from the Institute of Development Studies (UK), and has worked for the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, Oxfam GB, the UK Women’s Budget Group, Canadians for Choice and Status of Women Canada.
Dillon Black is a gender-nonconforming anti-violence advocate; feminist media maker meets social worker. Dillon is passionate about youth centered initiatives and building capacity for community as a tool to educate and transform. Dillon is active in anti-violence work locally, and sees anti-racist, anti-oppression, and resiliency frameworks as central to the work they do. In the past Dillon was on the National Youth Advisory Board for Sexual Health and HIV, partnered with the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, and currently is a project coordinator at the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, a board member of the Queer Mafia, and studied Social Work with a double minor in Indigenous and Sexuality Studies at Carleton University.
Moderator: Jeff Coffman Date: Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram (to name a few) are social media sites that have become the voice of our generation. These Internet platforms are tools used to discover who we are, to connect with each other and think globally, but these can also become spaces that perpetuate toxic norms and violence.
The problem of cyber violence and online abuse is the greatest challenge the Internet faces today. While social media sites do not cause cyber violence they do impact the ways in which this violence occurs and they can impact the ways in which this violence is prevented. Learn what cyber violence is and isn’t, how young women are becoming change-makers and why social media companies have a responsibility to intervene. Today's topic is in conjunction with 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Speaker: Erin Leigh and Dillon Black
Erin Leigh has a long-standing commitment to feminism and to anti-racist and anti-oppression principles and ways of working. She is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW). She has experience in international, Canadian and UK women’s rights. She has a graduate degree in gender and development from the Institute of Development Studies (UK), and has worked for the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, Oxfam GB, the UK Women’s Budget Group, Canadians for Choice and Status of Women Canada.
Dillon Black is a gender-nonconforming anti-violence advocate; feminist media maker meets social worker. Dillon is passionate about youth centered initiatives and building capacity for community as a tool to educate and transform. Dillon is active in anti-violence work locally, and sees anti-racist, anti-oppression, and resiliency frameworks as central to the work they do. In the past Dillon was on the National Youth Advisory Board for Sexual Health and HIV, partnered with the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, and currently is a project coordinator at the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, a board member of the Queer Mafia, and studied Social Work with a double minor in Indigenous and Sexuality Studies at Carleton University.
Moderator: Jeff Coffman Date: Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Off highway vehicles (OHV) pose a unique challenge to our watershed when balancing land use for recreation, tourism, and the environment. OHVs can be an exciting way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy public land. However, irresponsible OHV activity can upset the delicate balance of natural areas through lasting damage to the landscape including: soil compaction, contamination, and erosion; loss of vegetation; wildfires; wildlife disruption; disturbance to streambeds; disruption of ecosystems via invasive species. Off trail activity often goes unreported and causes incalculable damage. How do we reconcile the destruction caused by illegal OHV activity? The speakers will argue that more needs to be done to educate and increase awareness of the issues of OHV. Speakers: Anna Garleff & Becky Cousins Anna Garleff, Communications Specialist with the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC), will take us through a tour of the headwaters during the 2015 summer. The OWC piloted its Engaging Recreationists program, hiring two Outreach Assistants and a Headwaters Consultant for program design and analysis. There were a few surprises along the way, much beauty and some heartbreak. The summer ended with the provincial government announcing two new parks in the Castle region. What does that mean for OHV use? What is the OWC doing to further engage recreationists – and indeed, all stakeholders in the conversations around watershed management and health? Becky Cousins is an outdoor enthusiast and an active member of the Lethbridge Naturalists’ Society, Helen Schuler Nature Centre volunteer team, Chinook Outdoor Club, and the Lethbridge Archaeologists’ Society. Her personal experience and first-hand accounts of the OHV activity in natural areas like Six Mile Coulee have led to increased preservation efforts of our local natural heritage. Becky wants an end to OHV activity in city parks and is campaigning for protection of Alexander Wilderness Park. Moderator: Curtis Goodman
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Off highway vehicles (OHV) pose a unique challenge to our watershed when balancing land use for recreation, tourism, and the environment. OHVs can be an exciting way for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy public land. However, irresponsible OHV activity can upset the delicate balance of natural areas through lasting damage to the landscape including: soil compaction, contamination, and erosion; loss of vegetation; wildfires; wildlife disruption; disturbance to streambeds; disruption of ecosystems via invasive species. Off trail activity often goes unreported and causes incalculable damage. How do we reconcile the destruction caused by illegal OHV activity? The speakers will argue that more needs to be done to educate and increase awareness of the issues of OHV. Speakers: Anna Garleff & Becky Cousins Anna Garleff, Communications Specialist with the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC), will take us through a tour of the headwaters during the 2015 summer. The OWC piloted its Engaging Recreationists program, hiring two Outreach Assistants and a Headwaters Consultant for program design and analysis. There were a few surprises along the way, much beauty and some heartbreak. The summer ended with the provincial government announcing two new parks in the Castle region. What does that mean for OHV use? What is the OWC doing to further engage recreationists – and indeed, all stakeholders in the conversations around watershed management and health? Becky Cousins is an outdoor enthusiast and an active member of the Lethbridge Naturalists’ Society, Helen Schuler Nature Centre volunteer team, Chinook Outdoor Club, and the Lethbridge Archaeologists’ Society. Her personal experience and first-hand accounts of the OHV activity in natural areas like Six Mile Coulee have led to increased preservation efforts of our local natural heritage. Becky wants an end to OHV activity in city parks and is campaigning for protection of Alexander Wilderness Park. Moderator: Curtis Goodman
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Since the dramatic election results of May 5th swept the NDP into power after the 44-year long reign of the Progressive Conservative Party, there have been a multitude of changes in the government and in Alberta. The NDP brought in political financing changes, announced the protection of the Castle area, and restored funding to education and health, among many other things. But for some, who have waited their whole life to see this government change, change has been slow. Turning the ship of government is taking time, the speaker will argue, because there is just so much to change and some things are very hard to change.
With an eye to the last six months, and an emphasis on the 2015 Budget, the speaker will argue that the changes brought by the NDP government are monumental because they reflect a wholesale shift in the reasoning utilized for decisions. The NDP are taking a new approach to government and the speaker will discuss how that new approach is reflected in the budget documents and in decisions reached over the last six months.
Speaker: Honourable Shannon Phillips MLA
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West, on May 5, 2015. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks and as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She also serves as Deputy Government House Leader.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Phillips worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. Ms. Phillips received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science in 1999 and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta.
Moderator: Mike Spencer Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Since the dramatic election results of May 5th swept the NDP into power after the 44-year long reign of the Progressive Conservative Party, there have been a multitude of changes in the government and in Alberta. The NDP brought in political financing changes, announced the protection of the Castle area, and restored funding to education and health, among many other things. But for some, who have waited their whole life to see this government change, change has been slow. Turning the ship of government is taking time, the speaker will argue, because there is just so much to change and some things are very hard to change.
With an eye to the last six months, and an emphasis on the 2015 Budget, the speaker will argue that the changes brought by the NDP government are monumental because they reflect a wholesale shift in the reasoning utilized for decisions. The NDP are taking a new approach to government and the speaker will discuss how that new approach is reflected in the budget documents and in decisions reached over the last six months.
Speaker: Honourable Shannon Phillips MLA
Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West, on May 5, 2015. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks and as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She also serves as Deputy Government House Leader.
Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Phillips worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. Ms. Phillips received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science in 1999 and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta.
Moderator: Mike Spencer Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
For more than a century the foothills and Front Range Mountains of western Alberta have been recognized as being vital to the water supply for western Canada. Virtually all the water that sustains communities, ecosystems and the economy of prairie Canada comes from this narrow strip of land arrayed along the Continental Divide.
For all its importance, however, water management decisions affecting this enormous region have ignored the significance of land health and focused almost exclusively on building dams. Implementation of the 2014 South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, which is designed in part to protect the South Saskatchewan headwaters, has encountered resistance from off-road vehicle enthusiasts who want unlimited access to designated trails, despite the damage caused to ecologically sensitive areas.
Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem
Kevin Van Tighem retired from the top job at Banff National Park in 2011, but that hasn’t stopped him from having an impact. The author and former park superintendent has remained a strong voice in the preservation of Alberta’s wilderness, and has been one of the most vocal supporters of crafting the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
Kevin Van Tighem has written more than 200 articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife which have garnered him many awards, including Western Magazine Awards, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. He is the author of several book including Bears: Without Fear (2013), The Homeward Wolf (2013) and Heart Waters (2015)
Moderator: Courtney Reiger Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
For more than a century the foothills and Front Range Mountains of western Alberta have been recognized as being vital to the water supply for western Canada. Virtually all the water that sustains communities, ecosystems and the economy of prairie Canada comes from this narrow strip of land arrayed along the Continental Divide.
For all its importance, however, water management decisions affecting this enormous region have ignored the significance of land health and focused almost exclusively on building dams. Implementation of the 2014 South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, which is designed in part to protect the South Saskatchewan headwaters, has encountered resistance from off-road vehicle enthusiasts who want unlimited access to designated trails, despite the damage caused to ecologically sensitive areas.
Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem
Kevin Van Tighem retired from the top job at Banff National Park in 2011, but that hasn’t stopped him from having an impact. The author and former park superintendent has remained a strong voice in the preservation of Alberta’s wilderness, and has been one of the most vocal supporters of crafting the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
Kevin Van Tighem has written more than 200 articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife which have garnered him many awards, including Western Magazine Awards, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. He is the author of several book including Bears: Without Fear (2013), The Homeward Wolf (2013) and Heart Waters (2015)
Moderator: Courtney Reiger Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Hailed as “a myth-destroying blockbuster book” by Ralph Nader, Gordon Laxer’s latest book, “After the Sands” outlines a vision and road map to transition Canada to a low- carbon society: a plan lacking within all of Canada’s major political parties.
Despite its oil abundance, Canada is woefully unprepared for the next global oil supply crisis. Canada imports 40 percent of its oil, yet—unlike twenty-six of the other twenty-eight international energy agency members—has no strategic petroleum reserves to meet temporary shortages. Canadians use 27 to 39 percent more oil per capita than other sparsely populated, northern countries like Norway, Finland and Sweden.
Speaker: Gordon Laxer, PhD
Gordon Laxer is the founding director and former head of Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. A political economist and professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, Laxer is a prominent public intellectual. He has been widely published in both newspapers and academic journals, and has authored several other books, including “Open for Business: The Roots of Foreign Ownership in Canada”
Moderator: Trevor Harrison
Date: Friday, October 30, 2015 Time: Noon – 1:30 pm Location: Room L1060 in the U of L Library Building
Free and open to everyone, the Department of Sociology is pleased to host Dr. Gordon Laxer as he presents his latest book. Co-sponsored by the Parkland Institute and SACPA.
When the Liberal Party won the 1968 Canadian election, Pierre Elliot Trudeau rode a popular personal wave called “Trudeaumania” to victory. At the recent October 19 Federal Election, his son Justin Trudeau, appears to have used some of the same “magic”, enabling the Liberals to win a majority and reducing the governing Conservative Party to opposition status along with the NDP, Bloc and Greens.
No doubt however that other factors played a role in the conservatives defeat. For example, were many Canadians looking for a change in the political landscape, what happened to the NDP fortunes and had the Harper Government reached its “best before date”? The speaker will unpack the election results and articulate which promises the Liberal Government may prioritize. He will also speculate on whether collaboration with provinces and other parties may improve.
Speaker: Dr. Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen a political scientist at the University of Lethbridge interested in the ways in which Canadians and Albertans interact with their governments through political parties and new technology. He completed his B.A. at the University of Alberta and earned his M.A. at Carleton University in Ottawa before returning to the University of Alberta and finishing his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1998.
Jansen came to the University of Lethbridge shortly after receiving his Ph.D. and has been here ever since. His research has focused on Alberta politics, electoral systems and electoral reform, Canadian political party finance, and the impact of the Internet on political communication and democratic citizenship.
Passionate about teaching, Jansen appreciates the opportunities which smaller universities offer for mentoring undergraduate students. From July 2013 to June 2015, he served as one of the university's two Board of Governors Teaching Chairs and on July 1, 2015, Jansen became Chair of the Political Science department at U of L.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson Date: Thursday, October 29, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
When the Liberal Party won the 1968 Canadian election, Pierre Elliot Trudeau rode a popular personal wave called “Trudeaumania” to victory. At the recent October 19 Federal Election, his son Justin Trudeau, appears to have used some of the same “magic”, enabling the Liberals to win a majority and reducing the governing Conservative Party to opposition status along with the NDP, Bloc and Greens.
No doubt however that other factors played a role in the conservatives defeat. For example, were many Canadians looking for a change in the political landscape, what happened to the NDP fortunes and had the Harper Government reached its “best before date”? The speaker will unpack the election results and articulate which promises the Liberal Government may prioritize. He will also speculate on whether collaboration with provinces and other parties may improve.
Speaker: Dr. Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen a political scientist at the University of Lethbridge interested in the ways in which Canadians and Albertans interact with their governments through political parties and new technology. He completed his B.A. at the University of Alberta and earned his M.A. at Carleton University in Ottawa before returning to the University of Alberta and finishing his Ph.D. in Political Science in 1998.
Jansen came to the University of Lethbridge shortly after receiving his Ph.D. and has been here ever since. His research has focused on Alberta politics, electoral systems and electoral reform, Canadian political party finance, and the impact of the Internet on political communication and democratic citizenship.
Passionate about teaching, Jansen appreciates the opportunities which smaller universities offer for mentoring undergraduate students. From July 2013 to June 2015, he served as one of the university's two Board of Governors Teaching Chairs and on July 1, 2015, Jansen became Chair of the Political Science department at U of L.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson Date: Thursday, October 29, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The Alberta Provincial government under Rachael Notley is committed to tackling several issues related to energy. Corporate taxes have already been raised. A royalty review is taking place and several proposed initiatives related to the environment may also affect the petroleum industry.
The Wildrose party has raised several concerns about the direction of these measures and Leela Sharon Aheer, the Wildrose energy critic, will explore these questions from an opposition perspective. What do Albertans need to know and be vigilant about, as the NDP government proceeds?
Speaker: Leela Sharon Aheer, MLA
Leela Sharon Aheer is a native Albertan who has spent most of her life in Chestermere and was elected MLA for Chestermere-Rockyview, in May, 2015. She has studied political science at the University of Calgary and earned a degree in music at the University of Manitoba. Along with her husband Malkeet, she has successfully operated a number of small businesses, each employing several people, including the Aheer Studio of Performance and Chestermere's WestCreek Auto Wash.
Mrs. Aheer has an award winning music studio teaching voice and is a member of Minerva, a nationally released vocal trio. Committed to locally accessible health care, she helped to build the Chestermere Health Center, bringing lab and mental health services to Chestermere. She was awarded Chestermere’s “2013 Volunteer of the Year” and serves in the Wildrose official opposition shadow cabinet and as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, October 22, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The Alberta Provincial government under Rachael Notley is committed to tackling several issues related to energy. Corporate taxes have already been raised. A royalty review is taking place and several proposed initiatives related to the environment may also affect the petroleum industry.
The Wildrose party has raised several concerns about the direction of these measures and Leela Sharon Aheer, the Wildrose energy critic, will explore these questions from an opposition perspective. What do Albertans need to know and be vigilant about, as the NDP government proceeds?
Speaker: Leela Sharon Aheer, MLA
Leela Sharon Aheer is a native Albertan who has spent most of her life in Chestermere and was elected MLA for Chestermere-Rockyview, in May, 2015. She has studied political science at the University of Calgary and earned a degree in music at the University of Manitoba. Along with her husband Malkeet, she has successfully operated a number of small businesses, each employing several people, including the Aheer Studio of Performance and Chestermere's WestCreek Auto Wash.
Mrs. Aheer has an award winning music studio teaching voice and is a member of Minerva, a nationally released vocal trio. Committed to locally accessible health care, she helped to build the Chestermere Health Center, bringing lab and mental health services to Chestermere. She was awarded Chestermere’s “2013 Volunteer of the Year” and serves in the Wildrose official opposition shadow cabinet and as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, October 22, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Think Globally Act Locally, is a common term, but what does it really mean when discussing food security? Canada and particularly Southern Alberta produce an abundance of quality foods, yet, cost competitive imported foods are consumed year-round even when local products are seasonable available. Emphasis on buying local food is on the rise, but the sustainability of small family farms are at risk from large food producers and retailers offering cheap prices.
October 16 is World Food Day and sadly, millions of people in other parts of the world are still starving to death every year and most of them are children. Here in Canada, thousands of people, mostly children, are inadequately nourished for a variety of reasons. The speakers will discuss issues at play regarding local food production, availability, marketing and distribution. They will also address how local food policies can help improve food security in a global context.
Speaker: Rev'd Canon Erin Phillips and Kaitlyn Kenney
Erin Phillips is the chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College and the incumbent priest at the Anglican Church of the Ascension in the Coaldale Chaplain for eighteen years, Erin has also taught courses in Religious Studies, History and Sociology at the university since 1992.
Kaitlyn Kenney has lived in Lethbridge all her life and is an undergraduate studying Urban and Regional Design at the University of Lethbridge. Her studies focus on understanding urban community and how to achieve social justice, with a sub-focus on food related issues.
Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Think Globally Act Locally, is a common term, but what does it really mean when discussing food security? Canada and particularly Southern Alberta produce an abundance of quality foods, yet, cost competitive imported foods are consumed year-round even when local products are seasonable available. Emphasis on buying local food is on the rise, but the sustainability of small family farms are at risk from large food producers and retailers offering cheap prices.
October 16 is World Food Day and sadly, millions of people in other parts of the world are still starving to death every year and most of them are children. Here in Canada, thousands of people, mostly children, are inadequately nourished for a variety of reasons. The speakers will discuss issues at play regarding local food production, availability, marketing and distribution. They will also address how local food policies can help improve food security in a global context.
Speaker: Rev'd Canon Erin Phillips and Kaitlyn Kenney
Erin Phillips is the chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College and the incumbent priest at the Anglican Church of the Ascension in the Coaldale Chaplain for eighteen years, Erin has also taught courses in Religious Studies, History and Sociology at the university since 1992.
Kaitlyn Kenney has lived in Lethbridge all her life and is an undergraduate studying Urban and Regional Design at the University of Lethbridge. Her studies focus on understanding urban community and how to achieve social justice, with a sub-focus on food related issues.
Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky Date: Thursday, October 15, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
In Early September, the Syrian refugee crisis came home to the world with the vivid picture of three year old Alan Kurdi lying face down on a beach at the Greek Island of Kos. However, several months earlier an ad hoc ‘coalition’ of Mennonite and United Church congregations had begun to plan and fundraise for the adoption of a Syrian refugee family. That family (of nine) is now close to clearing the hurdles that will enable them to come to Lethbridge.
Ryan Dueck, the media spokesperson for that committee, will take us inside the whole adoption process. He will share the steps along the way of refugee adoption and explain the lengthy delays, and the role of the Federal government. He will comment on the frustrations, the bureaucracy, and the various hurdles which are part of Canada’s system. He can advise about the ‘do’s and don’ts’ and explain the role of the Mennonite Central Committee. He will share insights about how Canada’s system could be stream-lined and made more generous, as well as, open a window to the whole process of refugee adoption as it functions in Canada.
Speaker: Pastor Ryan Dueck
Ryan is the pastor at Lethbridge Mennonite Church. Previously, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (philosophy) from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Arts (theology) from Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. He is married to Naomi and has fourteen year old twins. (Claire & Nicholas)
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
In Early September, the Syrian refugee crisis came home to the world with the vivid picture of three year old Alan Kurdi lying face down on a beach at the Greek Island of Kos. However, several months earlier an ad hoc ‘coalition’ of Mennonite and United Church congregations had begun to plan and fundraise for the adoption of a Syrian refugee family. That family (of nine) is now close to clearing the hurdles that will enable them to come to Lethbridge.
Ryan Dueck, the media spokesperson for that committee, will take us inside the whole adoption process. He will share the steps along the way of refugee adoption and explain the lengthy delays, and the role of the Federal government. He will comment on the frustrations, the bureaucracy, and the various hurdles which are part of Canada’s system. He can advise about the ‘do’s and don’ts’ and explain the role of the Mennonite Central Committee. He will share insights about how Canada’s system could be stream-lined and made more generous, as well as, open a window to the whole process of refugee adoption as it functions in Canada.
Speaker: Pastor Ryan Dueck
Ryan is the pastor at Lethbridge Mennonite Church. Previously, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (philosophy) from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Arts (theology) from Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. He is married to Naomi and has fourteen year old twins. (Claire & Nicholas)
Moderator: Mary Shillington
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The book by Yves Engler, Canada in Africa — 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation describing Canadian foreign policy in Africa will be analyzed in this presentation as well as the Canadian involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, “scramble for Africa”, missionary movement and European colonialism. The book also reveals Ottawa’s opposition to anticolonial struggles, support for apartheid South Africa, Idi Amin’s coup in Uganda and this country’s role in ousting independence leaders Patrice Lumumba of Congo and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.
Based on an exhaustive look at the public record as well as on-the-ground research, Canada in Africa shows how the federal government pressed African countries to follow neoliberal economic prescriptions, which have benefited numerous Canadian corporations, including mining companies that have bought up much of the continent’s mineral resources, but are often bitterly resisted by local communities.
The book also sheds light on Canada’s role in the violence that has engulfed Somalia, Rwanda and the Congo and Canada’s creeping military footprint on the continent. Finally, it points out that this country’s near total indifference to the impact of global warming is tantamount to a death sentence for ever-growing numbers of Africans.
Speaker: Yves Engler Former Vice President of the Concordia Student Union, Yves Engler is a Montréal-based activist and author. He has published eight books: Canada in Africa: 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation, The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper’s Foreign Policy, Lester Pearson’s Peacekeeping: The Truth May Hurt, Stop Signs: Cars and Capitalism on the Road to Economic, Social and Ecological Decay (with Bianca Mugyenyi), The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (Shortlisted for the Mavis Gallant Prize for Non Fiction in the Quebec Writers’ Federation Literary Awards), Playing Left Wing: From Rink Rat to Student Radical and Canada in Haiti: Waging War on The Poor Majority (with Anthony Fenton) and Canada and Israel: Building Apartheid. Yves was born in Vancouver, where he grew up playing hockey. He was a peewee teammate of NHL star Mike Ribeiro at Huron Hochelaga in Montréal before playing in the B.C. Junior League. After being suspended from Concordia University, he turned to research and writing, but he’s still a fan of the great Canadian sport.
Moderator: TBA
Date:Saturday, October 3, 2015 Time: 5:00 – 6:30 pm Location: Room PE264, 1st Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event - free parking - everyone welcome
Over the past decade, Canadians have witnessed an erosion of our national capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Apparent in communications restrictions on government scientists, funding cuts focused on public interest research, and a diminished role for evidence in policy decisions, this erosion threatens both our well-being as citizens and the health of our democracy.
Evidence for Democracy, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization, has emerged as part of efforts to make the case for evidence-based decision-making. This presentation will lay out what’s happened in Canada and explain why we should be concerned. It will explain how Evidence for Democracy is responding and suggest ways we can all work to restore evidence-based decision-making in Canada.
Speaker: Dr. Shannon Stunden Bower
Shannon Stunden Bower is an assistant professor in the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta. She is a board member with Evidence for Democracy, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization promoting public-interest science and evidence-based decision-making in Canada.
From 2012 to 2014, Studen Bower was the research director at the Parkland Institute, a public policy research institute affiliated with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. Stunden Bower has published numerous public policy research reports and academic articles, as well as a scholarly monograph. Her primary research interests lie in the environmental history of the prairie west.
Moderator: Susan Giffen Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Over the past decade, Canadians have witnessed an erosion of our national capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Apparent in communications restrictions on government scientists, funding cuts focused on public interest research, and a diminished role for evidence in policy decisions, this erosion threatens both our well-being as citizens and the health of our democracy.
Evidence for Democracy, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization, has emerged as part of efforts to make the case for evidence-based decision-making. This presentation will lay out what’s happened in Canada and explain why we should be concerned. It will explain how Evidence for Democracy is responding and suggest ways we can all work to restore evidence-based decision-making in Canada.
Speaker: Dr. Shannon Stunden Bower
Shannon Stunden Bower is an assistant professor in the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta. She is a board member with Evidence for Democracy, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization promoting public-interest science and evidence-based decision-making in Canada.
From 2012 to 2014, Studen Bower was the research director at the Parkland Institute, a public policy research institute affiliated with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. Stunden Bower has published numerous public policy research reports and academic articles, as well as a scholarly monograph. Her primary research interests lie in the environmental history of the prairie west.
Moderator: Susan Giffen Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.”
Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with good intentions. What started off as a low-cost, low-risk initiative to incentivize more upgrading of bitumen in Alberta has turned into the multibillion-dollar North West Sturgeon upgrader, a project that will leave Alberta taxpayers holding the bag if it doesn’t fly.”
Professor Morton will discuss the risks and benefits for Albertans of in province bitumen processing.
Speaker: Dr. Ted Morton Dr. Morton is currently an Executive-in-Residence at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment, at the Manning Foundation. In 2013, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Industry to the Board of Governors of the Council of Canadian Academies. He recently served as Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta (2011-12). Prior to that, he was the Minister of Finance (2010) and Minister of Sustainable Resources Development (2006-2009). In 2001, he was the Director of Policy and Research for the Office of the Official Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons. Dr. Morton is known for his expertise in the energy-environment interface in Alberta and federal-provincial relations. Prior to his public service, Dr. Morton taught political science at the University of Calgary since 1981. His publications include five books and over 50 scholarly articles. Dr. Morton holds a B.A. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Colorado College and MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Toronto. Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.”
Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with good intentions. What started off as a low-cost, low-risk initiative to incentivize more upgrading of bitumen in Alberta has turned into the multibillion-dollar North West Sturgeon upgrader, a project that will leave Alberta taxpayers holding the bag if it doesn’t fly.”
Professor Morton will discuss the risks and benefits for Albertans of in province bitumen processing.
Speaker: Dr. Ted Morton Dr. Morton is currently an Executive-in-Residence at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment, at the Manning Foundation. In 2013, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Industry to the Board of Governors of the Council of Canadian Academies. He recently served as Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta (2011-12). Prior to that, he was the Minister of Finance (2010) and Minister of Sustainable Resources Development (2006-2009). In 2001, he was the Director of Policy and Research for the Office of the Official Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons. Dr. Morton is known for his expertise in the energy-environment interface in Alberta and federal-provincial relations. Prior to his public service, Dr. Morton taught political science at the University of Calgary since 1981. His publications include five books and over 50 scholarly articles. Dr. Morton holds a B.A. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Colorado College and MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Toronto. Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on October 19, 2015.
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Fritz Sick Senior Centre Gymnasium 420-11 Street South
The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics.
Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on October 19, 2015.
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Fritz Sick Senior Centre Gymnasium 420-11 Street South
The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controversial and tell the inspiring story of one woman’s stand to hold government and industry accountable for the damage fracking can leave in its wake.
After energy giant Encana fracked numerous gas wells around her home and her well water turned to a flammable broth, Jessica Ernst started asking questions. When she put forward evidence that Encana had violated policies by fracturing her community's drinking water aquifer, Ernst was falsely tagged as a terrorist and visited by the government’s anti-terrorism squad. Frightened but undaunted, she uncovered an apparent history of liability, fraud, and intimidation, along with a willful denial of widespread groundwater contamination. Her remarkable story raises legitimate questions about big oil’s influence on Alberta’s energy regulator, AER.
Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk
Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for many years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books, among them, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. Andrew’s book, Empire of the Beetle, is a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer and was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. The Energy of Slaves, 2012, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change. His latest book, Slick Water, asserts Jessica Ernst’s court battles for justice.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controversial and tell the inspiring story of one woman’s stand to hold government and industry accountable for the damage fracking can leave in its wake.
After energy giant Encana fracked numerous gas wells around her home and her well water turned to a flammable broth, Jessica Ernst started asking questions. When she put forward evidence that Encana had violated policies by fracturing her community's drinking water aquifer, Ernst was falsely tagged as a terrorist and visited by the government’s anti-terrorism squad. Frightened but undaunted, she uncovered an apparent history of liability, fraud, and intimidation, along with a willful denial of widespread groundwater contamination. Her remarkable story raises legitimate questions about big oil’s influence on Alberta’s energy regulator, AER.
Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk
Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for many years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books, among them, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. Andrew’s book, Empire of the Beetle, is a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer and was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. The Energy of Slaves, 2012, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change. His latest book, Slick Water, asserts Jessica Ernst’s court battles for justice.
Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we experience death and dying in the future.
In July 2015, the Federal Government announced the launching of a national public consultation process to engage Canadians about their views on choice in dying. A three-member expert panel was appointed to review the findings and report back to Parliament.
The speaker will review the legal and political steps that lead to the Supreme Court’s decision and will examine the steps Canadians can take to ensure that the spirit and the wording in the Carter case is implemented in new legislation so, in the future, we can choose how and when we die.
Speaker: John Warren
Until April of this year, John Warren was Vice President of Dying With Dignity, a 30 year old organization that is committed to help people achieve quality in dying. The organization also help people understand their end-of-life choices and works to improve those choices for all Canadians.
Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we experience death and dying in the future.
In July 2015, the Federal Government announced the launching of a national public consultation process to engage Canadians about their views on choice in dying. A three-member expert panel was appointed to review the findings and report back to Parliament.
The speaker will review the legal and political steps that lead to the Supreme Court’s decision and will examine the steps Canadians can take to ensure that the spirit and the wording in the Carter case is implemented in new legislation so, in the future, we can choose how and when we die.
Speaker: John Warren
Until April of this year, John Warren was Vice President of Dying With Dignity, a 30 year old organization that is committed to help people achieve quality in dying. The organization also help people understand their end-of-life choices and works to improve those choices for all Canadians.
Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500 per person, per year thereby putting an end to Alberta’s slanted election finances while closely resembling laws at the federal level and in many provinces.
Such rule changes may help prevent any future political dynasty in Alberta. These democratic reform measures would mean that any future governments will not be able to use the tools and levers of government to promote and sustain their political party like the PCs, and before them, the Social Credit party, have done. Alberta’s political system could possibly grow into a mature mix of parties with competitive elections and regular rotation of governments. The speaker will give his perspective on this and other issues facing Alberta’s recently elected NDP Government.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500 per person, per year thereby putting an end to Alberta’s slanted election finances while closely resembling laws at the federal level and in many provinces.
Such rule changes may help prevent any future political dynasty in Alberta. These democratic reform measures would mean that any future governments will not be able to use the tools and levers of government to promote and sustain their political party like the PCs, and before them, the Social Credit party, have done. Alberta’s political system could possibly grow into a mature mix of parties with competitive elections and regular rotation of governments. The speaker will give his perspective on this and other issues facing Alberta’s recently elected NDP Government.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall.
The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school boards in the province, including Lethbridge, despite increased student enrolments. The speaker will outline the many tax incentives provided to large industrial property owners that are hidden in the Province’s regulated assessment process and explain how this affects you as a taxpayer.
Speaker: Stan Dilworth
Stan Dilworth is currently the Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Department for the City of Lethbridge. He moved to Lethbridge in 2009 from Edmonton, his home for 35 years. He is responsible for the annual valuation of the City’s assessment base of 13.8 billion dollars and collection of the 2015 tax roll of $156.5 million. Stan has worked in the assessment field for over 30 years serving as City Assessor for Lethbridge, Edmonton and Camrose.
Stan has been a member of two Alberta Urban Municipalities’ Association Task Forces on assessment and taxation issues. These task forces formulated over 50 recommendations that became the template adopted by the Province for their review of the Municipal Government Act. Stan has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, received his assessment training through the University of Alberta extension program and holds the Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta professional designation with the Alberta Assessors’ Association.
Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall.
The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school boards in the province, including Lethbridge, despite increased student enrolments. The speaker will outline the many tax incentives provided to large industrial property owners that are hidden in the Province’s regulated assessment process and explain how this affects you as a taxpayer.
Speaker: Stan Dilworth
Stan Dilworth is currently the Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Department for the City of Lethbridge. He moved to Lethbridge in 2009 from Edmonton, his home for 35 years. He is responsible for the annual valuation of the City’s assessment base of 13.8 billion dollars and collection of the 2015 tax roll of $156.5 million. Stan has worked in the assessment field for over 30 years serving as City Assessor for Lethbridge, Edmonton and Camrose.
Stan has been a member of two Alberta Urban Municipalities’ Association Task Forces on assessment and taxation issues. These task forces formulated over 50 recommendations that became the template adopted by the Province for their review of the Municipal Government Act. Stan has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, received his assessment training through the University of Alberta extension program and holds the Accredited Municipal Assessor of Alberta professional designation with the Alberta Assessors’ Association.
Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library presents: To Pray or Not to Pray: What are the Ramifications of the Recent SCC Ruling on Prayers at Municipal Council Meetings?
Ideally, Canada does not discriminate on grounds of religion although many people complain that it falls short in practice. In ruling against the Saguenay city council’s recitation of prayer before its meetings the Supreme Court of Canada recently declared that a religiously neutral state may not "favour or hinder any particular belief or non-belief under the guise of cultural or historical reality or heritage."
Following that ruling, many municipalities have discontinued similar practices with some deciding instead to sing the national anthem or observe a moment of silence. Others continue with prayer traditions or are waiting for further reviews. The speaker will weigh in on the implications of the SCC ruling putting it in a broader context of views on the role of religion and religious tradition in Canadian society and defend the court’s opinion on the need for state neutrality in matters of religion.
Speaker: Dr. James Linville
Dr. Linville has been a professor of Religious Studies at the University of Lethbridge since 2002, teaching courses in Old Testament, Judaism, and Mythology. In recent years he has turned his attention to the nature of religiosity, the rise of atheist activism, and the so-called Young Earth Creationist movement. Dr. Linville graduated from the University of Alberta in 1993 with a B.A in Religious Studies, and a PhD in Hebrew and Old Testament at the University of Edinburgh in 1997.
Moderator: Trevor Page
Date:Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5th Ave. South
Free admission, everyone welcome
The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a healthy community: They build mistrust, limit dialogue, and hinder the ability to build powerful alliances between those with experience and those with fresh ideas. Deconstructing these stereotypes would foster trusting and empowering relationships between youth and their elders; the kind of relationships which encourage sense of community, empathy, and a passion for knowledge. The speakers will discuss the disconnect between youth and the older generations, the kinds of issues this disconnect creates and the ways in which youth-focused programs, such as those at Lethbridge’s Boys & Girls Club and 5th on 5th, can help resolve them successfully. The various roles that both youth and adults can take in order to “bridge the gap” will also be analyzed. Speakers: Byron Dent, Luis Busca and TBA
Byron Dent received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge in 2013. Byron’s focus has been in community development and youth engagement. He currently sits as an advisor to the Youth Advisory Council and is the Youth Services Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge & District.
Luis Busca received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Lethbridge in 2014; he focused in child/adolescent development and cognitive health. His current work is based on community development through youth engagement and empowerment. He is currently the Youth Services Supervisor at the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge & District.
Moderator: Amara Matthews Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a healthy community: They build mistrust, limit dialogue, and hinder the ability to build powerful alliances between those with experience and those with fresh ideas. Deconstructing these stereotypes would foster trusting and empowering relationships between youth and their elders; the kind of relationships which encourage sense of community, empathy, and a passion for knowledge. The speakers will discuss the disconnect between youth and the older generations, the kinds of issues this disconnect creates and the ways in which youth-focused programs, such as those at Lethbridge’s Boys & Girls Club and 5th on 5th, can help resolve them successfully. The various roles that both youth and adults can take in order to “bridge the gap” will also be analyzed. Speakers: Byron Dent, Luis Busca and TBA
Byron Dent received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge in 2013. Byron’s focus has been in community development and youth engagement. He currently sits as an advisor to the Youth Advisory Council and is the Youth Services Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge & District.
Luis Busca received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Lethbridge in 2014; he focused in child/adolescent development and cognitive health. His current work is based on community development through youth engagement and empowerment. He is currently the Youth Services Supervisor at the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge & District.
Moderator: Amara Matthews Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age.
We now know that such an interpretation has been a misreading of religious trends. A new comprehensive national survey carried out in March of this year by Angus Reid in partnership with Reginald Bibby has found that the religious situation is characterized not by relentless secularization but by polarization. A solid core of Canadians continue to embrace faith, a growing core reject it, and a sizable segment of the population locate themselves between the two inclinations. What’s more, immigration from Asian countries in particular is having a revitalizing impact on religion. By 2050, demographers tell us, the market for religion in Canada will remain significant.
The good news for religious groups is that religion’s future is not in question. The sobering news is that their individual futures are anything but guaranteed.
Speaker: Dr. Reginald W. Bibby
Reginald Bibby holds the Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Since the mid-1970s he has been monitoring social trends in Canada through a series of well-known national surveys of adults and young people. His findings have been widely disseminated through a large number of best-selling books, innumerable presentations, and extensive media attention. In the spring of 2016, two new books will be released, one an update on religion with UBC Press, the second a book on Canada’s Catholics that is being co-authored with Angus Reid and will be published by Novalis.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age.
We now know that such an interpretation has been a misreading of religious trends. A new comprehensive national survey carried out in March of this year by Angus Reid in partnership with Reginald Bibby has found that the religious situation is characterized not by relentless secularization but by polarization. A solid core of Canadians continue to embrace faith, a growing core reject it, and a sizable segment of the population locate themselves between the two inclinations. What’s more, immigration from Asian countries in particular is having a revitalizing impact on religion. By 2050, demographers tell us, the market for religion in Canada will remain significant.
The good news for religious groups is that religion’s future is not in question. The sobering news is that their individual futures are anything but guaranteed.
Speaker: Dr. Reginald W. Bibby
Reginald Bibby holds the Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Since the mid-1970s he has been monitoring social trends in Canada through a series of well-known national surveys of adults and young people. His findings have been widely disseminated through a large number of best-selling books, innumerable presentations, and extensive media attention. In the spring of 2016, two new books will be released, one an update on religion with UBC Press, the second a book on Canada’s Catholics that is being co-authored with Angus Reid and will be published by Novalis.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too often. Mainstream media is no longer able to ignore the ongoing violence against indigenous people and more specifically the targeting of indigenous women, transgender and two-spirited people. The Canadian government has consistently refused demands for a public inquiry, which would acknowledge the gravity of the crisis. The speakers will argue that an inquiry could establish a public record and examine more than the root causes that are already known. An inquiry could also shed light on why many reports with hundreds of recommendations on this subject have never been acted upon. Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns and Lauren Crazybull
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development.
Lauren Crazybull is a Sociology Undergraduate at the University of Lethbridge. She has produced three audio documentaries which have aired nationally. Lauren’s focus is the intergenerational effects caused by the implementation of residential schools in Canada and the ongoing issue of violence against indigenous women. Her work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is continuous.
Date: Thursday, May 14,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too often. Mainstream media is no longer able to ignore the ongoing violence against indigenous people and more specifically the targeting of indigenous women, transgender and two-spirited people. The Canadian government has consistently refused demands for a public inquiry, which would acknowledge the gravity of the crisis. The speakers will argue that an inquiry could establish a public record and examine more than the root causes that are already known. An inquiry could also shed light on why many reports with hundreds of recommendations on this subject have never been acted upon. Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns and Lauren Crazybull
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development.
Lauren Crazybull is a Sociology Undergraduate at the University of Lethbridge. She has produced three audio documentaries which have aired nationally. Lauren’s focus is the intergenerational effects caused by the implementation of residential schools in Canada and the ongoing issue of violence against indigenous women. Her work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is continuous.
Date: Thursday, May 14,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds.
In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have offered responses that are overly simplistic, empirically inaccurate, and visibly biased. Some, for instance, have argued that the source of the problem should be found in the teachings of Islam, while others have argued that those committing the violent/terrorist acts are not true Muslims.
In this presentation, some of these responses, and their shortcomings, will be discussed; and, an alternative perspective will be offered.
Speaker: Dr. Abdie Kazemipur
Abdie Kazemipur is professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Previously, he served as Stephen Jarislowsky Research Chair in Culture Change at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has also been the founding director of two Statistics Canada’s research data centres at University of Lethbridge and Memorial University.
Kazemipur studies the socio-economic experiences of immigrants in Canada and the socio-cultural developments in the Middle East. Last year, the University of British Columbia Press published his latest book, The Muslim Question in Canada: A Story of Segmented Integration. Currently, he is working on a new book on religious developments in Iran.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds.
In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have offered responses that are overly simplistic, empirically inaccurate, and visibly biased. Some, for instance, have argued that the source of the problem should be found in the teachings of Islam, while others have argued that those committing the violent/terrorist acts are not true Muslims.
In this presentation, some of these responses, and their shortcomings, will be discussed; and, an alternative perspective will be offered.
Speaker: Dr. Abdie Kazemipur
Abdie Kazemipur is professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Previously, he served as Stephen Jarislowsky Research Chair in Culture Change at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has also been the founding director of two Statistics Canada’s research data centres at University of Lethbridge and Memorial University.
Kazemipur studies the socio-economic experiences of immigrants in Canada and the socio-cultural developments in the Middle East. Last year, the University of British Columbia Press published his latest book, The Muslim Question in Canada: A Story of Segmented Integration. Currently, he is working on a new book on religious developments in Iran.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)
Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurements is critical so that policy makers and other concerned stakeholders can rely on evidence-based scientific facts in support of efforts to manage our impacts on our planet’s climate system.
The purpose of this talk is to outline a variety of ways that remote sensing is meeting the data needs for global Earth observation. Recent years have seen an unprecedented expansion of new and novel Earth Observation efforts. The speaker will present the major developments and coordination of efforts with respect to measurement of changes in three spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere (especially ocean), and biosphere.
Speaker: Dr. Craig Coburn Dr. Craig Coburn is an Associate Professor in the Geography Department at the University of Lethbridge with research interests in remote sensing. His research is focused on the physics of remote sensing, calibration and image understanding.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurements is critical so that policy makers and other concerned stakeholders can rely on evidence-based scientific facts in support of efforts to manage our impacts on our planet’s climate system.
The purpose of this talk is to outline a variety of ways that remote sensing is meeting the data needs for global Earth observation. Recent years have seen an unprecedented expansion of new and novel Earth Observation efforts. The speaker will present the major developments and coordination of efforts with respect to measurement of changes in three spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere (especially ocean), and biosphere.
Speaker: Dr. Craig Coburn Dr. Craig Coburn is an Associate Professor in the Geography Department at the University of Lethbridge with research interests in remote sensing. His research is focused on the physics of remote sensing, calibration and image understanding.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years.
Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of revenues from oil and gas. Also established was the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a non-renewable resource fund designed to be of long-term benefit to Alberta. Sadly though, since Lougheed retired from politics in 1986, opportunities have arguably been squandered and the fund value has remained stagnant despite continued growth in fossil fuel production.
However, forty some years of Tory rule has seen some notable successes such as limiting overall public debt and adapting to rapid economic and social growth. But over that time, governments have been unable to implement a tax regime that mitigates the effects of the cyclical swings in royalty revenues from an expanding oil and gas industry. The speaker will explore why it has been so difficult for governments to manage this cycle and the likelihood that Albertans will be able to find a way off this rollercoaster.
Speaker: Dr. Anthony Sayers
Dr. Sayers received his undergraduate education at the University of Western Australia and completed his MA and Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. His research deals with major political institutions including political parties, elections, federalism and parliaments. Particularly interested in the organizational and campaigning aspects of political parties and the distribution of power in federal states, Dr. Sayers also write on Alberta provincial politics
Dr. Sayers study provincial politics in Alberta with Dr. David Stewart of the University of Calgary and the dynamics of federalism in Canada and Australia with Dr. Andrew Banfield of the Australian National University. He is currently building a database of Canadian federal, provincial and territorial election results and write on political parties and electoral systems.
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years.
Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of revenues from oil and gas. Also established was the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a non-renewable resource fund designed to be of long-term benefit to Alberta. Sadly though, since Lougheed retired from politics in 1986, opportunities have arguably been squandered and the fund value has remained stagnant despite continued growth in fossil fuel production.
However, forty some years of Tory rule has seen some notable successes such as limiting overall public debt and adapting to rapid economic and social growth. But over that time, governments have been unable to implement a tax regime that mitigates the effects of the cyclical swings in royalty revenues from an expanding oil and gas industry. The speaker will explore why it has been so difficult for governments to manage this cycle and the likelihood that Albertans will be able to find a way off this rollercoaster.
Speaker: Dr. Anthony Sayers
Dr. Sayers received his undergraduate education at the University of Western Australia and completed his MA and Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. His research deals with major political institutions including political parties, elections, federalism and parliaments. Particularly interested in the organizational and campaigning aspects of political parties and the distribution of power in federal states, Dr. Sayers also write on Alberta provincial politics
Dr. Sayers study provincial politics in Alberta with Dr. David Stewart of the University of Calgary and the dynamics of federalism in Canada and Australia with Dr. Andrew Banfield of the Australian National University. He is currently building a database of Canadian federal, provincial and territorial election results and write on political parties and electoral systems.
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on May 5, 2015. Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2015 for Lethbridge EAST Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Country Kitchen Catering (downstairs at the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S
The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on May 5, 2015. Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2015 for Lethbridge EAST Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Country Kitchen Catering (downstairs at the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S
Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North America.
The revenue generated from licensing helps feed, shelter and care for the pets in facilities and supports cat and dog adoptions, school/educational and volunteer programs. In other words, when pets are licensed, not only are people protecting their own pet’s safety, they are helping the thousands of other animals who enter animal shelters. The speaker will elaborate on plans the Council Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee in Lethbridge are currently considering.
Speaker: Rob Miyashiro, Lethbridge City Councillor For many years, Rob has been involved in developing and implementing programs in children's services, disabilities, employment, and seniors sectors. He has worked with people of southwestern Alberta and also developed an adolescent treatment centre for Kainaiwa Children's Services on the Blood Tribe First Nation. When Rob left Kainaiwa Children's Services, he was given the Blackfoot name Aakaoko'si (Protector of Children) in honour of his years of service to children and families. Currently, Rob is the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization and in his spare time coaches Little League baseball, volunteer with the Humane Society and play hockey, slo-pitch, curling and golf. Since 1989, he has been a manager and/or senior manager with several non-profit organizations, the Blood Tribe First Nation, and the Government of Alberta. Rob has also been involved extensively with community initiatives and boards as well as partnership development and has been a workshop presenter at various training events and conferences regionally, provincially and in the United States.
Date: Thursday, April 16,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North America.
The revenue generated from licensing helps feed, shelter and care for the pets in facilities and supports cat and dog adoptions, school/educational and volunteer programs. In other words, when pets are licensed, not only are people protecting their own pet’s safety, they are helping the thousands of other animals who enter animal shelters. The speaker will elaborate on plans the Council Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee in Lethbridge are currently considering.
Speaker: Rob Miyashiro, Lethbridge City Councillor For many years, Rob has been involved in developing and implementing programs in children's services, disabilities, employment, and seniors sectors. He has worked with people of southwestern Alberta and also developed an adolescent treatment centre for Kainaiwa Children's Services on the Blood Tribe First Nation. When Rob left Kainaiwa Children's Services, he was given the Blackfoot name Aakaoko'si (Protector of Children) in honour of his years of service to children and families. Currently, Rob is the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization and in his spare time coaches Little League baseball, volunteer with the Humane Society and play hockey, slo-pitch, curling and golf. Since 1989, he has been a manager and/or senior manager with several non-profit organizations, the Blood Tribe First Nation, and the Government of Alberta. Rob has also been involved extensively with community initiatives and boards as well as partnership development and has been a workshop presenter at various training events and conferences regionally, provincially and in the United States.
Date: Thursday, April 16,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Learning to harness fusion in a controlled way – recreating the sun on earth, as a clean source of energy – is the holy grail of international energy programs.
According to Dr. Allan Offenberger “A sustained fusion burn is no longer an academic dream but will be realized in the near future.” Dr. Offenberger will outline several quite promising options and update us on their progress and status.
Dr. Offenberger is particularly interested in getting Alberta researchers and industry involved in fusion development. He led an assessment team on behalf of the Alberta Council of Technologies Society (ABCtech) on visits to the major fusion programs around the world last year. He believes Alberta could be a strong contender for the location of the world’s first fusion power demonstration plant and subsequent use for “greener” oil sands applications.
Speaker: Dr. Allan Offenberger Allan Offenberger is Professor Emeritus of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Alberta. He received his B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees (1962, 1963) from the University of British Columbia and Ph.D. degree (1968) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research program for more than 40 years has been focused on the development of high power lasers and their application to inertial fusion energy research. He has published extensively and given many invited talks at international conferences, universities, government and industrial laboratories as well as to service and other non-governmental organizations. His involvement in fusion research has led to the Alberta/Canada Fusion Energy initiative – to build a national capability in this important future energy technology based on strong working linkages with international centres. In retirement, he enjoys his grandchildren, reading, live theatre, a good glass of wine, travel (including vineyards) and visiting friends in many countries (Europe, Japan, USA) as well as Canada. Fusion continues to focus much of Allan’s time.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Learning to harness fusion in a controlled way – recreating the sun on earth, as a clean source of energy – is the holy grail of international energy programs.
According to Dr. Allan Offenberger “A sustained fusion burn is no longer an academic dream but will be realized in the near future.” Dr. Offenberger will outline several quite promising options and update us on their progress and status.
Dr. Offenberger is particularly interested in getting Alberta researchers and industry involved in fusion development. He led an assessment team on behalf of the Alberta Council of Technologies Society (ABCtech) on visits to the major fusion programs around the world last year. He believes Alberta could be a strong contender for the location of the world’s first fusion power demonstration plant and subsequent use for “greener” oil sands applications.
Speaker: Dr. Allan Offenberger Allan Offenberger is Professor Emeritus of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Alberta. He received his B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees (1962, 1963) from the University of British Columbia and Ph.D. degree (1968) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research program for more than 40 years has been focused on the development of high power lasers and their application to inertial fusion energy research. He has published extensively and given many invited talks at international conferences, universities, government and industrial laboratories as well as to service and other non-governmental organizations. His involvement in fusion research has led to the Alberta/Canada Fusion Energy initiative – to build a national capability in this important future energy technology based on strong working linkages with international centres. In retirement, he enjoys his grandchildren, reading, live theatre, a good glass of wine, travel (including vineyards) and visiting friends in many countries (Europe, Japan, USA) as well as Canada. Fusion continues to focus much of Allan’s time.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
From a trans point of view, what are the structural oppressions and barriers cissexism put before trans lives? How can we change structures so that they become more accepting and welcoming of trans and gender non-conforming individuals? How do we make environments safer for trans and gender non-conforming youth?
How can we define trans history? What are its roots in civil rights movements? Is the T still relevant in LGBT? What kind of discussion between LGB movements and trans communities do we wish for? Speaker: Sophie Labelle
Sophie Labelle was raised in rural Quebec and is an author and cartoonist exploring themes like gender expression and gender identity. She is also an elementary school teacher as well as an activist. In 2014, she was the first openly trans person to run during Quebec's provincial elections. She has published many children's books about gender issues and is currently working on a web-comic focusing on a transgender girl that is drawing worldwide attention, "Assigned Male".
Date: Thursday, April 2015 Time:Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
From a trans point of view, what are the structural oppressions and barriers cissexism put before trans lives? How can we change structures so that they become more accepting and welcoming of trans and gender non-conforming individuals? How do we make environments safer for trans and gender non-conforming youth?
How can we define trans history? What are its roots in civil rights movements? Is the T still relevant in LGBT? What kind of discussion between LGB movements and trans communities do we wish for? Speaker: Sophie Labelle
Sophie Labelle was raised in rural Quebec and is an author and cartoonist exploring themes like gender expression and gender identity. She is also an elementary school teacher as well as an activist. In 2014, she was the first openly trans person to run during Quebec's provincial elections. She has published many children's books about gender issues and is currently working on a web-comic focusing on a transgender girl that is drawing worldwide attention, "Assigned Male".
Date: Thursday, April 2015 Time:Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In announcing the severing of Canada’s formal diplomatic relations with the government of Iran in 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird described the Persian country of about 80 million people at the crossroads of Eurasia as "the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world". Iranian diplomats in Ottawa were declared “personae non gratae” and compelled to vacate their ambassadorial seat.
The University of Lethbridge Professor of Globalization Studies, Dr. Anthony Hall, was recently invited to attend as a delegate to an international conference of Independent Thinkers and Film Makers in Iran’s capital city, Tehran. For several days the conference was a main focus of national news in the host country even as it was the subject of a rather vicious smear campaign mounted by the Anti-Defamation League in the United States and throughout an echo chamber of US news agencies including the Washington Post.
While in Tehran, Professor Hall was interviewed with Farsi-language translation on one of Iran’s main Public Affairs shows viewed by about 8 million TV watchers. He will bring us his observations of what he saw and experienced beyond the frontiers of Canada’s formal international diplomacy.
Now in his 25th year as a Lethbridge academic, Prof. Hall will explain his views on the situation in Iran considering it is on the receiving end of a barrage of economic warfare, cyberattacks on its nuclear energy program, and Mossad assassinations of several of its nuclear scientists. He will address the question, “Is Canada’s orientation of hostility towards the Islamic Republic of Iran an expression of Canadian interests or is it an expression of the subordination of Canada’s national interests to the foreign policy priorities of the Israeli government”?
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In announcing the severing of Canada’s formal diplomatic relations with the government of Iran in 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird described the Persian country of about 80 million people at the crossroads of Eurasia as "the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world". Iranian diplomats in Ottawa were declared “personae non gratae” and compelled to vacate their ambassadorial seat.
The University of Lethbridge Professor of Globalization Studies, Dr. Anthony Hall, was recently invited to attend as a delegate to an international conference of Independent Thinkers and Film Makers in Iran’s capital city, Tehran. For several days the conference was a main focus of national news in the host country even as it was the subject of a rather vicious smear campaign mounted by the Anti-Defamation League in the United States and throughout an echo chamber of US news agencies including the Washington Post.
While in Tehran, Professor Hall was interviewed with Farsi-language translation on one of Iran’s main Public Affairs shows viewed by about 8 million TV watchers. He will bring us his observations of what he saw and experienced beyond the frontiers of Canada’s formal international diplomacy.
Now in his 25th year as a Lethbridge academic, Prof. Hall will explain his views on the situation in Iran considering it is on the receiving end of a barrage of economic warfare, cyberattacks on its nuclear energy program, and Mossad assassinations of several of its nuclear scientists. He will address the question, “Is Canada’s orientation of hostility towards the Islamic Republic of Iran an expression of Canadian interests or is it an expression of the subordination of Canada’s national interests to the foreign policy priorities of the Israeli government”?
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Imagine spending years in prison without being charged with a crime or knowing exactly what you're accused of. This presentation is a sobering examination of the Canadian government’s use of security certificates, a Kafkaesque tool that allows for indefinite detention without charges, based on evidence not revealed to the accused or their lawyers. Since 1999, this rare and highly controversial device has been used to detain at least five men for nearly 30 years combined. To date, none has been charged with a crime or seen the evidence against them.
Mohamed Harkat was arrested under a security certificate in 2002. He spent 43 months in jail (one year in solitary confinement) before being released under strict house arrest conditions in 2006. Mr. Harkat was the center of the second Supreme Court challenge against security certificates, a challenge that was lost late last year. He presently lives under restrictions in Ottawa with his wife Sophie Harkat.
Sophie Harkat a graduate student in Public & Media. She has traveled extensively across the county and to the UK to talk about Security Certificates and granted hundreds of interviews with reporters from around the world about her husband's case. She has been a guest speaker at universities & conferences. One of her most memorable events was when she spoke with Jack Layton at a large rally in front of 20,000 people in 2004. She was given a human rights award by CAIR-CAN in 2004.
Date: Thursday, March 19,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Imagine spending years in prison without being charged with a crime or knowing exactly what you're accused of. This presentation is a sobering examination of the Canadian government’s use of security certificates, a Kafkaesque tool that allows for indefinite detention without charges, based on evidence not revealed to the accused or their lawyers. Since 1999, this rare and highly controversial device has been used to detain at least five men for nearly 30 years combined. To date, none has been charged with a crime or seen the evidence against them.
Mohamed Harkat was arrested under a security certificate in 2002. He spent 43 months in jail (one year in solitary confinement) before being released under strict house arrest conditions in 2006. Mr. Harkat was the center of the second Supreme Court challenge against security certificates, a challenge that was lost late last year. He presently lives under restrictions in Ottawa with his wife Sophie Harkat.
Sophie Harkat a graduate student in Public & Media. She has traveled extensively across the county and to the UK to talk about Security Certificates and granted hundreds of interviews with reporters from around the world about her husband's case. She has been a guest speaker at universities & conferences. One of her most memorable events was when she spoke with Jack Layton at a large rally in front of 20,000 people in 2004. She was given a human rights award by CAIR-CAN in 2004.
Date: Thursday, March 19,2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Democracy is for all intentional purposes based on mutual respect, which means free and fair elections, human rights, and ethical government. How well are we doing with current standards of ethics in politics and the public service, how successfully are they enforced, and how could they be improved? These standards involve conflicts of interest, lobbying, election financing, whistleblowing, expense claims, and public sector accountability.
This presentation will contextualize some of the past and present scandals involving both Canadian public servants and elected politicians. Is there a trend towards less accountability and are ethics being compromised as part of a larger problem within society? The speaker will offer hope and suggestions for the future and argue that democracy is not a spectator sport.….. Voter apathy makes it very fragile. Speaker: Ian Greene, PhD
Ian Greene has the title of University Professor at York University in Toronto and as of July, 2013, is semi-retired. He is a member of the School of Public Policy and Administration, and has taught at York University since 1985. Prior to this, he worked for the Government of Alberta for four years, and taught at the University of Lethbridge. He has published seven books, two of them with U of L professor Peter McCormick, and numerous articles.
Dr. Greene has taught courses in Canadian public law, the Charter of Rights, judicial administration, program evaluation, political ethics, Canadian government, and public administration. He was the inaugural Director of York's Master’s program Public Policy, Administration and Law. He was an associate dean in the Faculty of Arts from 1997 to 2000. He has been co-director of the professional development LLM programme in administrative law in Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the York Collegium for Practical Ethics, and the Centre for Public Policy and Law. From 2003 to 2004, he was Chair of the York University Senate. He has been a frequent media commentator on ethics issues in politics.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Democracy is for all intentional purposes based on mutual respect, which means free and fair elections, human rights, and ethical government. How well are we doing with current standards of ethics in politics and the public service, how successfully are they enforced, and how could they be improved? These standards involve conflicts of interest, lobbying, election financing, whistleblowing, expense claims, and public sector accountability.
This presentation will contextualize some of the past and present scandals involving both Canadian public servants and elected politicians. Is there a trend towards less accountability and are ethics being compromised as part of a larger problem within society? The speaker will offer hope and suggestions for the future and argue that democracy is not a spectator sport.….. Voter apathy makes it very fragile. Speaker: Ian Greene, PhD
Ian Greene has the title of University Professor at York University in Toronto and as of July, 2013, is semi-retired. He is a member of the School of Public Policy and Administration, and has taught at York University since 1985. Prior to this, he worked for the Government of Alberta for four years, and taught at the University of Lethbridge. He has published seven books, two of them with U of L professor Peter McCormick, and numerous articles.
Dr. Greene has taught courses in Canadian public law, the Charter of Rights, judicial administration, program evaluation, political ethics, Canadian government, and public administration. He was the inaugural Director of York's Master’s program Public Policy, Administration and Law. He was an associate dean in the Faculty of Arts from 1997 to 2000. He has been co-director of the professional development LLM programme in administrative law in Osgoode Hall Law School. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the York Collegium for Practical Ethics, and the Centre for Public Policy and Law. From 2003 to 2004, he was Chair of the York University Senate. He has been a frequent media commentator on ethics issues in politics.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
CKXU began as CKUL in 1972, when a public address system was set up in Section A of University Hall at the University of Lethbridge to broadcast musical content inside the building during the day. The station was managed by the University of Lethbridge Students' Union. The CKUL Radio Society was incorporated in Oct. 1977, to govern the affairs of the station, and a year later the CRTC granted the society a license to broadcast on 530 AM
In 2003, the CRTC approved the application to operate a new English language community based campus FM radio station in Lethbridge. CKUL’s call letters were changed to CKXU, and on April 8, 2004, the station began to broadcast at 88.3 FM to the city of Lethbridge and the surrounding area from a 125W transmitter located on top of the Students’ Union Building at the University of Lethbridge. CKXU 88.3 FM now broadcasts for more than 168 hours per week, year-round, with a volunteer core of over 100 members.
The importance of community radio and independent media will be discussed in the context of corporate mass media and social media competition as well as issues regarding the need for grass-roots funding to operate.
Speakers: Benjamin Maine and Aaron Trozzo
Benjamin Maine is an enigma wrapped in a tortilla and served with a side of guacamole. He started with CKXU as a founding member of the Coalbanks Dispatch, a radio collective focused on Social Justice and Human Rights issues. This is his second year as CKXU's Program Director where he trains new DJs, manages the program schedule, and - with the help of our wonderful Technical Director - oversees live broadcasts for the station.
Aaron Trozzo is like if Jean Luc Picard and Ned Stark had a baby and that baby was raised to preside over a community radio station. He's a collaborative artist that has worked in a variety of media (music, video, photography) and has been CKXU's Benevolent Overlor-er, Program Director since 2009 and he's transformed the station from a ragtag bunch of hooligans into the well-oiled machine that it is today.
CKXU began as CKUL in 1972, when a public address system was set up in Section A of University Hall at the University of Lethbridge to broadcast musical content inside the building during the day. The station was managed by the University of Lethbridge Students' Union. The CKUL Radio Society was incorporated in Oct. 1977, to govern the affairs of the station, and a year later the CRTC granted the society a license to broadcast on 530 AM
In 2003, the CRTC approved the application to operate a new English language community based campus FM radio station in Lethbridge. CKUL’s call letters were changed to CKXU, and on April 8, 2004, the station began to broadcast at 88.3 FM to the city of Lethbridge and the surrounding area from a 125W transmitter located on top of the Students’ Union Building at the University of Lethbridge. CKXU 88.3 FM now broadcasts for more than 168 hours per week, year-round, with a volunteer core of over 100 members.
The importance of community radio and independent media will be discussed in the context of corporate mass media and social media competition as well as issues regarding the need for grass-roots funding to operate.
Speakers: Benjamin Maine and Aaron Trozzo
Benjamin Maine is an enigma wrapped in a tortilla and served with a side of guacamole. He started with CKXU as a founding member of the Coalbanks Dispatch, a radio collective focused on Social Justice and Human Rights issues. This is his second year as CKXU's Program Director where he trains new DJs, manages the program schedule, and - with the help of our wonderful Technical Director - oversees live broadcasts for the station.
Aaron Trozzo is like if Jean Luc Picard and Ned Stark had a baby and that baby was raised to preside over a community radio station. He's a collaborative artist that has worked in a variety of media (music, video, photography) and has been CKXU's Benevolent Overlor-er, Program Director since 2009 and he's transformed the station from a ragtag bunch of hooligans into the well-oiled machine that it is today.
What is meant by civil liberties? According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, civil liberties are protecting those freedoms that are considered fundamental in a democratic society. These fundamental freedoms include freedom of opinion, thought, belief and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of conscience and religion, and freedom of association and peaceful assembly. It is almost impossible to imagine how a democracy would work without protection for these most basic rights and freedoms, and yet they continue to be under attack in many ways.
The speakers qualified as finalists in the recently held University of Lethbridge Student Speaker Challenge, beating out six other talented competitors. Sponsored by SACPA, LPIRG and ULSU, each year’s competition addresses a different topic and this year, civil liberties or the lack thereof was the topic. The presenters will address civil liberties from different perspectives and give a glimpse of how post-secondary students view the importance of free speech and the issue of privacy.
Speakers: Raul Vergara and Sandon Law
Raul Vergara is 21 years old and is originally from Mexico City. He majors in Economics and is studying in the University of Lethbridge as part of the international exchange program. He is interested in politics and economic development.
Sandon Law is a first year combined degree student of Marketing and Education. He has been involved with speech and debate since junior high and he was a founding member of the speech club at his previous high school in Calgary. Sandon was privileged to compete in Public Speaking on a National Level at Canada Skills in 2013 and his role as a school ambassador lead him to winning the Premier's Citizenship Award and Gold Duke of Edinburgh.
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
What is meant by civil liberties? According to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, civil liberties are protecting those freedoms that are considered fundamental in a democratic society. These fundamental freedoms include freedom of opinion, thought, belief and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of conscience and religion, and freedom of association and peaceful assembly. It is almost impossible to imagine how a democracy would work without protection for these most basic rights and freedoms, and yet they continue to be under attack in many ways.
The speakers qualified as finalists in the recently held University of Lethbridge Student Speaker Challenge, beating out six other talented competitors. Sponsored by SACPA, LPIRG and ULSU, each year’s competition addresses a different topic and this year, civil liberties or the lack thereof was the topic. The presenters will address civil liberties from different perspectives and give a glimpse of how post-secondary students view the importance of free speech and the issue of privacy.
Speakers: Raul Vergara and Sandon Law
Raul Vergara is 21 years old and is originally from Mexico City. He majors in Economics and is studying in the University of Lethbridge as part of the international exchange program. He is interested in politics and economic development.
Sandon Law is a first year combined degree student of Marketing and Education. He has been involved with speech and debate since junior high and he was a founding member of the speech club at his previous high school in Calgary. Sandon was privileged to compete in Public Speaking on a National Level at Canada Skills in 2013 and his role as a school ambassador lead him to winning the Premier's Citizenship Award and Gold Duke of Edinburgh.
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
ECMap was an Alberta Government funded 5-year project that worked to raise community awareness of the results of an intensive study on the readiness of Alberta’s children for kindergarten. The Government invested 26 million dollars to gather Early Development Instrument (EDI) data, interpret it, and share the results with communities province-wide.
We learned that Alberta’s kindergarten children are behind the Canadian average in their performance, with children in Lethbridge behind the Provincial average. Why is it so when we know that the preschool years are the most important time for brain development? We also know that skills that support a child’s success in school and in life are trainable and can be developed through simple play activities that stimulate thinking, problem solving and self-regulation. Our speakers will share some of the work currently underway that aims to address these issues.
Speakers: Robbin Gibb and LaVonne Rideout
Robbin Gibb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. Her research funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada investigates parental influences on brain development and recovery from early brain injury. She is currently studying the effectiveness of improving adult capability in parent/caregivers of preschoolers by increasing their knowledge about executive function and early literacy. Robbin is a proud mother of two and grandmother of seven.
LaVonne Rideout grew up as the fifth of six children on a mixed farm near Pincher Creek. Helping the next generation get a good start has been a motivating goal during her 30 years in early learning and child care. As part of the provincial government’s drive to increase child-care spaces, she was given a mandate to create 500 new child-care spaces in her region over three years. She and her team created more than 2000 new spaces in two years by engaging communities from the start. For the past five years, LaVonne has worked passionately doing community development for the Early Child Development Mapping project. She has five sons and can now add Grandma as a favorite title.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
ECMap was an Alberta Government funded 5-year project that worked to raise community awareness of the results of an intensive study on the readiness of Alberta’s children for kindergarten. The Government invested 26 million dollars to gather Early Development Instrument (EDI) data, interpret it, and share the results with communities province-wide.
We learned that Alberta’s kindergarten children are behind the Canadian average in their performance, with children in Lethbridge behind the Provincial average. Why is it so when we know that the preschool years are the most important time for brain development? We also know that skills that support a child’s success in school and in life are trainable and can be developed through simple play activities that stimulate thinking, problem solving and self-regulation. Our speakers will share some of the work currently underway that aims to address these issues.
Speakers: Robbin Gibb and LaVonne Rideout
Robbin Gibb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. Her research funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada investigates parental influences on brain development and recovery from early brain injury. She is currently studying the effectiveness of improving adult capability in parent/caregivers of preschoolers by increasing their knowledge about executive function and early literacy. Robbin is a proud mother of two and grandmother of seven.
LaVonne Rideout grew up as the fifth of six children on a mixed farm near Pincher Creek. Helping the next generation get a good start has been a motivating goal during her 30 years in early learning and child care. As part of the provincial government’s drive to increase child-care spaces, she was given a mandate to create 500 new child-care spaces in her region over three years. She and her team created more than 2000 new spaces in two years by engaging communities from the start. For the past five years, LaVonne has worked passionately doing community development for the Early Child Development Mapping project. She has five sons and can now add Grandma as a favorite title.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
A motion to mandate that Alberta schools support the creation of student-led gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools where students have requested it, was defeated in the Alberta Legislature early last year. In late 2014 two Bills dealing with the same student-led gay-straight alliances were brought before the legislature. The first, Bill 202, was a private members Bill, which prompted the Government to draft its own, Bill 10. By the time the dust settled and amendments were attempted, neither Bill was passed as Premier Prentice stepped in and put the Bills on hold pending further studies.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia recently released the results of an extensive study showing that GSAs reduce the risk of suicide for all students, LGBTQ and straight. The speaker will present further background information on this controversial topic and discuss what is known about the effects GSAs can have for all students in the schools where they are established.
Speaker: Robert Cey, PhD
Dr. Cey is an Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology with the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. He is also a registered provisional psychologist and has a research focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues in Psychology (particularly processes of individual identity development and understanding and overcoming the effects of homophobic violence and verbal abuse).
Dr. Cey’s presentation will include some background on the legislative history of GSAs in Alberta, some information on the common goals and activities of the groups, and what is known about how GSAs are believed to affect both the social and interpersonal climates of schools and students’ mental health.
Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
A motion to mandate that Alberta schools support the creation of student-led gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools where students have requested it, was defeated in the Alberta Legislature early last year. In late 2014 two Bills dealing with the same student-led gay-straight alliances were brought before the legislature. The first, Bill 202, was a private members Bill, which prompted the Government to draft its own, Bill 10. By the time the dust settled and amendments were attempted, neither Bill was passed as Premier Prentice stepped in and put the Bills on hold pending further studies.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia recently released the results of an extensive study showing that GSAs reduce the risk of suicide for all students, LGBTQ and straight. The speaker will present further background information on this controversial topic and discuss what is known about the effects GSAs can have for all students in the schools where they are established.
Speaker: Robert Cey, PhD
Dr. Cey is an Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology with the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. He is also a registered provisional psychologist and has a research focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues in Psychology (particularly processes of individual identity development and understanding and overcoming the effects of homophobic violence and verbal abuse).
Dr. Cey’s presentation will include some background on the legislative history of GSAs in Alberta, some information on the common goals and activities of the groups, and what is known about how GSAs are believed to affect both the social and interpersonal climates of schools and students’ mental health.
Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, February 12, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Lethbridge residents could send a lot less garbage to the landfill if a city-wide curbside organics recycling program were to be implemented. Diverting residential food and yard waste from the landfill could save not only valuable landfill space, it could also eliminate much of the methane that organics generate in a landfill.
It is well known that recycling organics is better for the environment in many ways as it turns waste material into new and friendly products of value, with the possibility of also creating biogas capable of generating power. The speaker will explain the challenges Lethbridge residents are likely to face, including costs, while describing the experience she had helping implement Airdrie’s curbside organics recycling program recently.
Speaker: Kathleen Muretti
Kathleen Muretti is Manager of Fleet, Procurement, Accounts Payable, Waste & Recycling and has worked for the City of Airdrie since 2001. Kathleen is an active member of the National Institute Government Purchasing and the Canadian Public Procurement Council serving on the CPPC Board of Directors since 2005. She represents the CPPC sitting on the Board of Directors for the National Council Public Procurement and Contracting (NCPPC).
Kathleen also represents Canada with the Governing Board of Directors of the UPPCC (Universal Public Procurement Certification Council). She has earned a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), and a Certified Procurement Card Professional (CPCP). Kathleen is a regular speaker, host and commentator at business seminars and conferences.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley Date: Thursday, February 5, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Lethbridge residents could send a lot less garbage to the landfill if a city-wide curbside organics recycling program were to be implemented. Diverting residential food and yard waste from the landfill could save not only valuable landfill space, it could also eliminate much of the methane that organics generate in a landfill.
It is well known that recycling organics is better for the environment in many ways as it turns waste material into new and friendly products of value, with the possibility of also creating biogas capable of generating power. The speaker will explain the challenges Lethbridge residents are likely to face, including costs, while describing the experience she had helping implement Airdrie’s curbside organics recycling program recently.
Speaker: Kathleen Muretti
Kathleen Muretti is Manager of Fleet, Procurement, Accounts Payable, Waste & Recycling and has worked for the City of Airdrie since 2001. Kathleen is an active member of the National Institute Government Purchasing and the Canadian Public Procurement Council serving on the CPPC Board of Directors since 2005. She represents the CPPC sitting on the Board of Directors for the National Council Public Procurement and Contracting (NCPPC).
Kathleen also represents Canada with the Governing Board of Directors of the UPPCC (Universal Public Procurement Certification Council). She has earned a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), and a Certified Procurement Card Professional (CPCP). Kathleen is a regular speaker, host and commentator at business seminars and conferences.
Moderator: Cheryl Bradley Date: Thursday, February 5, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
On March 16, 2009, the Alberta Government announced an ambitious plan to end homelessness in this province, the first to make such declaration in Canada. This plan saw a shift from relying on emergency shelters to manage the problem and instead use Housing First principles to create not only housing stability but diversion from future homelessness. From a financial perspective, simply managing homelessness was projected to cost the Alberta Government more than six billion dollars over 10 years. This figure does not include the indirect costs of homelessness that tax payers absorb through the health, corrections and justice systems which conservatively is estimated at 100,000 dollars per homeless person per year. This is a far cry from the projected 3.16 Billion dollars that the implementation of the plan to end homelessness will cost over the same 10 year period. From a human stand point, healthier Canadians mean healthier homes and children which means a brighter future for Canada. The speaker will argue that from a moral and fiscal stand point, working until every Albertan and every Canadian has a home, just makes good sense. Speaker: Audrey Skoog In 1997 at age 17, Audrey became an unlikely advocate for social issues after having experienced youth homelessness. As a vocal consumer in the system, she was asked to speak in Ottawa on child poverty. Since then her experiences have led her to an education in psychology which led to even further adventures overseas and back here at home. In 2008 Audrey started a grassroots advocacy group to bring media attention, local awareness and raise funds for homeless initiatives. This group allowed those working in the social care system to make impacts in a way that they were restrained from in their normal agency settings. This group was able to garner media attention for the need for broader addictions services and was able to bring a human face to homelessness. Along with this, Audrey worked in the homeless continuum, first as a part of Alberta’s Outreach Initiative Pilot Project and then as one of the members of Medicine Hat’s first Housing First Team. Audrey now works as a manager at the emergency shelter and enjoys many community partnerships which are a direct result of Medicine Hat’s collective grass roots attitude, community inclusion and a willingness to work consistently with data and the truths that data brings when it comes to needed change. Moderator: Larry Elford Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
On March 16, 2009, the Alberta Government announced an ambitious plan to end homelessness in this province, the first to make such declaration in Canada. This plan saw a shift from relying on emergency shelters to manage the problem and instead use Housing First principles to create not only housing stability but diversion from future homelessness. From a financial perspective, simply managing homelessness was projected to cost the Alberta Government more than six billion dollars over 10 years. This figure does not include the indirect costs of homelessness that tax payers absorb through the health, corrections and justice systems which conservatively is estimated at 100,000 dollars per homeless person per year. This is a far cry from the projected 3.16 Billion dollars that the implementation of the plan to end homelessness will cost over the same 10 year period. From a human stand point, healthier Canadians mean healthier homes and children which means a brighter future for Canada. The speaker will argue that from a moral and fiscal stand point, working until every Albertan and every Canadian has a home, just makes good sense. Speaker: Audrey Skoog In 1997 at age 17, Audrey became an unlikely advocate for social issues after having experienced youth homelessness. As a vocal consumer in the system, she was asked to speak in Ottawa on child poverty. Since then her experiences have led her to an education in psychology which led to even further adventures overseas and back here at home. In 2008 Audrey started a grassroots advocacy group to bring media attention, local awareness and raise funds for homeless initiatives. This group allowed those working in the social care system to make impacts in a way that they were restrained from in their normal agency settings. This group was able to garner media attention for the need for broader addictions services and was able to bring a human face to homelessness. Along with this, Audrey worked in the homeless continuum, first as a part of Alberta’s Outreach Initiative Pilot Project and then as one of the members of Medicine Hat’s first Housing First Team. Audrey now works as a manager at the emergency shelter and enjoys many community partnerships which are a direct result of Medicine Hat’s collective grass roots attitude, community inclusion and a willingness to work consistently with data and the truths that data brings when it comes to needed change. Moderator: Larry Elford Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The Canadian Government recently passed Bill C-36, the “Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act” in response to a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that found many parts of the existing law concerning prostitution in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and therefore unconstitutional.
At first glance, the Government seems to have accomplished exactly what they intended with this controversial new law regarding prostitution, but many will argue the new legislation is less about policy and more about politics. Furthermore, some experts believe the bill will in fact worsen the situation for sex workers.
It is believed Bill C-36 will also be challenged in the courts and that the new law will end up back before the Supreme Court. The speaker will weigh in on the legal aspects of the new legislation and speculate on its durability. Speaker: Wade Hlady
Wade Hlady is an associate at the Lethbridge Law Firm, Connolly & Associates. He was born and raised two hours from Lethbridge in the town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Campus where he received a degree in English.
Wade then went on to complete his law degree, where, in addition to his studies, he produced a variety show, the Legal Follies, in which law students showcase their talents in order to raise money for local charities. Wade is engaged in general law practice and has lectured at the University of Lethbridge on Constitutional law issues.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The Canadian Government recently passed Bill C-36, the “Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act” in response to a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that found many parts of the existing law concerning prostitution in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and therefore unconstitutional.
At first glance, the Government seems to have accomplished exactly what they intended with this controversial new law regarding prostitution, but many will argue the new legislation is less about policy and more about politics. Furthermore, some experts believe the bill will in fact worsen the situation for sex workers.
It is believed Bill C-36 will also be challenged in the courts and that the new law will end up back before the Supreme Court. The speaker will weigh in on the legal aspects of the new legislation and speculate on its durability. Speaker: Wade Hlady
Wade Hlady is an associate at the Lethbridge Law Firm, Connolly & Associates. He was born and raised two hours from Lethbridge in the town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Campus where he received a degree in English.
Wade then went on to complete his law degree, where, in addition to his studies, he produced a variety show, the Legal Follies, in which law students showcase their talents in order to raise money for local charities. Wade is engaged in general law practice and has lectured at the University of Lethbridge on Constitutional law issues.
Moderator: Michelle Day
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In December 2014 Danielle Smith and eight members of her caucus announced that they were crossing the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives and Premier Jim Prentice. The announcement elicited a great deal of vitriolic responses from the public and reignited calls for floor crossing to be banned or at least for floor crossers to require a by-election to sit as a member of another party.
The speaker will argue that floor crossing is a necessary part of the parliamentary process and must not be limited but that the floor crossers from the Wildrose Party, especially leader Danielle Smith, need a strong lesson in another piece of parliamentary democracy: a loyal opposition. The history, and value, of opposition will be reviewed and the speaker will argue that Smith’s democratic breech was in dismissing the value of opposition in a parliamentary democracy, not in crossing the floor.
Speaker: Lisa Lambert
Lisa Lambert served as SACPA’s Administrative Manager from 2009-2014 while she conducted her doctoral research on political parties in Canada. She is now in the last months of writing her dissertation on the Green Party of Canada and environmentalists and will manage to graduate before her sons enter University.
Lisa, a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In December 2014 Danielle Smith and eight members of her caucus announced that they were crossing the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives and Premier Jim Prentice. The announcement elicited a great deal of vitriolic responses from the public and reignited calls for floor crossing to be banned or at least for floor crossers to require a by-election to sit as a member of another party.
The speaker will argue that floor crossing is a necessary part of the parliamentary process and must not be limited but that the floor crossers from the Wildrose Party, especially leader Danielle Smith, need a strong lesson in another piece of parliamentary democracy: a loyal opposition. The history, and value, of opposition will be reviewed and the speaker will argue that Smith’s democratic breech was in dismissing the value of opposition in a parliamentary democracy, not in crossing the floor.
Speaker: Lisa Lambert
Lisa Lambert served as SACPA’s Administrative Manager from 2009-2014 while she conducted her doctoral research on political parties in Canada. She is now in the last months of writing her dissertation on the Green Party of Canada and environmentalists and will manage to graduate before her sons enter University.
Lisa, a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, January 15, 2015 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Russia’s annexation of Crimea has called into question the future of Arctic cooperation. After years of working together on pollution prevention, search and rescue, shipping and fisheries management, people are asking: Can we trust Russia to behave differently in the North than it is behaving in the South?
Michael Byers has just returned from a term as a Visiting Professor at the University of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. His presentation will address the issue of Arctic sovereignty, peace and security in a time of geopolitical tension and rapidly advancing climate change.
Speaker: Michael Byers
A graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, a Professor of Law at Duke University, and a Visiting Professor at the universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nordland (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia).
Michael's work focuses on Arctic security, the law of the sea, and Canada-US-Russia relations. He is a project leader with ArcticNet, a Canadian government-funded consortium of scientists from 30 universities. His most recent book is International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press, 2013). A well-known commentator on national and international news stories, Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea has called into question the future of Arctic cooperation. After years of working together on pollution prevention, search and rescue, shipping and fisheries management, people are asking: Can we trust Russia to behave differently in the North than it is behaving in the South?
Michael Byers has just returned from a term as a Visiting Professor at the University of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. His presentation will address the issue of Arctic sovereignty, peace and security in a time of geopolitical tension and rapidly advancing climate change.
Speaker: Michael Byers
A graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, a Professor of Law at Duke University, and a Visiting Professor at the universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nordland (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia).
Michael's work focuses on Arctic security, the law of the sea, and Canada-US-Russia relations. He is a project leader with ArcticNet, a Canadian government-funded consortium of scientists from 30 universities. His most recent book is International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press, 2013). A well-known commentator on national and international news stories, Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star.
Those two simple greetings are the subject of much controversy and cause headaches for many at this time of the year. It is difficult enough dealing with the pressures of “getting ready” before relatives and friends arrive in late December, or going over one’s budget spending for presents and the host of other related holiday expenses. But these anxieties are compounded by not knowing how to greet each other at this time of year. Every year stories abound from around the country where someone takes exception to “Merry Christmas” or, more often, to “Happy Holidays”. Store employees are frequently instructed by well-meaning management to greet patrons with a generic and inoffensive “Happy Holidays,” only to end up offending those who were expecting a “Merry Christmas”. It does seem odd that the mood of joy, which is a cornerstone of hope at Christmas, can be undermined by a few words, often simply uttered off the cuff, and with the intention of making the recipient feel good. Why, indeed, does someone else’s greeting potentially threaten one’s seasonal enjoyment? The speaker will weigh in on this phenomenon, hoping to stimulate discussion, and will speculate on how long it will persist? Speaker: Dr. Hillary Rodrigues Hillary Rodrigues (B.Sc. in Chemistry, McGill), B.A. (summa), M.A., Ph.D. in Religious Studies, McMaster) is Professor of Religious Studies. He has travelled widely (North and South America, Europe, and Asia), and combines fieldwork and textual analysis in his research. He is an associate member of the Department of Anthropology (which he chaired for many years). Among his varied publications, Dr. Rodrigues has authored numerous university level textbooks. He has served as the Board of Governors Teaching Chair, and is the recipient of the university's Distinguished Teaching Award.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 18, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Those two simple greetings are the subject of much controversy and cause headaches for many at this time of the year. It is difficult enough dealing with the pressures of “getting ready” before relatives and friends arrive in late December, or going over one’s budget spending for presents and the host of other related holiday expenses. But these anxieties are compounded by not knowing how to greet each other at this time of year. Every year stories abound from around the country where someone takes exception to “Merry Christmas” or, more often, to “Happy Holidays”. Store employees are frequently instructed by well-meaning management to greet patrons with a generic and inoffensive “Happy Holidays,” only to end up offending those who were expecting a “Merry Christmas”. It does seem odd that the mood of joy, which is a cornerstone of hope at Christmas, can be undermined by a few words, often simply uttered off the cuff, and with the intention of making the recipient feel good. Why, indeed, does someone else’s greeting potentially threaten one’s seasonal enjoyment? The speaker will weigh in on this phenomenon, hoping to stimulate discussion, and will speculate on how long it will persist? Speaker: Dr. Hillary Rodrigues Hillary Rodrigues (B.Sc. in Chemistry, McGill), B.A. (summa), M.A., Ph.D. in Religious Studies, McMaster) is Professor of Religious Studies. He has travelled widely (North and South America, Europe, and Asia), and combines fieldwork and textual analysis in his research. He is an associate member of the Department of Anthropology (which he chaired for many years). Among his varied publications, Dr. Rodrigues has authored numerous university level textbooks. He has served as the Board of Governors Teaching Chair, and is the recipient of the university's Distinguished Teaching Award.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 18, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planet’s best wilderness locations. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Using humour and personal anecdotes and his own live-narrated video segments, he’ll take you into gin-clear ocean depths with unbelievable creatures, to deserts and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed and amazed. To conclude, he'll return to our own Canadian backyard, reconfirming the value of our wild spaces. This presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.
Speaker: Brian Keating
Brian is an Honourary Conservation Advisor, Calgary Zoo Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology, U of Calgary. Brian previously held the position "Head of Conservation Outreach" at the Zoo, which enabled him to raise money and then spend it on environmental projects around the world.
He’s been leading groups on nature based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet. He’s a weekly guest on both Calgary and Edmonton’s CBC Radio, and for many years, was a regular on the Discovery Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife filming. Brian is also the owner of www.goingwild.org He’s in high demand as an international speaker, presenting at some 50 events a year. His talks have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and special events. He's also written five children’s books celebrating nature.
He's a pilot, a naturalist, scuba diver, and mountaineer. His wife, Dee, is a physician and keen naturalist who always joins him on his adventures. Together, they have explored nearly 50 countries on all seven continents in the last quarter century.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date:Thursday, December 11,2014 Time:Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planet’s best wilderness locations. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Using humour and personal anecdotes and his own live-narrated video segments, he’ll take you into gin-clear ocean depths with unbelievable creatures, to deserts and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed and amazed. To conclude, he'll return to our own Canadian backyard, reconfirming the value of our wild spaces. This presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.
Speaker: Brian Keating
Brian is an Honourary Conservation Advisor, Calgary Zoo Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology, U of Calgary. Brian previously held the position "Head of Conservation Outreach" at the Zoo, which enabled him to raise money and then spend it on environmental projects around the world.
He’s been leading groups on nature based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet. He’s a weekly guest on both Calgary and Edmonton’s CBC Radio, and for many years, was a regular on the Discovery Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife filming. Brian is also the owner of www.goingwild.org He’s in high demand as an international speaker, presenting at some 50 events a year. His talks have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and special events. He's also written five children’s books celebrating nature.
He's a pilot, a naturalist, scuba diver, and mountaineer. His wife, Dee, is a physician and keen naturalist who always joins him on his adventures. Together, they have explored nearly 50 countries on all seven continents in the last quarter century.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date:Thursday, December 11,2014 Time:Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Recently, a gunman attacked Canada's Parliament shortly after he fatally wounded a soldier at the nearby war memorial. The suspect was eventually killed inside Parliament before harming anyone else. Was he a terrorist or was he just mentally ill and desperate? Should Canada use this attack on Parliament as a pretext for stripping away civil liberties and increasing surveillance on the Canadian people or does history tell us that the worst laws are often made in the heat of the moment? The governing Conservatives have made no secret of their plan to install new anti-terror powers, giving the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) more powers to track, investigate and detain would-be homegrown terrorists. The speaker will give some background on what gives rise to these so-called “terrorist” threats and discuss whether, and to what extent, Western governments, including our own, are exploiting this "clash of civilizations" to increase their powers for less laudable purposes. Speaker Dr. Paul Viminitz Dr. Paul Viminitz has been a member of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge since 1997, specializing in, among other things, the Philosophy of War. Viminitz holds a BA with Honours from the University of Regina, an MA from Dalhousie University and a Doctorate from the University of Alberta.
His provocative publication, Defence of Terrorism has yet to get him in trouble when entering either the United States or Great Britain.
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Recently, a gunman attacked Canada's Parliament shortly after he fatally wounded a soldier at the nearby war memorial. The suspect was eventually killed inside Parliament before harming anyone else. Was he a terrorist or was he just mentally ill and desperate? Should Canada use this attack on Parliament as a pretext for stripping away civil liberties and increasing surveillance on the Canadian people or does history tell us that the worst laws are often made in the heat of the moment? The governing Conservatives have made no secret of their plan to install new anti-terror powers, giving the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) more powers to track, investigate and detain would-be homegrown terrorists. The speaker will give some background on what gives rise to these so-called “terrorist” threats and discuss whether, and to what extent, Western governments, including our own, are exploiting this "clash of civilizations" to increase their powers for less laudable purposes. Speaker Dr. Paul Viminitz Dr. Paul Viminitz has been a member of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge since 1997, specializing in, among other things, the Philosophy of War. Viminitz holds a BA with Honours from the University of Regina, an MA from Dalhousie University and a Doctorate from the University of Alberta.
His provocative publication, Defence of Terrorism has yet to get him in trouble when entering either the United States or Great Britain.
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In recent months we have watched the “Islamic State”, (ISIS) sweep through Syria and Iraq, terrifying much of the population and enraging people everywhere by beheading several journalists while vowing to bring their war to North America. Reportedly, many Canadian citizens have joined the ISIS forces in fighting a war that arguably is financed mainly by vast revenues from oil that is exported to the industrialized world.
The speaker will explore where ISIS fits into the Islamic groups in the Arab World. He will explain where ISIS originated from, and what they stand for. He will help us look into the future for some clues about what we can expect in the months and years ahead and help us assess whether ISIS is the new reality we all must face, or a passing phenomenon.
Speaker: Imam and Professor Syed Soharwardy
Prof. Soharwardy was born to a highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father was a famous Islamic scholar and Imam in Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy is one of the direct descendants of the prophet, Muhammad and his ancestors migrated from Syria to Iran, later to Kashmir, India and then to Pakistan.
He received his early Islamic education from his father and also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic studies from the University of Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy also holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, and a Master of Science in Management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J. as well as a Master of Engineering in project management from University of Calgary.
Prof. Soharwardy is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) and is also the founder of The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC). He has authored several papers on Islamic issues and the Western world. He is the spiritual leader of Jama’at Ahle Sunnat Canada, and the World Sufi Mission Canada.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
In recent months we have watched the “Islamic State”, (ISIS) sweep through Syria and Iraq, terrifying much of the population and enraging people everywhere by beheading several journalists while vowing to bring their war to North America. Reportedly, many Canadian citizens have joined the ISIS forces in fighting a war that arguably is financed mainly by vast revenues from oil that is exported to the industrialized world.
The speaker will explore where ISIS fits into the Islamic groups in the Arab World. He will explain where ISIS originated from, and what they stand for. He will help us look into the future for some clues about what we can expect in the months and years ahead and help us assess whether ISIS is the new reality we all must face, or a passing phenomenon.
Speaker: Imam and Professor Syed Soharwardy
Prof. Soharwardy was born to a highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father was a famous Islamic scholar and Imam in Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy is one of the direct descendants of the prophet, Muhammad and his ancestors migrated from Syria to Iran, later to Kashmir, India and then to Pakistan.
He received his early Islamic education from his father and also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic studies from the University of Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy also holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, and a Master of Science in Management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J. as well as a Master of Engineering in project management from University of Calgary.
Prof. Soharwardy is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) and is also the founder of The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC). He has authored several papers on Islamic issues and the Western world. He is the spiritual leader of Jama’at Ahle Sunnat Canada, and the World Sufi Mission Canada.
Moderator: Robert Campbell
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize financial support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers.
The Campaign has since evolved into a dynamic and responsive national movement, and currently boasts more than 240 grandmothers groups across Canada. Many of the groups have organized into regional networks in order to support each other’s development and fundraising.
We now know – and the evidence is clearer than ever – that the fastest and most effective way to collaborate effectively is through working with small, committed community-based organizations as they are the frontline experts, but can we turn the tide against AIDS in Africa soon? The speaker will discuss the challenges the African Grandmothers are up against and how with your support, they are actively advocating for their rights.
Speaker: Louise Breadner
Louise Breadner was raised in Saskatchewan, where she studied nursing and had a 30 year career in corporate health, safety and environmental programming. Louise first travelled to Africa in 1999 because of a lifelong dream of going on a safari. She has since been back to Africa four times with humanitarian projects in Uganda.
Louise joined the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in 2007 as she was attracted by the Foundation's focus on supporting grassroots projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Louise currently resides in Calgary and is the liaison for nine Grandmothers groups in Southern Alberta. Moderator: Bertha Tiemstra Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize financial support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers.
The Campaign has since evolved into a dynamic and responsive national movement, and currently boasts more than 240 grandmothers groups across Canada. Many of the groups have organized into regional networks in order to support each other’s development and fundraising.
We now know – and the evidence is clearer than ever – that the fastest and most effective way to collaborate effectively is through working with small, committed community-based organizations as they are the frontline experts, but can we turn the tide against AIDS in Africa soon? The speaker will discuss the challenges the African Grandmothers are up against and how with your support, they are actively advocating for their rights.
Speaker: Louise Breadner
Louise Breadner was raised in Saskatchewan, where she studied nursing and had a 30 year career in corporate health, safety and environmental programming. Louise first travelled to Africa in 1999 because of a lifelong dream of going on a safari. She has since been back to Africa four times with humanitarian projects in Uganda.
Louise joined the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in 2007 as she was attracted by the Foundation's focus on supporting grassroots projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Louise currently resides in Calgary and is the liaison for nine Grandmothers groups in Southern Alberta. Moderator: Bertha Tiemstra Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Alberta’s NDP Party: New Leader, Enhanced Perspective?
The new leader of Alberta’s NDP party, Rachel Notley, received 70 per cent of the votes cast on the first ballot, easily defeating two other candidates in the recent NDP leadership race. In her victory speech, Notley promised a viable alternative to the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and Wildrose parties in the next election.
The speaker will argue that arrogance, entitlement and the narrow minded vision of days gone by is not the “Alberta Advantage”. "Let's leave the parties of the past behind," she says "This time, let's not forget history. Let's not repeat history. Let's make history."
Speaker: Rachel Notley, MLA and Leader of Alberta’s NDP Party
Rachel Notley was elected as the leader of the Alberta New Democrats on October 18, 2014. Since 2008, Rachel has served as the MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, and is known as a strong, effective voice in the Legislature. She was re-elected in 2012, with the highest share of the vote of any MLA in the province.
Raised in Fairview Alberta, Rachel is the oldest child of Grant and Sandra Notley. Her father, Grant, led the Alberta New Democrats from 1968 to 1984. Rachel has said that her father’s tireless effort to build the party taught her the importance of hard work, and she shares his vision of building a better, fairer province for all Albertans.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before entering politics, she worked for a variety of labour unions in Alberta and British Columbia and served as a ministerial advisor to British Columbia’s Attorney General in the 1990s. She currently lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood with her husband and two teenage children. Moderator: Keith McLaughlin Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Alberta’s NDP Party: New Leader, Enhanced Perspective?
The new leader of Alberta’s NDP party, Rachel Notley, received 70 per cent of the votes cast on the first ballot, easily defeating two other candidates in the recent NDP leadership race. In her victory speech, Notley promised a viable alternative to the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and Wildrose parties in the next election.
The speaker will argue that arrogance, entitlement and the narrow minded vision of days gone by is not the “Alberta Advantage”. "Let's leave the parties of the past behind," she says "This time, let's not forget history. Let's not repeat history. Let's make history."
Speaker: Rachel Notley, MLA and Leader of Alberta’s NDP Party
Rachel Notley was elected as the leader of the Alberta New Democrats on October 18, 2014. Since 2008, Rachel has served as the MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, and is known as a strong, effective voice in the Legislature. She was re-elected in 2012, with the highest share of the vote of any MLA in the province.
Raised in Fairview Alberta, Rachel is the oldest child of Grant and Sandra Notley. Her father, Grant, led the Alberta New Democrats from 1968 to 1984. Rachel has said that her father’s tireless effort to build the party taught her the importance of hard work, and she shares his vision of building a better, fairer province for all Albertans.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before entering politics, she worked for a variety of labour unions in Alberta and British Columbia and served as a ministerial advisor to British Columbia’s Attorney General in the 1990s. She currently lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood with her husband and two teenage children. Moderator: Keith McLaughlin Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
For the past several decades, conservative forces in the US and Canada have worked to finance and organize Christian fundamentalist sects, the Catholic Church and other organizations to become potentially destabilizing of progressive democratic principles and practices. Powerful interlocking political and corporate forces are seemingly teaming up against women and the disadvantaged in many Southern and Western states and in parts of Canada.
These forces have negative effects on women's ability to control and maintain bodily integrity and health, especially among low income women who often are disproportionately affected by restrictions on abortion services. What ought to happen regarding access to these services? The speakers will shed light on the pertinent issues and argue that it’s urgent to coordinate and democratically empower individuals, organizations, communities and all levels of Government to produce changes in attitudes, norms, behaviour and policies that will enable women, using their own free will, to obtain reproductive health services, including abortion care.
Speakers: Carol Williams, Brittney Adams and Shannon Ingram
Carol Williams is a cultural historian specializing in Women & Gender Studies, Visual Culture, and North American Women’s History including histories of women’s activism. Williams is currently the 2013-2015 Board of Governors Humanities Scholar at the U of L. From 2008-1011 she held a tier II Canada Research Chair in Feminist and Gender Studies at Trent University. Williams has published two books, Indigenous Women’s Work (2012) and Framing the West: Race, Gender and the Photographic “Frontier” (2003). Brittney Adams completed her Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge in 2013 and is currently completing her Masters of Arts in Women and Gender Studies. Her M.A thesis titled “Multiple I Do’s” examines the role of feminist knowledge in the 2011 BC Supreme Court ruling on polygamy. Adams has long been involved in political activism in the Lethbridge community and is the Co-Coordinator of the Campus Women’s Centre, as well as a YWCA Board Member. This year, she also became a Board Member with LPIRG and recently, Adams helped organize the Students for Choice action group at the University of Lethbridge. Shannon Ingram recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Art in History with Honours. She has been an active member of the Lethbridge community, volunteering on campus for the Women’s Centre and off campus for Womanspace Resource Centre. She has also completed an Applied Study at the Galt Museum & Archives, focusing on the Evolution of Agriculture in Southern Alberta. More recently, Ingram attended the first ever International Conference on Women’s Reproductive Rights in Charlottetown, P.E.I., presenting on the barriers to accessing abortions in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. Moderator: Michael Stingl Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE250, 1st Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome. Posters etc. may be displayed outside the room.
For the past several decades, conservative forces in the US and Canada have worked to finance and organize Christian fundamentalist sects, the Catholic Church and other organizations to become potentially destabilizing of progressive democratic principles and practices. Powerful interlocking political and corporate forces are seemingly teaming up against women and the disadvantaged in many Southern and Western states and in parts of Canada.
These forces have negative effects on women's ability to control and maintain bodily integrity and health, especially among low income women who often are disproportionately affected by restrictions on abortion services. What ought to happen regarding access to these services? The speakers will shed light on the pertinent issues and argue that it’s urgent to coordinate and democratically empower individuals, organizations, communities and all levels of Government to produce changes in attitudes, norms, behaviour and policies that will enable women, using their own free will, to obtain reproductive health services, including abortion care.
Speakers: Carol Williams, Brittney Adams and Shannon Ingram
Carol Williams is a cultural historian specializing in Women & Gender Studies, Visual Culture, and North American Women’s History including histories of women’s activism. Williams is currently the 2013-2015 Board of Governors Humanities Scholar at the U of L. From 2008-1011 she held a tier II Canada Research Chair in Feminist and Gender Studies at Trent University. Williams has published two books, Indigenous Women’s Work (2012) and Framing the West: Race, Gender and the Photographic “Frontier” (2003). Brittney Adams completed her Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge in 2013 and is currently completing her Masters of Arts in Women and Gender Studies. Her M.A thesis titled “Multiple I Do’s” examines the role of feminist knowledge in the 2011 BC Supreme Court ruling on polygamy. Adams has long been involved in political activism in the Lethbridge community and is the Co-Coordinator of the Campus Women’s Centre, as well as a YWCA Board Member. This year, she also became a Board Member with LPIRG and recently, Adams helped organize the Students for Choice action group at the University of Lethbridge. Shannon Ingram recently graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Art in History with Honours. She has been an active member of the Lethbridge community, volunteering on campus for the Women’s Centre and off campus for Womanspace Resource Centre. She has also completed an Applied Study at the Galt Museum & Archives, focusing on the Evolution of Agriculture in Southern Alberta. More recently, Ingram attended the first ever International Conference on Women’s Reproductive Rights in Charlottetown, P.E.I., presenting on the barriers to accessing abortions in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. Moderator: Michael Stingl Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE250, 1st Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome. Posters etc. may be displayed outside the room.
Alberta’s electricity system is at a cross-roads. Coal, which has been the dominant source of electricity in the province for a generation is slowly being phased out, while industrial growth forecasts mean Alberta’s electricity system will double in size over the next 20 years. Rapid price declines in both wind and more recently solar, as well as technological innovation in integrating these technologies worldwide has meant that wind and solar have the potential to displace vast amount of fossil fuels if Alberta choses to invest in them.
Southern Alberta has some of Canada’s best wind and solar resources and could play an important role in providing clean, renewable energy for the province. The speakers will discuss the opportunities as well as the challenges for wind and solar in Alberta’s electricity market.
Speakers: Tim Weis & Rob Harlan
Tim is the Alberta Director for the Canadian Wind Energy Association and Rob is the Executive Director of the Solar Energy Society of Alberta.
Moderator: Courtney Rieger
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Alberta’s electricity system is at a cross-roads. Coal, which has been the dominant source of electricity in the province for a generation is slowly being phased out, while industrial growth forecasts mean Alberta’s electricity system will double in size over the next 20 years. Rapid price declines in both wind and more recently solar, as well as technological innovation in integrating these technologies worldwide has meant that wind and solar have the potential to displace vast amount of fossil fuels if Alberta choses to invest in them.
Southern Alberta has some of Canada’s best wind and solar resources and could play an important role in providing clean, renewable energy for the province. The speakers will discuss the opportunities as well as the challenges for wind and solar in Alberta’s electricity market.
Speakers: Tim Weis & Rob Harlan
Tim is the Alberta Director for the Canadian Wind Energy Association and Rob is the Executive Director of the Solar Energy Society of Alberta.
Moderator: Courtney Rieger
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the most remote places of human habitation in the world. It is famed for its iconic statuary and as a tragic example of ecological collapse. This past summer Dr. Kent Peacock travelled to Rapa Nui with his son Evan Peacock and Dillon St. Jean, to photograph, film, and learn as much about the island as a ten-day visit would permit. He’ll recount some of the high (and low) points of the trip, and ask whether it is necessarily the case that planet Earth can be, in the end, nothing more than “Easter Island writ large”.
(The trip was made possible by generous support from the Rolof Beny Foundation and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group)
Speaker: Kent Peacock Dr. Peacock earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His research includes logic and the philosophies of physics and ecology. Recently he has devoted a lot of attention to climate change and sustainability, and what he saw on Rapa Nui gave him a new perspective on these related challenges.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the most remote places of human habitation in the world. It is famed for its iconic statuary and as a tragic example of ecological collapse. This past summer Dr. Kent Peacock travelled to Rapa Nui with his son Evan Peacock and Dillon St. Jean, to photograph, film, and learn as much about the island as a ten-day visit would permit. He’ll recount some of the high (and low) points of the trip, and ask whether it is necessarily the case that planet Earth can be, in the end, nothing more than “Easter Island writ large”.
(The trip was made possible by generous support from the Rolof Beny Foundation and the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group)
Speaker: Kent Peacock Dr. Peacock earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His research includes logic and the philosophies of physics and ecology. Recently he has devoted a lot of attention to climate change and sustainability, and what he saw on Rapa Nui gave him a new perspective on these related challenges.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The federal government recently approved the pending sale of an Alberta utility provider to an American company. Berkshire Hathaway Energy's application to buy AltaLink in a deal worth $3.2 billion was confirmed by Industry Canada along with several conditions, among them, a commitment to keep the electricity transmission company locally managed with its headquarters in Alberta and to keep a majority of its board of directors Canadians.
Critics say the deal is not fair to Albertans as the province's transmission system should not be an internationally traded commodity when electricity is an essential service. They further argue it ought to be owned and operated by Albertans (who have paid for much of the AltaLink infrastructure through delivery charges) not a massive for profit foreign company.
With the proposed sale still under review by the Alberta Utilities Commission, many are calling for meaningful public hearings on the deal which is expected to close December 31, 2014. The speaker will weigh in on the details of this controversial transaction.
Speakers: Joe Anglin MLA
Joe Anglin was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre on April 23, 2012 and has served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Anglin served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era before becoming a police officer. He then obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in education.
As an active member of his community, Anglin served as chair of the Rimoka Housing Foundation from 2010 to 2012 and also served as a town councillor in Rimbey from 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Anglin successfully organized and led the Lavesta Area Group, an association of southern Alberta landowners opposed to the construction of a 500KV electricity transmission line through their area, from 2006 to 2010. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The federal government recently approved the pending sale of an Alberta utility provider to an American company. Berkshire Hathaway Energy's application to buy AltaLink in a deal worth $3.2 billion was confirmed by Industry Canada along with several conditions, among them, a commitment to keep the electricity transmission company locally managed with its headquarters in Alberta and to keep a majority of its board of directors Canadians.
Critics say the deal is not fair to Albertans as the province's transmission system should not be an internationally traded commodity when electricity is an essential service. They further argue it ought to be owned and operated by Albertans (who have paid for much of the AltaLink infrastructure through delivery charges) not a massive for profit foreign company.
With the proposed sale still under review by the Alberta Utilities Commission, many are calling for meaningful public hearings on the deal which is expected to close December 31, 2014. The speaker will weigh in on the details of this controversial transaction.
Speakers: Joe Anglin MLA
Joe Anglin was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre on April 23, 2012 and has served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Anglin served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era before becoming a police officer. He then obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in education.
As an active member of his community, Anglin served as chair of the Rimoka Housing Foundation from 2010 to 2012 and also served as a town councillor in Rimbey from 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Anglin successfully organized and led the Lavesta Area Group, an association of southern Alberta landowners opposed to the construction of a 500KV electricity transmission line through their area, from 2006 to 2010. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Social justice dilemmas are situations in which collective interests are at odds with private interests. Such situations arise when faced with prioritizing either short-term selfish interests or the long-term interests of a group, organization, or society. Many of the most challenging issues, from the interpersonal to the intergroup, are at their core social dilemmas. Conflicts arise when motives concerning the group are overcome by individual motives or vice versa. When this happens in a perfect world, Governments ought to intervene and restore the balance of interest, but is it happening?
Speaker: Thomas King
Thomas King is a noted novelist, broadcaster, and academic. Some of his most praised works are Medicine River; Green Grass, Running Water; The Truth about Stories; and recently The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. King became a member of the Order of Canada in 2004, and was awarded the RBC Taylor Prize and the British Columbia National non-fiction award both in 2014.
King taught Native American Studies at the University of Lethbridge in the early 1980s. King also served as a faculty member of the University of Minnesota's American Indian Studies Department, and has recently retired from his post as an English professor at the University of Guelph
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Monday, October 20, 2014 Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm Location: Room TH204, Turcotte Hall, University of Lethbridge
Free event, everyone welcome
The ability to change and survive under new leaders and different circumstances are the strength of any long-ruling political party. Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Party has successfully rebranded itself in previous years, often using “new leadership” as a strategy. Throwing a former Premier under the proverbial bus seems like a simple solution to dwindling popularity, but have the PC’s used this tactic one too many times for it to be effective this go around?
Alberta’s seventh PC Party Premier, Jim Prentice criticized many of the decisions made under Alison Redford and by the government he now leads. The removal of several high profile PC MLA’s from cabinet positions and making questionable ministerial appointments that included members with no seat in the Legislature, could be considered the beginning of Prentice’s “de-Redfordization”. Immediate action on selling the fleet of government planes and cancelling the license plate redesign was a popular no-brainer. Revamping Alberta’s foreign offices, keeping the Michener Centre in Red Deer open and axing some unpopular Bills by proroguing the Legislature until Nov 17 are also consistent with that strategy.
But these initiatives are not really addressing the inherent internal challenges the PC Party is facing nor do they necessarily lead to effective change that will keep this party viable in the eyes of the electorate. The speaker will candidly discuss the current strategy taken by Premier Prentice in the first weeks of his reign. Plus she will speculate on the effectiveness of this course of action and make a few predictions of her own. Speaker: Bonnie Farries Bonnie is a Political Scientist and holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge. Although all levels of government are fascinating in how they interact and affect our daily lives, Bonnie’s passion is at the local level, having worked in municipal government for the last 11 years. Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, October 16, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (talk and coffee)
The ability to change and survive under new leaders and different circumstances are the strength of any long-ruling political party. Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Party has successfully rebranded itself in previous years, often using “new leadership” as a strategy. Throwing a former Premier under the proverbial bus seems like a simple solution to dwindling popularity, but have the PC’s used this tactic one too many times for it to be effective this go around?
Alberta’s seventh PC Party Premier, Jim Prentice criticized many of the decisions made under Alison Redford and by the government he now leads. The removal of several high profile PC MLA’s from cabinet positions and making questionable ministerial appointments that included members with no seat in the Legislature, could be considered the beginning of Prentice’s “de-Redfordization”. Immediate action on selling the fleet of government planes and cancelling the license plate redesign was a popular no-brainer. Revamping Alberta’s foreign offices, keeping the Michener Centre in Red Deer open and axing some unpopular Bills by proroguing the Legislature until Nov 17 are also consistent with that strategy.
But these initiatives are not really addressing the inherent internal challenges the PC Party is facing nor do they necessarily lead to effective change that will keep this party viable in the eyes of the electorate. The speaker will candidly discuss the current strategy taken by Premier Prentice in the first weeks of his reign. Plus she will speculate on the effectiveness of this course of action and make a few predictions of her own. Speaker: Bonnie Farries Bonnie is a Political Scientist and holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge. Although all levels of government are fascinating in how they interact and affect our daily lives, Bonnie’s passion is at the local level, having worked in municipal government for the last 11 years. Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, October 16, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (talk and coffee)
This past September, NFL football star for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Price, was suspended indefinitely after a video circulated showing him beating his (now) wife in an elevator. Sports commentators and others rushed to condemn, and it seemed unanimous – beating your wife will not be tolerated. It is clearly not fashionable or “in” to beat your wife.
Does this mean the struggle to overcome domestic violence has been won and can we expect to see such violence fade away to a distant memory?
Speaker: Michele Montgomery, BSW, RSW
Michele has been with the Government of Alberta since 1984, working in a variety of program areas, predominantly with Family Court and Child Protection. She has been specializing in the area of domestic violence and bullying since 2002 and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and educating the community to create safe environments where children and families can thrive. She is also an avid volunteer, and works full time as the mother of two great kids, with her husband, Bill. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
This past September, NFL football star for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Price, was suspended indefinitely after a video circulated showing him beating his (now) wife in an elevator. Sports commentators and others rushed to condemn, and it seemed unanimous – beating your wife will not be tolerated. It is clearly not fashionable or “in” to beat your wife.
Does this mean the struggle to overcome domestic violence has been won and can we expect to see such violence fade away to a distant memory?
Speaker: Michele Montgomery, BSW, RSW
Michele has been with the Government of Alberta since 1984, working in a variety of program areas, predominantly with Family Court and Child Protection. She has been specializing in the area of domestic violence and bullying since 2002 and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and educating the community to create safe environments where children and families can thrive. She is also an avid volunteer, and works full time as the mother of two great kids, with her husband, Bill. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)
The current Lethbridge City Council was elected to serve a four-year term in October 2013. Although much of the effort of City Council is focused on day-to-day, week-to-week governance matters, Council also recognizes that they are largely responsible for the direction of development in the community. With the future of Lethbridge citizens and businesses in mind, City Council has prepared a strategic plan.
City Council has utilized the framework of the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan/Municipal Development Plan (ICSP/MDP) to establish strategic priorities for the next four years. These priorities will assist the community in realizing the hopes and ideas of Lethbridge residents that were captured in the comprehensive community consultation that drove the contents of the plan.
Although this strategic plan is for a four-year term, it is viewed as a living document that can incorporate emerging issues or initiatives. City Council is committed to review and update this plan appropriately. The speaker will elaborate on this and priorities of growth
Speaker: Mayor Chris Spearman
Along with 38 years of business experience, Chris Spearman has devoted 18 years (1992-2010) to serving on the Holy Spirit School Board including two terms as Board Chair. A vocal opponent of electrical deregulation in Alberta, Chris helped establish the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta in 1983 as a founding member. In 2008, Chris joined the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and has since served on several sub-committees.
In addition, Chris served five years on the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Advisory Committee and since 2010, he has served on the Board of the Aboriginal Housing Society. Chris also volunteered with several other community organizations including Economic Development Lethbridge (a founding member) and the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta (now known as the Ability Resource Centre). Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, October 2, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The current Lethbridge City Council was elected to serve a four-year term in October 2013. Although much of the effort of City Council is focused on day-to-day, week-to-week governance matters, Council also recognizes that they are largely responsible for the direction of development in the community. With the future of Lethbridge citizens and businesses in mind, City Council has prepared a strategic plan.
City Council has utilized the framework of the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan/Municipal Development Plan (ICSP/MDP) to establish strategic priorities for the next four years. These priorities will assist the community in realizing the hopes and ideas of Lethbridge residents that were captured in the comprehensive community consultation that drove the contents of the plan.
Although this strategic plan is for a four-year term, it is viewed as a living document that can incorporate emerging issues or initiatives. City Council is committed to review and update this plan appropriately. The speaker will elaborate on this and priorities of growth
Speaker: Mayor Chris Spearman
Along with 38 years of business experience, Chris Spearman has devoted 18 years (1992-2010) to serving on the Holy Spirit School Board including two terms as Board Chair. A vocal opponent of electrical deregulation in Alberta, Chris helped establish the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta in 1983 as a founding member. In 2008, Chris joined the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and has since served on several sub-committees.
In addition, Chris served five years on the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Advisory Committee and since 2010, he has served on the Board of the Aboriginal Housing Society. Chris also volunteered with several other community organizations including Economic Development Lethbridge (a founding member) and the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta (now known as the Ability Resource Centre). Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, October 2, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many Canadian provinces used to have upper chambers, known as provincial legislative councils; the last one to be abolished was Quebec’s in 1968. If Canadians made it clear they wanted to abolish the federal Senate, how could it be done and would it be wise? It is a particularly difficult question because, in order to be abolished, the Senate itself would have to agree to its own demise and as well, majority provincial agreement would likely be required.
The Senate can arguable play a very useful role in legislation, acting as a “sober second thought”, but it has not been well served recently by the appointments of highly partisan Senators. The speaker will articulate her thoughts on the Senate in the context of her own experience as an Independent Senator and the effectiveness of the upper chamber amid evolving controversies.
Speaker: Dr. Lois Wilson
The Very Reverend, The Honourable Dr Lois Wilson was ordained a United Church minister in 1965, and shared a team congregational ministry for fifteen years with her husband Rev. Dr. Roy Wilson, before becoming the first woman Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1980. As President of both the Canadian and World Council of Churches, Dr. Wilson visited partner churches in Asia, Latin America, India and Africa as well as being a leading advocate of inter-faith encounters within Canada. She monitored elections in El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Sri Lanka and Guatemala, and developed a grass roots knowledge of the challenges facing the developing world.
Dr. Wilson became a leading advocate of international human rights and Chair of the Board of Rights and Democracy and served a four year appointment as a Member of the Refugee Status Advisory Committee. As an independent Senator in Canada in 1998, she was Canada's Special Envoy to the Sudan, led Government delegations to China and to North Korea, co- founded the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, and co-chaired the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security for the UN, which brought together NGO’s, Governments and Parliamentarians around Resolution 1325 for gender equality.
Dr. Wilson was awarded the World Federalist Peace Prize and U.N. (Canada) Pearson Peace Medal. Currently she is Distinguished Minister in Residence at Emmanuel College, Univ of Toronto, a member of the Public Review Board of the CAW, a Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and an Advisory Board member of Mining Watch (Canada). Previously an Officer of the Order of Canada, Dr. Wilson is one of a few Canadians promoted to the top rank of Companion. Author of 8 books, the most recent one being: I Want to Be in That Number (cool saints I have known), paying tribute to human rights and peace activists Dr. Wilson has known.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many Canadian provinces used to have upper chambers, known as provincial legislative councils; the last one to be abolished was Quebec’s in 1968. If Canadians made it clear they wanted to abolish the federal Senate, how could it be done and would it be wise? It is a particularly difficult question because, in order to be abolished, the Senate itself would have to agree to its own demise and as well, majority provincial agreement would likely be required.
The Senate can arguable play a very useful role in legislation, acting as a “sober second thought”, but it has not been well served recently by the appointments of highly partisan Senators. The speaker will articulate her thoughts on the Senate in the context of her own experience as an Independent Senator and the effectiveness of the upper chamber amid evolving controversies.
Speaker: Dr. Lois Wilson
The Very Reverend, The Honourable Dr Lois Wilson was ordained a United Church minister in 1965, and shared a team congregational ministry for fifteen years with her husband Rev. Dr. Roy Wilson, before becoming the first woman Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1980. As President of both the Canadian and World Council of Churches, Dr. Wilson visited partner churches in Asia, Latin America, India and Africa as well as being a leading advocate of inter-faith encounters within Canada. She monitored elections in El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Sri Lanka and Guatemala, and developed a grass roots knowledge of the challenges facing the developing world.
Dr. Wilson became a leading advocate of international human rights and Chair of the Board of Rights and Democracy and served a four year appointment as a Member of the Refugee Status Advisory Committee. As an independent Senator in Canada in 1998, she was Canada's Special Envoy to the Sudan, led Government delegations to China and to North Korea, co- founded the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, and co-chaired the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security for the UN, which brought together NGO’s, Governments and Parliamentarians around Resolution 1325 for gender equality.
Dr. Wilson was awarded the World Federalist Peace Prize and U.N. (Canada) Pearson Peace Medal. Currently she is Distinguished Minister in Residence at Emmanuel College, Univ of Toronto, a member of the Public Review Board of the CAW, a Director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and an Advisory Board member of Mining Watch (Canada). Previously an Officer of the Order of Canada, Dr. Wilson is one of a few Canadians promoted to the top rank of Companion. Author of 8 books, the most recent one being: I Want to Be in That Number (cool saints I have known), paying tribute to human rights and peace activists Dr. Wilson has known.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
In 1967, Alberta became the first jurisdiction in North America and the tenth in the world to create an ombudsoffice. One of seven Legislative Officers for Alberta, the Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner reports directly to the Legislature and is meant to promote fairness in public administration and investigate complaints from individuals regarding unfair actions or decisions made by provincial government departments, agencies and some professional organizations.
The Alberta government may also be credited with blurring the lines of accountability that are so critical to ensuring administrative fairness. 47 years after its creation, Alberta’s ombudsoffice continues its quest to ensure administrative fairness in an era of government restructuring and outsourcing that has produced an increasingly complex administrative environment. The speaker will connect the dots regarding the many aspects of his job and relate to examples of how his office can help in providing assistance to the public.
Speaker: Peter Hourihan
Peter was sworn in as Alberta’s eighth Ombudsman in October 2011. Originally from Three Hills and later Calgary, Alberta, Peter spent 35 years in the RCMP. His career took him to all provinces in western Canada and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
An experienced mediator, Peter taught college level courses in Saskatchewan and was involved heavily in the internal RCMP program where he assisted in developing programs and delivering training. He has also worked internationally with the Department of Public Safety in Texas, USA, in the development and implementation of its mandatory mediation program. Additionally, Peter has significant experience as a decision-maker as well as an advisor in the areas of discipline and grievances.
Peter has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. He received the Long Service medal in 1996, Bronze Clasp in 2001 and Silver Clasp in 2006. He received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
In 1967, Alberta became the first jurisdiction in North America and the tenth in the world to create an ombudsoffice. One of seven Legislative Officers for Alberta, the Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner reports directly to the Legislature and is meant to promote fairness in public administration and investigate complaints from individuals regarding unfair actions or decisions made by provincial government departments, agencies and some professional organizations.
The Alberta government may also be credited with blurring the lines of accountability that are so critical to ensuring administrative fairness. 47 years after its creation, Alberta’s ombudsoffice continues its quest to ensure administrative fairness in an era of government restructuring and outsourcing that has produced an increasingly complex administrative environment. The speaker will connect the dots regarding the many aspects of his job and relate to examples of how his office can help in providing assistance to the public.
Speaker: Peter Hourihan
Peter was sworn in as Alberta’s eighth Ombudsman in October 2011. Originally from Three Hills and later Calgary, Alberta, Peter spent 35 years in the RCMP. His career took him to all provinces in western Canada and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
An experienced mediator, Peter taught college level courses in Saskatchewan and was involved heavily in the internal RCMP program where he assisted in developing programs and delivering training. He has also worked internationally with the Department of Public Safety in Texas, USA, in the development and implementation of its mandatory mediation program. Additionally, Peter has significant experience as a decision-maker as well as an advisor in the areas of discipline and grievances.
Peter has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. He received the Long Service medal in 1996, Bronze Clasp in 2001 and Silver Clasp in 2006. He received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
Since first coming to office in 2006, and especially since obtaining a majority in the 2011 federal election, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has steadfastly adopted a range of controversial policies on such things as climate change, crime, drugs, Aboriginal issues, electoral reform, information access, military procurement, statistics, surveillance, taxes, and more recently prostitution.
Many of these policies have been pursued without large-scale public engagement or support, and have drawn particularly negative comment from academics, arms-length public officials, social critics, and the judiciary, including most recently the Supreme Court. What is going on? This presentation argues that much of the Conservative party’s policy agenda is pursued not on the basis of good policy, but on the basis of good – or at least winning – politics.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of eight books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in national newspapers.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Since first coming to office in 2006, and especially since obtaining a majority in the 2011 federal election, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has steadfastly adopted a range of controversial policies on such things as climate change, crime, drugs, Aboriginal issues, electoral reform, information access, military procurement, statistics, surveillance, taxes, and more recently prostitution.
Many of these policies have been pursued without large-scale public engagement or support, and have drawn particularly negative comment from academics, arms-length public officials, social critics, and the judiciary, including most recently the Supreme Court. What is going on? This presentation argues that much of the Conservative party’s policy agenda is pursued not on the basis of good policy, but on the basis of good – or at least winning – politics.
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison
Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta.
His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of eight books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in national newspapers.
Moderator: Terry Shillington
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risks of the entire energy sector.
Speaker: Jason Donev
Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the Chair of the Western Branch of the Canadian Nuclear Society.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risks of the entire energy sector.
Speaker: Jason Donev
Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the Chair of the Western Branch of the Canadian Nuclear Society.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole.
This panel discussion will attempt to shed light from different perspectives on the many issues involved and also touch upon to what degree relationships with previous land renters should be considered in the context of signing new agreements.
Panel members: Rep. from Blood Tribe Chief and Council, Lois Frank and Eugene Fox
No bio available for the representative from the Blood Tribe Chief and Council
Lois V. Frank, B.Sc. M.A. Ph.D. Candidate – Gonzaga University is a member of the Blood Tribe and is completing a Ph.D. in Environmental Justice from Gonzaga University in Washington. Lois has worked as a Lecturer in the Native American Studies Dept. at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to that, she taught in the Criminal Justice Program at Lethbridge College.
Lois has received many certificates for her achievements including the Alberta Jubilee Medallion from the Alberta Solicitor General and is a past Chairperson for the Blood Tribe Police Commission. In 2011, Lois received the Environmental Activist of the Year Award from the Council of Canadians and is currently a National Board member of that organization. She was recently part of a group that won a Federal Court decision regarding land occupant rights on the Blood Reserve.
Eugene Fox is a fourth-generation farmer who started farming in 1960s with his father Floyd Fox on the Blood Reserve prairie land acquired from other Blood Reserve land occupants. From the 1960s until 2013, Eugene and his father developed land & engaged in farming grain products and hay production. In February 2013 Floyd Fox passed away and Eugene continued to occupy and farm the land in accordance with his father's wishes.
Concurrent with farming operations, Eugene established Fox Trucking in 1982, a trucking business in which he and his father worked together until 2013. From 2004-08, Eugene Fox hauled crude oil from wells on the Blood Reserve to terminals in southern Alberta. Eugene Fox is a member of the Blood Band and the customary Many Children Clan and Many White Horses Band of Aaapaitsitapi (Weasel People), whose existence supercedes the Blood Band, a 1936 creation of the Indian Act.
Moderator: Jim Byrne
Date:Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole.
This panel discussion will attempt to shed light from different perspectives on the many issues involved and also touch upon to what degree relationships with previous land renters should be considered in the context of signing new agreements.
Panel members: Rep. from Blood Tribe Chief and Council, Lois Frank and Eugene Fox
No bio available for the representative from the Blood Tribe Chief and Council
Lois V. Frank, B.Sc. M.A. Ph.D. Candidate – Gonzaga University is a member of the Blood Tribe and is completing a Ph.D. in Environmental Justice from Gonzaga University in Washington. Lois has worked as a Lecturer in the Native American Studies Dept. at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to that, she taught in the Criminal Justice Program at Lethbridge College.
Lois has received many certificates for her achievements including the Alberta Jubilee Medallion from the Alberta Solicitor General and is a past Chairperson for the Blood Tribe Police Commission. In 2011, Lois received the Environmental Activist of the Year Award from the Council of Canadians and is currently a National Board member of that organization. She was recently part of a group that won a Federal Court decision regarding land occupant rights on the Blood Reserve.
Eugene Fox is a fourth-generation farmer who started farming in 1960s with his father Floyd Fox on the Blood Reserve prairie land acquired from other Blood Reserve land occupants. From the 1960s until 2013, Eugene and his father developed land & engaged in farming grain products and hay production. In February 2013 Floyd Fox passed away and Eugene continued to occupy and farm the land in accordance with his father's wishes.
Concurrent with farming operations, Eugene established Fox Trucking in 1982, a trucking business in which he and his father worked together until 2013. From 2004-08, Eugene Fox hauled crude oil from wells on the Blood Reserve to terminals in southern Alberta. Eugene Fox is a member of the Blood Band and the customary Many Children Clan and Many White Horses Band of Aaapaitsitapi (Weasel People), whose existence supercedes the Blood Band, a 1936 creation of the Indian Act.
Moderator: Jim Byrne
Date:Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow.
Typically, a high percentage of a city’s seniors (65 and older) own and live in their own homes. Approximately four out of five have paid off the mortgage. These older seniors may be reaching the point of having to decide whether to move into a care facility or stay in their homes. It can be assumed that most would prefer to do the latter, and research shows that may be the least costly alternative. However, elderly seniors may not be able to live independently in their own homes and remain healthy without considerable help.
The speaker will highlight two residences that are designed to be barrier free for aging-in-place and also outline several challenges that have to be overcome before it truly can be a desirable option for many seniors. What are the costs and who will bear the financial responsibility?
Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers.
Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non-physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated in writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy.
Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow.
Typically, a high percentage of a city’s seniors (65 and older) own and live in their own homes. Approximately four out of five have paid off the mortgage. These older seniors may be reaching the point of having to decide whether to move into a care facility or stay in their homes. It can be assumed that most would prefer to do the latter, and research shows that may be the least costly alternative. However, elderly seniors may not be able to live independently in their own homes and remain healthy without considerable help.
The speaker will highlight two residences that are designed to be barrier free for aging-in-place and also outline several challenges that have to be overcome before it truly can be a desirable option for many seniors. What are the costs and who will bear the financial responsibility?
Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers.
Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non-physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated in writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy.
Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts.
We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum risks to our health and the health of the environment. There is substantial evidence that this assumption of low health risk is often false and there are in fact significant risks associated with extensive use of pesticides.
The speaker will present and evaluate some of this recent evidence, explain the mechanisms of action and potential health impacts of key pesticides used in Southern Alberta, and introduce the process used in Risk Assessment for pesticides. New discoveries which might improve the use and efficacy of pesticides in the future will also be discussed.
Speaker: Dr. Alice Hontela
Dr. Hontela is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Water Institute of Sustainable Environments (WISE) University of Lethbridge, where she teaches toxicology and animal physiology, and conducts research in toxicology of pesticides and metals and their effects on aquatic species. She is particularly interested in the health effects of chronic exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of pollutants. Dr. Hontela’s most recent area of research are the effects of mixtures on fish species and the influence of temperature and anoxia on the toxicity of pollutants.
Dr. Hontela completed her PhD at the University of Alberta and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, then worked as a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She was appointed a Canada Research chair in Ecotoxicology at the University of Lethbridge in 2003. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Toxicology and has contributed toxicological data to Environment Canada and other groups of environmental managers.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts.
We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum risks to our health and the health of the environment. There is substantial evidence that this assumption of low health risk is often false and there are in fact significant risks associated with extensive use of pesticides.
The speaker will present and evaluate some of this recent evidence, explain the mechanisms of action and potential health impacts of key pesticides used in Southern Alberta, and introduce the process used in Risk Assessment for pesticides. New discoveries which might improve the use and efficacy of pesticides in the future will also be discussed.
Speaker: Dr. Alice Hontela
Dr. Hontela is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Water Institute of Sustainable Environments (WISE) University of Lethbridge, where she teaches toxicology and animal physiology, and conducts research in toxicology of pesticides and metals and their effects on aquatic species. She is particularly interested in the health effects of chronic exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of pollutants. Dr. Hontela’s most recent area of research are the effects of mixtures on fish species and the influence of temperature and anoxia on the toxicity of pollutants.
Dr. Hontela completed her PhD at the University of Alberta and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, then worked as a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She was appointed a Canada Research chair in Ecotoxicology at the University of Lethbridge in 2003. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Toxicology and has contributed toxicological data to Environment Canada and other groups of environmental managers.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector.
Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost revenues of $17 billion per year or more according to estimates. That loss affects shareholders, oil-workers, pension plans and government revenues across Canada.
Other challenges facing Canada's oil export market are surging production in the U.S.; protectionist attacks against Canadian oil by competitors; and increasingly powerful opposition from activists and aboriginal communities in both Canada and the United States. Pipelines, in particular, are facing intense opposition, mostly by forces outside of Alberta who do not care that without the export of Alberta's oil, Canada's economy may suffer, from coast to coast.
Our speaker will discuss Canada's oil-export challenges, the risks and benefits of moving oil by other modes of transportation (such as rail and truck), and the risks to Canada's economy from inaction on infrastructure.
Speaker: Kenneth Green Ph.D.
Dr. Kenneth P. Green is Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies, at Canada’s Fraser Institute where he studies public policy relating to natural resources. His specialty areas are energy, mining, and environmental policy. He has been studying these policy areas for over 20 years at think tanks across North America.
By training, Dr. Green is a biologist and environmental scientist, holding BS and MS degrees in general and molecular biology, as well as a Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering degree, awarded by the University of California, Los Angeles.
Over his 20 years in public policy research, Ken has authored numerous policy studies and has testified before many branches of the US and Canadian governments, as well as state and provincial regulatory bodies in North America. Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector.
Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost revenues of $17 billion per year or more according to estimates. That loss affects shareholders, oil-workers, pension plans and government revenues across Canada.
Other challenges facing Canada's oil export market are surging production in the U.S.; protectionist attacks against Canadian oil by competitors; and increasingly powerful opposition from activists and aboriginal communities in both Canada and the United States. Pipelines, in particular, are facing intense opposition, mostly by forces outside of Alberta who do not care that without the export of Alberta's oil, Canada's economy may suffer, from coast to coast.
Our speaker will discuss Canada's oil-export challenges, the risks and benefits of moving oil by other modes of transportation (such as rail and truck), and the risks to Canada's economy from inaction on infrastructure.
Speaker: Kenneth Green Ph.D.
Dr. Kenneth P. Green is Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies, at Canada’s Fraser Institute where he studies public policy relating to natural resources. His specialty areas are energy, mining, and environmental policy. He has been studying these policy areas for over 20 years at think tanks across North America.
By training, Dr. Green is a biologist and environmental scientist, holding BS and MS degrees in general and molecular biology, as well as a Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering degree, awarded by the University of California, Los Angeles.
Over his 20 years in public policy research, Ken has authored numerous policy studies and has testified before many branches of the US and Canadian governments, as well as state and provincial regulatory bodies in North America. Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are fair.
The Harper Government says it will boost penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud and empower political parties, as opposed to Elections Canada, to drive voter turnout. For many voters, it will be harder to cast a ballot because vouching for someone will no longer be an option, a system the government argues is too vulnerable to fraud. Elections Canada will not, as in the past, be able to run advertising campaigns encouraging people to vote, while political donation limits are set to go up. Also among proposals in the Fair Elections Act; sitting MP’s would be selecting election workers at polling stations in their riding.
The speaker will assess the overall fairness of the proposed legislation and speculate on whether some of the suggestions from opposition parties and the Senate panel will be included in the act before it is finally passed into law.
Speaker: Duane Bratt, Ph.D.
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Moderator: Keith McLaughlin
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are fair.
The Harper Government says it will boost penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud and empower political parties, as opposed to Elections Canada, to drive voter turnout. For many voters, it will be harder to cast a ballot because vouching for someone will no longer be an option, a system the government argues is too vulnerable to fraud. Elections Canada will not, as in the past, be able to run advertising campaigns encouraging people to vote, while political donation limits are set to go up. Also among proposals in the Fair Elections Act; sitting MP’s would be selecting election workers at polling stations in their riding.
The speaker will assess the overall fairness of the proposed legislation and speculate on whether some of the suggestions from opposition parties and the Senate panel will be included in the act before it is finally passed into law.
Speaker: Duane Bratt, Ph.D.
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.
Moderator: Keith McLaughlin
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity.
Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards reducing use of fossil fuels and mitigating detrimental effects of greenhouse gases. Lethbridge lies well within the sun belt of Canada with approximately 2,500 hours of bright sunlight annually in comparison with for instance, Vancouver’s1,900. However, Lethbridge lags behind the rest of the province and even Canada in the installation of photovoltaic arrays. Why is this?
The speaker will outline his and others experiences in installing photovoltaic arrays in Lethbridge. How does one go about getting it done? What are the systems available and what are their differences? What are the obstacles, costs, benefits and rewards?
Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D.
Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations. He is an avid world traveler, gardener, naturalist and “mister fix it.”
Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, April 24, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity.
Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards reducing use of fossil fuels and mitigating detrimental effects of greenhouse gases. Lethbridge lies well within the sun belt of Canada with approximately 2,500 hours of bright sunlight annually in comparison with for instance, Vancouver’s1,900. However, Lethbridge lags behind the rest of the province and even Canada in the installation of photovoltaic arrays. Why is this?
The speaker will outline his and others experiences in installing photovoltaic arrays in Lethbridge. How does one go about getting it done? What are the systems available and what are their differences? What are the obstacles, costs, benefits and rewards?
Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D.
Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations. He is an avid world traveler, gardener, naturalist and “mister fix it.”
Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, April 24, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31.
The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge (ACL) co-ordinates the activities of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Lethbridge and helps various organizations, including school districts and women’s and children’s organizations, access funding. The speakers will argue many programs are in limbo and that lack of funding is already affecting several community initiatives negatively. The ACL may not be able to continue in its present capacity.
Speakers: Linda Many Guns and Jacinda Weiss
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development in Canada.
Jacinda Weiss earned her BA in psychology at the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Since 2008, she has been the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge which includes the Aborignal Opportunities Employment Centre and the Aboriginal Diversity Support Program, targeting human rights, racism and discrimination. The goal of ACL is to bring the community together to support and address key issues affecting Aboriginal people
Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 17, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31.
The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge (ACL) co-ordinates the activities of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Lethbridge and helps various organizations, including school districts and women’s and children’s organizations, access funding. The speakers will argue many programs are in limbo and that lack of funding is already affecting several community initiatives negatively. The ACL may not be able to continue in its present capacity.
Speakers: Linda Many Guns and Jacinda Weiss
Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development in Canada.
Jacinda Weiss earned her BA in psychology at the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Since 2008, she has been the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge which includes the Aborignal Opportunities Employment Centre and the Aboriginal Diversity Support Program, targeting human rights, racism and discrimination. The goal of ACL is to bring the community together to support and address key issues affecting Aboriginal people
Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 17, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers at Canada's railways and suggesting the companies — CN and CP — have not done everything they can to meet the demand for rail cars.
The speaker will address these issues and the long term opportunities & challenges for Canadian grain producers. He will also outline the role of the Grain Growers of Canada in marketing the crop and who the main grain exporters in Canada are now that the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly has ended. Where are the main export markets for Canadian grain? Are farmers benefitting from more competition among grain handling companies? What are some of the options Provincial and Federal Governments can use in assisting farmers generally, but more particularly, in marketing their grain?
Speaker: Gary Stanford
Gary Stanford is the President of Grain Growers of Canada. He is the also the Director Representative for the Alberta Wheat Commission and has enjoyed participating in agriculture policy development through farm associations since 1996. Gary is just back from the Global Grain Asia conference in Singapore where he presented the Canadian grain market outlook to delegates from numerous countries.
Gary is a proponent of sustainability practices related to soil stewardship which are helpful on his farm, since he lives in the dry and windy climate of southern Alberta. Many of these sustainability practices have been followed traditionally on Gary’s farm since the time of his grandfather who in 1903 was the first farmer to grow winter wheat in Alberta.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers at Canada's railways and suggesting the companies — CN and CP — have not done everything they can to meet the demand for rail cars.
The speaker will address these issues and the long term opportunities & challenges for Canadian grain producers. He will also outline the role of the Grain Growers of Canada in marketing the crop and who the main grain exporters in Canada are now that the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly has ended. Where are the main export markets for Canadian grain? Are farmers benefitting from more competition among grain handling companies? What are some of the options Provincial and Federal Governments can use in assisting farmers generally, but more particularly, in marketing their grain?
Speaker: Gary Stanford
Gary Stanford is the President of Grain Growers of Canada. He is the also the Director Representative for the Alberta Wheat Commission and has enjoyed participating in agriculture policy development through farm associations since 1996. Gary is just back from the Global Grain Asia conference in Singapore where he presented the Canadian grain market outlook to delegates from numerous countries.
Gary is a proponent of sustainability practices related to soil stewardship which are helpful on his farm, since he lives in the dry and windy climate of southern Alberta. Many of these sustainability practices have been followed traditionally on Gary’s farm since the time of his grandfather who in 1903 was the first farmer to grow winter wheat in Alberta.
Moderator: TBA
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed.
The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most Albertans and municipalities as the Conservatives continue to jack up debt while failing to provide adequate funding for vital programs and services. The speaker calls it the “Over-Under Budget” as everyday hardworking Albertans continue to be overtaxed and underserved. The speaker will argue that the Liberal Party has plans to deal with classrooms that are overcrowded, patients that endure long health care wait times, post-secondary education that is underfunded and the lack of affordable drugs and living accommodations for many senior’s. Public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights and responsible resource development, including proposed urban drilling in Lethbridge, will also be discussed.
Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal Opposition
Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on March 3, 2008. He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008 until November 22, 2010. In September 2011, Dr. Sherman became the Leader of the Official Opposition Liberals. He was re-elected MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012 and continue to serve as Leader of the Alberta Liberal Opposition in the current Legislature.
In July 2011, Dr. Sherman was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. He continues to practice medicine on week-ends and is a keynote speaker and panelist at national health conferences. Dr. Sherman is also a clinical lecturer at University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and is a past member of the U of A Senate.
Moderator: Mark Nelson Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed.
The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most Albertans and municipalities as the Conservatives continue to jack up debt while failing to provide adequate funding for vital programs and services. The speaker calls it the “Over-Under Budget” as everyday hardworking Albertans continue to be overtaxed and underserved. The speaker will argue that the Liberal Party has plans to deal with classrooms that are overcrowded, patients that endure long health care wait times, post-secondary education that is underfunded and the lack of affordable drugs and living accommodations for many senior’s. Public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights and responsible resource development, including proposed urban drilling in Lethbridge, will also be discussed.
Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal Opposition
Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on March 3, 2008. He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008 until November 22, 2010. In September 2011, Dr. Sherman became the Leader of the Official Opposition Liberals. He was re-elected MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012 and continue to serve as Leader of the Alberta Liberal Opposition in the current Legislature.
In July 2011, Dr. Sherman was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. He continues to practice medicine on week-ends and is a keynote speaker and panelist at national health conferences. Dr. Sherman is also a clinical lecturer at University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and is a past member of the U of A Senate.
Moderator: Mark Nelson Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many recent events have brought the issues of Canadian military veterans to public attention. There is concern about suicide and they often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some come home with missing limbs, many are not sure where to fit in, and what their future holds. Most people has little idea what veterans have experienced before they return to civilian life.
The speaker works for an organization, CANPRAXIS, which offers programs to Canada’s veterans. He will explore the reasons for depression, the stigma of weakness, and a variety of other issues, including recent cuts to services, which veterans face upon discharge whether through retirement or injury. He will help us understand what they need from the federal Government and from us as a society.
Speaker: Steve Critchley
Steve Critchley is a practicing mediator with international experience. He has taught mediation programs overseas in the UK, Italy, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Dubai. During the Bosnian war, Steve witnessed human conflict at its worst. His experiences included negotiating with armed belligerents and establishing small local areas of trust and cooperation.
Steve has acted as a Harassment Investigator, a Harassment Advisor, and as an Assisting Officer for the Canadian Forces during harassment complaints and investigations. He started the Certificate Program in Conflict Management offered at the University of Calgary by the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society.
Steve has been involved in large group mediations including directors, managers, Human Resources, Union officials, lawyers, advocates, foremen, supervisors, and laborers. Issues have included harassment complaints, performance reviews, wrongful dismissal, and breakdown in communication and job performance.
Moderator: Ed Bardock
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many recent events have brought the issues of Canadian military veterans to public attention. There is concern about suicide and they often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some come home with missing limbs, many are not sure where to fit in, and what their future holds. Most people has little idea what veterans have experienced before they return to civilian life.
The speaker works for an organization, CANPRAXIS, which offers programs to Canada’s veterans. He will explore the reasons for depression, the stigma of weakness, and a variety of other issues, including recent cuts to services, which veterans face upon discharge whether through retirement or injury. He will help us understand what they need from the federal Government and from us as a society.
Speaker: Steve Critchley
Steve Critchley is a practicing mediator with international experience. He has taught mediation programs overseas in the UK, Italy, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Dubai. During the Bosnian war, Steve witnessed human conflict at its worst. His experiences included negotiating with armed belligerents and establishing small local areas of trust and cooperation.
Steve has acted as a Harassment Investigator, a Harassment Advisor, and as an Assisting Officer for the Canadian Forces during harassment complaints and investigations. He started the Certificate Program in Conflict Management offered at the University of Calgary by the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society.
Steve has been involved in large group mediations including directors, managers, Human Resources, Union officials, lawyers, advocates, foremen, supervisors, and laborers. Issues have included harassment complaints, performance reviews, wrongful dismissal, and breakdown in communication and job performance.
Moderator: Ed Bardock
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
(Special Session in partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library) Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Main Branch, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome
Many First Nations people are reacting with disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that was released recently. Under the draft legislation, band councils would be allowed to operate schools directly, as some already do, but also to purchase services from provincial or regional school boards or from the private sector. First Nations could also form education authorities that would oversee one or more schools in a region, but the Federal Government would set and enforce standards for schools on reserves. As well, the minister would retain power to take over schools or school authorities if issues arise.
The panel will discuss the timeline of implementation and why it is being proposed. What is the history of Federal legislation for First Nations education in Canada? What were the problems and focus of Residential Schools? How are Industrial Schools working? Are First Nations in control of education on reserves now? What is the real reason for the proposed changes? Is it all about economics? Is the notion of a balanced education that is grounded in traditional knowledge and culture getting lost in the proposed legislation? What are some key principles of traditional knowledge and culture? What is Blackfoot pedagogy and who needs to be involved while creating a blueprint for First Nations education? Where does Elders fit in?
Brenda Gail Fox: Niisto niitaanikko Ma’taaki. Is currently teaching Grade One at Aahsaopi Elementary School. Completed her BA in Native American Studies minoring in Social Studies. Brenda also completed her B.Ed. in the Niitsitaapii Education Program and is currently teaching Blackfoot Language and Culture in a Grade One Class. She is also working on completing her Master's Degree in Education.
Kanakii Mekaisto: Nihstawok Iikanahsoyakii, Was raised in Siksika First Nation and has a Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. Kanakii is a candidate in the Master’s Degree program of Education at the University of Lethbridge and is at present also contracted to work as a Resource Worker at Crowfoot Elementary School in the Siksika Nation.
Genevieve Bruised Head: Teaches grade 5 at Chiila Elementary School, Tsuu T'ina Nation. Genevieve is currently enrolled in the Master’s Degree program of Education at the University of Lethbridge. She previously earned her B.A/B.ED.
(Special Session in partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library) Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Main Branch, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome
Many First Nations people are reacting with disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that was released recently. Under the draft legislation, band councils would be allowed to operate schools directly, as some already do, but also to purchase services from provincial or regional school boards or from the private sector. First Nations could also form education authorities that would oversee one or more schools in a region, but the Federal Government would set and enforce standards for schools on reserves. As well, the minister would retain power to take over schools or school authorities if issues arise.
The panel will discuss the timeline of implementation and why it is being proposed. What is the history of Federal legislation for First Nations education in Canada? What were the problems and focus of Residential Schools? How are Industrial Schools working? Are First Nations in control of education on reserves now? What is the real reason for the proposed changes? Is it all about economics? Is the notion of a balanced education that is grounded in traditional knowledge and culture getting lost in the proposed legislation? What are some key principles of traditional knowledge and culture? What is Blackfoot pedagogy and who needs to be involved while creating a blueprint for First Nations education? Where does Elders fit in?
Brenda Gail Fox: Niisto niitaanikko Ma’taaki. Is currently teaching Grade One at Aahsaopi Elementary School. Completed her BA in Native American Studies minoring in Social Studies. Brenda also completed her B.Ed. in the Niitsitaapii Education Program and is currently teaching Blackfoot Language and Culture in a Grade One Class. She is also working on completing her Master's Degree in Education.
Kanakii Mekaisto: Nihstawok Iikanahsoyakii, Was raised in Siksika First Nation and has a Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. Kanakii is a candidate in the Master’s Degree program of Education at the University of Lethbridge and is at present also contracted to work as a Resource Worker at Crowfoot Elementary School in the Siksika Nation.
Genevieve Bruised Head: Teaches grade 5 at Chiila Elementary School, Tsuu T'ina Nation. Genevieve is currently enrolled in the Master’s Degree program of Education at the University of Lethbridge. She previously earned her B.A/B.ED.
In broad terms, diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. It means respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education, and religion.
Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the same opportunities to fulfil their potential. By eliminating prejudice and discrimination, societies are generally healthier and happier.
Acceptance involves understanding and togetherness; it celebrates differences and allows people of different places and lifestyles to live together and help each other. Accepting someone means that you let them completely into your heart regardless of their lifestyle or way of thinking.
Tolerance involves separateness and ignorance; it requires that two sides endure each other’s presence, even though neither one enjoys it. One side is right and the other one is wrong, but there is nothing that you can do about it. You don’t understand why other people are the way they are and you don’t want to know. The speaker will bring into focus the advantage societies can gain when diversity and equality is promoted and accepted by all.
Speaker: Suzanne Doerge
Suzanne Doerge has been the Executive Director of the Ottawa-based organization, City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) since its founding in 2004. CAWI is a unique collaborative of women from diverse communities, organizations, and academia working with municipal decision makers to create a more inclusive city and promote gender equality. In that capacity, she coordinated a coalition of community leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop an Equity and Inclusion Lens for the City of Ottawa.
Ms Doerge, who has a Masters in Adult Education, has designed and facilitated workshops on social issues for community organizations, institutions and governments locally, nationally and internationally. As an organization committed to diversity, CAWI has trained and coached women from a diversity of backgrounds to have skills for bringing their views forward to decision makers and for facilitating learning opportunities in the community that encourage health and quality of life for everyone.
In broad terms, diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. It means respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education, and religion.
Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the same opportunities to fulfil their potential. By eliminating prejudice and discrimination, societies are generally healthier and happier.
Acceptance involves understanding and togetherness; it celebrates differences and allows people of different places and lifestyles to live together and help each other. Accepting someone means that you let them completely into your heart regardless of their lifestyle or way of thinking.
Tolerance involves separateness and ignorance; it requires that two sides endure each other’s presence, even though neither one enjoys it. One side is right and the other one is wrong, but there is nothing that you can do about it. You don’t understand why other people are the way they are and you don’t want to know. The speaker will bring into focus the advantage societies can gain when diversity and equality is promoted and accepted by all.
Speaker: Suzanne Doerge
Suzanne Doerge has been the Executive Director of the Ottawa-based organization, City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) since its founding in 2004. CAWI is a unique collaborative of women from diverse communities, organizations, and academia working with municipal decision makers to create a more inclusive city and promote gender equality. In that capacity, she coordinated a coalition of community leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop an Equity and Inclusion Lens for the City of Ottawa.
Ms Doerge, who has a Masters in Adult Education, has designed and facilitated workshops on social issues for community organizations, institutions and governments locally, nationally and internationally. As an organization committed to diversity, CAWI has trained and coached women from a diversity of backgrounds to have skills for bringing their views forward to decision makers and for facilitating learning opportunities in the community that encourage health and quality of life for everyone.
With Iran on the verge of deploying nuclear weapons, the Al-Qaeda global militant Islamist organization becoming more active throughout the region, the ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Syrian Ba’ath Party government and those seeking to oust it and the ever changing political and security situation in Egypt, the world stands at a critical moment in Middle East affairs.
The speaker will discuss the impact of these challenges for the peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the international geopolitical landscape. He will describe the numerous effects on human security, environment, energy, business, and the evolving geostrategic situation. When it comes to understanding the range of both benefits and risks, few has more knowledge to furnish comprehensive observations and honest assessments than our speaker.
Speaker: Gershon Baskin Ph.D.
Dr. Baskin was the initiator and the person responsible for the secret back channel between Israel and the Hamas that successfully negotiated the release of Israeli abducted soldier Gilead Schalit in October 2011 after more than five years of imprisonment. His book, The Negotiator: Freeing Gilad Schalit from Hamas was published in 2013.
As Co-Director and founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) Dr. Baskin was part of a joint Israeli-Palestinian public policy “think” and “do” tank located in Jerusalem. Since January 2012, he is the Co-Chairman of IPCRI’s Board of Directors. He initiated the founding of IPCRI in 1988 following ten years of work in the field of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel, in Interns for Peace where he lived for two years in the Israeli-Palestinian village of Kufr Qara.
Dr. Baskin is also a member of the steering committee of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a member of the Board of board of the Alliance for Middle East Peace and a member of the Editorial Board of the Palestinian Israeli Journal. Since January 2012, Dr. Baskin has been working to develop renewable energy projects around the Middle East.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
With Iran on the verge of deploying nuclear weapons, the Al-Qaeda global militant Islamist organization becoming more active throughout the region, the ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Syrian Ba’ath Party government and those seeking to oust it and the ever changing political and security situation in Egypt, the world stands at a critical moment in Middle East affairs.
The speaker will discuss the impact of these challenges for the peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the international geopolitical landscape. He will describe the numerous effects on human security, environment, energy, business, and the evolving geostrategic situation. When it comes to understanding the range of both benefits and risks, few has more knowledge to furnish comprehensive observations and honest assessments than our speaker.
Speaker: Gershon Baskin Ph.D.
Dr. Baskin was the initiator and the person responsible for the secret back channel between Israel and the Hamas that successfully negotiated the release of Israeli abducted soldier Gilead Schalit in October 2011 after more than five years of imprisonment. His book, The Negotiator: Freeing Gilad Schalit from Hamas was published in 2013.
As Co-Director and founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) Dr. Baskin was part of a joint Israeli-Palestinian public policy “think” and “do” tank located in Jerusalem. Since January 2012, he is the Co-Chairman of IPCRI’s Board of Directors. He initiated the founding of IPCRI in 1988 following ten years of work in the field of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel, in Interns for Peace where he lived for two years in the Israeli-Palestinian village of Kufr Qara.
Dr. Baskin is also a member of the steering committee of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a member of the Board of board of the Alliance for Middle East Peace and a member of the Editorial Board of the Palestinian Israeli Journal. Since January 2012, Dr. Baskin has been working to develop renewable energy projects around the Middle East.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Arden Shibley just returned from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games after spending more than two weeks experiencing Russia’s first attempt at hosting such winter games. In words and pictures, he will speak about and depict the nature of Sochi as a city, and the effects the Olympics had on it. He will also discuss if terrorist threats affected the mood and movement of athletes, tourists and locals alike.
Did controversial homophobic laws in Russia affect the games and people? How well prepared was Sochi for the Olympics? Was media coverage restricted in any way? What were the generally best and worst experiences for visitors and competitors at the games? With the speaker’s camera and keen observance, we get an inside look at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Speaker: Arden Shibley
Arden Shibley is a second year New Media student at the University of Lethbridge. He also owns a local business as a professional photographer. Originally from Calgary, Arden moved to graphic design and photography following a number of years competing as a speed skater at the Olympic Oval there.
After placing successfully in several photo and design competitions leading up to and during his first year of University, Arden became involved with local film and video productions and eventually began covering the World Cup Circuit and Olympic Team Selection events.
Carrying the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch was the start of his passion with the games and while working to find a niche in the photography industry, Arden secured funding to travel to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games as an independent journalist.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Recent events has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. The speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history, culture and politics and has a keen understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada.
As part of the U of L Native Awareness Week, the speaker will explain the many issues involved regarding the Indian Act. He will also discuss whether a very different relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change and lasting co-operation.
Speaker: Paul Chartrand LL.M.
Paul Chartrand is now providing consulting and advisory services on Aboriginal issues following a university career specializing in law and policy relating to indigenous peoples. He is from the Metis community of St Laurent Manitoba. He has held academic appointments in universities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, including that of tenured Professor of Law at the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Visiting Scholar at Australian National University in Canberra and Director of the Aboriginal Governance graduate program at the University of Winnipeg.
The author of some 60 publications, he has advised indigenous organizations on domestic and international issues, including the UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian First Ministers Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Reform (1984-1991). He served as a commissioner on the federal Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), and as a founding director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He was also the first President and CEO of the Institute on Indigenous Government in Vancouver.
Moderator: Linda Many Guns
Date:Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome
Arden Shibley just returned from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games after spending more than two weeks experiencing Russia’s first attempt at hosting such winter games. In words and pictures, he will speak about and depict the nature of Sochi as a city, and the effects the Olympics had on it. He will also discuss if terrorist threats affected the mood and movement of athletes, tourists and locals alike.
Did controversial homophobic laws in Russia affect the games and people? How well prepared was Sochi for the Olympics? Was media coverage restricted in any way? What were the generally best and worst experiences for visitors and competitors at the games? With the speaker’s camera and keen observance, we get an inside look at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Speaker: Arden Shibley
Arden Shibley is a second year New Media student at the University of Lethbridge. He also owns a local business as a professional photographer. Originally from Calgary, Arden moved to graphic design and photography following a number of years competing as a speed skater at the Olympic Oval there.
After placing successfully in several photo and design competitions leading up to and during his first year of University, Arden became involved with local film and video productions and eventually began covering the World Cup Circuit and Olympic Team Selection events.
Carrying the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch was the start of his passion with the games and while working to find a niche in the photography industry, Arden secured funding to travel to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games as an independent journalist.
Moderator: Dylan Purcell
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Recent events has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. The speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history, culture and politics and has a keen understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada.
As part of the U of L Native Awareness Week, the speaker will explain the many issues involved regarding the Indian Act. He will also discuss whether a very different relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change and lasting co-operation.
Speaker: Paul Chartrand LL.M.
Paul Chartrand is now providing consulting and advisory services on Aboriginal issues following a university career specializing in law and policy relating to indigenous peoples. He is from the Metis community of St Laurent Manitoba. He has held academic appointments in universities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, including that of tenured Professor of Law at the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Visiting Scholar at Australian National University in Canberra and Director of the Aboriginal Governance graduate program at the University of Winnipeg.
The author of some 60 publications, he has advised indigenous organizations on domestic and international issues, including the UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian First Ministers Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Reform (1984-1991). He served as a commissioner on the federal Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), and as a founding director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He was also the first President and CEO of the Institute on Indigenous Government in Vancouver.
Moderator: Linda Many Guns
Date:Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome
For the past several months, two “hot button” topics are often leading the headlines in our local media. The proposed move by the province to centralize 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Centres and the planned application by Goldenkey Oil Inc. to drill exploratory wells within municipal boundaries in West Lethbridge are issues that have garnered attention in our community.
SACPA will be hosting Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, as he addresses the Government of Alberta’s plans for Lethbridge, including EMS dispatch consolidation and the impact that potential future resource development may have on residential areas. Additionally, Mr. Weadick will discuss current issues within the Legislature including public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights, and how he plans to represent his vision for the future of Lethbridge in the upcoming Spring 2014 session.
Speaker: Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West
Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. Currently serving as the Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta and member of the Southern Alberta Recovery Ministerial Task Force, Mr. Weadick has also held cabinet positions as the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, as well as Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs.
He has served on many all-party committees within the Legislative Assembly, including the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committee on the Economy and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Mr. Weadick has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge. Mr. Weadick served on Lethbridge City council for nine years starting in 1991 and has volunteered with many local organizations in leadership roles.
Moderator: Cameron MacLennan
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
For the past several months, two “hot button” topics are often leading the headlines in our local media. The proposed move by the province to centralize 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Centres and the planned application by Goldenkey Oil Inc. to drill exploratory wells within municipal boundaries in West Lethbridge are issues that have garnered attention in our community.
SACPA will be hosting Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, as he addresses the Government of Alberta’s plans for Lethbridge, including EMS dispatch consolidation and the impact that potential future resource development may have on residential areas. Additionally, Mr. Weadick will discuss current issues within the Legislature including public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights, and how he plans to represent his vision for the future of Lethbridge in the upcoming Spring 2014 session.
Speaker: Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West
Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. Currently serving as the Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta and member of the Southern Alberta Recovery Ministerial Task Force, Mr. Weadick has also held cabinet positions as the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, as well as Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs.
He has served on many all-party committees within the Legislative Assembly, including the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committee on the Economy and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Mr. Weadick has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge. Mr. Weadick served on Lethbridge City council for nine years starting in 1991 and has volunteered with many local organizations in leadership roles.
Moderator: Cameron MacLennan
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Pesticides have played a great role in the green revolution by improving food production around the world and helping reduce disease transmission by insect vectors. Since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, there has been greater awareness of the fate and transport of pesticides in the environment, and studies on their potential impacts on both human and animal health have led to bans of several chemicals such as organochlorines and DDT.
As new pesticides and technologies become available to growers, as climate change is impacting agriculture and as public concerns are rising, how will science contribute to better and smarter crop protection?
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Sheedy
Dr. Sheedy obtained her undergraduate degree at Université Laval in Quebec City, her M.Sc. at the University of Guelph and her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the Institute for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council in Ottawa.
Dr. Sheedy’s research interests consist mainly of trace residue analysis of pesticides, veterinary antibiotics and livestock estrogens in water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. Dr. Sheedy loves the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Pesticides have played a great role in the green revolution by improving food production around the world and helping reduce disease transmission by insect vectors. Since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, there has been greater awareness of the fate and transport of pesticides in the environment, and studies on their potential impacts on both human and animal health have led to bans of several chemicals such as organochlorines and DDT.
As new pesticides and technologies become available to growers, as climate change is impacting agriculture and as public concerns are rising, how will science contribute to better and smarter crop protection?
Speaker: Dr. Claudia Sheedy
Dr. Sheedy obtained her undergraduate degree at Université Laval in Quebec City, her M.Sc. at the University of Guelph and her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the Institute for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council in Ottawa.
Dr. Sheedy’s research interests consist mainly of trace residue analysis of pesticides, veterinary antibiotics and livestock estrogens in water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. Dr. Sheedy loves the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing.
Moderator: Klaus Jericho
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
The official opposition Wildrose Party has, since April 2012, observed Alberta’s provincial government experience many controversies, including oil sands management, resource development, the delivery of health care and Premier Allison Redford’s style of governing. The speaker will discuss some of the urgent issues facing the province of Alberta in 2014 and sketch some alternatives to the direction in which the Progressive Conservative party has chosen to govern.
In particular he will speak to examples of red tape and bureaucracy that is presently apparent, while explaining how MLA’s will be better able to serve the interests of their constituents under a Wildrose Government.
Speaker: Gary Bikman, MLA for Cardston Taber Warner
Gary Bikman was elected April 23, 2012 and is presently the Official Opposition critic for Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. He serves on the standing committees on “Resource Stewardship” and also on “Legislative Offices”. Gary was born and raised in Lethbridge and as a young man he lived in Sweden for two and a half years. He earned his B.Sc. Degree and an MBA at Brigham Young University.
Gary has had extensive business experience, having owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He is also an educator. For many years he taught high school students a class on ethics and morality each weekday morning before school started. Gary taught Management Skills Development at the University of Lethbridge and Life Skills and Employability to trades students at Lethbridge College. Over the years, Gary was elected to several terms in municipal government and has served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and as a councillor.
The official opposition Wildrose Party has, since April 2012, observed Alberta’s provincial government experience many controversies, including oil sands management, resource development, the delivery of health care and Premier Allison Redford’s style of governing. The speaker will discuss some of the urgent issues facing the province of Alberta in 2014 and sketch some alternatives to the direction in which the Progressive Conservative party has chosen to govern.
In particular he will speak to examples of red tape and bureaucracy that is presently apparent, while explaining how MLA’s will be better able to serve the interests of their constituents under a Wildrose Government.
Speaker: Gary Bikman, MLA for Cardston Taber Warner
Gary Bikman was elected April 23, 2012 and is presently the Official Opposition critic for Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. He serves on the standing committees on “Resource Stewardship” and also on “Legislative Offices”. Gary was born and raised in Lethbridge and as a young man he lived in Sweden for two and a half years. He earned his B.Sc. Degree and an MBA at Brigham Young University.
Gary has had extensive business experience, having owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He is also an educator. For many years he taught high school students a class on ethics and morality each weekday morning before school started. Gary taught Management Skills Development at the University of Lethbridge and Life Skills and Employability to trades students at Lethbridge College. Over the years, Gary was elected to several terms in municipal government and has served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and as a councillor.
Freedom of Speech: What does it Mean to You?
The fifth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event addressing the question: “Freedom of Speech: What Does it Mean to You? SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Student Union are collaborating to supply financial and promotional support for the Student Speaker Challenge in addition to the encouragement University of Lethbridge provides.
A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $1000 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $500 and $250 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past the semifinals. All eight competitors will receive U of L Bookstore certificates worth $35.
The Student Speaker Challenge final session will be held in the Markin Hall Atrium on Thursday, Feb 13 from 7 – 8:30 pm. The two Finalists competing for the $1000 first prize are Courtney Rieger and Abby Morning Bull. The two finalists will each speak for approx. 25 minutes before the winner is declared.
Freedom of Speech: What does it Mean to You?
The fifth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event addressing the question: “Freedom of Speech: What Does it Mean to You? SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Student Union are collaborating to supply financial and promotional support for the Student Speaker Challenge in addition to the encouragement University of Lethbridge provides.
A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $1000 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $500 and $250 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past the semifinals. All eight competitors will receive U of L Bookstore certificates worth $35.
The Student Speaker Challenge final session will be held in the Markin Hall Atrium on Thursday, Feb 13 from 7 – 8:30 pm. The two Finalists competing for the $1000 first prize are Courtney Rieger and Abby Morning Bull. The two finalists will each speak for approx. 25 minutes before the winner is declared.
In the fall of 2013, Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner announced major changes to the pension plans Alberta's frontline workers in health care, education, emergency services, cities, towns, colleges, and universities pay into.
The Labour Coalition on Pensions represents 200,000 frontline workers who pay into Alberta’s public sector pension plans and approximately 90,000 retirees.
The Coalition argues that Horner’s proposed changes will slash pension values by more than 25% after 2016 and front-line workers in physically demanding jobs can no longer retire at 60.
Are the workplace pensions of the 70s, 80s, and 90s a thing of the past? Will future retirees have any chance at the income security today’s retired people currently enjoy? Are public sector pension plans actually unsustainable, as the Alberta government says they are? The speaker will argue that the battle over pensions chips away at income security for Alberta’s middle class and presents the possibility of significant inter-generational strife when today’s young people are likely to be more retirement-insecure than any generation since the end of WWII.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips
Shannon Phillips holds an Honours BA in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta. She was Jack Layton’s first Alberta organizer for the federal NDP in 2003. After the 2004 federal election, she moved on to work as the Alberta NDP Director of Communications at the Legislature.
Shannon moved to Lethbridge in 2006 when she started a successful consulting practice to NGOs and labour unions and began writing for magazines. She also worked as a TV producer on a CBC Newsworld international affairs show, On the Map with Avi Lewis. Shannon has been nominated for several magazine awards for her publications in AlbertaViews.
Shannon has worked for the Alberta Federation of Labour since 2009, where she is a senior policy analyst, focusing on energy economics, Alberta’s labour market, and health care. She is one of the staff behind the Labour Coalition on Pensions campaign, truthaboutalbertapensions.ca
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
In the fall of 2013, Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner announced major changes to the pension plans Alberta's frontline workers in health care, education, emergency services, cities, towns, colleges, and universities pay into.
The Labour Coalition on Pensions represents 200,000 frontline workers who pay into Alberta’s public sector pension plans and approximately 90,000 retirees.
The Coalition argues that Horner’s proposed changes will slash pension values by more than 25% after 2016 and front-line workers in physically demanding jobs can no longer retire at 60.
Are the workplace pensions of the 70s, 80s, and 90s a thing of the past? Will future retirees have any chance at the income security today’s retired people currently enjoy? Are public sector pension plans actually unsustainable, as the Alberta government says they are? The speaker will argue that the battle over pensions chips away at income security for Alberta’s middle class and presents the possibility of significant inter-generational strife when today’s young people are likely to be more retirement-insecure than any generation since the end of WWII.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips
Shannon Phillips holds an Honours BA in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta. She was Jack Layton’s first Alberta organizer for the federal NDP in 2003. After the 2004 federal election, she moved on to work as the Alberta NDP Director of Communications at the Legislature.
Shannon moved to Lethbridge in 2006 when she started a successful consulting practice to NGOs and labour unions and began writing for magazines. She also worked as a TV producer on a CBC Newsworld international affairs show, On the Map with Avi Lewis. Shannon has been nominated for several magazine awards for her publications in AlbertaViews.
Shannon has worked for the Alberta Federation of Labour since 2009, where she is a senior policy analyst, focusing on energy economics, Alberta’s labour market, and health care. She is one of the staff behind the Labour Coalition on Pensions campaign, truthaboutalbertapensions.ca
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
For many people, just having money to set aside for savings or investments is a stretch. Then there's the issue of what to do if extra funds are available. Some people will put such funds into relatively safe havens such as GIC’s or bonds but are unsure if these will keep up with inflation. Many retirees have most of their assets in Real Estate and are concerned about rising property taxes and other expenses. Others own stocks directly or through mutual funds and still have the collapse of 2008 fresh in mind. A lot of decisions and choices needs to be made in order to build equity and bolster their retirement accounts.
While about 38 percent of Canadians are now covered by fairly adequate workplace pension plans, the long term future of such plans may be in question. In addition, Canada has universal CPP and OAS plans, but they are often insufficient to maintain the lifestyle most pensioner’s desire. For the majority of people retiring, it is therefore incumbent on themselves to have enough investment income to help pay the inevitable bills.
The speaker will navigate through the many diverse investment risks and opportunities. What are some of the more contentious issues? What rules govern the tax free RRSP and TFSA investment plans? Are workplace pension plans sufficiently funded for the future demographics? What are some of the structural changes taking place in the investment industry in Canada?
Speaker: Shawn Hass
Shawn Hass has 17 years of investment industry experience and recently attained the title of Portfolio Manager. He is also a certified Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and Canadian Investment Manager (CIM). In 2005, Shawn and business partner Jenn Marsh formed a wealth management group with the intention of providing unique investment services not previously offered in southern Alberta.
Shawn also enjoys implementing charitable giving and estate planning strategies for his clients and their families. In the past he has served as a board member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club and also been active with Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Rotary, and Coaldale Kinsmen Club. Away from the office he enjoys landscaping, playing and coaching hockey and spending time camping with his wife Amy and four young children.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch)
For many people, just having money to set aside for savings or investments is a stretch. Then there's the issue of what to do if extra funds are available. Some people will put such funds into relatively safe havens such as GIC’s or bonds but are unsure if these will keep up with inflation. Many retirees have most of their assets in Real Estate and are concerned about rising property taxes and other expenses. Others own stocks directly or through mutual funds and still have the collapse of 2008 fresh in mind. A lot of decisions and choices needs to be made in order to build equity and bolster their retirement accounts.
While about 38 percent of Canadians are now covered by fairly adequate workplace pension plans, the long term future of such plans may be in question. In addition, Canada has universal CPP and OAS plans, but they are often insufficient to maintain the lifestyle most pensioner’s desire. For the majority of people retiring, it is therefore incumbent on themselves to have enough investment income to help pay the inevitable bills.
The speaker will navigate through the many diverse investment risks and opportunities. What are some of the more contentious issues? What rules govern the tax free RRSP and TFSA investment plans? Are workplace pension plans sufficiently funded for the future demographics? What are some of the structural changes taking place in the investment industry in Canada?
Speaker: Shawn Hass
Shawn Hass has 17 years of investment industry experience and recently attained the title of Portfolio Manager. He is also a certified Financial Management Advisor (FMA) and Canadian Investment Manager (CIM). In 2005, Shawn and business partner Jenn Marsh formed a wealth management group with the intention of providing unique investment services not previously offered in southern Alberta.
Shawn also enjoys implementing charitable giving and estate planning strategies for his clients and their families. In the past he has served as a board member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club and also been active with Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Rotary, and Coaldale Kinsmen Club. Away from the office he enjoys landscaping, playing and coaching hockey and spending time camping with his wife Amy and four young children.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost:$11.00 (includes lunch)
It is largely accepted that our society will have to face the reality of climate change. The repercussions from shifts in our climate arguable include alteration of crop patterns, increasing sea levels and severe weather conditions. The process of global warming is believed to be exacerbated by anthropogenic (human) influence, mainly the combustion of fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when burned. The use of biofuels made from existing biomass are considered to be “carbon neutral”, meaning that unlike their petroleum counterparts, they are not contributing to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since they are made from carbon sources that are cyclically occurring in our ecosystem.
Biodiesel is quite effective at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. For each litre of biodiesel consumed, the accepted value of this reduction is 92% when compared to petroleum diesel. This translates into a 161,000 metric tonnes of reductions yearly from the Kyoto biofuel facility, the equivalent of 31,500 cars off the road. The speaker will argue biodiesel represents a shift towards sustainability in the transportation industry. Since it is made from waste greases, animal fats and oilseed crops etc., biodiesel is renewable in nature.
Speaker: Kelsey Prenevost
Kelsey is President of Kyoto Fuels Corporation, a company providing biodiesel and other alternative fuels to Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc. in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry and Microbiology. He has over twelve years’ experience in the Biotechnology sector working with organizations such as the University of Victoria, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the University of Alberta.
Kelsey taught Environmental Issues and Microbiology at Lethbridge College for three years and was also the President of the Southern Alberta Group for the Environment (SAGE) from 2003-07. He sits on the Technical Advisory Committee of Light Up the World Foundation (“LUTW”), a non-profit organization based in Calgary that promotes renewable energy projects in developing communities around the globe.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
It is largely accepted that our society will have to face the reality of climate change. The repercussions from shifts in our climate arguable include alteration of crop patterns, increasing sea levels and severe weather conditions. The process of global warming is believed to be exacerbated by anthropogenic (human) influence, mainly the combustion of fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when burned. The use of biofuels made from existing biomass are considered to be “carbon neutral”, meaning that unlike their petroleum counterparts, they are not contributing to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since they are made from carbon sources that are cyclically occurring in our ecosystem.
Biodiesel is quite effective at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. For each litre of biodiesel consumed, the accepted value of this reduction is 92% when compared to petroleum diesel. This translates into a 161,000 metric tonnes of reductions yearly from the Kyoto biofuel facility, the equivalent of 31,500 cars off the road. The speaker will argue biodiesel represents a shift towards sustainability in the transportation industry. Since it is made from waste greases, animal fats and oilseed crops etc., biodiesel is renewable in nature.
Speaker: Kelsey Prenevost
Kelsey is President of Kyoto Fuels Corporation, a company providing biodiesel and other alternative fuels to Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc. in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry and Microbiology. He has over twelve years’ experience in the Biotechnology sector working with organizations such as the University of Victoria, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the University of Alberta.
Kelsey taught Environmental Issues and Microbiology at Lethbridge College for three years and was also the President of the Southern Alberta Group for the Environment (SAGE) from 2003-07. He sits on the Technical Advisory Committee of Light Up the World Foundation (“LUTW”), a non-profit organization based in Calgary that promotes renewable energy projects in developing communities around the globe.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Recent shooting incidents by the Toronto police have highlighted concerns about how our Canadian police use force. Was it for example good judgment when a cop fired multiple shots into a streetcar killing a sole occupant last July and was it an isolated incident or a sign of a disturbing pattern when RCMP officers tasered an unarmed Robert Dziekanski, who later died, in the Vancouver Airport a few year earlier?
The speaker will rely on his decades of experience as a lawyer and judge to explore this issue. What are the guidelines for police in the use of force? Should the Lethbridge and Canadian public be concerned about police using force casually and inappropriately? What background should we be aware of in these incidents? What are the long term trends concerning police and law enforcement use of force?
Speaker: Vaughan Hembroff LL.B.
Vaughan Hembroff has been a justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta since 1991 after practicing law for 28 years prior. He graduated from the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute high school in 1955 and received his B.A. in political science and English at University of British Columbia before completing his law degree there also.
Among his many law related volunteer positions, Hembroff has been President of the Lethbridge Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society of Alberta. He also served the Lethbridge community as an Alderman on City Council for three terms and was board member and President of the Lethbridge YMCA. Since 1963, he has been a member of Lethbridge Y’s Men Club. In 2003, Hembroff was presented with the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal commemorating Elizabeth’s 50th year as Queen of Great Britain.
Recent shooting incidents by the Toronto police have highlighted concerns about how our Canadian police use force. Was it for example good judgment when a cop fired multiple shots into a streetcar killing a sole occupant last July and was it an isolated incident or a sign of a disturbing pattern when RCMP officers tasered an unarmed Robert Dziekanski, who later died, in the Vancouver Airport a few year earlier?
The speaker will rely on his decades of experience as a lawyer and judge to explore this issue. What are the guidelines for police in the use of force? Should the Lethbridge and Canadian public be concerned about police using force casually and inappropriately? What background should we be aware of in these incidents? What are the long term trends concerning police and law enforcement use of force?
Speaker: Vaughan Hembroff LL.B.
Vaughan Hembroff has been a justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta since 1991 after practicing law for 28 years prior. He graduated from the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute high school in 1955 and received his B.A. in political science and English at University of British Columbia before completing his law degree there also.
Among his many law related volunteer positions, Hembroff has been President of the Lethbridge Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society of Alberta. He also served the Lethbridge community as an Alderman on City Council for three terms and was board member and President of the Lethbridge YMCA. Since 1963, he has been a member of Lethbridge Y’s Men Club. In 2003, Hembroff was presented with the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal commemorating Elizabeth’s 50th year as Queen of Great Britain.
Alberta has one of the most diverse school systems in the world. Its public schools offer a range of specialized alternative programs, from sports academies, to language immersion programs, to faith-based schools.
If you are a Christian in this province, you can send your children to fully-funded Catholic schools and in many school districts, you can send your children to equally-funded Logos programs, which use non-denominational Christian curriculum and teach the Christian faith on a daily basis. In some school districts, you can send your child to a fully-funded, formerly private, Christian school, which has chosen to affiliate with the public system. Finally you can send your children to a “private” Christian school, one which receives provincial funding up to 70% of the per student grant that would go to a public school.
It could therefore be argued that committed Christians have plenty of opportunities to send their kids to schools of their choice and not expect a secular public school system to accommodate certain religious exercises. One example is the recent controversy involving the expectation that students recite the explicitly Christian Lord’s Prayer piped in over the public address system for everyone to hear in a Taber public school. The speaker will provide background information and her perspective on the issue of religion in public schools.
Alberta has one of the most diverse school systems in the world. Its public schools offer a range of specialized alternative programs, from sports academies, to language immersion programs, to faith-based schools.
If you are a Christian in this province, you can send your children to fully-funded Catholic schools and in many school districts, you can send your children to equally-funded Logos programs, which use non-denominational Christian curriculum and teach the Christian faith on a daily basis. In some school districts, you can send your child to a fully-funded, formerly private, Christian school, which has chosen to affiliate with the public system. Finally you can send your children to a “private” Christian school, one which receives provincial funding up to 70% of the per student grant that would go to a public school.
It could therefore be argued that committed Christians have plenty of opportunities to send their kids to schools of their choice and not expect a secular public school system to accommodate certain religious exercises. One example is the recent controversy involving the expectation that students recite the explicitly Christian Lord’s Prayer piped in over the public address system for everyone to hear in a Taber public school. The speaker will provide background information and her perspective on the issue of religion in public schools.
Low income is at the root of more than three decades of food bank use in Canada. Though the circumstances that send someone through the doors of a food bank are diverse – the loss of a job, family breakup, sudden health problems, barriers related to race, disability, or mental illness, among others – it is the widespread lack of income to cushion hard times that is the key factor making Canadian food banks so necessary, particularly for low income families with children.
Since the 1990s, federal and provincial governments have focused more and more on economic growth, getting more people working, and increasing “workforce flexibility” – in other words, the ability of employers to hire and fire, the ability of workers to perform the jobs that are available, and the likelihood that workers will go where the jobs are. Policy decisions related to this priority have included a decrease in support for people who are unable to work or find a job. For example, it is now more difficult to qualify for Employment Insurance, and social assistance benefits continue to be appallingly low, which contributes to millions of yearly food bank visit by Canadians.
In theory, this makes it more likely that people will work rather than collect public benefits. The reality, however, is that well-paying jobs are out of reach for too many, and this “flexibility” is contributing to poverty, food insecurity, and the need to resort to food banks. The speakers will elaborate on trends the Lethbridge food banks are experiencing and what the future may hold.
Speakers: Kelsey Janzen and Dr. John Usher
A Coaldale native, Kelsey Janzen recently resettled there after completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Intercultural Studies at Columbia Bible College in December of 2011, following a nine month internship with a children’s home in Bolivia. She has been a part of the Interfaith team since February of 2012 as the Volunteer Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and feels blessed to be able to work for a non-profit organization that offers such relevant community services.
John Usher is Professor of Organization Theory and President of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA). He was Dean of the Faculty of Management from July 2002 until February 2004. Dr. Usher has extensive expertise in the business world as a strategic planning specialist, production supervisor, senior factory accountant and quality control supervisor at General Motors of Canada. Currently, Dr. Usher also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lethbridge Food Bank Society as President.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Low income is at the root of more than three decades of food bank use in Canada. Though the circumstances that send someone through the doors of a food bank are diverse – the loss of a job, family breakup, sudden health problems, barriers related to race, disability, or mental illness, among others – it is the widespread lack of income to cushion hard times that is the key factor making Canadian food banks so necessary, particularly for low income families with children.
Since the 1990s, federal and provincial governments have focused more and more on economic growth, getting more people working, and increasing “workforce flexibility” – in other words, the ability of employers to hire and fire, the ability of workers to perform the jobs that are available, and the likelihood that workers will go where the jobs are. Policy decisions related to this priority have included a decrease in support for people who are unable to work or find a job. For example, it is now more difficult to qualify for Employment Insurance, and social assistance benefits continue to be appallingly low, which contributes to millions of yearly food bank visit by Canadians.
In theory, this makes it more likely that people will work rather than collect public benefits. The reality, however, is that well-paying jobs are out of reach for too many, and this “flexibility” is contributing to poverty, food insecurity, and the need to resort to food banks. The speakers will elaborate on trends the Lethbridge food banks are experiencing and what the future may hold.
Speakers: Kelsey Janzen and Dr. John Usher
A Coaldale native, Kelsey Janzen recently resettled there after completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Intercultural Studies at Columbia Bible College in December of 2011, following a nine month internship with a children’s home in Bolivia. She has been a part of the Interfaith team since February of 2012 as the Volunteer Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and feels blessed to be able to work for a non-profit organization that offers such relevant community services.
John Usher is Professor of Organization Theory and President of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA). He was Dean of the Faculty of Management from July 2002 until February 2004. Dr. Usher has extensive expertise in the business world as a strategic planning specialist, production supervisor, senior factory accountant and quality control supervisor at General Motors of Canada. Currently, Dr. Usher also serves on the Board of Directors of the Lethbridge Food Bank Society as President.
Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 19, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Alberta’s March 7 provincial budget featured a seven percent cut to basic operational grants for post-secondary institutions, compounded by revocation of an earlier promise of a 2% increase. The Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education has also sent “letters of expectation” to each of the 26 post-secondary institutions in the province, requiring universities and colleges to work more closely with each other.
The University of Lethbridge faced an almost $12 million operating grant cut and combined with heavy cuts at Lethbridge College also, they have had wide-ranging effects on students, faculty, support staff and the Lethbridge economy.
What are the bigger questions raised by this “revolution from above”? Our speaker will discuss these questions in relation to what role post-secondary education and scientific research should have generally and at universities in particular. Should applied commercial research be prioritized over basic scientific research? Are they mutually exclusive and what happens if research results are counter to Government policy?
Speaker: Dr. Robert Sutherland
Rob Sutherland received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He moved to the Department of Psychology at University of Lethbridge in 1980, completing postdoctoral training in Neuropsychology on a NSERC Fellowship and then moving through the faculty ranks.
In 1991, Dr. Sutherland accepted a position at the University of New Mexico where he was Professor of Psychology, Physiology, & Neuroscience and Head of the Behavioural Neuroscience Area. He returned to Lethbridge in 2001 with an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Scientist award. He is now Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience in CCBN. His current research investigates the neurobiology of learning, memory, and amnesia in rodents and humans. Dr. Sutherland is also the president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Alberta’s March 7 provincial budget featured a seven percent cut to basic operational grants for post-secondary institutions, compounded by revocation of an earlier promise of a 2% increase. The Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education has also sent “letters of expectation” to each of the 26 post-secondary institutions in the province, requiring universities and colleges to work more closely with each other.
The University of Lethbridge faced an almost $12 million operating grant cut and combined with heavy cuts at Lethbridge College also, they have had wide-ranging effects on students, faculty, support staff and the Lethbridge economy.
What are the bigger questions raised by this “revolution from above”? Our speaker will discuss these questions in relation to what role post-secondary education and scientific research should have generally and at universities in particular. Should applied commercial research be prioritized over basic scientific research? Are they mutually exclusive and what happens if research results are counter to Government policy?
Speaker: Dr. Robert Sutherland
Rob Sutherland received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He moved to the Department of Psychology at University of Lethbridge in 1980, completing postdoctoral training in Neuropsychology on a NSERC Fellowship and then moving through the faculty ranks.
In 1991, Dr. Sutherland accepted a position at the University of New Mexico where he was Professor of Psychology, Physiology, & Neuroscience and Head of the Behavioural Neuroscience Area. He returned to Lethbridge in 2001 with an Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Scientist award. He is now Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience in CCBN. His current research investigates the neurobiology of learning, memory, and amnesia in rodents and humans. Dr. Sutherland is also the president of the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations.
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many First Nations people are reacting with anger and disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that recently was released by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt.
Under the draft legislation, band councils would be allowed to operate schools directly, as some already do, but also to purchase services from provincial or regional school boards or from the private sector. First Nations could also form education authorities that would oversee one or more schools in a region, but the Federal Government would set and enforce standards for schools on reserves. As well, the minister would retain power to take over a school or school authority if issues arise.
The speaker will argue that in addition to wanting more control over their education, First Nations need fair and predictable funding and that should be part of the package. Schools on reserves presently do not receive the same level of funding as other provincial schools.
Speaker: Sheena Jackson
Sheena Jackson has worked with the Treaty 7 Management Corporation for seven years. In her time there she has successfully negotiated a MOU for First Nations Education in Alberta on behalf of Treaty 7. This mandate is aimed at improving educational services and increasing the number of student graduates in First Nations communities.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Many First Nations people are reacting with anger and disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that recently was released by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt.
Under the draft legislation, band councils would be allowed to operate schools directly, as some already do, but also to purchase services from provincial or regional school boards or from the private sector. First Nations could also form education authorities that would oversee one or more schools in a region, but the Federal Government would set and enforce standards for schools on reserves. As well, the minister would retain power to take over a school or school authority if issues arise.
The speaker will argue that in addition to wanting more control over their education, First Nations need fair and predictable funding and that should be part of the package. Schools on reserves presently do not receive the same level of funding as other provincial schools.
Speaker: Sheena Jackson
Sheena Jackson has worked with the Treaty 7 Management Corporation for seven years. In her time there she has successfully negotiated a MOU for First Nations Education in Alberta on behalf of Treaty 7. This mandate is aimed at improving educational services and increasing the number of student graduates in First Nations communities.
Moderator: Martin Heavy Head
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Since the dawn of time, people have complained about how ‘young people’ speak. Look in the comments section of any website, especially on an article dealing with language or grammar, and you’ll find ‘purist-and-proud-of-it’ commenters who insist that proper language is necessary for proper comprehension and communication, that the English language as we know it is in a serious state of endangerment. Texting and a lack of grammar instruction in schools are often claimed to be the root of the problem. For some reason grammar, or the perceived lack thereof, incurs the wrath of so many English speakers.
Linguists have a very different view of ‘grammar’, and an even more different view of what is deemed ‘ungrammatical’. This presentation will contrast prescriptive views of language held by most people who have gone through the school system with descriptive views of language held by most linguists. The inevitablity of language change, as well as examples of differing social, geographical and situational norms will be discussed.
In other words, don’t bother correcting your kids’ and grandkids’ grammar and pronunciation. You can’t beat ‘em, but you might be able to join ‘em.
Speaker: Dr. Nicole Rosen
Nicole Rosen’s research interests center around effects of language interactions and specifically, languages and dialects spoken in the Canadian Prairies. Her doctoral thesis was a study of Michif, a Cree-French mixed language spoken primarily in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She is also very interested in minority French as spoken in Western Canada, for example comparing Métis and non-Métis varieties of French in the region. Most recently, Dr. Rosen has turned to studying dialect differences in Southern Alberta. She has built a Southern Alberta Corpus of English to begin the investigation of social and linguistic factors involved in language variation between rural and urban speakers as well as variation between speakers of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Since the dawn of time, people have complained about how ‘young people’ speak. Look in the comments section of any website, especially on an article dealing with language or grammar, and you’ll find ‘purist-and-proud-of-it’ commenters who insist that proper language is necessary for proper comprehension and communication, that the English language as we know it is in a serious state of endangerment. Texting and a lack of grammar instruction in schools are often claimed to be the root of the problem. For some reason grammar, or the perceived lack thereof, incurs the wrath of so many English speakers.
Linguists have a very different view of ‘grammar’, and an even more different view of what is deemed ‘ungrammatical’. This presentation will contrast prescriptive views of language held by most people who have gone through the school system with descriptive views of language held by most linguists. The inevitablity of language change, as well as examples of differing social, geographical and situational norms will be discussed.
In other words, don’t bother correcting your kids’ and grandkids’ grammar and pronunciation. You can’t beat ‘em, but you might be able to join ‘em.
Speaker: Dr. Nicole Rosen
Nicole Rosen’s research interests center around effects of language interactions and specifically, languages and dialects spoken in the Canadian Prairies. Her doctoral thesis was a study of Michif, a Cree-French mixed language spoken primarily in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She is also very interested in minority French as spoken in Western Canada, for example comparing Métis and non-Métis varieties of French in the region. Most recently, Dr. Rosen has turned to studying dialect differences in Southern Alberta. She has built a Southern Alberta Corpus of English to begin the investigation of social and linguistic factors involved in language variation between rural and urban speakers as well as variation between speakers of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
There have been drastic changes to science in Canada in recent years. These changes have happened in three distinct ways: reduction in the ability of government scientists to communicate their research to the public, the erosion of our science capacity - especially with respect to fundamental research and environmental monitoring, and a reduction in the role of evidence in policy decisions.
The impacts of these changes go far beyond science. Science and evidence are essential elements for a functioning democracy. Democracy requires citizens who are well informed and transparency and accountability, the twin pillars of democracy, demand that government decisions, and their justification, be made explicit.
These concerned have led to a more vocal scientific community as well as the formation of Evidence for Democracy - a new science-led, national, non-partisan, non-profit organization advocating for science and evidence-based decision-making in Canada.
Speaker: Katie Gibbs
Dr. Katie Gibbs is a scientist, communicator, and organizer who is passionate about the intersection of science and policy. Katie recently finished her PhD in Biology at the University of Ottawa studying broad scale threats to endangered species and the effectiveness of conservation measures.
In the summer of 2012 she was one of the lead organizers of the Death of Evidence rally that was one of the largest science demonstrations in Canadian history. After graduating, she combined her science knowledge with her diverse background organizing and managing various causes and campaigns to become the co-founder and Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy—a new organization that advocates for the use of evidence in government decision making and public policy development.
Moderator: Dave McCaffrey
Date: Monday, November 25, 2013 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE261, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome
In the last municipal election in Lethbridge fewer than 30% of the population bothered to vote despite a staggering 29 candidates vying for the 8 council positions. How is it that a robust campaign with so many candidates did not generate a stronger voter interest? Some candidates argued for a ward system to be brought to Lethbridge to make it easier for voters to make their choices but others argued that Lethbridge should remain an at-large system. Red Deer actually had a referendum on the matter during this election but declined to move to a ward system.
In Calgary and Edmonton the role of developers and the influence of political financing proved to be central election questions, questions that did not escape the Lethbridge election either. What is the role of money, financing rules, and special interest groups in the democratic process? Do we need more regulations or are the current rules about post-election disclosure sufficient?
The speaker will consider these questions as he reviews the 2013 Municipal elections in Alberta.
Speaker: Paul Fairie
Dr. Paul Fairie graduated with his PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary on November 12, 2013 so this marks his first public speech post-doctorate.
He has taught a municipal politics course at the University of Calgary for a number of years and was a favorite commentator on all forms of media for the Municipal elections of 2013 in Calgary. He is currently setting up a consulting firm in Calgary.
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
In the last municipal election in Lethbridge fewer than 30% of the population bothered to vote despite a staggering 29 candidates vying for the 8 council positions. How is it that a robust campaign with so many candidates did not generate a stronger voter interest? Some candidates argued for a ward system to be brought to Lethbridge to make it easier for voters to make their choices but others argued that Lethbridge should remain an at-large system. Red Deer actually had a referendum on the matter during this election but declined to move to a ward system.
In Calgary and Edmonton the role of developers and the influence of political financing proved to be central election questions, questions that did not escape the Lethbridge election either. What is the role of money, financing rules, and special interest groups in the democratic process? Do we need more regulations or are the current rules about post-election disclosure sufficient?
The speaker will consider these questions as he reviews the 2013 Municipal elections in Alberta.
Speaker: Paul Fairie
Dr. Paul Fairie graduated with his PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary on November 12, 2013 so this marks his first public speech post-doctorate.
He has taught a municipal politics course at the University of Calgary for a number of years and was a favorite commentator on all forms of media for the Municipal elections of 2013 in Calgary. He is currently setting up a consulting firm in Calgary.
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
One year ago, four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about the Harper Governments omnibus budget Bill C-45, better known as the Jobs and Growth Act, which had just been introduced in Ottawa. Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilson were concerned the bill would erode indigenous rights. They decided to organize an event in Saskatoon, set for Nov. 10, and to help spread the word they turned to Facebook. They chose to call the page "Idle No More" as a motivational slogan.
Bill C-45 changes legislation contained in 64 acts or regulations. The acts that most concern the Idle No More movement and many other groups are changes to the Indian Act, Navigation Protection Act (former Navigable Waters Protection Act) and Environmental Assessment Act. In addition to the changes, those involved in the movement were angered by what they call a lack of consultation with indigenous peoples. The movement has also expresses concern about other acts and bills from the Harper government, all of which if passed into law, could seriously jeopardize indigenous peoples culture and heritage.
The speaker will draw attention to questionable conduct displayed by Governments, both provincial and federal. Peaceful actions by the Elsipogtog First Nations peoples in New Brunswick to protect their unceded territory from shale gas exploration, using fracking, was allegedly violated during the recent violent confrontation involving the RCMP, who acted on a Court of Queen’s Bench injunction. The court later lifted Southwestern Energy's (SWN) injunction. The original injunction was filed by the Texas based company to end the blockade protecting Mi’kmaq traditional territory from fracking.
Speaker: Lori Brave Rock
Lori Brave Rock is an enrolled member of both the Blood Tribe here in Alberta and the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana; both tribes are a part of the Blackfoot Confederacy which extends up to Calgary and beyond. She is a self-employed stained glass artist and an activist within the Idle No More movement.
Raised traditionally, Lori learned the importance of the relationship Blackfoot people have with their lands, waters, plants and animals and their sacred place within this culture. In the spirit of First Nations as the true stewards of the lands and waters, she urges everyone to become educated on the many environmental issues facing us, including fracking and to take an active role protecting all that we hold dear for the benefit of future generations.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
One year ago, four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about the Harper Governments omnibus budget Bill C-45, better known as the Jobs and Growth Act, which had just been introduced in Ottawa. Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilson were concerned the bill would erode indigenous rights. They decided to organize an event in Saskatoon, set for Nov. 10, and to help spread the word they turned to Facebook. They chose to call the page "Idle No More" as a motivational slogan.
Bill C-45 changes legislation contained in 64 acts or regulations. The acts that most concern the Idle No More movement and many other groups are changes to the Indian Act, Navigation Protection Act (former Navigable Waters Protection Act) and Environmental Assessment Act. In addition to the changes, those involved in the movement were angered by what they call a lack of consultation with indigenous peoples. The movement has also expresses concern about other acts and bills from the Harper government, all of which if passed into law, could seriously jeopardize indigenous peoples culture and heritage.
The speaker will draw attention to questionable conduct displayed by Governments, both provincial and federal. Peaceful actions by the Elsipogtog First Nations peoples in New Brunswick to protect their unceded territory from shale gas exploration, using fracking, was allegedly violated during the recent violent confrontation involving the RCMP, who acted on a Court of Queen’s Bench injunction. The court later lifted Southwestern Energy's (SWN) injunction. The original injunction was filed by the Texas based company to end the blockade protecting Mi’kmaq traditional territory from fracking.
Speaker: Lori Brave Rock
Lori Brave Rock is an enrolled member of both the Blood Tribe here in Alberta and the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana; both tribes are a part of the Blackfoot Confederacy which extends up to Calgary and beyond. She is a self-employed stained glass artist and an activist within the Idle No More movement.
Raised traditionally, Lori learned the importance of the relationship Blackfoot people have with their lands, waters, plants and animals and their sacred place within this culture. In the spirit of First Nations as the true stewards of the lands and waters, she urges everyone to become educated on the many environmental issues facing us, including fracking and to take an active role protecting all that we hold dear for the benefit of future generations.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials are asking residents of southern Alberta to get their children immunized as the best way to defend against a potential measles outbreak. With some towns reporting less than 70 per cent measles vaccination rates, AHS officials say misinformation about the effectiveness of vaccines may be to blame and could be putting children at risk, particularly the very young.
With immunization being a free choice, some people choose not to vaccinate their children thinking there are risks associated with such, however vaccines are generally credited with being reasonable safe, effective and one of the best methods in which societies can reduce mortality in children. Are there any good reasons for not getting vaccinated?
Recent outbreaks in Ontario and British Columbia of measles and whooping cough have health officials concerned an outbreak here could be imminent. The speaker will argue that very high immunization rates can protect our entire population through “herd immunity”, the critical mass needed to stop the spread of communicable diseases including measles, whooping cough and influenza.
Speaker: Dr. Vivien Suttorp
Dr. Vivien Suttorp is the South Zone Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services
Thursday Nov 7 from 12- 1:30pm at Country Kitchen Catering, basement of the Keg Restaurant on Mayor Magrath Drive.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials are asking residents of southern Alberta to get their children immunized as the best way to defend against a potential measles outbreak. With some towns reporting less than 70 per cent measles vaccination rates, AHS officials say misinformation about the effectiveness of vaccines may be to blame and could be putting children at risk, particularly the very young.
With immunization being a free choice, some people choose not to vaccinate their children thinking there are risks associated with such, however vaccines are generally credited with being reasonable safe, effective and one of the best methods in which societies can reduce mortality in children. Are there any good reasons for not getting vaccinated?
Recent outbreaks in Ontario and British Columbia of measles and whooping cough have health officials concerned an outbreak here could be imminent. The speaker will argue that very high immunization rates can protect our entire population through “herd immunity”, the critical mass needed to stop the spread of communicable diseases including measles, whooping cough and influenza.
Speaker: Dr. Vivien Suttorp
Dr. Vivien Suttorp is the South Zone Medical Officer of Health, Alberta Health Services
Thursday Nov 7 from 12- 1:30pm at Country Kitchen Catering, basement of the Keg Restaurant on Mayor Magrath Drive.
Dr. Seuss composed the children's story, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," in which a mean old critter attempted to steal Christmas from a family, only to have a change of heart.
The question may be posed whether the present form of Halloween is an expression of another theft. Since the Middle Ages, Halloween was part of a three-day festival. Various Celtic influences imported themselves into the festival, making it joyful and/or spooky. As time has gone by, a great variety of customs and practices began to colour the event.
Commercialization and media hype have had a big influence on Halloween in recent years. If you have not visited Halloween Alley in Lethbridge around Center Village Mall, you should, just to see the potential for this Halloween.
Various individuals and groups have tried to redeem the way in which Halloween is overdone. Nevertheless, absurd and extreme practices continue, which may be the reason why some are quite serious in opposing the day altogether.
Finally, what does it mean for a festival to lose its roots, as is the case with Halloween and many other festivals?
Speaker: Austin Fennell
Dr. Austin Fennell is a retired minister of the United Church. He has chaired the SACPA Board for a few years, as well as the Lethbridge Symphony Association, and the Board of the United Church Historical Society. He is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, St. Andrew's College and the University of Glasgow (Ph.D.) More recently he has been engaged in researching various aspects of Lethbridge History, publishing a book in 2011 on the early years of Southminster United Church.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, October 31, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Dr. Seuss composed the children's story, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," in which a mean old critter attempted to steal Christmas from a family, only to have a change of heart.
The question may be posed whether the present form of Halloween is an expression of another theft. Since the Middle Ages, Halloween was part of a three-day festival. Various Celtic influences imported themselves into the festival, making it joyful and/or spooky. As time has gone by, a great variety of customs and practices began to colour the event.
Commercialization and media hype have had a big influence on Halloween in recent years. If you have not visited Halloween Alley in Lethbridge around Center Village Mall, you should, just to see the potential for this Halloween.
Various individuals and groups have tried to redeem the way in which Halloween is overdone. Nevertheless, absurd and extreme practices continue, which may be the reason why some are quite serious in opposing the day altogether.
Finally, what does it mean for a festival to lose its roots, as is the case with Halloween and many other festivals?
Speaker: Austin Fennell
Dr. Austin Fennell is a retired minister of the United Church. He has chaired the SACPA Board for a few years, as well as the Lethbridge Symphony Association, and the Board of the United Church Historical Society. He is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, St. Andrew's College and the University of Glasgow (Ph.D.) More recently he has been engaged in researching various aspects of Lethbridge History, publishing a book in 2011 on the early years of Southminster United Church.
Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, October 31, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
It’s a topic we’re really not comfortable discussing, but it’s just not going away. With a constitutional court challenge in BC and legislation pending in Quebec, the question of whether Canadians should be able to choose medical help to die when they are at the end of life is one of the most significant civil rights issues of our time.
The speaker will be addressing this issue from a variety of perspectives including the language of the debate, the logic of the arguments, the legal principles at stake, the evidence from experience and the impact on those working with the sick and dying.
Speaker: Wanda Morris
Wanda Morris is Executive Director of Dying With Dignity. She has been involved in the right to die movement for many years, including making a submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care and acting as a witness in the recent Gloria Taylor case in BC. Ms. Morris is a Chartered Accountant, a former member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Transforming Spirituality.
Dying With Dignity (DWD) is a national charity with over 2400 members and supporters and a 30 year history of improving quality of dying. DWD supports those who want a gentle death by informing them of their rights and options, and expanding their end-of-life choices.
It’s a topic we’re really not comfortable discussing, but it’s just not going away. With a constitutional court challenge in BC and legislation pending in Quebec, the question of whether Canadians should be able to choose medical help to die when they are at the end of life is one of the most significant civil rights issues of our time.
The speaker will be addressing this issue from a variety of perspectives including the language of the debate, the logic of the arguments, the legal principles at stake, the evidence from experience and the impact on those working with the sick and dying.
Speaker: Wanda Morris
Wanda Morris is Executive Director of Dying With Dignity. She has been involved in the right to die movement for many years, including making a submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care and acting as a witness in the recent Gloria Taylor case in BC. Ms. Morris is a Chartered Accountant, a former member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Transforming Spirituality.
Dying With Dignity (DWD) is a national charity with over 2400 members and supporters and a 30 year history of improving quality of dying. DWD supports those who want a gentle death by informing them of their rights and options, and expanding their end-of-life choices.
The answers to these questions are clear but not widely known. Juries are completely free to return any verdict they wish to return. Juries are not constrained in this by the law. There is no penalty for coming to whatever verdict the jury wishes to come to. Coming to a verdict which is at odds with the letter of the law is called jury nullification. Juries can, in effect, nullify the law. Juries, in regard to their verdicts, are free of the law and of judicial instruction.
Jury nullification is not a frequent occurrence, but arises in cases where the law seems at odds with justice. The most famous case in Canada was that of Henry Morgentaler, who was tried four times for conducting abortions in the 1970s and 80s when this was clearly illegal. There was no question that Morgentaler had conducted abortions in defiance of the law; he publicly admitted to having conducted thousands of them and even conducted one on television. But none of his four juries would convict him.
Why don’t more people know about this power of jury nullification? Most judges want juries to follow the law and render verdicts accordingly, and they do everything they can to suppress the possibility of juries acting independently of the law. That is understandable: judges are agents of the legal system and their job is to make the system work. So they correctly emphasize the law in their instructions to juries. We ought not to expect them to do otherwise.
It would seem reasonable then, that defense lawyers could tell juries that they have this right. But in Canada, lawyers are prohibited from mentioning that possibility to juries. It is all a big secret and as such, it is not available to most juries. If they do not know about this power they cannot use it. The speaker will contend that some Canadian defendants may be blocked from having the benefit of an independent jury, which arguable could be a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Speaker: Gary Bauslaugh
Gary Bauslaugh is a writer and editor who spent many years as teacher and administrator in the BC College and University system, ending with a stint in 1994 to 98 as CEO of a Provincial education agency. Bauslaugh, who has a PhD in Chemistry from McGill, has written scientific research papers as well as many articles for various publications such as The Skeptical Inquirer, The Humanist, Humanist Perspectives, University Affairs and Policy Options. In the early 2000’s he wrote a series of seventeen op ed articles for the Vancouver Sun. He was Editor of the magazine Humanist Perspectives (previously The Humanist in Canada) from 2003 to 2008. His boo
The answers to these questions are clear but not widely known. Juries are completely free to return any verdict they wish to return. Juries are not constrained in this by the law. There is no penalty for coming to whatever verdict the jury wishes to come to. Coming to a verdict which is at odds with the letter of the law is called jury nullification. Juries can, in effect, nullify the law. Juries, in regard to their verdicts, are free of the law and of judicial instruction.
Jury nullification is not a frequent occurrence, but arises in cases where the law seems at odds with justice. The most famous case in Canada was that of Henry Morgentaler, who was tried four times for conducting abortions in the 1970s and 80s when this was clearly illegal. There was no question that Morgentaler had conducted abortions in defiance of the law; he publicly admitted to having conducted thousands of them and even conducted one on television. But none of his four juries would convict him.
Why don’t more people know about this power of jury nullification? Most judges want juries to follow the law and render verdicts accordingly, and they do everything they can to suppress the possibility of juries acting independently of the law. That is understandable: judges are agents of the legal system and their job is to make the system work. So they correctly emphasize the law in their instructions to juries. We ought not to expect them to do otherwise.
It would seem reasonable then, that defense lawyers could tell juries that they have this right. But in Canada, lawyers are prohibited from mentioning that possibility to juries. It is all a big secret and as such, it is not available to most juries. If they do not know about this power they cannot use it. The speaker will contend that some Canadian defendants may be blocked from having the benefit of an independent jury, which arguable could be a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Speaker: Gary Bauslaugh
Gary Bauslaugh is a writer and editor who spent many years as teacher and administrator in the BC College and University system, ending with a stint in 1994 to 98 as CEO of a Provincial education agency. Bauslaugh, who has a PhD in Chemistry from McGill, has written scientific research papers as well as many articles for various publications such as The Skeptical Inquirer, The Humanist, Humanist Perspectives, University Affairs and Policy Options. In the early 2000’s he wrote a series of seventeen op ed articles for the Vancouver Sun. He was Editor of the magazine Humanist Perspectives (previously The Humanist in Canada) from 2003 to 2008. His boo
The Lethbridge Hurricanes Western Hockey League (WHL) franchise began in Winnipeg 45 years ago as the Winnipeg Jets. The franchise stayed in Winnipeg until the conclusion of the 1976-1977 season, along the way changing its name to the Winnipeg Clubs and later, the Winnipeg Monarchs. The franchise moved to Calgary for the 1977-78 season playing there as the Wranglers for 10 seasons before relocating to their current home in Lethbridge as the Hurricanes in 1987. The first Lethbridge WHL franchise arrived in 1974 when the Broncos were acquired from Swift Current only to see them return there following the 1985-86 season.
The speakers will present their perspective on the many and ongoing issues that a WHL franchise has to deal with in order to be competitive, viable and respected. They will also discuss community versus corporate ownership as well as the impact the Hurricane franchise has on the City of Lethbridge and the surrounding area.
Speakers: Brian McNaughton and Brian Wichers
Brian McNaughton is the President of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and active with Hockey Alberta. Away from hockey, he has agriculture businesses in Canada, USA and Chile.
Brian Wichers is a Lethbridge businessman and strong supporter of many community associations. He is currently the Vice-President of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes Western Hockey League (WHL) franchise began in Winnipeg 45 years ago as the Winnipeg Jets. The franchise stayed in Winnipeg until the conclusion of the 1976-1977 season, along the way changing its name to the Winnipeg Clubs and later, the Winnipeg Monarchs. The franchise moved to Calgary for the 1977-78 season playing there as the Wranglers for 10 seasons before relocating to their current home in Lethbridge as the Hurricanes in 1987. The first Lethbridge WHL franchise arrived in 1974 when the Broncos were acquired from Swift Current only to see them return there following the 1985-86 season.
The speakers will present their perspective on the many and ongoing issues that a WHL franchise has to deal with in order to be competitive, viable and respected. They will also discuss community versus corporate ownership as well as the impact the Hurricane franchise has on the City of Lethbridge and the surrounding area.
Speakers: Brian McNaughton and Brian Wichers
Brian McNaughton is the President of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and active with Hockey Alberta. Away from hockey, he has agriculture businesses in Canada, USA and Chile.
Brian Wichers is a Lethbridge businessman and strong supporter of many community associations. He is currently the Vice-President of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Resource development inside municipal boundaries might sound strange, but given Alberta’s geological landscape it is rare to find municipalities that don’t have some type of energy project affecting lands within their corporate boundaries. The City of Lethbridge is one of these municipalities so affected. Arguable, the challenge is to ensure impacts are minimized, public safety is maintained and corporate needs are met all the while providing business opportunity and contributing to society’s growing energy demands. How can the balance be struck?
The speakers will present specific plans for further development of existing resource extraction potentially underlying portions of the southwest sections of the municipality. The presentation will cover the details of the drilling, completion, and production plans while also giving a background of the company, the regulatory environment, and future land use matters. The presenters will be pleased to field any questions and provide further information as requested.
Speakers: Tim Robillard and David Hill
Tim Robillard and David Hill are speaking as company representatives
Moderator: Bob Campbell Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Resource development inside municipal boundaries might sound strange, but given Alberta’s geological landscape it is rare to find municipalities that don’t have some type of energy project affecting lands within their corporate boundaries. The City of Lethbridge is one of these municipalities so affected. Arguable, the challenge is to ensure impacts are minimized, public safety is maintained and corporate needs are met all the while providing business opportunity and contributing to society’s growing energy demands. How can the balance be struck?
The speakers will present specific plans for further development of existing resource extraction potentially underlying portions of the southwest sections of the municipality. The presentation will cover the details of the drilling, completion, and production plans while also giving a background of the company, the regulatory environment, and future land use matters. The presenters will be pleased to field any questions and provide further information as requested.
Speakers: Tim Robillard and David Hill
Tim Robillard and David Hill are speaking as company representatives
Moderator: Bob Campbell Date: Thursday, October 3, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)
Private ownership is one of the cornerstones of our system. Each person is responsible for the care, maintenance and development of their own land, house or business. But what happens when a privately owned historic building is historically valuable?
Lethbridge has a number of historically significant buildings that need repair and some of them are held privately. In some cases, like the Bow on Tong and Manie Opera Society buildings, provincial and municipal governments have provided approximately $80,000 in support of stabilization of these historically important privately held buildings. But should public money support the restoration of private historic buildings? And, if so, how? The speaker will explore this issue and suggest ways for private ownership and public need to harmoniously work together.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is a member of the Lethbridge Historical Society's Heritage Conservation Committee and sits as the LHS representative on the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Committee. The LHS Heritage Conservation Committee, one of many initiatives of the historical society, is designed to advocate for historic buildings. Belinda is also the current President of the Historical Society of Alberta and the author of four books on local history.
Private ownership is one of the cornerstones of our system. Each person is responsible for the care, maintenance and development of their own land, house or business. But what happens when a privately owned historic building is historically valuable?
Lethbridge has a number of historically significant buildings that need repair and some of them are held privately. In some cases, like the Bow on Tong and Manie Opera Society buildings, provincial and municipal governments have provided approximately $80,000 in support of stabilization of these historically important privately held buildings. But should public money support the restoration of private historic buildings? And, if so, how? The speaker will explore this issue and suggest ways for private ownership and public need to harmoniously work together.
Speaker: Belinda Crowson
Belinda Crowson is a member of the Lethbridge Historical Society's Heritage Conservation Committee and sits as the LHS representative on the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Committee. The LHS Heritage Conservation Committee, one of many initiatives of the historical society, is designed to advocate for historic buildings. Belinda is also the current President of the Historical Society of Alberta and the author of four books on local history.
Recently, lively debates have emerged in the social sciences about how to think about the unexpected return of religion to the public sphere. This phenomenon has occurred not only in modernizing societies around the globe, but also in modern Western democracies.
Scientific rationality and technical expertise have always been regarded as the most powerful forces for modernization. Yet it turns out that Western secularism is in central respects deeply Christian and even Protestant, and that there are multiple secularisms--at least one for each religion. How multicultural and democratic can Western (secular) modernization be in light of such circumstances? This presentation will sort out some of the implications of these discussions for philosophies of science.
Speaker: Dr. Sandra Harding
Sandra Harding is a Professor of Education and Gender Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a philosopher. She taught for two decades at the University of Delaware before moving to UCLA in 1996. She directed the UCLA Center for the Study of Women from 1996-2000, and co-edited the journal Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society from 2000-05. She is the author or editor of fifteen books and special journal issues including: Sciences From Below: Feminisms, Postcolonialities and Modernities and The Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies Reader.
Dr. Harding has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam, the University of Costa Rica, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the Asian Institute of Technology. She has been a consultant to several United Nations organizations including the Pan American Health Organization, UNESCO, the U.N. Development Fund for Women, and the U.N. Commission on Science and Technology for Development. In 2007-08 she was a Phi Beta Kappa national lecturer. She has lectured at over 300 colleges, universities, and conferences on five continents.
Recently, lively debates have emerged in the social sciences about how to think about the unexpected return of religion to the public sphere. This phenomenon has occurred not only in modernizing societies around the globe, but also in modern Western democracies.
Scientific rationality and technical expertise have always been regarded as the most powerful forces for modernization. Yet it turns out that Western secularism is in central respects deeply Christian and even Protestant, and that there are multiple secularisms--at least one for each religion. How multicultural and democratic can Western (secular) modernization be in light of such circumstances? This presentation will sort out some of the implications of these discussions for philosophies of science.
Speaker: Dr. Sandra Harding
Sandra Harding is a Professor of Education and Gender Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a philosopher. She taught for two decades at the University of Delaware before moving to UCLA in 1996. She directed the UCLA Center for the Study of Women from 1996-2000, and co-edited the journal Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society from 2000-05. She is the author or editor of fifteen books and special journal issues including: Sciences From Below: Feminisms, Postcolonialities and Modernities and The Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies Reader.
Dr. Harding has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam, the University of Costa Rica, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the Asian Institute of Technology. She has been a consultant to several United Nations organizations including the Pan American Health Organization, UNESCO, the U.N. Development Fund for Women, and the U.N. Commission on Science and Technology for Development. In 2007-08 she was a Phi Beta Kappa national lecturer. She has lectured at over 300 colleges, universities, and conferences on five continents.
During the disastrous June 2013 Southern Alberta floods, thousands of people were displaced and entire communities were affected by flooding that brought dramatic change to how people live, work and interact with each other. Furthermore, the financial losses are in the billions, which when everything is said and done will affect everyone in the province.
The speaker will argue that the critical element to planning for the future is community engagement. Johnston will also argue that construction of flood-control dams, or physically changing or dredging parts of a river to better manage water flow -- need to be matched with non-structural or policy-based responses, such as incorporating current and best available flood hazard information into land-use planning and legislation, and even prohibiting development in high-risk places.
It is extremely important that in addition to scientists and engineers, governments and developers, we have community involvement in any land-use planning process, not only to ensure that the challenge of flooding is minimized, but also to have the community members be made aware of, and fully involved in, future risks concerning their community.
Speaker: Dr. Tom Johnston
Tom Johnston enrolled at the University of Guelph after graduating from high school in 1975. Selecting geography for his major, he earned two degrees at Guelph, a B.A. and an M.A. After working for a year as a Research Associate in the Geography Department at Guelph, Johnston entered the University of Waterloo where he completed his Ph.D. in 1989.
Johnston then travelled to New Zealand to take up Post-doctoral fellowship in the Geography Department at Massey University in Palmerston North for one year before accepting an appointment at the University of Lethbridge in the summer of 1990. Included among his areas of research interest are the human dimensions of natural hazards.
During the disastrous June 2013 Southern Alberta floods, thousands of people were displaced and entire communities were affected by flooding that brought dramatic change to how people live, work and interact with each other. Furthermore, the financial losses are in the billions, which when everything is said and done will affect everyone in the province.
The speaker will argue that the critical element to planning for the future is community engagement. Johnston will also argue that construction of flood-control dams, or physically changing or dredging parts of a river to better manage water flow -- need to be matched with non-structural or policy-based responses, such as incorporating current and best available flood hazard information into land-use planning and legislation, and even prohibiting development in high-risk places.
It is extremely important that in addition to scientists and engineers, governments and developers, we have community involvement in any land-use planning process, not only to ensure that the challenge of flooding is minimized, but also to have the community members be made aware of, and fully involved in, future risks concerning their community.
Speaker: Dr. Tom Johnston
Tom Johnston enrolled at the University of Guelph after graduating from high school in 1975. Selecting geography for his major, he earned two degrees at Guelph, a B.A. and an M.A. After working for a year as a Research Associate in the Geography Department at Guelph, Johnston entered the University of Waterloo where he completed his Ph.D. in 1989.
Johnston then travelled to New Zealand to take up Post-doctoral fellowship in the Geography Department at Massey University in Palmerston North for one year before accepting an appointment at the University of Lethbridge in the summer of 1990. Included among his areas of research interest are the human dimensions of natural hazards.
Despite the growing gender balance in provincial premiers, elected politics remains the domain of men. According to the 2012 Global Gender Gap Report, Canadian women's position in politics is 20% of men's.
How is this possible, given that Canada not only has no formal, legal restrictions on women's political representation and participation, but that discrimination based on gender is prohibited under sections 15 and 28 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
The speaker contends that women's reduced political position in Canada is a result of 1) a lack of demand for women candidates from Canada's political parties; 2) the reaction of some (male) voters to women candidates; and 3) stereotypes about women's political engagement. All three go some to way explaining why women in Canada are so perniciously underrepresented in federal politics.
Speaker: Melanee Thomas
Melanee Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.
Dr. Thomas is well known to Lethbridge residents. As well as doing her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and serving as Students’ Union President, Dr. Thomas twice ran in the Lethbridge federal riding for the NDP.
Despite the growing gender balance in provincial premiers, elected politics remains the domain of men. According to the 2012 Global Gender Gap Report, Canadian women's position in politics is 20% of men's.
How is this possible, given that Canada not only has no formal, legal restrictions on women's political representation and participation, but that discrimination based on gender is prohibited under sections 15 and 28 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
The speaker contends that women's reduced political position in Canada is a result of 1) a lack of demand for women candidates from Canada's political parties; 2) the reaction of some (male) voters to women candidates; and 3) stereotypes about women's political engagement. All three go some to way explaining why women in Canada are so perniciously underrepresented in federal politics.
Speaker: Melanee Thomas
Melanee Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.
Dr. Thomas is well known to Lethbridge residents. As well as doing her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and serving as Students’ Union President, Dr. Thomas twice ran in the Lethbridge federal riding for the NDP.
Increasingly, the federal Government has been tightening its leash on its scientists and science in general. For instance, most publicly funded research must now have an industrial component. In several departments, researchers are now only allowed to speak about their studies if ministerial permission has been granted. In many documented cases, scientists have been muzzled in speaking to media about their research.
The federal Government contends that when federal scientists speak with the media, they do so under media rules that were changed a few years ago. Interviews may now be permitted days, weeks or months after a request is made and by that time, of course, the story could be old news.
The speaker will argue that there are few issues more fundamental to democracy than the freedom of our taxpayer funded scientists to follow their passion in research and our ability to access the scientific information that they produce. A society cannot make informed choices about critical issues if we don’t have the ability to examine relevant facts in a timely fashion.
Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D.
Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations.
Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Increasingly, the federal Government has been tightening its leash on its scientists and science in general. For instance, most publicly funded research must now have an industrial component. In several departments, researchers are now only allowed to speak about their studies if ministerial permission has been granted. In many documented cases, scientists have been muzzled in speaking to media about their research.
The federal Government contends that when federal scientists speak with the media, they do so under media rules that were changed a few years ago. Interviews may now be permitted days, weeks or months after a request is made and by that time, of course, the story could be old news.
The speaker will argue that there are few issues more fundamental to democracy than the freedom of our taxpayer funded scientists to follow their passion in research and our ability to access the scientific information that they produce. A society cannot make informed choices about critical issues if we don’t have the ability to examine relevant facts in a timely fashion.
Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D.
Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations.
Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.
Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2013 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
The Parliament of Canada has two houses, the elected lower house (the House of Commons) and the appointed upper house (the Senate). Both houses are involved in the passing of legislation. Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, said the Senate was to be a place of "sober second thought" so that legislation would receive proper and careful consideration before finally becoming law. Has excessive partisanship eroded the “sober second thought” of the Senate?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed 58 Senators since taking office in 2006, despite his stated intention to either transform the Senate into an elected body or abolish it altogether. The Harper Government is presently seeking clarification from the Supreme Court on its powers to change the Senate. Will the recent scandals involving Harper appointees change that strategy?
The speaker will voice his opinion related to those questions and also argue that the current appointment process is not in step with the preference Canadians consistently express as polls show a more democratic process for the Senate is preferable. As well, pending a more comprehensive reform, new procedures could have been established to create an independent and less partisan Senate appointment commission.
Speaker: The Honourable Daniel P. Hays
Dan Hays has been with Norton Rose Fulbright in their Calgary office (previously Macleod Dixon LLP) since his call to the bar and has practised in different areas, most recently in international and corporate operations. Mr. Hays was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Trudeau in 1984. Following retirement from the Senate on June 30, 2007, he was appointed Chair of Macleod Dixon LLP.
During his years of service in the Senate, Mr. Hays held a number of leadership positions and at different times served as chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources and the Special Committee on Senate Reform 2006. As well, he served as President of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1994-98.
In 1999 he was appointed Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, and in 2001, Prime Minister Chrétien appointed him Speaker of the Senate, a position he continued to hold under Prime Minister Martin. Following the 2006 federal general election, he was appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. On January 22, 2007, he was made a Privy Councillor by Prime Minister Harper.
The Parliament of Canada has two houses, the elected lower house (the House of Commons) and the appointed upper house (the Senate). Both houses are involved in the passing of legislation. Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, said the Senate was to be a place of "sober second thought" so that legislation would receive proper and careful consideration before finally becoming law. Has excessive partisanship eroded the “sober second thought” of the Senate?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed 58 Senators since taking office in 2006, despite his stated intention to either transform the Senate into an elected body or abolish it altogether. The Harper Government is presently seeking clarification from the Supreme Court on its powers to change the Senate. Will the recent scandals involving Harper appointees change that strategy?
The speaker will voice his opinion related to those questions and also argue that the current appointment process is not in step with the preference Canadians consistently express as polls show a more democratic process for the Senate is preferable. As well, pending a more comprehensive reform, new procedures could have been established to create an independent and less partisan Senate appointment commission.
Speaker: The Honourable Daniel P. Hays
Dan Hays has been with Norton Rose Fulbright in their Calgary office (previously Macleod Dixon LLP) since his call to the bar and has practised in different areas, most recently in international and corporate operations. Mr. Hays was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Trudeau in 1984. Following retirement from the Senate on June 30, 2007, he was appointed Chair of Macleod Dixon LLP.
During his years of service in the Senate, Mr. Hays held a number of leadership positions and at different times served as chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, the Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources and the Special Committee on Senate Reform 2006. As well, he served as President of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1994-98.
In 1999 he was appointed Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, and in 2001, Prime Minister Chrétien appointed him Speaker of the Senate, a position he continued to hold under Prime Minister Martin. Following the 2006 federal general election, he was appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. On January 22, 2007, he was made a Privy Councillor by Prime Minister Harper.
When the topic of evolution comes up it is often to discuss the debate, to choose sides, and to balance the arguments, but is it time to quit debating evolution? By affording anti-evolutionists equal time we risk spending all our time debating evolution and missing the real debates within evolution. These debates, full of exciting controversy and disagreement, are obfuscated when the focus is on the wrong discussion. The speaker will start with a brief look at the amazing diversity and beauty of nature, then the weight of the evidence in favour of our current understanding of evolution by natural selection, and then he will delve into the interesting but entirely understandable debates within evolutionary science.
Speaker: Dr. Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson studied at the University of Minnesota (started in Anthropology), University of Saskatchewan (biology and geography), and University of British Columbia (graduate degrees, Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, and Department of Plant Science). He is currently a Professor of Environmental Science at U of L where he teaches biogeography, impacts of climate, sustainable development, environmental science for First Nations Transition Program, and data analysis.
Dan was part of the AIBS Presidents' Summit in Washington, DC, 1999, which established the teaching of evolution as one of the key objectives of biological scientific societies (at the time, he was President of the Entomological Society of Canada). Dan wrote one of the first position statements by a scientific society on the teaching of evolution, and argued the case through to a successful vote and ratification. He also served on species-at-risk recovery teams in Canada, developed biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture, and has conducted environmental research in Africa, North America and Asia. Dan is also a member of the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board.
When the topic of evolution comes up it is often to discuss the debate, to choose sides, and to balance the arguments, but is it time to quit debating evolution? By affording anti-evolutionists equal time we risk spending all our time debating evolution and missing the real debates within evolution. These debates, full of exciting controversy and disagreement, are obfuscated when the focus is on the wrong discussion. The speaker will start with a brief look at the amazing diversity and beauty of nature, then the weight of the evidence in favour of our current understanding of evolution by natural selection, and then he will delve into the interesting but entirely understandable debates within evolutionary science.
Speaker: Dr. Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson studied at the University of Minnesota (started in Anthropology), University of Saskatchewan (biology and geography), and University of British Columbia (graduate degrees, Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, and Department of Plant Science). He is currently a Professor of Environmental Science at U of L where he teaches biogeography, impacts of climate, sustainable development, environmental science for First Nations Transition Program, and data analysis.
Dan was part of the AIBS Presidents' Summit in Washington, DC, 1999, which established the teaching of evolution as one of the key objectives of biological scientific societies (at the time, he was President of the Entomological Society of Canada). Dan wrote one of the first position statements by a scientific society on the teaching of evolution, and argued the case through to a successful vote and ratification. He also served on species-at-risk recovery teams in Canada, developed biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture, and has conducted environmental research in Africa, North America and Asia. Dan is also a member of the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board.
In 2008, Prime Minister Harper apologized for the shared government and church-run Indian Residential School System. As part of that apology, an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission was struck, using a model practiced by only a handful of countries worldwide. Its mandate runs through 2014, and in June and July it will hold local public hearings in Alberta- hearings where former students and others will stand before us and tell their stories.
What does this kind of courage have to do with Albertans and Canadians? What is the TRC trying to address, and why? Should we care? Should we attend? This presentation will address these questions, and invites you to bring your own.
Speakers: Julie Graham and Mike Frank
Julie Graham is the human rights Education and Campaigns Coordinator for KAIROS, the social justice organization of eleven national Canadian churches and church agencies, represented in Lethbridge by an energetic local chapter. The daughter of immigrants, she is from Coast Salish territory in BC and has Mennonite and United Church roots. Graham is an educator and writer and has worked on right relations and Indigenous rights for the past 20 years. Currently her work focuses on the TRC and what Indigenous rights mean for non-Indigenous Canadians.
Mike Frank is the Director of Operations for the Blood Tribe Department of Health. His background includes working as a health support worker with the Indian Residential School program, Lethbridge College Instructor and Peigan Board of Education Instructor for their Native studies programs and most recently been the Chief Electoral Officer for the Kainai Chief and Council elections. Mike is also a graduate of the U of L and a member of the U of L FNMI Alumni chapter.
In 2008, Prime Minister Harper apologized for the shared government and church-run Indian Residential School System. As part of that apology, an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission was struck, using a model practiced by only a handful of countries worldwide. Its mandate runs through 2014, and in June and July it will hold local public hearings in Alberta- hearings where former students and others will stand before us and tell their stories.
What does this kind of courage have to do with Albertans and Canadians? What is the TRC trying to address, and why? Should we care? Should we attend? This presentation will address these questions, and invites you to bring your own.
Speakers: Julie Graham and Mike Frank
Julie Graham is the human rights Education and Campaigns Coordinator for KAIROS, the social justice organization of eleven national Canadian churches and church agencies, represented in Lethbridge by an energetic local chapter. The daughter of immigrants, she is from Coast Salish territory in BC and has Mennonite and United Church roots. Graham is an educator and writer and has worked on right relations and Indigenous rights for the past 20 years. Currently her work focuses on the TRC and what Indigenous rights mean for non-Indigenous Canadians.
Mike Frank is the Director of Operations for the Blood Tribe Department of Health. His background includes working as a health support worker with the Indian Residential School program, Lethbridge College Instructor and Peigan Board of Education Instructor for their Native studies programs and most recently been the Chief Electoral Officer for the Kainai Chief and Council elections. Mike is also a graduate of the U of L and a member of the U of L FNMI Alumni chapter.
The practice of enhancing physical performance with ingested substances has been around since ancient times. The Greeks were known to use a form of opium; other cultures have used mushrooms and even strychnine. But in modern times, the use of synthetic drugs to enhance athletic performance, commonly referred to as doping, has exploded, as evidenced by the recent massive doping scandals involving legendary athletes in the Tour de France and Major League Baseball. In response, a number of anti-doping organizations have been created to aggressively pursue what they regard as fairness in competition.
The moral and ethical landscape surrounding doping is far from simple. How should we as society determine what are acceptable strategies for performance enhancement and what are not? The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), set up in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee to combat illegal performance enhancement in sports, defines doping as use of drugs that meets two of three criteria: enhancement of athletic performance, harm to health or safety, and violation of the "spirit of the sport".
While this provides useful guidelines, there are still many complex questions to be debated in the coming years. What are the precise health risks of doping? In the race between scientists who are developing ever-more effective and clandestine performance-enhancing drugs, and those who are developing strategies to detect them and measure their risk, who is winning? How should we weigh the achievements of modern athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs against those of athletes from the past? The speaker will describe the evolution of testing procedures etc.
Speaker: Tim Takahashi
Tim Takahashi has been a Certified Athletic Therapist and Exercise Physiologist working in private practice in Lethbridge since 1998. He worked as a Doping Control Officer at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 in Whistler and has been a member of Team Canada’s Medical staff at multiple Canadian National Judo championships and Canadian National track and field championships.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Tim is a sessional instructor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Kinesiology and is the current two – time Men’s Judo Lightweight Masters Canadian National Champion. He currently serves as a sports injury and sports performance consultant to many local high performance, Olympic level and professional athletes at the Rebound Health Centre at the University of Lethbridge Sports Medicine Centre.
The practice of enhancing physical performance with ingested substances has been around since ancient times. The Greeks were known to use a form of opium; other cultures have used mushrooms and even strychnine. But in modern times, the use of synthetic drugs to enhance athletic performance, commonly referred to as doping, has exploded, as evidenced by the recent massive doping scandals involving legendary athletes in the Tour de France and Major League Baseball. In response, a number of anti-doping organizations have been created to aggressively pursue what they regard as fairness in competition.
The moral and ethical landscape surrounding doping is far from simple. How should we as society determine what are acceptable strategies for performance enhancement and what are not? The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), set up in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee to combat illegal performance enhancement in sports, defines doping as use of drugs that meets two of three criteria: enhancement of athletic performance, harm to health or safety, and violation of the "spirit of the sport".
While this provides useful guidelines, there are still many complex questions to be debated in the coming years. What are the precise health risks of doping? In the race between scientists who are developing ever-more effective and clandestine performance-enhancing drugs, and those who are developing strategies to detect them and measure their risk, who is winning? How should we weigh the achievements of modern athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs against those of athletes from the past? The speaker will describe the evolution of testing procedures etc.
Speaker: Tim Takahashi
Tim Takahashi has been a Certified Athletic Therapist and Exercise Physiologist working in private practice in Lethbridge since 1998. He worked as a Doping Control Officer at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 in Whistler and has been a member of Team Canada’s Medical staff at multiple Canadian National Judo championships and Canadian National track and field championships.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Tim is a sessional instructor at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Kinesiology and is the current two – time Men’s Judo Lightweight Masters Canadian National Champion. He currently serves as a sports injury and sports performance consultant to many local high performance, Olympic level and professional athletes at the Rebound Health Centre at the University of Lethbridge Sports Medicine Centre.
The Progressive Conservative Party has been the governing party for more than four decades in Alberta for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that there has rarely been a viable alternative party with enough support to move from the Opposition to the Government benches. In almost every political system that employs a single member plurality electoral system the opposition parties merge into one party (or a coalition) to provide an alternative to the government. But in Canada we have done the opposite by creating multiple parties that do not cooperate during elections.
So the rebirth of the Alberta Green Party is not a surprise but is it a good thing for democracy? The speaker will argue that the re-emergence of the Alberta Green Party is important to democracy for two reasons. She will argue that the most serious issues facing the Alberta economy are environmental and Alberta’s economy will be devastated if we don’t start moving quickly toward the new, smart, greener way of doing things. Secondly, she will argue that there is a deep political malaise in Alberta, as evidenced by low voter turnouts and deep cynicism about politics and politicians, that can only be corrected by doing politics differently, a main tenet of the Greens. Unlike traditional parties, the Greens put the public good ahead of advantage to the party itself, including electoral reform and cooperation with other parties.
Speaker: Janet Keeping, Leader of the Green Party of Alberta
Janet has a B. Sc. In Art and Design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and both an M.A. and a law degree from the University of Calgary. After articling with the Calgary law firm Bennett Jones, Janet co-founded and became the first Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. For twenty two years Janet did legal research and public legal education for the Canadian Institute of Resources Law at the University of Calgary. Since 2006 she has served as President of the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership.
The Progressive Conservative Party has been the governing party for more than four decades in Alberta for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that there has rarely been a viable alternative party with enough support to move from the Opposition to the Government benches. In almost every political system that employs a single member plurality electoral system the opposition parties merge into one party (or a coalition) to provide an alternative to the government. But in Canada we have done the opposite by creating multiple parties that do not cooperate during elections.
So the rebirth of the Alberta Green Party is not a surprise but is it a good thing for democracy? The speaker will argue that the re-emergence of the Alberta Green Party is important to democracy for two reasons. She will argue that the most serious issues facing the Alberta economy are environmental and Alberta’s economy will be devastated if we don’t start moving quickly toward the new, smart, greener way of doing things. Secondly, she will argue that there is a deep political malaise in Alberta, as evidenced by low voter turnouts and deep cynicism about politics and politicians, that can only be corrected by doing politics differently, a main tenet of the Greens. Unlike traditional parties, the Greens put the public good ahead of advantage to the party itself, including electoral reform and cooperation with other parties.
Speaker: Janet Keeping, Leader of the Green Party of Alberta
Janet has a B. Sc. In Art and Design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and both an M.A. and a law degree from the University of Calgary. After articling with the Calgary law firm Bennett Jones, Janet co-founded and became the first Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. For twenty two years Janet did legal research and public legal education for the Canadian Institute of Resources Law at the University of Calgary. Since 2006 she has served as President of the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership.
Our understanding of brain development and function has fundamentally changed in the past decade. Brain development embody much more than just the simple unfolding of a genetic blueprint but rather represents a complex dance of genetic and environmental events that interact to adapt the brain to fit a particular environmental context.
Thus, it is now clear that prenatal, postnatal and early childhood experiences set the brain on a trajectory that profoundly influences not only how children learn and develop but also contribute to health and wellness throughout the lifespan. The speaker will expand on this fascinating topic and also very briefly touch upon the possible effects common drugs and injuries (concussions) may have on the brain.
Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb
A native of Calgary, Bryan Kolb has been professor at the University of Lethbridge for 37 years and was the co-founder of their Neuroscience Department. He has published five books, including two textbooks with Ian Whishaw and roughly 350 articles and chapters.
Bryan Kolb was awarded a Killam Fellowship from the Canada Council and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He is a former President of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science and of the Experimental Division of the Canadian Psychological Association. Kolb is currently a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research’s program on Child Brain Development.
His recent work has focused on how neurons of the cerebral cortex change in response to various factors including hormones, experience, drugs, neurotrophins, and injury, and how these changes are related to behaviour.
Our understanding of brain development and function has fundamentally changed in the past decade. Brain development embody much more than just the simple unfolding of a genetic blueprint but rather represents a complex dance of genetic and environmental events that interact to adapt the brain to fit a particular environmental context.
Thus, it is now clear that prenatal, postnatal and early childhood experiences set the brain on a trajectory that profoundly influences not only how children learn and develop but also contribute to health and wellness throughout the lifespan. The speaker will expand on this fascinating topic and also very briefly touch upon the possible effects common drugs and injuries (concussions) may have on the brain.
Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb
A native of Calgary, Bryan Kolb has been professor at the University of Lethbridge for 37 years and was the co-founder of their Neuroscience Department. He has published five books, including two textbooks with Ian Whishaw and roughly 350 articles and chapters.
Bryan Kolb was awarded a Killam Fellowship from the Canada Council and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He is a former President of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Science and of the Experimental Division of the Canadian Psychological Association. Kolb is currently a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research’s program on Child Brain Development.
His recent work has focused on how neurons of the cerebral cortex change in response to various factors including hormones, experience, drugs, neurotrophins, and injury, and how these changes are related to behaviour.
Economists agree almost unanimously that a consumption tax could help level out the peaks and valleys of our provincial revenue now tied to the price of fossil fuel. If combined with a decrease in personal income tax, a sales tax could lead to increased economic diversification while capturing spending from out-of-province visitors. A consumption tax or a revised tax system could pave the way for a balanced budget in Alberta without severe cuts to services thereby enabling future generations to take full advantage of our resource assets. Alberta is the only province in Canada without a sales tax. While not advocating for implementing a sales tax, the speaker will expand on how the introduction of a revised tax system in the province can be framed so it would be acceptable to Albertans.
Speaker: Ron Liepert
Ron Liepert was born and raised in Saltcoats, Sask, where his primary education began in a one-room elementary school. After his senior high schooling, he moved to Alberta, where in 1971 he enrolled in the Columbia School of Broadcasting and then worked in media between 1972 and 1980. Liepert was press secretary for Premier Peter Lougheed from 1980 - 85 and he participated as such in a number of federal-provincial conferences including the Constitutional Accord of 1982 and the energy negotiations of the early 1980s. Liepert later served as the Trade Director of Western U.S. Operations in Los Angeles for Alberta Economic Development, from 1986 to 1991. In 1991, Liepert joined Telus and was involved in the company’s negotiations to purchase ED TEL and the BC TEL merger. He also contributed to the rebranding of AGT to TELUS. Liepert spent 2000 to 2004 running his own public relations/communications consulting business and operating a childcare centre in downtown Calgary. Returning to his interest in politics, Liepert sought and won the riding of Calgary-West in 2004 and in December 2006 he was sworn in as Minister of Education. During his term, Liepert was instrumental in negotiating a five year agreement with the Alberta Teachers Association and resolving the longstanding unfunded pension liability issue.
Following the general election in March 2008 Liepert was appointed Minister of Health and Wellness. During his term as Minister the government streamlined the provincial health system incorporating all the regional health authorities into one. In January 2010 Liepert was appointed Minister of Energy for the province. He led the competitiveness review of the oil and gas industry which resulted in the changes to the royalty structure that is in place today. Following the PC provincial leadership campaign, Liepert was appointed Minister of Finance in Oct 2011 by new Premier, Alison Redford. He served in that role until May 2012 when he did not seek re-election.
Economists agree almost unanimously that a consumption tax could help level out the peaks and valleys of our provincial revenue now tied to the price of fossil fuel. If combined with a decrease in personal income tax, a sales tax could lead to increased economic diversification while capturing spending from out-of-province visitors. A consumption tax or a revised tax system could pave the way for a balanced budget in Alberta without severe cuts to services thereby enabling future generations to take full advantage of our resource assets. Alberta is the only province in Canada without a sales tax. While not advocating for implementing a sales tax, the speaker will expand on how the introduction of a revised tax system in the province can be framed so it would be acceptable to Albertans.
Speaker: Ron Liepert
Ron Liepert was born and raised in Saltcoats, Sask, where his primary education began in a one-room elementary school. After his senior high schooling, he moved to Alberta, where in 1971 he enrolled in the Columbia School of Broadcasting and then worked in media between 1972 and 1980. Liepert was press secretary for Premier Peter Lougheed from 1980 - 85 and he participated as such in a number of federal-provincial conferences including the Constitutional Accord of 1982 and the energy negotiations of the early 1980s. Liepert later served as the Trade Director of Western U.S. Operations in Los Angeles for Alberta Economic Development, from 1986 to 1991. In 1991, Liepert joined Telus and was involved in the company’s negotiations to purchase ED TEL and the BC TEL merger. He also contributed to the rebranding of AGT to TELUS. Liepert spent 2000 to 2004 running his own public relations/communications consulting business and operating a childcare centre in downtown Calgary. Returning to his interest in politics, Liepert sought and won the riding of Calgary-West in 2004 and in December 2006 he was sworn in as Minister of Education. During his term, Liepert was instrumental in negotiating a five year agreement with the Alberta Teachers Association and resolving the longstanding unfunded pension liability issue.
Following the general election in March 2008 Liepert was appointed Minister of Health and Wellness. During his term as Minister the government streamlined the provincial health system incorporating all the regional health authorities into one. In January 2010 Liepert was appointed Minister of Energy for the province. He led the competitiveness review of the oil and gas industry which resulted in the changes to the royalty structure that is in place today. Following the PC provincial leadership campaign, Liepert was appointed Minister of Finance in Oct 2011 by new Premier, Alison Redford. He served in that role until May 2012 when he did not seek re-election.
Science fiction and science are deeply intertwined. From the space race to nanotechnology scientists are following the predictions of science fiction. This talk will discuss how science fiction has predicted and influenced science and technology. Prof. Jason Donev from the University of Calgary will provide a whirlwind tour of science fiction in books, movies and television and how our world is different as a result. The talk will also explore how Star Trek, H.G. Wells, Michael Crichton, and even CSI influence how we look at science, technology and scientists.
Speaker: Jason Donev
Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the official mad scientist for the Canadian science fiction and fantasy publishing house, Tyche Books.
Science fiction and science are deeply intertwined. From the space race to nanotechnology scientists are following the predictions of science fiction. This talk will discuss how science fiction has predicted and influenced science and technology. Prof. Jason Donev from the University of Calgary will provide a whirlwind tour of science fiction in books, movies and television and how our world is different as a result. The talk will also explore how Star Trek, H.G. Wells, Michael Crichton, and even CSI influence how we look at science, technology and scientists.
Speaker: Jason Donev
Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the official mad scientist for the Canadian science fiction and fantasy publishing house, Tyche Books.
The Board of Directors of Lethbridge and District Exhibition approved a development plan for Exhibition Park that represents 3 years of comprehensive examination, including a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment. Along with conceptual designs of a new Trade and Convention Centre and Agriplex, the redevelopment plan contains a thoroughly vetted business case that demonstrates long-term sustainability.
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition has taken the Redevelopment Plan to Lethbridge City Council on March 25 and requested $25 million from the CIP. The provincial and federal governments are being asked to each contribute $25 million and the Exhibition and partners will contribute the other $15 million for a total price tag of $90 million. Will the redevelopment be worth the contribution from Lethbridge taxpayers? What value does the Exhibition bring to Southern Alberta?
Speaker: Rudy Friesen
Rudy was raised on a farm south of Saskatoon. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, he returned to the farm in the mid 1980s to find the economy less than ideal so he pursued other interests, including six years in radio, followed by work as the Executive Director of two different non-profit agricultural education and advocacy organizations. This led him to the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, where his career in the exhibition industry began as Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager in 1993. He served as President of the Board of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions in 1995/96. In 1999, Rudy moved to the Swift Current Exhibition as General Manager and in 2002 he became General Manager at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge. He continues to support the efforts of the exhibition industry throughout North America having served five years on the Board of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, including a term as President, and two years as the Canadian Associations appointment to the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
The Board of Directors of Lethbridge and District Exhibition approved a development plan for Exhibition Park that represents 3 years of comprehensive examination, including a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment. Along with conceptual designs of a new Trade and Convention Centre and Agriplex, the redevelopment plan contains a thoroughly vetted business case that demonstrates long-term sustainability.
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition has taken the Redevelopment Plan to Lethbridge City Council on March 25 and requested $25 million from the CIP. The provincial and federal governments are being asked to each contribute $25 million and the Exhibition and partners will contribute the other $15 million for a total price tag of $90 million. Will the redevelopment be worth the contribution from Lethbridge taxpayers? What value does the Exhibition bring to Southern Alberta?
Speaker: Rudy Friesen
Rudy was raised on a farm south of Saskatoon. After attending the University of Saskatchewan, he returned to the farm in the mid 1980s to find the economy less than ideal so he pursued other interests, including six years in radio, followed by work as the Executive Director of two different non-profit agricultural education and advocacy organizations. This led him to the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, where his career in the exhibition industry began as Prairieland’s Agriculture Manager in 1993. He served as President of the Board of the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions in 1995/96. In 1999, Rudy moved to the Swift Current Exhibition as General Manager and in 2002 he became General Manager at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge. He continues to support the efforts of the exhibition industry throughout North America having served five years on the Board of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, including a term as President, and two years as the Canadian Associations appointment to the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
The face of news is changing. It is estimated that 46% of people get their news online at least three times a week and almost every news entity has turned to virtual media to keep up with the demand. Online news revenue now generates more than print newspaper revenue and over 50% of people have learned about breaking news through social media rather than official news sources. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and other social media platforms make sharing and accessing the news easier than ever while mobile phones and devices mean that we can be constantly “tuned in” and connected. What implications do these technologies and new ways of exchanging information have for the future of journalism?
The ongoing transition from print to digital and the rise of the amateur “citizen journalist” are events that have been assessed quite critically. Now that any one of us can act in an immediate journalistic role, questions arise around legitimacy and accountability. Almost 50% of people reported that they received a “breaking news” update through social media that was later discovered to be false or incorrect. Who takes the blame when a false story goes “viral” on the internet? When high-profile news outlets participate in social media and every news anchor reports through a Twitter handle alongside citizen journalists, how should the legitimacy of news stories be accessed?
The speaker will discuss the legitimacy of non-institutional news reporting and how outlets of such news might be held to higher standard if something goes wrong. He will also attempt to address how larger media outlets can be held accountable for their reporting and what citizen journalism has meant in the coverage and evaluation of news in Lethbridge.
Speaker: Kim Siever
Kim Siever has been writing and editing for over 25 years. He recently completed a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts at the University of Lethbridge and is pursuing a master’s degree in English. Kim runs a communications consulting company, Hot Pepper Communications, specializing in copywriting, copy editing, and social media management. Kim is also the editor-in-chief of Lethbridge News, an independent, citizen journalism news outlet in Lethbridge. He and a handful of people dedicated to breaking, independent news started the service in 2010. Since its inception, Lethbridge News has grown to incorporate about a dozen volunteers, and it has over 10,000 readers on social media- more than any other local news outlet.
The face of news is changing. It is estimated that 46% of people get their news online at least three times a week and almost every news entity has turned to virtual media to keep up with the demand. Online news revenue now generates more than print newspaper revenue and over 50% of people have learned about breaking news through social media rather than official news sources. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and other social media platforms make sharing and accessing the news easier than ever while mobile phones and devices mean that we can be constantly “tuned in” and connected. What implications do these technologies and new ways of exchanging information have for the future of journalism?
The ongoing transition from print to digital and the rise of the amateur “citizen journalist” are events that have been assessed quite critically. Now that any one of us can act in an immediate journalistic role, questions arise around legitimacy and accountability. Almost 50% of people reported that they received a “breaking news” update through social media that was later discovered to be false or incorrect. Who takes the blame when a false story goes “viral” on the internet? When high-profile news outlets participate in social media and every news anchor reports through a Twitter handle alongside citizen journalists, how should the legitimacy of news stories be accessed?
The speaker will discuss the legitimacy of non-institutional news reporting and how outlets of such news might be held to higher standard if something goes wrong. He will also attempt to address how larger media outlets can be held accountable for their reporting and what citizen journalism has meant in the coverage and evaluation of news in Lethbridge.
Speaker: Kim Siever
Kim Siever has been writing and editing for over 25 years. He recently completed a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts at the University of Lethbridge and is pursuing a master’s degree in English. Kim runs a communications consulting company, Hot Pepper Communications, specializing in copywriting, copy editing, and social media management. Kim is also the editor-in-chief of Lethbridge News, an independent, citizen journalism news outlet in Lethbridge. He and a handful of people dedicated to breaking, independent news started the service in 2010. Since its inception, Lethbridge News has grown to incorporate about a dozen volunteers, and it has over 10,000 readers on social media- more than any other local news outlet.
In February, Pope Benedict surprised the Church and the world with his resignation. Now the Church has met and named Pope Francis as the new Pope. This is a significant window of opportunity for the Church. Does it signal a move to a more liberal and progressive Church? Will we notice any change at all on key issues -- such as controversial social issues, women in the priesthood, and a host of other questions?
The speaker is a keen observer of the Roman Catholic Church. She will assess the factions and movements that have let to this pope's election. She will try to peer into the future, as to where the Church is now heading.
Speaker: Rev'd Canon Erin Phillips
Erin Phillips is the chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College and the incumbent priest at the Anglican Church of the Ascension in the Coaldale Chaplain for eighteen years, Erin has also taught courses in Religious Studies, History and Sociology at the university since 1992.
After doing a Masters degree at Wilfrid Laurier University where her thesis was a study of the impact of Vatican II on the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society, she did five years of doctoral work at McMaster University. There her studies centered on Karl Rahner, one of the theological architects of Vatican II. She spent a year studying theology in Germany at the Universitaet Tuebingen but has recently discovered her soul's home in Italy.
In February, Pope Benedict surprised the Church and the world with his resignation. Now the Church has met and named Pope Francis as the new Pope. This is a significant window of opportunity for the Church. Does it signal a move to a more liberal and progressive Church? Will we notice any change at all on key issues -- such as controversial social issues, women in the priesthood, and a host of other questions?
The speaker is a keen observer of the Roman Catholic Church. She will assess the factions and movements that have let to this pope's election. She will try to peer into the future, as to where the Church is now heading.
Speaker: Rev'd Canon Erin Phillips
Erin Phillips is the chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College and the incumbent priest at the Anglican Church of the Ascension in the Coaldale Chaplain for eighteen years, Erin has also taught courses in Religious Studies, History and Sociology at the university since 1992.
After doing a Masters degree at Wilfrid Laurier University where her thesis was a study of the impact of Vatican II on the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society, she did five years of doctoral work at McMaster University. There her studies centered on Karl Rahner, one of the theological architects of Vatican II. She spent a year studying theology in Germany at the Universitaet Tuebingen but has recently discovered her soul's home in Italy.
Though only 30km wide and 24% of the area of the Oldman watershed, the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains provides 90% of the water - they are our headwaters - the source of water that feeds our streams, lakes and groundwater.
The intensity of use in the headwaters has increased and this trend is expected to continue. The community is concerned about the cumulative impact of recreation, logging, oil and gas, grazing and other land uses. Concerns relate to water quality, fragmented fish and wildlife habitat and changes in water flow.
The Oldman Watershed Council has set a goal to “manage and protect the integrity of headwaters and source waters” and is currently creating an action plan to achieve it. This goal is 1 of 8 goals in a collaborative, community led Integrated Watershed Management Planning process.
To engage residents in protecting the headwaters, the Oldman Watershed Council and Water Matters have organized a series of 18 “Source to Tap” community meetings to discuss issues in the headwaters, hear what positive stewardship actions are already occurring and identify practical solutions. The speaker will highlight the major themes from these community meetings, will share the results from a new report on the health of the headwaters and explain how the Integrated Watershed Management Planning process can provide solutions.
Speaker: Shannon Frank
Shannon Frank is the Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council, a not-for-profit organization working to maintain and improve the Oldman watershed. The OWC has a broad range of members and supporters in order to represent all residents of the Oldman watershed for the long-term benefit of people, wildlife and habitat.
Shannon attended the University of Lethbridge for a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science. She previously worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife on the multiple species at risk program, MultiSAR.
Though only 30km wide and 24% of the area of the Oldman watershed, the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains provides 90% of the water - they are our headwaters - the source of water that feeds our streams, lakes and groundwater.
The intensity of use in the headwaters has increased and this trend is expected to continue. The community is concerned about the cumulative impact of recreation, logging, oil and gas, grazing and other land uses. Concerns relate to water quality, fragmented fish and wildlife habitat and changes in water flow.
The Oldman Watershed Council has set a goal to “manage and protect the integrity of headwaters and source waters” and is currently creating an action plan to achieve it. This goal is 1 of 8 goals in a collaborative, community led Integrated Watershed Management Planning process.
To engage residents in protecting the headwaters, the Oldman Watershed Council and Water Matters have organized a series of 18 “Source to Tap” community meetings to discuss issues in the headwaters, hear what positive stewardship actions are already occurring and identify practical solutions. The speaker will highlight the major themes from these community meetings, will share the results from a new report on the health of the headwaters and explain how the Integrated Watershed Management Planning process can provide solutions.
Speaker: Shannon Frank
Shannon Frank is the Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council, a not-for-profit organization working to maintain and improve the Oldman watershed. The OWC has a broad range of members and supporters in order to represent all residents of the Oldman watershed for the long-term benefit of people, wildlife and habitat.
Shannon attended the University of Lethbridge for a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science. She previously worked for Alberta Fish and Wildlife on the multiple species at risk program, MultiSAR.
Alberta is blessed with abundant and lucrative natural resources. The province is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in quality of life and wellbeing. Is it not time to ensure that all Albertans share in the province’s wealth? Albertans from across the income spectrum benefit from efforts to reduce disparity.
Disparity erodes social and economic wellbeing for everyone across the income spectrum. Prominent national and international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Conference Board of Canada agree that pronounced inequality has a negative impact on the economy. Recent research has made clear that reduced income inequality improves the efficiency and duration of economic growth. Other research clearly shows that inequality is correlated with numerous social challenges and negatively affects the quality of life of all Albertans.
A recent report reveals that Alberta’s social programs and income transfer systems have not kept up with growing disparity and have failed to address the structural causes of Alberta’s social and economic disparity. The speaker will explain that Alberta’s top 1 percent are by far the wealthiest in the nation, while at the bottom Alberta has the most intense poverty, characterized by several factors, including a boom and bust economy.
Speaker: David Campanella
David Campanella is the Public Policy Research Manager for the Parkland Institute and is based in Calgary. In 2011, David received his Masters degree from York University where he studied environmental politics and focused on the political history of carbon capture and storage in Alberta's oil and gas industry.
Alberta is blessed with abundant and lucrative natural resources. The province is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in quality of life and wellbeing. Is it not time to ensure that all Albertans share in the province’s wealth? Albertans from across the income spectrum benefit from efforts to reduce disparity.
Disparity erodes social and economic wellbeing for everyone across the income spectrum. Prominent national and international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Conference Board of Canada agree that pronounced inequality has a negative impact on the economy. Recent research has made clear that reduced income inequality improves the efficiency and duration of economic growth. Other research clearly shows that inequality is correlated with numerous social challenges and negatively affects the quality of life of all Albertans.
A recent report reveals that Alberta’s social programs and income transfer systems have not kept up with growing disparity and have failed to address the structural causes of Alberta’s social and economic disparity. The speaker will explain that Alberta’s top 1 percent are by far the wealthiest in the nation, while at the bottom Alberta has the most intense poverty, characterized by several factors, including a boom and bust economy.
Speaker: David Campanella
David Campanella is the Public Policy Research Manager for the Parkland Institute and is based in Calgary. In 2011, David received his Masters degree from York University where he studied environmental politics and focused on the political history of carbon capture and storage in Alberta's oil and gas industry.
The Idle No More movement began late in 2012 after the Harper Government passed their massive omnibus budget Bill C-45. Four women, Nina Wilson, Sheelah Mclean, Sylvia McAdam and Jessica Gordon all shared a vision in which people can help protect Mother Earth, her lands, waters and people. The women began discussing the possible impacts that some of the legislation would carry if people remained idle.
To them, it became evident that women MUST do something about the apparent colonial, unilateral and paternalistic legislation being pushed through Canada’s parliamentary system. They began by calling a rally to inform the public that Bill C-45 intended to give the minister of Indian Affairs unprecedented power and they also informed the public on other legislation that may affect and ignore the treaties made with the crown, thereby impacting water, land and people in harmful ways.
The women then helped other communities to coordinate efforts to hold similar rallies with the same goal in mind. These rallies took place all across the country and culminated when a National Day of Solidarity and Resurgence was called for December 10, 2012. This was an enormous grassroots event that never in history had seen so many nations and diverse groups of people come together. The speaker will elaborate on why many individual bills relating specifically to First Nations People within Bill C-45 are of particular concern.
Speaker: Faye Morning Bull LLB
Faye Morning Bull's Blackfoot name is Natoamiskapiakii, Holy Sunrise Woman. She is a member of the Piikani Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy whose members are signatories to Treaty Seven. Faye is of Blackfoot, Cree & Nez Perce descent. She attended the University of Lethbridge where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Native American Studies. During and after completing her degree, she worked with the Peigan Research Department on Specific Claims and Treaty rights issues. Faye finished her Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University of Calgary.
Prior to attending Law School she also had experience working in Community Corrections, as a Probation Officer. Faye has an understanding of oral history as she is a Canadian Nez Perce descendent of the White Bird's people who came into Canada when Chief Joseph surrendered in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. Faye practices law and she has recently established her own law firm, Indigenous Law.
The Idle No More movement began late in 2012 after the Harper Government passed their massive omnibus budget Bill C-45. Four women, Nina Wilson, Sheelah Mclean, Sylvia McAdam and Jessica Gordon all shared a vision in which people can help protect Mother Earth, her lands, waters and people. The women began discussing the possible impacts that some of the legislation would carry if people remained idle.
To them, it became evident that women MUST do something about the apparent colonial, unilateral and paternalistic legislation being pushed through Canada’s parliamentary system. They began by calling a rally to inform the public that Bill C-45 intended to give the minister of Indian Affairs unprecedented power and they also informed the public on other legislation that may affect and ignore the treaties made with the crown, thereby impacting water, land and people in harmful ways.
The women then helped other communities to coordinate efforts to hold similar rallies with the same goal in mind. These rallies took place all across the country and culminated when a National Day of Solidarity and Resurgence was called for December 10, 2012. This was an enormous grassroots event that never in history had seen so many nations and diverse groups of people come together. The speaker will elaborate on why many individual bills relating specifically to First Nations People within Bill C-45 are of particular concern.
Speaker: Faye Morning Bull LLB
Faye Morning Bull's Blackfoot name is Natoamiskapiakii, Holy Sunrise Woman. She is a member of the Piikani Nation, part of the Blackfoot Confederacy whose members are signatories to Treaty Seven. Faye is of Blackfoot, Cree & Nez Perce descent. She attended the University of Lethbridge where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Native American Studies. During and after completing her degree, she worked with the Peigan Research Department on Specific Claims and Treaty rights issues. Faye finished her Bachelor of Laws Degree at the University of Calgary.
Prior to attending Law School she also had experience working in Community Corrections, as a Probation Officer. Faye has an understanding of oral history as she is a Canadian Nez Perce descendent of the White Bird's people who came into Canada when Chief Joseph surrendered in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. Faye practices law and she has recently established her own law firm, Indigenous Law.
Part 1 of the Audio of this speech is available courtesy of an audience member here: http://snd.sc/XHjXez
NOTICE OF SPECIAL SESSION
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2013 7pm PE 261 University of Lethbridge
The Idle No More movement has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. Perhaps best known for his book First Nations? Second Thoughts the speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history and politics with an eye to making major changes in the relationship between aboriginal people and the Government of Canada. Chief among his changes would be the right to private property on reserves and a change in the tax structure of reserves such that there would be no representation without taxation.
The changes that the speaker argues for are controversial but have some precedent in recent negotiated treaties like the Nisga’a Treaty. He will argue that an overhaul of the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change for aboriginal people in Canada.
Speaker: Tom Flanagan
Dr. Tom Flanagan is a professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. His books include Metis Lands in Manitoba (1991); The Collected Writings of Louis Riel (1985); Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered (2nd ed., 2000); Louis "David" Riel:'Prophet of the New World' (2nd ed., 1996); Waiting for the Wave: The Reform Party and Preston Manning (1995); Game Theory and Canadian Politics (1998); First Nations? Second Thoughts (2000, second edition 2008); Harper's Team (2007); and Beyond the Indian Act: Restoring Aboriginal Property Rights (2010).
Flanagan is also an active party strategist. He was former Director of Research for the Reform Party of Canada 1991-92; Chief of Staff in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, House of Commons, 2002-03; and was Manager of the National Campaign of the Conservative Party of Canada, 2004 and the Wildrose provincial campaign in 2012.He is a panelist on CBC TV’s Power and Politics where he has been both controversial and a frequent fashion leader.
Moderator: Peter McCormick
Part 1 of the Audio of this speech is available courtesy of an audience member here: http://snd.sc/XHjXez
NOTICE OF SPECIAL SESSION
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2013 7pm PE 261 University of Lethbridge
The Idle No More movement has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. Perhaps best known for his book First Nations? Second Thoughts the speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history and politics with an eye to making major changes in the relationship between aboriginal people and the Government of Canada. Chief among his changes would be the right to private property on reserves and a change in the tax structure of reserves such that there would be no representation without taxation.
The changes that the speaker argues for are controversial but have some precedent in recent negotiated treaties like the Nisga’a Treaty. He will argue that an overhaul of the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change for aboriginal people in Canada.
Speaker: Tom Flanagan
Dr. Tom Flanagan is a professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. His books include Metis Lands in Manitoba (1991); The Collected Writings of Louis Riel (1985); Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered (2nd ed., 2000); Louis "David" Riel:'Prophet of the New World' (2nd ed., 1996); Waiting for the Wave: The Reform Party and Preston Manning (1995); Game Theory and Canadian Politics (1998); First Nations? Second Thoughts (2000, second edition 2008); Harper's Team (2007); and Beyond the Indian Act: Restoring Aboriginal Property Rights (2010).
Flanagan is also an active party strategist. He was former Director of Research for the Reform Party of Canada 1991-92; Chief of Staff in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, House of Commons, 2002-03; and was Manager of the National Campaign of the Conservative Party of Canada, 2004 and the Wildrose provincial campaign in 2012.He is a panelist on CBC TV’s Power and Politics where he has been both controversial and a frequent fashion leader.
Moderator: Peter McCormick
Premier Alison Redford has given Albertans to understand that there will be some belt tightening and cuts in the next Provincial budget expected later this winter. We can expect a large deficit, but no tax or royalty increases are being contemplated. Is this the only way to deal with the anticipated shortfall?
How well is the provincial economy being managed by our Government? Are there other ways the economy and resources of Alberta could be managed? The speaker will explore these issues from a different perspective. He will offer a contrasting view on how the tremendous wealth of Alberta can work for all Albertans.
Speaker: Brian Mason, leader of Alberta’s New Democrats
Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House Leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for human resources, finance and agriculture.
On September 18, 2004, Mr. Mason became leader of the New Democrats. Mr. Mason was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on November 22, 2004, his fourth term on March 3, 2008, and his fifth term on April 23, 2012. Mr. Mason was appointed to the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 28, 2012.
Before his election to the Alberta Legislature, Mr. Mason served as city of Edmonton councillor for ward 3. He was first elected in October 1989 and won three subsequent civic elections. As a member of city council for 11 years Mr. Mason gained a reputation as an effective voice for his constituents. During this time Mr. Mason chaired the non-profit Housing Board and served on the Taxi Commission, Library board and Northlands board.
Premier Alison Redford has given Albertans to understand that there will be some belt tightening and cuts in the next Provincial budget expected later this winter. We can expect a large deficit, but no tax or royalty increases are being contemplated. Is this the only way to deal with the anticipated shortfall?
How well is the provincial economy being managed by our Government? Are there other ways the economy and resources of Alberta could be managed? The speaker will explore these issues from a different perspective. He will offer a contrasting view on how the tremendous wealth of Alberta can work for all Albertans.
Speaker: Brian Mason, leader of Alberta’s New Democrats
Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House Leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for human resources, finance and agriculture.
On September 18, 2004, Mr. Mason became leader of the New Democrats. Mr. Mason was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on November 22, 2004, his fourth term on March 3, 2008, and his fifth term on April 23, 2012. Mr. Mason was appointed to the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 28, 2012.
Before his election to the Alberta Legislature, Mr. Mason served as city of Edmonton councillor for ward 3. He was first elected in October 1989 and won three subsequent civic elections. As a member of city council for 11 years Mr. Mason gained a reputation as an effective voice for his constituents. During this time Mr. Mason chaired the non-profit Housing Board and served on the Taxi Commission, Library board and Northlands board.
SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19 at NOON at Country Kitchen Catering
A government-appointed commission's latest ideas were put forth recently following a series of public hearings in the fall. A new Lethbridge riding would cover the city and county of Lethbridge, including Coaldale, Coalhurst, Picture Butte and Nobleford, while Cardston would join an expanded Foothills constituency. Raymond, Magrath and Stirling, as well as Milk River, would join Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne has filed a protest to the changes, citing concerns about potentially losing Brooks from his riding to become part of Bow River, which also would include Taber and Vauxhall. As well, the Blood Reserve would move to the Medicine Hat constituency, while the Piikani Nation would be part of the redefined Foothills riding along with communities north along Highway 2. The exact process for objections and changes has yet to be announced, but a final decision on the new boundaries will be made in September and become effective for the next federal election, likely in 2015.
Speaker: LaVar Payne, MP for Medicine Hat
Since first being elected to the House of Commons in 2008, LaVar Payne has had the privilege to sit on the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and also on National Defence. LaVar currently sits on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Agri-Food and also on Public Safety and National Security.
LaVar graduated from the University of Calgary Human Resource Management program, and has a background in business and accounting. Prior to entering political life, LaVar enjoyed a satisfying career in Human Resources as Human Resources Manager for Alberta Gas Chemicals, Novacor and Methanex. He also managed his own consulting company, Solution Source,
Before his election as Member of Parliament in 2008, LaVar was Special Assistant to former Med Hat MP Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. LaVar worked with various organizations in Medicine Hat and served as President of the Medicine Hat Conservative Riding Association for the eight years prior to being elected.
SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19 at NOON at Country Kitchen Catering
A government-appointed commission's latest ideas were put forth recently following a series of public hearings in the fall. A new Lethbridge riding would cover the city and county of Lethbridge, including Coaldale, Coalhurst, Picture Butte and Nobleford, while Cardston would join an expanded Foothills constituency. Raymond, Magrath and Stirling, as well as Milk River, would join Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne has filed a protest to the changes, citing concerns about potentially losing Brooks from his riding to become part of Bow River, which also would include Taber and Vauxhall. As well, the Blood Reserve would move to the Medicine Hat constituency, while the Piikani Nation would be part of the redefined Foothills riding along with communities north along Highway 2. The exact process for objections and changes has yet to be announced, but a final decision on the new boundaries will be made in September and become effective for the next federal election, likely in 2015.
Speaker: LaVar Payne, MP for Medicine Hat
Since first being elected to the House of Commons in 2008, LaVar Payne has had the privilege to sit on the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and also on National Defence. LaVar currently sits on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Agri-Food and also on Public Safety and National Security.
LaVar graduated from the University of Calgary Human Resource Management program, and has a background in business and accounting. Prior to entering political life, LaVar enjoyed a satisfying career in Human Resources as Human Resources Manager for Alberta Gas Chemicals, Novacor and Methanex. He also managed his own consulting company, Solution Source,
Before his election as Member of Parliament in 2008, LaVar was Special Assistant to former Med Hat MP Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. LaVar worked with various organizations in Medicine Hat and served as President of the Medicine Hat Conservative Riding Association for the eight years prior to being elected.
Voter turnout has dropped in almost every advanced industrial country but Alberta’s voter turnout has dropped even more precipitously. According to the speaker, the reduced voter turnout is a symptom of a larger problem: people have become disengaged from government, and they have to be reconnected.
What is to be done about such disconnection? The speaker will argue that a provincial constitution would give people control over their government and reconnect citizens with government. It would provide Albertans with a document to inspire our future and reflect our past. Mr. Sindlinger is trying to build a coalition of individuals throughout Alberta to build a citizen’s constitution for the province.
Speaker: Tom Sindlinger
Tom Sindlinger is a Canadian Economist with a focus on the marketing of natural resources and transportation, and governance. He is a former elected member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and has successfully completed 18 international projects in 12 countries for both private and public entities (such as the Canadian International Development Agency; The National Democratic Institute in Washington; and, The Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta).
Voter turnout has dropped in almost every advanced industrial country but Alberta’s voter turnout has dropped even more precipitously. According to the speaker, the reduced voter turnout is a symptom of a larger problem: people have become disengaged from government, and they have to be reconnected.
What is to be done about such disconnection? The speaker will argue that a provincial constitution would give people control over their government and reconnect citizens with government. It would provide Albertans with a document to inspire our future and reflect our past. Mr. Sindlinger is trying to build a coalition of individuals throughout Alberta to build a citizen’s constitution for the province.
Speaker: Tom Sindlinger
Tom Sindlinger is a Canadian Economist with a focus on the marketing of natural resources and transportation, and governance. He is a former elected member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and has successfully completed 18 international projects in 12 countries for both private and public entities (such as the Canadian International Development Agency; The National Democratic Institute in Washington; and, The Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta).
Some may think medicare issues have gone away with the election of a more liberal Tory Premier. Are things going just fine with health care in Alberta? How is this Provincial Government under Allison Redford doing as stewards of Alberta Health Services?
Should we be concerned about the state of primary health care? Is creeping privatization of health care still an issue and are the recent cuts to home care the right way to go?
What are the pressing decisions and choices facing Albertans and particularly our elected Government in the coming months? Where do we need to be alert, vocal and informed, as we move forward? The speaker will explore and discuss these issues and choices . Speaker: Sandra Azocar
Sandra is the executive director of Friends of Medicare for Alberta and has been a social activist for more than 30 years in this province. Previously, she has worked as a child protection employee, a community organizer and a labour activist.
Prior to coming to Friends of Medicare, Sandra was elected as a vice president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). She was a member of the board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for six years before becoming its executive director.
Some may think medicare issues have gone away with the election of a more liberal Tory Premier. Are things going just fine with health care in Alberta? How is this Provincial Government under Allison Redford doing as stewards of Alberta Health Services?
Should we be concerned about the state of primary health care? Is creeping privatization of health care still an issue and are the recent cuts to home care the right way to go?
What are the pressing decisions and choices facing Albertans and particularly our elected Government in the coming months? Where do we need to be alert, vocal and informed, as we move forward? The speaker will explore and discuss these issues and choices . Speaker: Sandra Azocar
Sandra is the executive director of Friends of Medicare for Alberta and has been a social activist for more than 30 years in this province. Previously, she has worked as a child protection employee, a community organizer and a labour activist.
Prior to coming to Friends of Medicare, Sandra was elected as a vice president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). She was a member of the board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for six years before becoming its executive director.
SACPA and the Lethbridge Public Library present a special evening session of the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs on Tuesday Feb 5, 2013 from 7-9pm
MLA for Calgary-Buffalo Kent Hehr presented a Private Member’s Bill in November 2012 that called on the Alberta government to eliminate public funding for private schools. Alberta is one of only five provinces that subsidizes private students. Furthermore, Alberta provides 70% funding to private schools, the richest subsidy to private schools in the country. Hehr has said that the $130 million set aside to support private schools in the 2012-13 budget is desperately needed in the public school system to implement programs like full day kindergarten and a school lunch initiative.
Defendants of private schools have argued that private schools offer educational choices not available in the public system but Hehr counters that he is not calling for an abolition of private schools but the public funding for them: "I believe our public school system is an excellent place for kids to learn," he said. "If people do not want to take part in the public school system, that is their right. But it's not a corresponding right for the taxpayers to fund that choice for a religious or cultural option."
Speaker: Kent Hehr
Kent Hehr has served as MLA for Calgary-Buffalo since 2008. Born and educated in Calgary, Kent Hehr is a proud Albertan with many ties to his hometown. He was named Graduate of the Decade by the University of Calgary Alumni Association. Before entering political life, Kent Hehr practiced law with the prestigious national law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP.
Kent has served as Chairman of the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta), Chairman of the City of Calgary Advisory Committee on Accessibility, Director of the Downtown West Community Association, board member for the Calgary Canucks Junior ‘A’ Alumni Society and member of the leaders committee of the United Way of Calgary.
The Wildrose Party became the official opposition in the 87 seat Alberta Legislature on April 23, 2012. Despite capturing 34 % of the vote, only 17 Wildrose MLA’s managed to get elected including party leader Danielle Smith. During the 2012 fall session of the Legislature, the Wildrose Party was very active introducing numerous amendments to proposed legislation, but usually to no avail.
The Wildrose believe they heard loud and clear from Albertans that they want solutions to balance the budget, improve health care and education and to put an end to what appears to be a PC Government culture of corruption, conflict of interest and entitlement. Following through on an election promise, Wildrose MLAs exercised their free-vote policy throughout the recent session in the Legislature, while the PCs continued to toe the party line on every vote.
“We know the role of MLAs is to listen to their constituents and thoughtfully consider every piece of legislation that comes through the house,” Smith says. “Our Wildrose team is committed to listening to Albertans and implementing true and meaningful democratic reform.”
Speaker: Danielle Smith, leader of Alberta’s official opposition
Danielle Smith was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood on April 23, 2012. She was elected as leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta on October 17, 2009. She sits on the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future. Prior to entering politics, Danielle was the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, CFIB. She worked with all levels of government to represent the interests of CFIB’s 10,000 small-business members in Alberta.
Before joining CFIB, Danielle had extensive experience in the media. She was an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years. She has served as host of the TV program Global Sunday and also hosted radio programs in Calgary. Her public policy experience began with an internship at the Fraser Institute. She was also elected as a trustee for the Calgary board of education and served as the director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute. Danielle received her B.A.in both English and Economics from the University of Calgary
The Wildrose Party became the official opposition in the 87 seat Alberta Legislature on April 23, 2012. Despite capturing 34 % of the vote, only 17 Wildrose MLA’s managed to get elected including party leader Danielle Smith. During the 2012 fall session of the Legislature, the Wildrose Party was very active introducing numerous amendments to proposed legislation, but usually to no avail.
The Wildrose believe they heard loud and clear from Albertans that they want solutions to balance the budget, improve health care and education and to put an end to what appears to be a PC Government culture of corruption, conflict of interest and entitlement. Following through on an election promise, Wildrose MLAs exercised their free-vote policy throughout the recent session in the Legislature, while the PCs continued to toe the party line on every vote.
“We know the role of MLAs is to listen to their constituents and thoughtfully consider every piece of legislation that comes through the house,” Smith says. “Our Wildrose team is committed to listening to Albertans and implementing true and meaningful democratic reform.”
Speaker: Danielle Smith, leader of Alberta’s official opposition
Danielle Smith was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood on April 23, 2012. She was elected as leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta on October 17, 2009. She sits on the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future. Prior to entering politics, Danielle was the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, CFIB. She worked with all levels of government to represent the interests of CFIB’s 10,000 small-business members in Alberta.
Before joining CFIB, Danielle had extensive experience in the media. She was an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years. She has served as host of the TV program Global Sunday and also hosted radio programs in Calgary. Her public policy experience began with an internship at the Fraser Institute. She was also elected as a trustee for the Calgary board of education and served as the director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute. Danielle received her B.A.in both English and Economics from the University of Calgary
Energy drives life. Energy use has been a great advantage to our species. However, we are moving toward a compelling predicament as our societies thrive and our population grows. With population growth our energy needs increase. Our current sources of energy are thought by many to be leading to harmful climate change – and at the same time they are depleting at a rate we find discomforting. The consequences to our complex society and to other life forms on earth are uncertain. Do Alberta and Canada need an energy strategy to guide us in our challenge?
Global society is seemingly coming to an energy supply and use crisis: how much energy, produced how, in which location and how distributed. The present system of energy supply and distribution based on uncoordinated short term ventures will not be adequate for our future needs. Energy supply and use begs for integrated planning over the long term. The size and nature of the infrastructure required does not allow for abrupt changes. The time for thoughtful knowledge driven planning and action is now.
Our two speakers will address these issues, making cases for a long term energy strategy and a basis for rational implementation.
Speakers: Kent Peacock and Cosmos Voutsinos
Dr. Peacock attained his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His special interests are professional ethics, environmental issues and foundations of physics. These interests impelled his inquiry into issues related to acquiring and applying energy to the needs of modern global society.
Mr. Voutsinos is a professional mechanical engineer who graduated with a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and with a M.Sc. from McMaster University. Mr. Voutsinos has worked internationally in the field of energy conversion to electrical energy. He has developed keen insight into global and local energy issues and how policy might be established to guide effective and economic energy development.
Energy drives life. Energy use has been a great advantage to our species. However, we are moving toward a compelling predicament as our societies thrive and our population grows. With population growth our energy needs increase. Our current sources of energy are thought by many to be leading to harmful climate change – and at the same time they are depleting at a rate we find discomforting. The consequences to our complex society and to other life forms on earth are uncertain. Do Alberta and Canada need an energy strategy to guide us in our challenge?
Global society is seemingly coming to an energy supply and use crisis: how much energy, produced how, in which location and how distributed. The present system of energy supply and distribution based on uncoordinated short term ventures will not be adequate for our future needs. Energy supply and use begs for integrated planning over the long term. The size and nature of the infrastructure required does not allow for abrupt changes. The time for thoughtful knowledge driven planning and action is now.
Our two speakers will address these issues, making cases for a long term energy strategy and a basis for rational implementation.
Speakers: Kent Peacock and Cosmos Voutsinos
Dr. Peacock attained his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Toronto in 1991. In 1996 he joined the University of Lethbridge. His special interests are professional ethics, environmental issues and foundations of physics. These interests impelled his inquiry into issues related to acquiring and applying energy to the needs of modern global society.
Mr. Voutsinos is a professional mechanical engineer who graduated with a B.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and with a M.Sc. from McMaster University. Mr. Voutsinos has worked internationally in the field of energy conversion to electrical energy. He has developed keen insight into global and local energy issues and how policy might be established to guide effective and economic energy development.
Ancient civilizations routinely relied on shackled human muscle. It took the energy of slaves to plant crops, clothe emperors, and build cities. In the early nineteenth century, the slave trade became one of the most profitable enterprises on the planet, and slaveholders viewed religious critics as hostilely as oil companies now regard environmentalists. Yet when the abolition movement finally triumphed in the 1850s, it had an invisible ally: coal and oil.
As the world's most portable and versatile workers, fossil fuels dramatically replenished slavery's ranks with combustion engines and other labour-saving tools. Since then, oil has transformed politics, economics, science, agriculture, gender, and even our concept of happiness. But as the speaker argues in his provocative new book, we still behave like slaveholders in the way we use energy and that urgently needs to change Many North Americans and Europeans today enjoy lifestyles as extravagant as those of Caribbean plantation owners. Like slaveholders, we feel entitled to surplus energy and rationalize inequality, even barbarity, to get it. But endless growth is an illusion, and now that half of the world's oil has been burned, our energy slaves are becoming more expensive by the day. What we need, the speaker will argue, is a radical new emancipation movement.
Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk
Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for nearly 20 years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books. The dramatic, Alberta-based Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award and was listed as a finalist for the Grantham Prize for excellence in reporting on the environment.
Empire of the Beetle, a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer, was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. Andrew’s latest book, The Energy of Slaves, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change.
Ancient civilizations routinely relied on shackled human muscle. It took the energy of slaves to plant crops, clothe emperors, and build cities. In the early nineteenth century, the slave trade became one of the most profitable enterprises on the planet, and slaveholders viewed religious critics as hostilely as oil companies now regard environmentalists. Yet when the abolition movement finally triumphed in the 1850s, it had an invisible ally: coal and oil.
As the world's most portable and versatile workers, fossil fuels dramatically replenished slavery's ranks with combustion engines and other labour-saving tools. Since then, oil has transformed politics, economics, science, agriculture, gender, and even our concept of happiness. But as the speaker argues in his provocative new book, we still behave like slaveholders in the way we use energy and that urgently needs to change Many North Americans and Europeans today enjoy lifestyles as extravagant as those of Caribbean plantation owners. Like slaveholders, we feel entitled to surplus energy and rationalize inequality, even barbarity, to get it. But endless growth is an illusion, and now that half of the world's oil has been burned, our energy slaves are becoming more expensive by the day. What we need, the speaker will argue, is a radical new emancipation movement.
Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk
Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for nearly 20 years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books. The dramatic, Alberta-based Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award and was listed as a finalist for the Grantham Prize for excellence in reporting on the environment.
Empire of the Beetle, a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer, was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. Andrew’s latest book, The Energy of Slaves, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change.
The Federal Government and Alberta’s Provincial Government are advocating that a new pipeline to the Pacific Ocean is essential to growth of the petroleum industry in Alberta. Enbridge has proposed to build a 1200 km pipeline to ship bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands across the rugged terrain of British Columbia to a marine terminal in Kitimat, BC.
Is the Northern Gateway Pipeline needed? What are the economic benefits of the pipeline? What are the environmental risks of the pipeline and the shipping of bitumen in tankers through the hazardous waters of the Douglas Channel? Are there alternatives to building this pipeline, which has been heavily criticized by many native groups and NGO’s?
The speaker will explore the many environmental issues surrounding the Northern Gateway Pipeline project which currently is undergoing public hearings before a joint review panel.
Speaker: Barry Robinson
Barry Robinson is a staff lawyer in the Calgary office of Ecojustice. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Barry worked in the forest industry in northern Alberta and as an environmental consultant.
Since joining Ecojustice in 2008, Barry has represented clients dealing with the environmental impacts of oil and gas activities, water allocation and licensing issues, and the protection of species at risk. Barry acts as legal consultant to three environmental groups in the joint hearings into the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.
The Federal Government and Alberta’s Provincial Government are advocating that a new pipeline to the Pacific Ocean is essential to growth of the petroleum industry in Alberta. Enbridge has proposed to build a 1200 km pipeline to ship bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands across the rugged terrain of British Columbia to a marine terminal in Kitimat, BC.
Is the Northern Gateway Pipeline needed? What are the economic benefits of the pipeline? What are the environmental risks of the pipeline and the shipping of bitumen in tankers through the hazardous waters of the Douglas Channel? Are there alternatives to building this pipeline, which has been heavily criticized by many native groups and NGO’s?
The speaker will explore the many environmental issues surrounding the Northern Gateway Pipeline project which currently is undergoing public hearings before a joint review panel.
Speaker: Barry Robinson
Barry Robinson is a staff lawyer in the Calgary office of Ecojustice. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Barry worked in the forest industry in northern Alberta and as an environmental consultant.
Since joining Ecojustice in 2008, Barry has represented clients dealing with the environmental impacts of oil and gas activities, water allocation and licensing issues, and the protection of species at risk. Barry acts as legal consultant to three environmental groups in the joint hearings into the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.
This is a regular session but with a Christmas twist. Please come early and listen to Christmas music & song
Special Music 11:45 am - 12:05 pm - Gilbert Paterson Handbells 12:30 - 1:00 pm (during lunch) - Gilbert Paterson Select Choir
As we approach Christmas and the spirit that goes with it, environmental challenges -- to air, water and land – are not going away. In Alberta we are polarized between development and environmental safeguards, between job and habitat protection, between corporate interests and citizen lobby/protest groups, between the dividends offered by hydraulic fracturing and those who fear its threat to water and health.
The speaker will offer some guiding principles and insights that the human community might use to journey through this bewildering forest of choices and options. He will propose some spirited guidelines that might lead the way in our care of the earth, our care of one another and ourselves. And they may be principles we can all agree on.
Speaker: Lorne Fitch
Lorne Fitch grew up on a mixed farm in west central Alberta. He left the farm but the experience of growing up in semi-wild circumstances never left him. Lorne has been a biologist for over 40 years, working mostly in Alberta but also in other parts of Canada and internationally with the many issues related to use of land and water.
Those experiences have allowed Lorne to conclude that how we treat the land and water is a result of how we see these elements, how we value them, and what our vision is for their future. It has led him to understand how knowledge levels affect people’s environmental opinions and has caused him to become an educator because if we want a future with clean water, productive soil, fish, wildlife and space, we must make proper choices now.
Lorne is the Provincial Riparian Specialist with the Alberta Cows and Fish program. He is also an adjunct professor with the University of Calgary
This is a regular session but with a Christmas twist. Please come early and listen to Christmas music & song
Special Music 11:45 am - 12:05 pm - Gilbert Paterson Handbells 12:30 - 1:00 pm (during lunch) - Gilbert Paterson Select Choir
As we approach Christmas and the spirit that goes with it, environmental challenges -- to air, water and land – are not going away. In Alberta we are polarized between development and environmental safeguards, between job and habitat protection, between corporate interests and citizen lobby/protest groups, between the dividends offered by hydraulic fracturing and those who fear its threat to water and health.
The speaker will offer some guiding principles and insights that the human community might use to journey through this bewildering forest of choices and options. He will propose some spirited guidelines that might lead the way in our care of the earth, our care of one another and ourselves. And they may be principles we can all agree on.
Speaker: Lorne Fitch
Lorne Fitch grew up on a mixed farm in west central Alberta. He left the farm but the experience of growing up in semi-wild circumstances never left him. Lorne has been a biologist for over 40 years, working mostly in Alberta but also in other parts of Canada and internationally with the many issues related to use of land and water.
Those experiences have allowed Lorne to conclude that how we treat the land and water is a result of how we see these elements, how we value them, and what our vision is for their future. It has led him to understand how knowledge levels affect people’s environmental opinions and has caused him to become an educator because if we want a future with clean water, productive soil, fish, wildlife and space, we must make proper choices now.
Lorne is the Provincial Riparian Specialist with the Alberta Cows and Fish program. He is also an adjunct professor with the University of Calgary
The debates around the recent Occupy movement have prompted questions about what constitutes effective action and whether the current young generation is engaged in social issues. Can these budding activist energies be sustained enough to create change? How can the interests of students who are focused on career training, or who approach learning with passivity, be expanded and nurtured so that they can act with greater alertness and attention to issues they face as global citizens? The Occupy movement, no matter how disorganized they may appear to be, suggests that what may be lacking is the theory, knowledge, and skills necessary to sustain active engagement against discursive, political, and economic pressures which encourage passive acceptance.
Speakers: Josephine Mills and Bruce MacKay
Bruce MacKay, a near-native Lethbridgian, did his undergraduate at the U. of L. in Anthropology, completed his Masters in Theological Studies at Harvard, and did his PhD at the University of Toronto in Religious Studies. He has taught a wide variety of courses at Red Crow College, Lethbridge College, and the University of Lethbridge. Since 2003 he has been Coordinator of the Liberal Education program in the Faculty of Arts and Science. His current research is in issues associated with teaching and learning for a liberal education.
Josephine Mills is the Director/Curator of the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery and an Associate Professor in the Department of Art. She has worked as a curator and public programmer in art galleries and artist-run centres in Saskatoon and Vancouver. Mills has a PhD in Communication Studies from Concordia University and is a graduate of the Museum Leadership Institute at the Getty Center. Her research interests focus on broader issues related to collecting for art galleries and for artists as well as on the relationship between art and notions of public in Canada. Mills is the President of the Canadian Art Museum Directors’ Organization / Organisation des Directeurs des Musées d’Art du Canada and a past President of the University and College Art Gallery Association of Canada.
The debates around the recent Occupy movement have prompted questions about what constitutes effective action and whether the current young generation is engaged in social issues. Can these budding activist energies be sustained enough to create change? How can the interests of students who are focused on career training, or who approach learning with passivity, be expanded and nurtured so that they can act with greater alertness and attention to issues they face as global citizens? The Occupy movement, no matter how disorganized they may appear to be, suggests that what may be lacking is the theory, knowledge, and skills necessary to sustain active engagement against discursive, political, and economic pressures which encourage passive acceptance.
Speakers: Josephine Mills and Bruce MacKay
Bruce MacKay, a near-native Lethbridgian, did his undergraduate at the U. of L. in Anthropology, completed his Masters in Theological Studies at Harvard, and did his PhD at the University of Toronto in Religious Studies. He has taught a wide variety of courses at Red Crow College, Lethbridge College, and the University of Lethbridge. Since 2003 he has been Coordinator of the Liberal Education program in the Faculty of Arts and Science. His current research is in issues associated with teaching and learning for a liberal education.
Josephine Mills is the Director/Curator of the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery and an Associate Professor in the Department of Art. She has worked as a curator and public programmer in art galleries and artist-run centres in Saskatoon and Vancouver. Mills has a PhD in Communication Studies from Concordia University and is a graduate of the Museum Leadership Institute at the Getty Center. Her research interests focus on broader issues related to collecting for art galleries and for artists as well as on the relationship between art and notions of public in Canada. Mills is the President of the Canadian Art Museum Directors’ Organization / Organisation des Directeurs des Musées d’Art du Canada and a past President of the University and College Art Gallery Association of Canada.
Most nations throughout the world have practiced discrimination against racial, religious, ethnic and ideological groups. Justification for these forms of exclusion has increasingly been discredited by the human rights revolution in the post colonization era and equal rights and non-discriminatory policies are now in focus. However, even as these older practices of exclusion are no longer in effect, they continue to have lasting consequences. Political reconciliation requires the rebuilding of damaged relationships. An absolutely central issue here is that of social trust. Challenges of reconciliation will be described by the speaker, using examples from various countries, including South Africa, Canada, Northern Ireland, and Sierra Leone.
Speaker: Dr. Trudy Govier
Trudy Govier is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Her interests are in the areas of critical thinking and social philosophy. She is the author of a widely used textbook A Practical Study of Argument (7th Edition 2010), and ten other works including Dilemmas of Trust (1998), and Forgiveness and Revenge (2002). In the Lethbridge community, Trudy has helped to organize public lecture series and Philosophy Cafes, and worked with Amnesty International.
Most nations throughout the world have practiced discrimination against racial, religious, ethnic and ideological groups. Justification for these forms of exclusion has increasingly been discredited by the human rights revolution in the post colonization era and equal rights and non-discriminatory policies are now in focus. However, even as these older practices of exclusion are no longer in effect, they continue to have lasting consequences. Political reconciliation requires the rebuilding of damaged relationships. An absolutely central issue here is that of social trust. Challenges of reconciliation will be described by the speaker, using examples from various countries, including South Africa, Canada, Northern Ireland, and Sierra Leone.
Speaker: Dr. Trudy Govier
Trudy Govier is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Her interests are in the areas of critical thinking and social philosophy. She is the author of a widely used textbook A Practical Study of Argument (7th Edition 2010), and ten other works including Dilemmas of Trust (1998), and Forgiveness and Revenge (2002). In the Lethbridge community, Trudy has helped to organize public lecture series and Philosophy Cafes, and worked with Amnesty International.
China's economy will soon become the largest in the world. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), China's economy will be larger than the combined economies of the Eurozone countries by the end of this year, and will overtake the United States by the end of 2016.
To fuel an expanding economy, China has been on a global quest for raw materials for decades. In the energy sector, that includes oil, natural gas and uranium from Canada.
Currently, two matters concerning our trade with China are the focus of public attention: the sale of the Calgary-based oil and gas producer Nexen to the Chinese state-owned-enterprise CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), and FIPA, the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, yet to be ratified by the federal government.
What are the issues surrounding the determination of a "net benefit" to Canada?
Speaker: Gordon Houlden
Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta. Born and educated in Calgary, he joined the Foreign Service in 1976. Twenty-two of his years with the Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese affairs for the Government of Canada. His last assignment, before joining the University of Alberta in 2008, was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
China's economy will soon become the largest in the world. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), China's economy will be larger than the combined economies of the Eurozone countries by the end of this year, and will overtake the United States by the end of 2016.
To fuel an expanding economy, China has been on a global quest for raw materials for decades. In the energy sector, that includes oil, natural gas and uranium from Canada.
Currently, two matters concerning our trade with China are the focus of public attention: the sale of the Calgary-based oil and gas producer Nexen to the Chinese state-owned-enterprise CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), and FIPA, the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, yet to be ratified by the federal government.
What are the issues surrounding the determination of a "net benefit" to Canada?
Speaker: Gordon Houlden
Gordon Houlden is the Director of the China Institute and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta. Born and educated in Calgary, he joined the Foreign Service in 1976. Twenty-two of his years with the Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese affairs for the Government of Canada. His last assignment, before joining the University of Alberta in 2008, was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
It has not been uncommon to hear people decry the democratic deficit in Canada. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin defined a democratic deficit as MPs having, among other things, very limited independence. Prime Minister Harper has been accused of increasing the democratic deficit by using parliamentary tactics and omnibus bills to confine parliamentary debate. These tactics have not been limited to the federal government as provincial premiers across Canada have cancelled sittings of the legislature and used prorogation to severely restrict debate.
Has Harper’s government altered the role of Parliament in debate and scrutiny? With the recent omnibus crime bill and two budget implementation bills that both included over 400 pages of wide-ranging changes to legislation, many critics have argued that the Prime Minister has sidelined the House of Commons. Is there a difference in the role of Parliament under this government when compared with previous experiences? Should we be concerned about the function of an institution that has, for some Canadians, been deficient in democracy for decades?
In a democracy, shouldn’t governments do their utmost to find a fair balance between “getting things done” and provide parliamentary debate and scrutiny of legislation? The speaker will address these questions and unravel the relationship between voter apathy and elected governments in the context of today’s reality, where majorities can be elected by 25% or less of the eligible voters.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations and public policy. His primary research interest delves into Canada’s nuclear policies.
Duane is a regular guest on Access Television’s Alberta PrimeTime and CBC-Radio’s Alberta at Noon, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011).
It has not been uncommon to hear people decry the democratic deficit in Canada. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin defined a democratic deficit as MPs having, among other things, very limited independence. Prime Minister Harper has been accused of increasing the democratic deficit by using parliamentary tactics and omnibus bills to confine parliamentary debate. These tactics have not been limited to the federal government as provincial premiers across Canada have cancelled sittings of the legislature and used prorogation to severely restrict debate.
Has Harper’s government altered the role of Parliament in debate and scrutiny? With the recent omnibus crime bill and two budget implementation bills that both included over 400 pages of wide-ranging changes to legislation, many critics have argued that the Prime Minister has sidelined the House of Commons. Is there a difference in the role of Parliament under this government when compared with previous experiences? Should we be concerned about the function of an institution that has, for some Canadians, been deficient in democracy for decades?
In a democracy, shouldn’t governments do their utmost to find a fair balance between “getting things done” and provide parliamentary debate and scrutiny of legislation? The speaker will address these questions and unravel the relationship between voter apathy and elected governments in the context of today’s reality, where majorities can be elected by 25% or less of the eligible voters.
Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations and public policy. His primary research interest delves into Canada’s nuclear policies.
Duane is a regular guest on Access Television’s Alberta PrimeTime and CBC-Radio’s Alberta at Noon, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011).
Recently, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to implement a policy requiring health-care employees working at publicly funded facilities, including long-term care homes, to get a flu shot or wear a mask to protect patients during the flu season. This policy has been applied elsewhere, at some other major health centres. The B.C. Nurses’ Union has taken issue with that policy and is fighting to keep the vaccinations voluntary.
Arguments against flu shots include objections to the government forcing anyone to be vaccinated, as a matter of principle. Some of those against mandatory flu shot vaccination state that they do not believe the vaccination is effective in preventing influenza, and that serious reactions, although rare, may occur. Some do not trust the safety of the ingredients.
Arguments for flu shots include patient protection through reduction of transmissions to those who are not able to be vaccinated, and through herd immunity, in which the vaccination of a sufficient proportion of the population can protect those who are vulnerable (including infants and the elderly that potentially could die should they come in contact with the virus). Studies of efficacy and degree of effectiveness for different age groups exist, and indicate moderate but useful value of vaccines.
Speaker: Dr. Dan Johnson
Dan is interested in data, evidence, and science-based policy. He has agreed to start off the discussion. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia (Institute of Resource Ecology), and BSc in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan. He is a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Lethbridge, where he teaches biogeography, evolution, environmental science, data analysis and experimental design. He conducts research on pathology (he notes “not human pathology”) and other topics. Dan is a member of the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, and has served with a wide range of organizations, government agencies, NGO’s and scientific societies. He promotes Public Understanding of Science, and is one of the organizers of the Public Professor column in the Lethbridge Herald, 2009-2012.
Biochar (the non-fuel use of charcoal) is a carbon-rich residue produced by low-oxygen pyrolysis from biomass (agriculture/forest residues and waste biomass). There is good evidence that soil-applied biochar establishes a long-term, stable and easily measurable carbon sink. Therefore, by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in plant tissues, and by converting it into a highly stable form of carbon, a low cost and effective type of carbon storage emerges. Furthermore, the addition of biochar to poor soils, such as the extensive marginal and solonetzic soils of Alberta hold the promise of increasing crop yields due to anticipated maintenance of soil fertility, quality and productivity.
Biochar is an emerging technology with global impact and considerable potential benefits for Alberta. Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures has conducted biochar work for the past five years, developing small-scale (batch and continuous types) pyrolyzers and producing and testing biochar from different Alberta feedstock. This presentation will explore the potential benefits of large-scale biochar production and use in Alberta and will also highlight the major technology and market gaps that must be filled to achieve these benefits.
Speaker:Dr. Anthony Anyia, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. Anthony Anyia received his Ph.D. in 2001 from the Humboldt University of Berlin. He joined the Alberta Research Council (now part of Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, AITF) as a Research Scientist in 2002. He is currently a lead Scientist and Manager of the Bioresource Technologies Business Unit at AITF. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta. As a plant physiologist with interests in drought tolerance and water use efficiency, Dr. Anyia has presented results of his work in many national and international symposia and conferences. He is the author of several refereed journal articles, book chapters and conference proceedings.
As manager, Dr. Anyia provides scientific and management leadership to programs in Plant Biotechnology & Genomics, Biofibre Feedstock Development, Biomass Processing Technologies, and Engineered Biofibre Composite Products. His portfolio of programs also includes the biomass pyrolysis program that focuses on biochar production and end-use applications development.
Biochar (the non-fuel use of charcoal) is a carbon-rich residue produced by low-oxygen pyrolysis from biomass (agriculture/forest residues and waste biomass). There is good evidence that soil-applied biochar establishes a long-term, stable and easily measurable carbon sink. Therefore, by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in plant tissues, and by converting it into a highly stable form of carbon, a low cost and effective type of carbon storage emerges. Furthermore, the addition of biochar to poor soils, such as the extensive marginal and solonetzic soils of Alberta hold the promise of increasing crop yields due to anticipated maintenance of soil fertility, quality and productivity.
Biochar is an emerging technology with global impact and considerable potential benefits for Alberta. Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures has conducted biochar work for the past five years, developing small-scale (batch and continuous types) pyrolyzers and producing and testing biochar from different Alberta feedstock. This presentation will explore the potential benefits of large-scale biochar production and use in Alberta and will also highlight the major technology and market gaps that must be filled to achieve these benefits.
Speaker:Dr. Anthony Anyia, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. Anthony Anyia received his Ph.D. in 2001 from the Humboldt University of Berlin. He joined the Alberta Research Council (now part of Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, AITF) as a Research Scientist in 2002. He is currently a lead Scientist and Manager of the Bioresource Technologies Business Unit at AITF. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta. As a plant physiologist with interests in drought tolerance and water use efficiency, Dr. Anyia has presented results of his work in many national and international symposia and conferences. He is the author of several refereed journal articles, book chapters and conference proceedings.
As manager, Dr. Anyia provides scientific and management leadership to programs in Plant Biotechnology & Genomics, Biofibre Feedstock Development, Biomass Processing Technologies, and Engineered Biofibre Composite Products. His portfolio of programs also includes the biomass pyrolysis program that focuses on biochar production and end-use applications development.
By looking at three historically significant eras in American history, the speaker will contextualize the 2012 US election and relate to how these eras shaped the results.
First, he will look at the long view emphasizing the colonial, revolutionary and early republican inheritances. He will then look at the medium historical view, from Reagan through Clinton. Finally, the speaker will examine the short view, from 2000 to now, during which time Americans seemingly have adopted a kind of post-democratic polity based on ignorance and belief.
Speaker: Dr. James Tagg
Dr. James Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
By looking at three historically significant eras in American history, the speaker will contextualize the 2012 US election and relate to how these eras shaped the results.
First, he will look at the long view emphasizing the colonial, revolutionary and early republican inheritances. He will then look at the medium historical view, from Reagan through Clinton. Finally, the speaker will examine the short view, from 2000 to now, during which time Americans seemingly have adopted a kind of post-democratic polity based on ignorance and belief.
Speaker: Dr. James Tagg
Dr. James Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life.
On September 27, 2012, nearly two weeks after E. coli 0157:H7 alarm bells first sounded, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the operating license of XL Foods Inc. beef processing plant in Brooks, AB. 1800+ products of potentially contaminated beef was recalled/destroyed here and in the US, the largest recall of beef ever in Canada.
XL Foods Inc. is a privately held Alberta corporation with beef packing facilities located mainly in Alberta and Nebraska, US and is the largest Canadian owned and operated beef processor, although a sale to the huge multi-national Brazilian meatpacker JBS is pending. With over 2000 employees, XL Foods in Brooks is a major employer in Southern Alberta.
The suspension of XL Foods Inc. plants and the massive recall of their beef products have created much controversy….who is responsible, what role did Governments play, should the plant have been shut down earlier, was dumping millions of pounds of beef necessary and are beef producers again on the receiving end of US/Canadian border politics?
The speaker will address these questions and the effects on producers caused by the plant suspension. As well, he will discuss past and future animal health and food safety concerns
Speaker: Ted Haney
Ted Haney was raised on a mixed farm including a beef cattle feedlot, a cow/calf ranch, and grain and forage crops. His family operated this integrated farm in the Picture Butte area of Southern Alberta for over 85 years. Haney received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1982 and his Master of Science in Agriculture Economics in 1991, both from the University of Alberta.
Ted managed the Canada Beef Export Federation (CBEF) for 20 years (1992-2011). This organization was established by the Canadian cattle and beef industry to expand export markets for its product in the global marketplace. As President, Ted was responsible for planning and implementing a multi-million-dollar international market development program delivered through six international offices located in Asia and Mexico.
On September 27, 2012, nearly two weeks after E. coli 0157:H7 alarm bells first sounded, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) suspended the operating license of XL Foods Inc. beef processing plant in Brooks, AB. 1800+ products of potentially contaminated beef was recalled/destroyed here and in the US, the largest recall of beef ever in Canada.
XL Foods Inc. is a privately held Alberta corporation with beef packing facilities located mainly in Alberta and Nebraska, US and is the largest Canadian owned and operated beef processor, although a sale to the huge multi-national Brazilian meatpacker JBS is pending. With over 2000 employees, XL Foods in Brooks is a major employer in Southern Alberta.
The suspension of XL Foods Inc. plants and the massive recall of their beef products have created much controversy….who is responsible, what role did Governments play, should the plant have been shut down earlier, was dumping millions of pounds of beef necessary and are beef producers again on the receiving end of US/Canadian border politics?
The speaker will address these questions and the effects on producers caused by the plant suspension. As well, he will discuss past and future animal health and food safety concerns
Speaker: Ted Haney
Ted Haney was raised on a mixed farm including a beef cattle feedlot, a cow/calf ranch, and grain and forage crops. His family operated this integrated farm in the Picture Butte area of Southern Alberta for over 85 years. Haney received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1982 and his Master of Science in Agriculture Economics in 1991, both from the University of Alberta.
Ted managed the Canada Beef Export Federation (CBEF) for 20 years (1992-2011). This organization was established by the Canadian cattle and beef industry to expand export markets for its product in the global marketplace. As President, Ted was responsible for planning and implementing a multi-million-dollar international market development program delivered through six international offices located in Asia and Mexico.
Escherichia coli, usually called E. coli, refer to a large group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7 can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and very occasionally kidney failure or even death.
Food can become contaminated with E. coli when animals are slaughtered or processed, even if precautions are taken. In processed or ground meat, the bacteria can be spread throughout the meat. Food can also be contaminated if handled by a person infected with E. coli, or from cross-contamination because of unsanitary food handling practices.
Raw fruits and vegetables as well can become contaminated with E. coli while in the field by improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife or poor hygiene by farm workers. E. coli infections can also spread easily from person to person.
The speaker will explain the various myths and facts related to E. coli contamination and food safety, while being mindful of the many challenges facing food processors and inspectors working in a high volume environment.
Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister
Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research Centre. McAllister works in multiple areas including ruminant nutrition, microbial ecology and measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminants. His work on E. coli O157:H7 has focused on the ecology of this bacterium in cattle and their environment as well as looking at using various approaches to lower the presence of this human pathogen in the cattle host.
Work on the use of viruses (bacteriophage) that are specific for killing E. coli O157:H7 has been one of McAllister’s labs key accomplishments. His group has identified strains that are highly adept at killing E. coli O157:H7 and were the first to publish the genome sequence of a .T-5 like phage with these characteristics. His team’s most recent interest is in defining the role that “Super Shedder Cattle” play in the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 from farm to fork
Escherichia coli, usually called E. coli, refer to a large group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7 can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and very occasionally kidney failure or even death.
Food can become contaminated with E. coli when animals are slaughtered or processed, even if precautions are taken. In processed or ground meat, the bacteria can be spread throughout the meat. Food can also be contaminated if handled by a person infected with E. coli, or from cross-contamination because of unsanitary food handling practices.
Raw fruits and vegetables as well can become contaminated with E. coli while in the field by improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife or poor hygiene by farm workers. E. coli infections can also spread easily from person to person.
The speaker will explain the various myths and facts related to E. coli contamination and food safety, while being mindful of the many challenges facing food processors and inspectors working in a high volume environment.
Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister
Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research Centre. McAllister works in multiple areas including ruminant nutrition, microbial ecology and measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminants. His work on E. coli O157:H7 has focused on the ecology of this bacterium in cattle and their environment as well as looking at using various approaches to lower the presence of this human pathogen in the cattle host.
Work on the use of viruses (bacteriophage) that are specific for killing E. coli O157:H7 has been one of McAllister’s labs key accomplishments. His group has identified strains that are highly adept at killing E. coli O157:H7 and were the first to publish the genome sequence of a .T-5 like phage with these characteristics. His team’s most recent interest is in defining the role that “Super Shedder Cattle” play in the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 from farm to fork
Results of three documents issued by the City of Lethbridge indicate that the river valley, albeit a beautiful force of nature, greatly reduces the ability for people to cross it other than by vehicle. The solution, already mentioned in two of the documents is to build a crossing that would span the coulees and eliminate the steep grades required to transit the valley.
The Coulee Corridor Committee has already made a presentation to City Council to further explore this possibility. They have also discussed the project with several bridge designers, project managers, and the Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the US, who has a strong focus on Livable Communities and the role of Pedestrian Bridges. Possible site locations have been identified along with concepts to incorporate transit into a plan that outlines the many benefits Lethbridge citizens could enjoy.
This exciting venture to build such an iconic structure that ultimately would be the highest and longest pedestrian bridge in Canada ought to stir a lot of discussion. The question is not can it be done……but rather, will it be done? Will the citizens of Lethbridge absorb the vision and embrace the concept?
Speaker: Ron Bain
Ron Bain is the former owner of Runner’s Soul and has been a longtime proponent of healthy living and lifestyles. Over the years he has been an advocate for a pedestrian bridge that would eliminate the need to navigate the steep grades and one that would be accessible to all citizens regardless of age or physical ability.
Ron is a past president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. A passionate organizer and supporter of numerous running events in Lethbridge, among them the annual Moonlight Run, Ron earned Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductee status in 2007.
Results of three documents issued by the City of Lethbridge indicate that the river valley, albeit a beautiful force of nature, greatly reduces the ability for people to cross it other than by vehicle. The solution, already mentioned in two of the documents is to build a crossing that would span the coulees and eliminate the steep grades required to transit the valley.
The Coulee Corridor Committee has already made a presentation to City Council to further explore this possibility. They have also discussed the project with several bridge designers, project managers, and the Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the US, who has a strong focus on Livable Communities and the role of Pedestrian Bridges. Possible site locations have been identified along with concepts to incorporate transit into a plan that outlines the many benefits Lethbridge citizens could enjoy.
This exciting venture to build such an iconic structure that ultimately would be the highest and longest pedestrian bridge in Canada ought to stir a lot of discussion. The question is not can it be done……but rather, will it be done? Will the citizens of Lethbridge absorb the vision and embrace the concept?
Speaker: Ron Bain
Ron Bain is the former owner of Runner’s Soul and has been a longtime proponent of healthy living and lifestyles. Over the years he has been an advocate for a pedestrian bridge that would eliminate the need to navigate the steep grades and one that would be accessible to all citizens regardless of age or physical ability.
Ron is a past president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. A passionate organizer and supporter of numerous running events in Lethbridge, among them the annual Moonlight Run, Ron earned Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductee status in 2007.
The May 2011 Wildfires in the Slave Lake area brought international attention to a rural area that was devastated from the aftermath of some of the worst fires in our provincial history. Who could forget the images of the burnt basements, destroyed vehicles and residents living in evacuation centres? Such a disaster invites us to ask ourselves if we are ready for catastrophes of this magnitude in our own community and what role should public policy play in mitigating the effects.
This presentation focuses on what we have found out about the human impacts of fires based upon information collected in the Slave Lake area. In particular, highlights of the effects on families and children and the communities in general will be discussed. Lessons learned from the event with key messages for other communities will also be discussed in order to stimulate the audience to think about their own preparedness for such disasters evidenced by several large grass fires that recently forced evacuations in Lethbridge and other communities in the area.
Speaker: Judith C. Kulig
Dr. Judith Kulig is a Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Her research program is focused on rural health issues, which has included examining the human costs of wildfires. She is senior co-editor of Health in Rural Canada, the only comprehensive book of its kind in Canada that examines rural health issues in our country.
The May 2011 Wildfires in the Slave Lake area brought international attention to a rural area that was devastated from the aftermath of some of the worst fires in our provincial history. Who could forget the images of the burnt basements, destroyed vehicles and residents living in evacuation centres? Such a disaster invites us to ask ourselves if we are ready for catastrophes of this magnitude in our own community and what role should public policy play in mitigating the effects.
This presentation focuses on what we have found out about the human impacts of fires based upon information collected in the Slave Lake area. In particular, highlights of the effects on families and children and the communities in general will be discussed. Lessons learned from the event with key messages for other communities will also be discussed in order to stimulate the audience to think about their own preparedness for such disasters evidenced by several large grass fires that recently forced evacuations in Lethbridge and other communities in the area.
Speaker: Judith C. Kulig
Dr. Judith Kulig is a Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Her research program is focused on rural health issues, which has included examining the human costs of wildfires. She is senior co-editor of Health in Rural Canada, the only comprehensive book of its kind in Canada that examines rural health issues in our country.
Considering Western Canada’s continued dependence on crude and semi-processed resource exports, it could be argued that Albertans ought to find more sustainable and profitable ways to process their natural resource wealth. The speaker will briefly consider regional development challenges in Western Canada before turning to Western Australia, a booming resource-based economy that shares much in common with Alberta.
This presentation will explain how the Kwinana industrial complex on Cockburn Sound has been in operation for nearly 60 years. Initially based on an Anglo Iranian oil refinery which came on stream in 1955, Kwinana has become a large and densely-interconnected industrial zone with the largest harbour on Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline. Just 30 km south of Perth, it features a wide range of large-scale resource-processing refineries and processing plants (oil, gas, nickel, alumina, titanium dioxide, chemicals, water and electrical power generation).
The speaker will discuss the Kwinana success story in light of some relatively new theories of industrial ecology and symbiosis. This alternate explanatory framework has exciting implications in an age in which sustainability objectives are becoming increasingly important in the planning of industrial districts, particularly to Western Canada. It briefly considers the potential for industrial symbiosis on the prairies in projects as large and complex as “Alberta’s Industrial Heartland” (Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan and associated municipalities) and as small as Lethbridge’s industrial park.
Speaker: Ian MacLachlen
Ian was born and raised in Montreal and obtained his B.A. and M.A. from Carleton University in Ottawa. He completed his doctorate at the University of Toronto in 1990. Ian has taught in geography departments at University of Toronto at Mississauga (1985-86), University of Windsor (1986-88), and Carleton (1988-89) before joining the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge in 1989.
In 1991, Ian taught International Studies on a faculty exchange with Hokkai Gakuen University, Sapporo, Japan. He was a Research Associate at the Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Autónoma de México during study leave, 1995-1996. In 2003-04, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Centre of Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh. On Ian’s most recent sturdy leave, he was at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Ian’s last presentation to SACPA was entitled “Lethbridge’s Beef Bonanza” on February 14, 2002.
Considering Western Canada’s continued dependence on crude and semi-processed resource exports, it could be argued that Albertans ought to find more sustainable and profitable ways to process their natural resource wealth. The speaker will briefly consider regional development challenges in Western Canada before turning to Western Australia, a booming resource-based economy that shares much in common with Alberta.
This presentation will explain how the Kwinana industrial complex on Cockburn Sound has been in operation for nearly 60 years. Initially based on an Anglo Iranian oil refinery which came on stream in 1955, Kwinana has become a large and densely-interconnected industrial zone with the largest harbour on Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline. Just 30 km south of Perth, it features a wide range of large-scale resource-processing refineries and processing plants (oil, gas, nickel, alumina, titanium dioxide, chemicals, water and electrical power generation).
The speaker will discuss the Kwinana success story in light of some relatively new theories of industrial ecology and symbiosis. This alternate explanatory framework has exciting implications in an age in which sustainability objectives are becoming increasingly important in the planning of industrial districts, particularly to Western Canada. It briefly considers the potential for industrial symbiosis on the prairies in projects as large and complex as “Alberta’s Industrial Heartland” (Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan and associated municipalities) and as small as Lethbridge’s industrial park.
Speaker: Ian MacLachlen
Ian was born and raised in Montreal and obtained his B.A. and M.A. from Carleton University in Ottawa. He completed his doctorate at the University of Toronto in 1990. Ian has taught in geography departments at University of Toronto at Mississauga (1985-86), University of Windsor (1986-88), and Carleton (1988-89) before joining the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge in 1989.
In 1991, Ian taught International Studies on a faculty exchange with Hokkai Gakuen University, Sapporo, Japan. He was a Research Associate at the Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Autónoma de México during study leave, 1995-1996. In 2003-04, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Centre of Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh. On Ian’s most recent sturdy leave, he was at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Ian’s last presentation to SACPA was entitled “Lethbridge’s Beef Bonanza” on February 14, 2002.
A special session of SACPA will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S
The event is free to the public and refreshments will be provided
The Development of a Social Policy Framework: How to Move Forward?
Social cohesion and an opportunity for all Albertans to be engaged members of our society are important to most. Achieving quality of life however means different things to different folks.
The challenge for the government is to prioritize the needs and wishes of Albertans while being mindful of limited economic and human resources. The speaker will explain the governments plan for public consultation in the development of a Social Policy Framework for Alberta, building on previous principles. He will also suggest that moving forward; the framework ought to be flexible enough to enable sensible changes from time to time.
Speaker: Dave Hancock, Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader
Dave Hancock is in his fifth term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Whitemud. On May 8, 2012, he was appointed Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader. In addition, Dave currently serves as a member of the Operations Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety. Prior to his current appointment, Dave served as Minister of Education and vice-chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.
In his third term, Dave served as Minister of Health and Wellness and as Government House Leader. He was also appointed as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Committee, the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.
He has previously served as the Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and vice-chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment. During each of his terms in office, Dave has served as a member of Treasury Board and the Agenda and Priorities Committee.
Dave is a lawyer by profession and was a partner with Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors, before entering public service. He received an arts degree in political science and economics and a law degree from the University of Alberta.
June 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. Since that time, there have been over 30 million deaths from AIDS-related causes, including 1,700,000 in 2011 alone. Currently, there are approximately 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these staggering numbers, there was great optimism at the 19th International AIDS Conference, Turning the Tide on Together, which ran in Washington, DC this past July that an AIDS free generation is within our reach. Certainly we have both the knowledge and the technology to end the pandemic, but when looking at the incidence rates, the prospect seems daunting and unattainable, and certainly not immediate.
The speaker will discuss some of the highlights from the many sessions at the AIDS Conference and reveal some of the work that needs to be done to achieve an AIDS free generation and bring about the end of AIDS.
Speaker: Charleen Davidson
Charleen is the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection, a position she has held since the winter of 2008. Prior to joining the Connection, Charleen worked in British Columbia’s prison system, first as a Community Liaison Worker at the former Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women and later with victims of domestic violence through the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre. It was her desire to make a difference in the community that led Charleen to the Connection upon her relocation to Lethbridge in 2008.
While Charleen has attended several provincial and national AIDS conferences, AIDS 2012 was her first time participating at the international level. She always welcomes opportunities to learn more about the AIDS movement, and especially appreciates occasions for sharing new knowledge and ideas.
Outside the agency, Charleen has been teaching fitness for the past 13 years, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Galt Museum and Archives and the Board of Directors for the Alberta Community Council on HIV. Charleen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto.
June 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. Since that time, there have been over 30 million deaths from AIDS-related causes, including 1,700,000 in 2011 alone. Currently, there are approximately 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these staggering numbers, there was great optimism at the 19th International AIDS Conference, Turning the Tide on Together, which ran in Washington, DC this past July that an AIDS free generation is within our reach. Certainly we have both the knowledge and the technology to end the pandemic, but when looking at the incidence rates, the prospect seems daunting and unattainable, and certainly not immediate.
The speaker will discuss some of the highlights from the many sessions at the AIDS Conference and reveal some of the work that needs to be done to achieve an AIDS free generation and bring about the end of AIDS.
Speaker: Charleen Davidson
Charleen is the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection, a position she has held since the winter of 2008. Prior to joining the Connection, Charleen worked in British Columbia’s prison system, first as a Community Liaison Worker at the former Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women and later with victims of domestic violence through the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre. It was her desire to make a difference in the community that led Charleen to the Connection upon her relocation to Lethbridge in 2008.
While Charleen has attended several provincial and national AIDS conferences, AIDS 2012 was her first time participating at the international level. She always welcomes opportunities to learn more about the AIDS movement, and especially appreciates occasions for sharing new knowledge and ideas.
Outside the agency, Charleen has been teaching fitness for the past 13 years, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Galt Museum and Archives and the Board of Directors for the Alberta Community Council on HIV. Charleen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto.
Climate change may be the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced. If the present trend continues, the world will likely experience a severe average increase in temperature by the end of this century, endangering our civilization, as we know it.
The speaker will argue it is time to put the climate change debate behind us and get on with the tasks at hand. We will need to both mitigate and adapt. Food insecurity for example is already an issue many places on the globe and will probably get worse as we head into a warmer world. It is however not too late to avoid the worst effects of climate change if we act now.
Luckily, many strategies are available to reduce the risks, but political will is lagging on when, where and how to start. The speaker will discuss important facts about the impacts of climate change on food security both here and in other parts of the world as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation options at the grassroots level.
Speaker: Sandy Aberdeen
Sandy completed the Environmental Management program at the University of Calgary 16 years ago. A Leadership for the Environment and Development (LEAD) fellow, Sandy and his son started Calgary’s first single site urban farm. He has recently completed a permaculture design course with Verge Permaculture, and in August 2012 received training from Al Gore to present on The Climate Reality Project.
Taking the Environmental Management Program helped Sandy understand environmental issues and challenges. The more he learns about climate change and global warming the more concerned he becomes and he feels morally and ethically obligated to work on making a difference.
Climate change may be the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced. If the present trend continues, the world will likely experience a severe average increase in temperature by the end of this century, endangering our civilization, as we know it.
The speaker will argue it is time to put the climate change debate behind us and get on with the tasks at hand. We will need to both mitigate and adapt. Food insecurity for example is already an issue many places on the globe and will probably get worse as we head into a warmer world. It is however not too late to avoid the worst effects of climate change if we act now.
Luckily, many strategies are available to reduce the risks, but political will is lagging on when, where and how to start. The speaker will discuss important facts about the impacts of climate change on food security both here and in other parts of the world as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation options at the grassroots level.
Speaker: Sandy Aberdeen
Sandy completed the Environmental Management program at the University of Calgary 16 years ago. A Leadership for the Environment and Development (LEAD) fellow, Sandy and his son started Calgary’s first single site urban farm. He has recently completed a permaculture design course with Verge Permaculture, and in August 2012 received training from Al Gore to present on The Climate Reality Project.
Taking the Environmental Management Program helped Sandy understand environmental issues and challenges. The more he learns about climate change and global warming the more concerned he becomes and he feels morally and ethically obligated to work on making a difference.
The speaker will examine societal attitudes toward the disabled. He believes that society focuses on the physical infrastructure (i.e. ramps, sidewalks, points of entry, city transit and other modes of public transportation, etc.) and neglects a more serious problem, namely people’s patronizing attitudes towards the disabled.
Even the medical profession contributes to the problem by seeing the handicapped as people in need of a cure. And by the way, how well are we doing in creating a community that is accessible to those who are disabled? The speaker believes the handicapped need to be seen as people who are different but equal. Virtually everyone is part of the problem and everyone needs to be part of the solution.
Speaker: Ned Shillington.
Ned Shillington lives in Calgary. He was educated as a lawyer in Saskatchewan and entered politics there in 1971. He spent 24 years as a member of the Sask. Legislature, and 11 years as a member of the Sask. cabinet. In 1997 he became a paraplegic.
Ned is a past president of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, a national organization representing people with spinal cord injuries. He is currently the vice president of the Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. This background has given him a unique perspective on people’s attitudes towards the handicapped.
The speaker will examine societal attitudes toward the disabled. He believes that society focuses on the physical infrastructure (i.e. ramps, sidewalks, points of entry, city transit and other modes of public transportation, etc.) and neglects a more serious problem, namely people’s patronizing attitudes towards the disabled.
Even the medical profession contributes to the problem by seeing the handicapped as people in need of a cure. And by the way, how well are we doing in creating a community that is accessible to those who are disabled? The speaker believes the handicapped need to be seen as people who are different but equal. Virtually everyone is part of the problem and everyone needs to be part of the solution.
Speaker: Ned Shillington.
Ned Shillington lives in Calgary. He was educated as a lawyer in Saskatchewan and entered politics there in 1971. He spent 24 years as a member of the Sask. Legislature, and 11 years as a member of the Sask. cabinet. In 1997 he became a paraplegic.
Ned is a past president of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, a national organization representing people with spinal cord injuries. He is currently the vice president of the Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. This background has given him a unique perspective on people’s attitudes towards the handicapped.
In recent years Lethbridge has watched the local Roman Catholic community in tension with Bishop Henry over who has authority to make decisions around the life and future of that parish. This public debate raises important questions: Should the Roman Catholic Church be more democratic? What about other denominations - are they more democratic?
If a church draws its energy and vision from revelation (the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the traditions of the larger Church) how can it be democratic? Would modern churches be far healthier if they were democratic? What is meant by “democracy” and what would that look like in the life of churches?
The speaker will be exploring these and more questions as he looks at authority in Christian churches, and whether democracy has any place in the life of organized religion.
Speaker: Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Lethbridge, where he has taught courses in the history of Christianity and in Greek language for the last twenty-six years. His primary research is in Christianity and Judaism in the Roman Empire and in new religious movements in the early 1900s. His latest books are: Ignatius of Antioch and the Parting of the Ways: Early Jewish-Christian Relations (Baker Academic, 2009) and (with Lanette Ruff) Out of the Mouths of Babes: Girl Evangelists in the Flapper Era (Oxford University Press, 2012).
In recent years Lethbridge has watched the local Roman Catholic community in tension with Bishop Henry over who has authority to make decisions around the life and future of that parish. This public debate raises important questions: Should the Roman Catholic Church be more democratic? What about other denominations - are they more democratic?
If a church draws its energy and vision from revelation (the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the traditions of the larger Church) how can it be democratic? Would modern churches be far healthier if they were democratic? What is meant by “democracy” and what would that look like in the life of churches?
The speaker will be exploring these and more questions as he looks at authority in Christian churches, and whether democracy has any place in the life of organized religion.
Speaker: Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Lethbridge, where he has taught courses in the history of Christianity and in Greek language for the last twenty-six years. His primary research is in Christianity and Judaism in the Roman Empire and in new religious movements in the early 1900s. His latest books are: Ignatius of Antioch and the Parting of the Ways: Early Jewish-Christian Relations (Baker Academic, 2009) and (with Lanette Ruff) Out of the Mouths of Babes: Girl Evangelists in the Flapper Era (Oxford University Press, 2012).
World population at 7 billion has evoked concern, but also opens doors to new thinking about the environment, sustainability, consumption, distribution and taking stock of ourselves. The speaker will reveal what the future may hold based on current research regarding population trends here and world-wide.
Speaker: Susan McDaniel Ph.D.
Dr. Susan McDaniel is Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Global Population and Life Course (the first Tier 1 CRC in social sciences at the U of L), Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. She had previously taught at the Universities of Alberta and Waterloo.
Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and around the World.
At a January 24, 2012 meeting between the Federal Government and First Nation Chiefs, the Harper government told the Chiefs the Indian Act would not be abolished. Instead, a new act known as Bill S-6, The First Nations Election Act would be implemented. Bill S-6 is voluntary and First Nation Governments can opt into the First Nations Elections Act or continue to be legislated by the Indian Act election requirements.
Many political concerns exist regarding the leadership /electoral process on Canada’s Indian Reservations. Because the structure of government is legislated under the Indian Act, it is a municipal style of elected officials in a single electoral zone. Therefore, the only recourse by peoples living on reserves is to raise their concerns with the Minister of Indian Affairs regarding corrupt acts of their government. Rather than hearing each case individually, the Harper Government has introduced Bill S-6 in an attempt to solve the internal problems of Chief and Council elections on Indian Reserves across Canada.
The speaker will argue that Bill S-6 has several measures which are not democratic for First Nations. Under Bill S-6, the existing government/Chief and Council may abuse their legislative powers and arbitrary reduce the number of elected officials without referendum or consultation with voters. Another danger of Bill S-6 is the lack of official consultation with First Nation governments by the Federal Government resulting in a lack of Treaty /fiduciary obligations. Furthermore, if corrupt acts are taking place by the existing First Nation government, the Minister of Indian Affairs can impose Bill S-6 without consultation. Currently, Bill S-6 is at the Senate for third reading and as of May 4, 2012, has been introduced to the House of Commons. Speaker: Mike Frank Mike Frank has been the Chief Electoral Officer for the Stoney (Chiniki) First Nation, a Deputy Electoral Officer for the Kainai First Nation, a Deputy Returning Officer for the recent Provincial election, and policy advisor for many First Nation Governments. Mike is a member of the Kainai First Nation and is a graduate from the University of Lethbridge Currently; Mike is a Lethbridge College & Peigan Board of Education Instructor.
At a January 24, 2012 meeting between the Federal Government and First Nation Chiefs, the Harper government told the Chiefs the Indian Act would not be abolished. Instead, a new act known as Bill S-6, The First Nations Election Act would be implemented. Bill S-6 is voluntary and First Nation Governments can opt into the First Nations Elections Act or continue to be legislated by the Indian Act election requirements.
Many political concerns exist regarding the leadership /electoral process on Canada’s Indian Reservations. Because the structure of government is legislated under the Indian Act, it is a municipal style of elected officials in a single electoral zone. Therefore, the only recourse by peoples living on reserves is to raise their concerns with the Minister of Indian Affairs regarding corrupt acts of their government. Rather than hearing each case individually, the Harper Government has introduced Bill S-6 in an attempt to solve the internal problems of Chief and Council elections on Indian Reserves across Canada.
The speaker will argue that Bill S-6 has several measures which are not democratic for First Nations. Under Bill S-6, the existing government/Chief and Council may abuse their legislative powers and arbitrary reduce the number of elected officials without referendum or consultation with voters. Another danger of Bill S-6 is the lack of official consultation with First Nation governments by the Federal Government resulting in a lack of Treaty /fiduciary obligations. Furthermore, if corrupt acts are taking place by the existing First Nation government, the Minister of Indian Affairs can impose Bill S-6 without consultation. Currently, Bill S-6 is at the Senate for third reading and as of May 4, 2012, has been introduced to the House of Commons. Speaker: Mike Frank Mike Frank has been the Chief Electoral Officer for the Stoney (Chiniki) First Nation, a Deputy Electoral Officer for the Kainai First Nation, a Deputy Returning Officer for the recent Provincial election, and policy advisor for many First Nation Governments. Mike is a member of the Kainai First Nation and is a graduate from the University of Lethbridge Currently; Mike is a Lethbridge College & Peigan Board of Education Instructor.
James Lovelock, scientist and originator of the Gaia hypothesis, said in 2007 that; "Before this century is over, billions of us will die and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic." Recently, as reported in the Daily Mail, he said; “The problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago. That led to some alarmist books – mine included – because it looked clear-cut, but it hasn’t happened.” “We were supposed to be halfway toward a frying world now.”
How could a reputable scientist have been so far off track? How can the rest of us separate fact from fantasy?
Alarming climate change announcements seemingly go far beyond the fundamental scientific postulate that increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will change the radiative heat transfer properties of the earth sufficiently to cause significant warming. Establishing confirmatory evidence is difficult and may be far from conclusive.
The speaker will present his opinion on how deception was achieved, the motive, the inadequacies of the data and the methods used to achieve a premeditated result.
Speaker: Tim Ball, Ph.D.
Dr. Ball retired from the University of Winnipeg in 1996 to pursue his long time interest in climate change. He is skeptical of some aspects of developing climate change science and policy. He maintains a website where details are presented. He is also a featured speaker with the International Climate Science Coalition. His public presentations have been enthusiastically received by some professional societies, business conferences, public forums and a wide variety of public, private and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Ball studied at the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba receiving his B.A and M.A. from them, respectively, in 1970 and 1971. He earned his Ph.D. from Saint Mary’s College of the University of London in 1982 with a specialization in climatology.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, May 31, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
James Lovelock, scientist and originator of the Gaia hypothesis, said in 2007 that; "Before this century is over, billions of us will die and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic." Recently, as reported in the Daily Mail, he said; “The problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago. That led to some alarmist books – mine included – because it looked clear-cut, but it hasn’t happened.” “We were supposed to be halfway toward a frying world now.”
How could a reputable scientist have been so far off track? How can the rest of us separate fact from fantasy?
Alarming climate change announcements seemingly go far beyond the fundamental scientific postulate that increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will change the radiative heat transfer properties of the earth sufficiently to cause significant warming. Establishing confirmatory evidence is difficult and may be far from conclusive.
The speaker will present his opinion on how deception was achieved, the motive, the inadequacies of the data and the methods used to achieve a premeditated result.
Speaker: Tim Ball, Ph.D.
Dr. Ball retired from the University of Winnipeg in 1996 to pursue his long time interest in climate change. He is skeptical of some aspects of developing climate change science and policy. He maintains a website where details are presented. He is also a featured speaker with the International Climate Science Coalition. His public presentations have been enthusiastically received by some professional societies, business conferences, public forums and a wide variety of public, private and non-profit organizations.
Dr. Ball studied at the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba receiving his B.A and M.A. from them, respectively, in 1970 and 1971. He earned his Ph.D. from Saint Mary’s College of the University of London in 1982 with a specialization in climatology.
Moderator: Duane Pendergast
Date:Thursday, May 31, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
In 1995 Premier Ralph Klein and the Progressive Conservative party began the restructuring of electricity in Alberta with the introduction of "The Electrical Utilities Act". In 2001 a fully deregulated electricity market was opened. The only province in Canada with a deregulated market in electricity, Alberta is said by many to have one of the highest electricity rates in Canada. Voices on both sides of this have debated the gains and losses of this deregulation.
The speaker knows something about this, as owner of Lethbridge Iron Works, an industry which uses a considerable amount of electricity. He will give some background on deregulation, what its impact has been, and what he sees as a possible solution.
Speaker: John Davies
John Davies is a Professional Engineer and President and co-owner of Lethbridge Iron Works. He graduated from the U of A with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He is also the Secretary and Treasurer of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta (IASA).
John was born and raised in Lethbridge and has called it home for most of his life. He became very involved in electricity deregulation during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the process unfolded. John has been a vocal critic of the process. He served on several government committees and has been widely quoted in the media on the issue. Lethbridge Iron Works spends up to $250,000 per month on electricity and has seen their competitiveness eroded due to the electricity costs in Alberta now being substantially higher than in other jurisdictions.
Moderator: Van Christou
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
In 1995 Premier Ralph Klein and the Progressive Conservative party began the restructuring of electricity in Alberta with the introduction of "The Electrical Utilities Act". In 2001 a fully deregulated electricity market was opened. The only province in Canada with a deregulated market in electricity, Alberta is said by many to have one of the highest electricity rates in Canada. Voices on both sides of this have debated the gains and losses of this deregulation.
The speaker knows something about this, as owner of Lethbridge Iron Works, an industry which uses a considerable amount of electricity. He will give some background on deregulation, what its impact has been, and what he sees as a possible solution.
Speaker: John Davies
John Davies is a Professional Engineer and President and co-owner of Lethbridge Iron Works. He graduated from the U of A with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He is also the Secretary and Treasurer of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta (IASA).
John was born and raised in Lethbridge and has called it home for most of his life. He became very involved in electricity deregulation during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the process unfolded. John has been a vocal critic of the process. He served on several government committees and has been widely quoted in the media on the issue. Lethbridge Iron Works spends up to $250,000 per month on electricity and has seen their competitiveness eroded due to the electricity costs in Alberta now being substantially higher than in other jurisdictions.
Moderator: Van Christou
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Emerging super-power or developing country? Communist dictatorship or economic miracle of free-market enterprise? What’s happening in China and what’s been going on since Chairman Mao’s successor Deng Xiaoping declared in 1985, that “it’s okay for some people to get rich first”? Is the country opening up politically as well as economically? How free are ordinary Chinese? What do they talk about around the kitchen table?
Although Canada established diplomatic relations with China in 1970, a year before it occupied a seat at the United Nations, Prime Minister Harper got off to a rocky start with the Chinese leadership. Relations appear to have improved since then and this year’s visit resulted in the loan of two giant pandas. Why the change of heart? And what more is in the offing?
Speaker: Trevor Page
Trevor Page is a retired United Nations official, settled in Lethbridge. He served in China as the head of the U.N. World Food Programme from 1986 – 1990, when the country had just started opening up to the outside world.
Since retirement, Trevor and his wife Jan Gong, a former official of China’s central government, visit the country almost every year. They have family in China and try to keep abreast of what is going on in the country.
The SAAG, SACPA, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge Regional Police Service and OUTreach Southern Alberta Society are co-sponsoring the speaker Nate Phelps as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
MAY 17th from 7pm at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
Few minority groups have been as discriminated against as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two spirit and queer people . But major breakthroughs have occurred, and lgbttq people are stepping out of the shadows. From the outside, it could be construed that all problems have been solved. The media are sympathetic, public personalities come out, television shows feature more queer characters in scenes of everyday life. Nevertheless, the reality is quite different. Many individuals are unable to live openly and authentically and encounter difficulties if they do, or end up role-playing to protect themselves.
The International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia & transphobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: queer community organizations, those organizations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality.
This event will a chance for all people to learn to recognize and respond to homophobia & transphobia in classrooms, the workplace, government policies, churches and communities.
This year's event will feature excerpts from the "Report Homophobic Violence, Period. project," a prevention and awareness program by the Lethbridge Regional Police and OUTreach Southern Alberta in partnership.
Our special guest for the evening will be Nate Phelps. Nate Phelps is the son of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, which gained infamy from their protests at Matthew Shepherd's funeral and the funerals of soldiers around the US. He is the sixth of 13 children and was taught his father’s extreme version of Calvinism from an early age. This was accompanied by extreme physical punishments and abuse, extreme dietary and health requirements, and other extreme expectations. Nate left home at midnight on his 18th birthday and moved to California, where he built a new life away from his family. He later moved to Canada and only recently began speaking out about his story after a chance encounter with a reporter while driving a cab in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Nate has now spoken about his story to many groups around North America and even returned home to Topeka in 2010 to tell his story to the people in his hometown. He is a vocal LGBT advocate and the Executive Director of the Centre for Inquiry in Calgary, where he now lives.
Reception to follow.
Emerging super-power or developing country? Communist dictatorship or economic miracle of free-market enterprise? What’s happening in China and what’s been going on since Chairman Mao’s successor Deng Xiaoping declared in 1985, that “it’s okay for some people to get rich first”? Is the country opening up politically as well as economically? How free are ordinary Chinese? What do they talk about around the kitchen table?
Although Canada established diplomatic relations with China in 1970, a year before it occupied a seat at the United Nations, Prime Minister Harper got off to a rocky start with the Chinese leadership. Relations appear to have improved since then and this year’s visit resulted in the loan of two giant pandas. Why the change of heart? And what more is in the offing?
Speaker: Trevor Page
Trevor Page is a retired United Nations official, settled in Lethbridge. He served in China as the head of the U.N. World Food Programme from 1986 – 1990, when the country had just started opening up to the outside world.
Since retirement, Trevor and his wife Jan Gong, a former official of China’s central government, visit the country almost every year. They have family in China and try to keep abreast of what is going on in the country.
The front page headline in the Lethbridge Herald April 24 read, "Same Old Story". Was it really? Was this another automatic victory for the PCs? How did the Conservatives manage to win this one? How did the Wildrose manage to lose it? Did the pundits and pollsters miss something? What do the various parties have to learn – as they look back on this election? How has the Alberta electorate changed in the past few years – and what did the outcome say about Alberta in 2012?
Our speaker will explore the layers and issues that affected the Provincial election outcome, and what we need to understand about it all. He will argue that underneath the surface there has been a major realignment in the party system. What does the party realignment say about Albertans and our politics? What will the next four years bring in terms of federal-provincial relationships and what must each of the parties do to attract more voters in 2016?
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian politics, Alberta politics, and political parties and elections with a particular emphasis on political party finance and the use of social media for political communication
Moderator: Dianne King
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library
A Perspective on Children's Mental Health: From Childhood Trauma to Adult Wholeness
Mental Health Awareness Week is May 7-11, 2012. In addition, in many parts of Canada and the United States May 9th is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. The week is dedicated to raising awareness of issues related to mental illness and mental health. One in five Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives.
Our speaker will share his personal journey as he discusses the impact of experiencing the stigma of having a family member with mental illness, personally being bullied in school and suffering the effects of the early symptoms of schizophrenia. As an adult, how does one cope and go on to lead a fulfilling life of service?
Speaker: Dr Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers.
Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated in writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy.
The front page headline in the Lethbridge Herald April 24 read, "Same Old Story". Was it really? Was this another automatic victory for the PCs? How did the Conservatives manage to win this one? How did the Wildrose manage to lose it? Did the pundits and pollsters miss something? What do the various parties have to learn – as they look back on this election? How has the Alberta electorate changed in the past few years – and what did the outcome say about Alberta in 2012?
Our speaker will explore the layers and issues that affected the Provincial election outcome, and what we need to understand about it all. He will argue that underneath the surface there has been a major realignment in the party system. What does the party realignment say about Albertans and our politics? What will the next four years bring in terms of federal-provincial relationships and what must each of the parties do to attract more voters in 2016?
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian politics, Alberta politics, and political parties and elections with a particular emphasis on political party finance and the use of social media for political communication
Moderator: Dianne King
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Lethbridge is a city that comes with many benefits including a small geographical footprint. Despite its small size it is largely a motorized vehicle culture. In light of rising costs for vehicle operation, health benefits from physical activity, and benefits in maintaining environmental integrity, very few citizens view bicycles as an effective mode of transportation. This presentation presents some perspectives on how public policy has influenced this perception.
Speakers: Annabree Fairweather and Mark Pijl-Zieber
Annabree Fairwweather has a Master of Science in Psychology. She works at the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association and she occasionally instructs at the university and at the Lethbridge College. Annabree’s experiences with cycling in Lethbridge have motivated her to join the board of BikeBridge Cycling Association. Her goal is to develop more efficient—and less ambiguous—cycling infrastructure for commuters in Lethbridge.
Mark Pijl Zieber is a registered nurse and faculty member at the University of Lethbridge. He has been an avid cyclist all of his life and has made cycling an important part of his transportation profile. He is a founding member of the BikeBridge Cycling Association. This association is committed to promoting the use of bicycles as a means of transportation in Lethbridge.
Moderator: Carly Adams
Date:Thursday, May 3, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Lethbridge is a city that comes with many benefits including a small geographical footprint. Despite its small size it is largely a motorized vehicle culture. In light of rising costs for vehicle operation, health benefits from physical activity, and benefits in maintaining environmental integrity, very few citizens view bicycles as an effective mode of transportation. This presentation presents some perspectives on how public policy has influenced this perception.
Speakers: Annabree Fairweather and Mark Pijl-Zieber
Annabree Fairwweather has a Master of Science in Psychology. She works at the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association and she occasionally instructs at the university and at the Lethbridge College. Annabree’s experiences with cycling in Lethbridge have motivated her to join the board of BikeBridge Cycling Association. Her goal is to develop more efficient—and less ambiguous—cycling infrastructure for commuters in Lethbridge.
Mark Pijl Zieber is a registered nurse and faculty member at the University of Lethbridge. He has been an avid cyclist all of his life and has made cycling an important part of his transportation profile. He is a founding member of the BikeBridge Cycling Association. This association is committed to promoting the use of bicycles as a means of transportation in Lethbridge.
Moderator: Carly Adams
Date:Thursday, May 3, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
When it comes to energy, there seems to be a very large gap between scientific, economic and environmental facts, on the one hand and what the general public believes, on the other. While the public can be excused, because all the energy technologies involved are much more complex than they appear on the surface, the people behind each of these technologies have contributed in a significant way to the existence of many of these gaps in communication.
This presentation will focus on one of the largest gaps – that which exists about nuclear power. This gap will be identified; the causes and especially the consequences of this gap will be analyzed.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos
Cosmos Voutsinos is a mechanical engineer graduated from the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. He specializes in energy conversion systems, in particular conversion to electrical energy. He has worked in various capacities in the design, construction and manufacturing of equipment and operation of energy conversion facilities for most energy technologies. This list includes nuclear and fossil fuel fired power plants as well as a variety of renewable energy projects.
In nuclear power he has participated as a design engineer, as a construction manager, as a manufacturer of nuclear equipment and as a techno-economic consultant. His work has brought him from Canada, to USA, Taiwan, China, S. Korea, Japan and Belgium. He has been a member of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), Organization of Candu Industries (OCI) and the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS). At present he retains his Alberta P. Eng membership.
Over his 40 year working career Cosmos has got to know not only the energy technologies involved but also the people and the social structures behind them.
When it comes to energy, there seems to be a very large gap between scientific, economic and environmental facts, on the one hand and what the general public believes, on the other. While the public can be excused, because all the energy technologies involved are much more complex than they appear on the surface, the people behind each of these technologies have contributed in a significant way to the existence of many of these gaps in communication.
This presentation will focus on one of the largest gaps – that which exists about nuclear power. This gap will be identified; the causes and especially the consequences of this gap will be analyzed.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos
Cosmos Voutsinos is a mechanical engineer graduated from the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. He specializes in energy conversion systems, in particular conversion to electrical energy. He has worked in various capacities in the design, construction and manufacturing of equipment and operation of energy conversion facilities for most energy technologies. This list includes nuclear and fossil fuel fired power plants as well as a variety of renewable energy projects.
In nuclear power he has participated as a design engineer, as a construction manager, as a manufacturer of nuclear equipment and as a techno-economic consultant. His work has brought him from Canada, to USA, Taiwan, China, S. Korea, Japan and Belgium. He has been a member of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), Organization of Candu Industries (OCI) and the Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS). At present he retains his Alberta P. Eng membership.
Over his 40 year working career Cosmos has got to know not only the energy technologies involved but also the people and the social structures behind them.
During the past Federal election campaign the Federal Conservatives promised a number of changes in the area of justice. During this winter's session of Parliament, that has taken the form of the "Federal Omnibus Crime Bill". The bill, which arguable was passed with imposed minimal debate, has not only been criticized by opposition parties, but also by several provinces and some non-parliamentary organizations such as the John Howard Society.
But what is really in this lumped together bill? How much is minimum sentencing for many crimes likely to cost the federal and provincial governments? And is it the best way to fight crime? The speaker will explore the bill, and some of its implications for both Canada as a whole, and for the Province of Alberta.
Speaker: Sheila French
Sheila French is currently completing a PhD in Applied and Experimental Psychology with a focus on Criminal Justice Research. She has recently taken a Faculty position at Lethbridge College in the Criminal Justice Program. Prior to this she was a Director of Clinical Services within the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, Government of Saskatchewan.
She has researched and published in the areas of offender rehabilitation and criminal risk prediction. Her primary research method is meta-analysis which is the quantitative synthesis of large bodies of related research.
During the past Federal election campaign the Federal Conservatives promised a number of changes in the area of justice. During this winter's session of Parliament, that has taken the form of the "Federal Omnibus Crime Bill". The bill, which arguable was passed with imposed minimal debate, has not only been criticized by opposition parties, but also by several provinces and some non-parliamentary organizations such as the John Howard Society.
But what is really in this lumped together bill? How much is minimum sentencing for many crimes likely to cost the federal and provincial governments? And is it the best way to fight crime? The speaker will explore the bill, and some of its implications for both Canada as a whole, and for the Province of Alberta.
Speaker: Sheila French
Sheila French is currently completing a PhD in Applied and Experimental Psychology with a focus on Criminal Justice Research. She has recently taken a Faculty position at Lethbridge College in the Criminal Justice Program. Prior to this she was a Director of Clinical Services within the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing, Government of Saskatchewan.
She has researched and published in the areas of offender rehabilitation and criminal risk prediction. Her primary research method is meta-analysis which is the quantitative synthesis of large bodies of related research.
SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library
Logging the Oldman Headwaters – What’s all the Fuss About?
Date:Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lethbridge Public Library, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome.
Beginning in the late 1800s government recognized the importance of preserving the forests of the southern Eastern Slopes to protect the headwaters of prairie watersheds. In addition to creating Waterton Lakes National Park (that initially included the Castle drainage) the federal government took measures to manage timber harvest and control wildfires. After assuming jurisdiction over natural resources in 1931 and following large wildfires that swept through the Eastern Slopes, the Province established the Alberta Forest Service in 1948 to control timber harvest and forest fires. The Eastern Slopes Policy in the late 1970s and the Forest Conservation Strategy in the 1990s were developed in response to public concerns about adverse impacts of land uses, including logging and off-road vehicle use, on watersheds and fish and wildlife.
There are signs that current forest management in the southern Eastern Slopes is not meeting a growing society’s needs and values. The Alberta Forest Service’s 2010 C5 Forest Management Plan is widely criticized for being a “logging” plan that does not recognize ecological and social values of headwater forests. The Oldman Watershed Council has recently identified headwaters protection as a priority for its work. Recent proposals for logging in the southern Eastern Slopes, including the Castle watershed, have been met with widespread and vocal opposition, including legal action. What is all the fuss about?
Three presenters will shed light on various aspects of this issue including wildfire in headwater forests, the ecological legacy of clear-cut logging, increasing human use in the Oldman headwaters and a renewed commitment to headwaters protection that would include establishment of a park in the Castle.
Presenters:
Marie-Pierre Rogeau, M.Sc., Wildland Disturbance Consulting, Banff. Ms. Rogeau has two decades of experience in documenting fire history, fire ecology, fire management and wildfire threat assessment in Alberta and British Columbia.
Lorne Fitch, B. Sc., professional biologist, Lethbridge. Mr. Fitch has four decades of experience as a fish and wildlife biologist with a focus on managing fisheries and aquatic ecosystems in southern Alberta.
Sarah Elmeligi, MNRES, senior conservation planner, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canmore. Ms. Elmeligi has experience in conservation planning for large landscapes. She has investigated the impacts of tourism on grizzly bears. She has participated in planning for the Oldman watershed.
SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library
Logging the Oldman Headwaters – What’s all the Fuss About?
Date:Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lethbridge Public Library, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome.
Beginning in the late 1800s government recognized the importance of preserving the forests of the southern Eastern Slopes to protect the headwaters of prairie watersheds. In addition to creating Waterton Lakes National Park (that initially included the Castle drainage) the federal government took measures to manage timber harvest and control wildfires. After assuming jurisdiction over natural resources in 1931 and following large wildfires that swept through the Eastern Slopes, the Province established the Alberta Forest Service in 1948 to control timber harvest and forest fires. The Eastern Slopes Policy in the late 1970s and the Forest Conservation Strategy in the 1990s were developed in response to public concerns about adverse impacts of land uses, including logging and off-road vehicle use, on watersheds and fish and wildlife.
There are signs that current forest management in the southern Eastern Slopes is not meeting a growing society’s needs and values. The Alberta Forest Service’s 2010 C5 Forest Management Plan is widely criticized for being a “logging” plan that does not recognize ecological and social values of headwater forests. The Oldman Watershed Council has recently identified headwaters protection as a priority for its work. Recent proposals for logging in the southern Eastern Slopes, including the Castle watershed, have been met with widespread and vocal opposition, including legal action. What is all the fuss about?
Three presenters will shed light on various aspects of this issue including wildfire in headwater forests, the ecological legacy of clear-cut logging, increasing human use in the Oldman headwaters and a renewed commitment to headwaters protection that would include establishment of a park in the Castle.
Presenters:
Marie-Pierre Rogeau, M.Sc., Wildland Disturbance Consulting, Banff. Ms. Rogeau has two decades of experience in documenting fire history, fire ecology, fire management and wildfire threat assessment in Alberta and British Columbia.
Lorne Fitch, B. Sc., professional biologist, Lethbridge. Mr. Fitch has four decades of experience as a fish and wildlife biologist with a focus on managing fisheries and aquatic ecosystems in southern Alberta.
Sarah Elmeligi, MNRES, senior conservation planner, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canmore. Ms. Elmeligi has experience in conservation planning for large landscapes. She has investigated the impacts of tourism on grizzly bears. She has participated in planning for the Oldman watershed.
A new report from the U of A’s Parkland Institute says that despite a provincial deficit, the Alberta government will forego some $55 billion in potential revenue over the next three years as a result of overly generous royalty cuts and the government’s failure to meet even the modest targets set by previous administrations. The report looks at the most recent data on profits in the oil and gas industry versus government share and determines that despite tremendous growth in the industry the share of profits to Albertans is shrinking. Alberta has gone from capturing close to 40% in 1979 to only 10% in 2009 and 13% in 2010.That is arguably all money that has gone directly from serving the public interest to serving the bottom lines of huge oil and gas corporations. Peter Lougheed set a target of capturing 35% of the revenue from oil and gas production, which his government met or exceeded. Ralph Klein lowered those targets significantly, yet in most years even failed to meet those. If Lougheed’s 35% target had prevailed, and been met, Alberta would have collected an extra $195 billion between 1971 and 2010.
The current provincial budget seeks to capture only between 9% and 12% of oil and gas revenues, instead of working towards Lougheed’s target of 35% for conventional oil and gas and 25% in the tar sands, which could yield an extra $55 billion in revenues over the next three years. The speaker will argue that by properly managing oil and gas revenues in Alberta, we could quickly pay off our current deficit and begin to build a fund that would generate enough revenue to support future generations as is the case in Norway, where their Oil Fund is currently valued at around $600 billion.
Speaker: David Campanella
David Campanella is the Public Policy Research Manager for the Parkland Institute and is based in Calgary. In 2011, David received his Masters degree from York University where he studied environmental politics and focused on the political history of carbon capture and storage in Alberta's oil and gas industry.
A new report from the U of A’s Parkland Institute says that despite a provincial deficit, the Alberta government will forego some $55 billion in potential revenue over the next three years as a result of overly generous royalty cuts and the government’s failure to meet even the modest targets set by previous administrations. The report looks at the most recent data on profits in the oil and gas industry versus government share and determines that despite tremendous growth in the industry the share of profits to Albertans is shrinking. Alberta has gone from capturing close to 40% in 1979 to only 10% in 2009 and 13% in 2010.That is arguably all money that has gone directly from serving the public interest to serving the bottom lines of huge oil and gas corporations. Peter Lougheed set a target of capturing 35% of the revenue from oil and gas production, which his government met or exceeded. Ralph Klein lowered those targets significantly, yet in most years even failed to meet those. If Lougheed’s 35% target had prevailed, and been met, Alberta would have collected an extra $195 billion between 1971 and 2010.
The current provincial budget seeks to capture only between 9% and 12% of oil and gas revenues, instead of working towards Lougheed’s target of 35% for conventional oil and gas and 25% in the tar sands, which could yield an extra $55 billion in revenues over the next three years. The speaker will argue that by properly managing oil and gas revenues in Alberta, we could quickly pay off our current deficit and begin to build a fund that would generate enough revenue to support future generations as is the case in Norway, where their Oil Fund is currently valued at around $600 billion.
Speaker: David Campanella
David Campanella is the Public Policy Research Manager for the Parkland Institute and is based in Calgary. In 2011, David received his Masters degree from York University where he studied environmental politics and focused on the political history of carbon capture and storage in Alberta's oil and gas industry.
April 11th from 6-8pm at the SAAG.
Southern Alberta Art Gallery, The U of L Department of Political Science and Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs is pleased to present: Art, Security and the Arctic: New Understandings A presentation by Dr. Rob Huebert, Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary
Rob Huebert, Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and professor of Political Science, will present a new outlook on arctic security at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery on April 11th. In the context of Charles Stankievech’s Over the Rainbow, Under the Radar, the newest exhibit installation in the main gallery at SAAG, Dr. Huebert will critically examine arctic security, why it is important to Canada, and it’s relevance in our contemporary world.
This talk will take place Wednesday, April 11th 2012 at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Dr. Huebert will be focusing on the history of arctic security, from the DEW line – portrayed by Stenkievech in his piece DEW Project, to the current state of security in the arctic region.
In his piece, Stenkievech revisits Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic radome, which in the mid-1950s was adapted to withstand the severe conditions of the North while proving electromagnetically invisible. In this context Dr. Huebert will explain the importance of northern defense lines, then and now, as well as the importance of structure in northern security.
Join us April 11th at SAAG for this special evening session. Admission is free and we encourage you to view both Stenkievech’s Over the Rainbow, Under the Radar and Chris Kline’s Bright Limit in our upstairs gallery.
The business model of Canadian immigration policy has dramatically resulted in the rise of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) through a combination of federal and provincial labour migration schemes. In Alberta, TFWs even surpassed the number of “landed immigrants” in 2006. The limited work visa issued to employers, not the worker, and structural barriers in place to regulate their mobility imply that TFWs will eventually return to their home countries when labour demands decline; they have become Canada’s “disposable labour.” Or, do they really return home?
International labour migration is not premised on the idea of a “holiday-cum work tour” akin to the popular western “backpacker.” After investing their own resources, the 1-2 years stint as TFW do not make sense. It is plausible that after the expiration of work permits, TFWs search for alternative routes ---the road to illegality. If TFWs are vital to the delivery of services, the choiceless workforce contributing to taxation (but cannot make demands for their own welfare), and make Canada competitive in the global stage, why not grant them independent legal status as full-fledged immigrants?
Speaker: Glenda Tibe Bonifacio
Dr. Glenda Tibe Bonifacio is Associate Professor in the Department of Women & Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. Her research focuses on gender, migration and citizenship of Filipino women, and the connections between gender, religion and migration. She is editor of the book Feminism and Migration: Cross-Cultural Engagements (2012), co-editor of the book Gender, Religion and Migration: Pathways of Integration (2010), as well as author of numerous scholarly articles.
The business model of Canadian immigration policy has dramatically resulted in the rise of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) through a combination of federal and provincial labour migration schemes. In Alberta, TFWs even surpassed the number of “landed immigrants” in 2006. The limited work visa issued to employers, not the worker, and structural barriers in place to regulate their mobility imply that TFWs will eventually return to their home countries when labour demands decline; they have become Canada’s “disposable labour.” Or, do they really return home?
International labour migration is not premised on the idea of a “holiday-cum work tour” akin to the popular western “backpacker.” After investing their own resources, the 1-2 years stint as TFW do not make sense. It is plausible that after the expiration of work permits, TFWs search for alternative routes ---the road to illegality. If TFWs are vital to the delivery of services, the choiceless workforce contributing to taxation (but cannot make demands for their own welfare), and make Canada competitive in the global stage, why not grant them independent legal status as full-fledged immigrants?
Speaker: Glenda Tibe Bonifacio
Dr. Glenda Tibe Bonifacio is Associate Professor in the Department of Women & Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. Her research focuses on gender, migration and citizenship of Filipino women, and the connections between gender, religion and migration. She is editor of the book Feminism and Migration: Cross-Cultural Engagements (2012), co-editor of the book Gender, Religion and Migration: Pathways of Integration (2010), as well as author of numerous scholarly articles.
Research indicates that there is some genetic influence on male homosexuality, yet homosexual males reproduce at a fraction of the rate of heterosexual males, if at all. This raises the question as to why genes associated with male homosexuality do not become extinct? Cross-cultural research conducted in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa provides intriguing and unexpected answers to this question—answers which underscores the importance of biology and culture.
Speaker:Paul L Vasey, Ph.D.
Paul Vasey is a faculty member of the University of Lethbridge Psychology Department. He conducts cross-species and cross-cultural research to answer the question: If reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-conceptive sex? For the past decade he has conducted research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behavior in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at Arashiyama, Japan. He also studies the development and evolution male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Samoa, Japan and Canada. Since 2003, he has worked in Samoa with members of the fa’afafine community—biological males who live “in the manner of a woman.”
Dr. Vasey is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on sexuality and gender and co-editor of the books, Animal Homosexuality: An Evolutionary Perspective (2006) and The Monkeys of Stormy Mountain: 60 Years of Primatological Research on the Monkeys of Arashiyama (2012). He has been invited to give public lectures throughout the USA, Canada, England, New Zealand, Japan and Samoa. Dr. Vasey is a member of the Editorial Board of the Archives of Sexual Behavior. His work has also been the subject of various documentaries on television (National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer, Discovery Channel) and the radio (U.S National Public Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Netherlands) and has been reported on in hundreds of newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times and The Economist.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday, March 29, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
Research indicates that there is some genetic influence on male homosexuality, yet homosexual males reproduce at a fraction of the rate of heterosexual males, if at all. This raises the question as to why genes associated with male homosexuality do not become extinct? Cross-cultural research conducted in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa provides intriguing and unexpected answers to this question—answers which underscores the importance of biology and culture.
Speaker:Paul L Vasey, Ph.D.
Paul Vasey is a faculty member of the University of Lethbridge Psychology Department. He conducts cross-species and cross-cultural research to answer the question: If reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-conceptive sex? For the past decade he has conducted research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behavior in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at Arashiyama, Japan. He also studies the development and evolution male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Samoa, Japan and Canada. Since 2003, he has worked in Samoa with members of the fa’afafine community—biological males who live “in the manner of a woman.”
Dr. Vasey is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles on sexuality and gender and co-editor of the books, Animal Homosexuality: An Evolutionary Perspective (2006) and The Monkeys of Stormy Mountain: 60 Years of Primatological Research on the Monkeys of Arashiyama (2012). He has been invited to give public lectures throughout the USA, Canada, England, New Zealand, Japan and Samoa. Dr. Vasey is a member of the Editorial Board of the Archives of Sexual Behavior. His work has also been the subject of various documentaries on television (National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer, Discovery Channel) and the radio (U.S National Public Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Netherlands) and has been reported on in hundreds of newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times and The Economist.
Moderator: Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday, March 29, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
This year’s theme for World Water Day (March 22) is water and food security. In Alberta we do not often feel food insecure, so how does the theme of World Water Day have an impact in our world? Southern Alberta has a limited water supply for both urban and rural residents. As well, agricultural production relies heavily on irrigation, so it is essential to ensure our water is not polluted.
Water pollution is a main cause of reduced water availability and can have serious impacts on the environment and on human health. The pollution can stem from inadequate rules for resource and industrial development. Increasing amounts of urban waste also compromise water quality in rivers, lakes and aquifers along with agricultural practices using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As well, intensive livestock production impacts water resources adversely if proper practices are not followed. New, more integrated approaches to food production can substantially limit pollution.
Alberta’s NDP says the heart of water policy must be to put our human and ecosystem water needs ahead of any commercial use and to ensure water is not used for private profit. The party has three main promises with respect to water in Alberta. Carry out a comprehensive water survey that documents total water availability in Alberta. Prioritize the implementation of an all inclusive wetlands protection plan and phase in mandated rules covering commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential water quality preservation and conservation best practices.
Speaker:Brian Mason, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood and leader of the Alberta New Democrats
Brian Mason became active in Alberta politics early on when he served as the Executive Director of the Alberta Federation of Students from 1977-1979 following his Political Science studies at the University of Alberta. For the next several years, Mason was employed by Edmonton Transit Services as a popular city bus driver.
In October of 1989, Brian was elected City Councillor for Ward 3 where he remained for the next 11 years. He won a provincial by-election in Edmonton-Highlands in 2000, and was re-elected in the provincial general elections in 2001, 2004 and 2008, On July 13, 2004 Brian Mason became the Leader of Alberta's New Democrat Opposition
This year’s theme for World Water Day (March 22) is water and food security. In Alberta we do not often feel food insecure, so how does the theme of World Water Day have an impact in our world? Southern Alberta has a limited water supply for both urban and rural residents. As well, agricultural production relies heavily on irrigation, so it is essential to ensure our water is not polluted.
Water pollution is a main cause of reduced water availability and can have serious impacts on the environment and on human health. The pollution can stem from inadequate rules for resource and industrial development. Increasing amounts of urban waste also compromise water quality in rivers, lakes and aquifers along with agricultural practices using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As well, intensive livestock production impacts water resources adversely if proper practices are not followed. New, more integrated approaches to food production can substantially limit pollution.
Alberta’s NDP says the heart of water policy must be to put our human and ecosystem water needs ahead of any commercial use and to ensure water is not used for private profit. The party has three main promises with respect to water in Alberta. Carry out a comprehensive water survey that documents total water availability in Alberta. Prioritize the implementation of an all inclusive wetlands protection plan and phase in mandated rules covering commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential water quality preservation and conservation best practices.
Speaker:Brian Mason, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood and leader of the Alberta New Democrats
Brian Mason became active in Alberta politics early on when he served as the Executive Director of the Alberta Federation of Students from 1977-1979 following his Political Science studies at the University of Alberta. For the next several years, Mason was employed by Edmonton Transit Services as a popular city bus driver.
In October of 1989, Brian was elected City Councillor for Ward 3 where he remained for the next 11 years. He won a provincial by-election in Edmonton-Highlands in 2000, and was re-elected in the provincial general elections in 2001, 2004 and 2008, On July 13, 2004 Brian Mason became the Leader of Alberta's New Democrat Opposition
The fourth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012 with a total of eight students, Stephen Graham, Michael Orr, Leslie Mahoney, Kylie Kettles, Sea Marsland, Madison Webber, Danika Jorgensen McGuire and Martin Heavy Head competing in this year’s event. Through four preliminary rounds, two semi-finals and a final, they addressed the question: “Is there a systemic crisis in the world and if so, how can it be resolved?” from a wide variety of perspectives. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the U of L. Panels of judges determined the winner of the competition, which carried a prize of $500. Second place received $300 and $100 was awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Book prizes have been given to all eight competitors. Speakers: Sea Marsland and Michael Orr finalists of the Student Speaker Challenge
Sea Marsland is in her final year of Social Work study and plans to attend law school next year. She is a Woodlands and Plains Cree woman from northern Saskatchewan fighting for Indigenous rights. In 2011, Marsland received the Assembly of First Nations Walter Dieter Award. Only one such award is given to a student in Canada each year.
Michael Orr is a fourth year political science student with an attitude. He doesn’t expect to win any popularity contests, but he strongly believes in his ideas and that truth is not a matter of consensus. As such he will be relying on the merits of his arguments rather than on the popularity of the ideas he espouses.
The fourth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012 with a total of eight students, Stephen Graham, Michael Orr, Leslie Mahoney, Kylie Kettles, Sea Marsland, Madison Webber, Danika Jorgensen McGuire and Martin Heavy Head competing in this year’s event. Through four preliminary rounds, two semi-finals and a final, they addressed the question: “Is there a systemic crisis in the world and if so, how can it be resolved?” from a wide variety of perspectives. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the U of L. Panels of judges determined the winner of the competition, which carried a prize of $500. Second place received $300 and $100 was awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Book prizes have been given to all eight competitors. Speakers: Sea Marsland and Michael Orr finalists of the Student Speaker Challenge
Sea Marsland is in her final year of Social Work study and plans to attend law school next year. She is a Woodlands and Plains Cree woman from northern Saskatchewan fighting for Indigenous rights. In 2011, Marsland received the Assembly of First Nations Walter Dieter Award. Only one such award is given to a student in Canada each year.
Michael Orr is a fourth year political science student with an attitude. He doesn’t expect to win any popularity contests, but he strongly believes in his ideas and that truth is not a matter of consensus. As such he will be relying on the merits of his arguments rather than on the popularity of the ideas he espouses.
This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement.
This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare.
Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians.
Speaker: Auburn Phillips
Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high school curricula for girls. She also has conducted research with First Nations post-secondary students, and has done research in and advocated for the ending of violence against women. Auburn currently works as the School of Graduate Studies Program Specialist at the University of Lethbridge.
This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement.
This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare.
Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians.
Speaker: Auburn Phillips
Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high school curricula for girls. She also has conducted research with First Nations post-secondary students, and has done research in and advocated for the ending of violence against women. Auburn currently works as the School of Graduate Studies Program Specialist at the University of Lethbridge.
In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria).
In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon.
Speakers: Doug Colwell
Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Doug’s research focuses on the production aspects of parasitism in livestock, but his collaborations span the vast arena of parasitology from parasite manipulation of neurochemicals in mice to the influence of parasitic infection on populations of howler monkeys in Panama.
In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria).
In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon.
Speakers: Doug Colwell
Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Doug’s research focuses on the production aspects of parasitism in livestock, but his collaborations span the vast arena of parasitology from parasite manipulation of neurochemicals in mice to the influence of parasitic infection on populations of howler monkeys in Panama.
Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many.
While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy.
Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown
Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As one of the founding members of the campus pro-life club, Maaike was involved in bringing the debate to campus on many occasions and served as Students for Life's Vice President and President for several years. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2009 and has since worked as Lethbridge & District Pro-Life's community liaison.
Dr. Bryson Brown was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and the United States, studying Philosophy at Trent University and went on to an M.A. and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Bryson has two children, a son who died of Cancer in 1996 and a daughter working in Montreal as a tutor and ESL instructor. Bryson Brown has taught at the University of Lethbridge since 1986. His research has focused on logic, history and the philosophy of science. He has also written on ethical issues
Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many.
While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy.
Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown
Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As one of the founding members of the campus pro-life club, Maaike was involved in bringing the debate to campus on many occasions and served as Students for Life's Vice President and President for several years. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2009 and has since worked as Lethbridge & District Pro-Life's community liaison.
Dr. Bryson Brown was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and the United States, studying Philosophy at Trent University and went on to an M.A. and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Bryson has two children, a son who died of Cancer in 1996 and a daughter working in Montreal as a tutor and ESL instructor. Bryson Brown has taught at the University of Lethbridge since 1986. His research has focused on logic, history and the philosophy of science. He has also written on ethical issues
Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada first announced its intention of creating an Office of Religious Freedom during the federal election campaign of May 2011. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird subsequently reiterated this goal in a speech at the United Nations, where he cited the initiative as consistent with “core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” As a result, Canada vowed to protect these principles in the international community “whether it was popular, convenient, or expedient.”
The decision to open an Office of Religious Freedom, however, raises a number of important questions related to both religion and Canada’s foreign relations. As a secular state, should Canada be pursuing religious objectives in its foreign policy? Is it realistic to think that Canada can have an impact on the treatment of religious groups in other states? Is the Office committed to multi-faith perspectives or simply Judeo-Christian views? The Office of Religious Freedom will open in 2012, but critics are already questioning its role and relevance. The answers to these questions will help determine if the Office represents a myth or reality in Canadian foreign policy.
Speaker: Christopher J. Kukucha
Christopher Kukucha is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge. His most recent publication is the second edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2011), co-edited with Duane Bratt. He is also the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy (UBC Press, 2008).
In 2007, Chris served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh). He is past President of the International Studies Association of Canada and a book review editor for the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. His primary teaching and research areas include Canadian foreign policy, international political economy, international relations theory, and Canada’s global trade relations.
Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada first announced its intention of creating an Office of Religious Freedom during the federal election campaign of May 2011. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird subsequently reiterated this goal in a speech at the United Nations, where he cited the initiative as consistent with “core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” As a result, Canada vowed to protect these principles in the international community “whether it was popular, convenient, or expedient.”
The decision to open an Office of Religious Freedom, however, raises a number of important questions related to both religion and Canada’s foreign relations. As a secular state, should Canada be pursuing religious objectives in its foreign policy? Is it realistic to think that Canada can have an impact on the treatment of religious groups in other states? Is the Office committed to multi-faith perspectives or simply Judeo-Christian views? The Office of Religious Freedom will open in 2012, but critics are already questioning its role and relevance. The answers to these questions will help determine if the Office represents a myth or reality in Canadian foreign policy.
Speaker: Christopher J. Kukucha
Christopher Kukucha is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge. His most recent publication is the second edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2011), co-edited with Duane Bratt. He is also the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy (UBC Press, 2008).
In 2007, Chris served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh). He is past President of the International Studies Association of Canada and a book review editor for the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. His primary teaching and research areas include Canadian foreign policy, international political economy, international relations theory, and Canada’s global trade relations.
Last years massive grass fire came within a whisker of causing life-threatening and property damaging conditions in west Lethbridge. Only a fine effort by emergency response teams and some luck prevented a serious dissaster.
Lethbridge and area has an emergency response plan specific to local concerns and is also included in a provincial/national plan dealing with larger emergencies. However, for these plans to be successful, public cooperation with officials are paramount and communication through the media, including social media, is also very important.
The speaker will outline some details of the general plan, what worked and what didn’t in last November’s grass fire and relate how the public can best react during emergencies, be that fire, harardous material escape, floods, power outage, severe weather etc.
Speaker: Brian Cornforth, Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Planning
Brian Cornforth has been in this position with the City of Lethbridge since June 2002. Previously he held the position of Fire Chief in Airdrie after serving terms as Deputy Chief in both Coaldale and Jasper.
Brian is also President of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and serves locally on the board of Safety City. He is very focused on the safety of emergency responders and ensuring that communities in Alberta are properly prepared for emergencies.
Last years massive grass fire came within a whisker of causing life-threatening and property damaging conditions in west Lethbridge. Only a fine effort by emergency response teams and some luck prevented a serious dissaster.
Lethbridge and area has an emergency response plan specific to local concerns and is also included in a provincial/national plan dealing with larger emergencies. However, for these plans to be successful, public cooperation with officials are paramount and communication through the media, including social media, is also very important.
The speaker will outline some details of the general plan, what worked and what didn’t in last November’s grass fire and relate how the public can best react during emergencies, be that fire, harardous material escape, floods, power outage, severe weather etc.
Speaker: Brian Cornforth, Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Planning
Brian Cornforth has been in this position with the City of Lethbridge since June 2002. Previously he held the position of Fire Chief in Airdrie after serving terms as Deputy Chief in both Coaldale and Jasper.
Brian is also President of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and serves locally on the board of Safety City. He is very focused on the safety of emergency responders and ensuring that communities in Alberta are properly prepared for emergencies.
The scientific consensus is in: man-made global warming is real and the major cause of various extreme weather events around the world. Rich countries will suffer losses worth billions and poor countries 95 percent of the deaths from worsening extreme weather and rising seas – unless urgent action is taken immediately on global warming.
So says the conservative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its November 18, 2011 Special Report approved by 194 of the world's 196 nations. To avoid irrevers-ible, catastrophic climate change, we have only five years left to act, says the conserva-tive International Energy Agency in its November 8, 2011 World Energy Outlook report.
The speakers will present up-to-date video, graphics, and narrative to walk the audience through the reality and science of climate change, the denial industry, carbon dioxide reduction targets and government performance, and where we go from here. The good news: we know what needs to be done and we have the tools to do it. The presentation intends to provoke a lively audience discussion about what all of us must do to deal with this, the greatest problem humanity has ever faced.
Speakers: Marian and Robin White
The Whites authored the award-winning book, Wild Alberta at the Crossroads (sales exceeded 4,000 and green businesses donated copies to more than 500 schools). Their extensive travels lend a global perspective to their longtime role as providers of public environmental education.
Robin (Master of Environmental Studies, York) was an award-winning City land-use planner and is a presenter for The Climate Reality Project, Canada. Marian (BSc – Geography, Toronto), an editor, manages NatureWatch Press.
The scientific consensus is in: man-made global warming is real and the major cause of various extreme weather events around the world. Rich countries will suffer losses worth billions and poor countries 95 percent of the deaths from worsening extreme weather and rising seas – unless urgent action is taken immediately on global warming.
So says the conservative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its November 18, 2011 Special Report approved by 194 of the world's 196 nations. To avoid irrevers-ible, catastrophic climate change, we have only five years left to act, says the conserva-tive International Energy Agency in its November 8, 2011 World Energy Outlook report.
The speakers will present up-to-date video, graphics, and narrative to walk the audience through the reality and science of climate change, the denial industry, carbon dioxide reduction targets and government performance, and where we go from here. The good news: we know what needs to be done and we have the tools to do it. The presentation intends to provoke a lively audience discussion about what all of us must do to deal with this, the greatest problem humanity has ever faced.
Speakers: Marian and Robin White
The Whites authored the award-winning book, Wild Alberta at the Crossroads (sales exceeded 4,000 and green businesses donated copies to more than 500 schools). Their extensive travels lend a global perspective to their longtime role as providers of public environmental education.
Robin (Master of Environmental Studies, York) was an award-winning City land-use planner and is a presenter for The Climate Reality Project, Canada. Marian (BSc – Geography, Toronto), an editor, manages NatureWatch Press.
Seeking better working conditions, representatives of all Alberta’s trade unions met, along with members of the recently (1909) formed United Farmers of Alberta (UFA), at a founding convention of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) in Lethbridge on July 14-15, 1912. The convention was chaired by Donald McNabb, a Lethbridge coal miner who had served a brief term as Alberta’s first independent labour MLA (supporting the governing Liberals).
The AFL blossomed early and in 1926, they had several MLA’s elected resulting in many improvements to Alberta labour laws and the Workman’s Compensation Act, making Alberta a leader of such laws in Canada for several decades. Attacks on the Alberta labour movement since the latter part of the 1970’s and particularly through the Ralph Klein years during the 1990’s have arguably made life difficult for unions. The speaker will speculate on how unions can survive in a labour market where collective bargaining is under threat in Alberta and generally throughout North America. Will the many achievements labour has gained over the past 100 years continue to be at risk?
Speaker: Winston Gereluk
Winston Gereluk worked for the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees in Canada in the areas of research, education and public relations for over 25 years. In 1999, he moved to Athabasca University, where he served as Academic Coordinator for Industrial Relations & Human Resources programs until his retirement in 2009. Winston has represented the international trade union movement at United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and currently represents them on a Stakeholder Council of the Global Reporting Initiative, which meets in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Gereluk has a Masters Degree in Educational Philosophy and is a member of the Alberta Labour History Institute, Greenpeace and the editorial board of Athabasca University Press. He has written articles and chapters on labour and the environment, industrial relations and sustainable development for a number of periodicals and textbook publishers. Winston currently also serves as Chair of Project 2012 and Coordinator of the Alberta Federation of Labour’s Centennial Celebration.
Seeking better working conditions, representatives of all Alberta’s trade unions met, along with members of the recently (1909) formed United Farmers of Alberta (UFA), at a founding convention of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) in Lethbridge on July 14-15, 1912. The convention was chaired by Donald McNabb, a Lethbridge coal miner who had served a brief term as Alberta’s first independent labour MLA (supporting the governing Liberals).
The AFL blossomed early and in 1926, they had several MLA’s elected resulting in many improvements to Alberta labour laws and the Workman’s Compensation Act, making Alberta a leader of such laws in Canada for several decades. Attacks on the Alberta labour movement since the latter part of the 1970’s and particularly through the Ralph Klein years during the 1990’s have arguably made life difficult for unions. The speaker will speculate on how unions can survive in a labour market where collective bargaining is under threat in Alberta and generally throughout North America. Will the many achievements labour has gained over the past 100 years continue to be at risk?
Speaker: Winston Gereluk
Winston Gereluk worked for the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees in Canada in the areas of research, education and public relations for over 25 years. In 1999, he moved to Athabasca University, where he served as Academic Coordinator for Industrial Relations & Human Resources programs until his retirement in 2009. Winston has represented the international trade union movement at United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and currently represents them on a Stakeholder Council of the Global Reporting Initiative, which meets in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Gereluk has a Masters Degree in Educational Philosophy and is a member of the Alberta Labour History Institute, Greenpeace and the editorial board of Athabasca University Press. He has written articles and chapters on labour and the environment, industrial relations and sustainable development for a number of periodicals and textbook publishers. Winston currently also serves as Chair of Project 2012 and Coordinator of the Alberta Federation of Labour’s Centennial Celebration.
When the Lethbridge School District Board of Trustees approved the 2011/12 updated budget, it reflected the final student enrolment as of September 30, 2011 and the additional funding provided for by Alberta Education this past October when Premier Alison Redford restored $107 million to school boards province wide, approximately 60% of the amount that was reduced in the government’s spring budget.
Arguably, funding for public services in Alberta has been somewhat dependent on the boom and bust cycles of the oil and gas industry over the past many years. School boards would prefer predictable funding, but often find themselves having to cut staff, resulting in increased class sizes, when provincial resource revenues are lagging.
The speaker will communicate how budgetary restraints have been applied and speculate on remedies that could stabilize future education funding in Alberta. As well, he will touch upon some general initiatives and challenges in the Lethbridge School District, such as an initiative to enhance instruction in order to increase student engagement and provide support for all students as an identified ‘Change Agent’ jurisdiction in the province’s Action on Inclusion initiative. Increased diversity of student demographics and the need to include other agencies to provide ‘wrap around services’ for students and their families, will also be discussed.
Speaker: Barry Litun - Superintendent, Lethbridge School District No. 51
Barry Litun serves as the Superintendent for Lethbridge School District, a position he has held since 2006. Lethbridge School District has nineteen schools with 8700 students from Pre-School to Grade 12. Barry has been a teacher and administrator in Alberta throughout his career; previously in Red Deer, Whitecourt and Lamont. He has also taught courses for Red Deer College and City University. As the College of Alberta School Superintendents Past President for 2011/12, Barry Litun is completing a four year term on the provincial CASS Executive. He has completed a three year term on the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is a member of the Chamber’s Tourism Committee and is the chair of the Rotary District 5360 scholarship committee
When the Lethbridge School District Board of Trustees approved the 2011/12 updated budget, it reflected the final student enrolment as of September 30, 2011 and the additional funding provided for by Alberta Education this past October when Premier Alison Redford restored $107 million to school boards province wide, approximately 60% of the amount that was reduced in the government’s spring budget.
Arguably, funding for public services in Alberta has been somewhat dependent on the boom and bust cycles of the oil and gas industry over the past many years. School boards would prefer predictable funding, but often find themselves having to cut staff, resulting in increased class sizes, when provincial resource revenues are lagging.
The speaker will communicate how budgetary restraints have been applied and speculate on remedies that could stabilize future education funding in Alberta. As well, he will touch upon some general initiatives and challenges in the Lethbridge School District, such as an initiative to enhance instruction in order to increase student engagement and provide support for all students as an identified ‘Change Agent’ jurisdiction in the province’s Action on Inclusion initiative. Increased diversity of student demographics and the need to include other agencies to provide ‘wrap around services’ for students and their families, will also be discussed.
Speaker: Barry Litun - Superintendent, Lethbridge School District No. 51
Barry Litun serves as the Superintendent for Lethbridge School District, a position he has held since 2006. Lethbridge School District has nineteen schools with 8700 students from Pre-School to Grade 12. Barry has been a teacher and administrator in Alberta throughout his career; previously in Red Deer, Whitecourt and Lamont. He has also taught courses for Red Deer College and City University. As the College of Alberta School Superintendents Past President for 2011/12, Barry Litun is completing a four year term on the provincial CASS Executive. He has completed a three year term on the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is a member of the Chamber’s Tourism Committee and is the chair of the Rotary District 5360 scholarship committee
With a provincial election imminent, the leader of the official provincial opposition will suggest and discuss the changes we arguably need in Alberta if we are to meet the challenges facing us on many fronts. From health care, education and social services to balancing economic development with growing concerns about the environment and clean water security, the speaker will offer solutions.
Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition
Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his first term as a Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on March 3, 2008. He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 2, 2008, to November 22, 2010. In September 2011 he became Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and the Official Opposition.
Dr. Sherman completed his medical studies at the University of Alberta, and after obtaining his MD from the Faculty of Medicine, he specialized in family and emergency medicine. During his medical career he served as a STARS flight physician, as president of the section of emergency medicine for the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), and as a member of the AMA Health Issues Council.
Active in his community, Dr. Sherman is a director of the Society for Helping Lives in Poverty, a past member of the McKernan housing community, and a soccer and basketball coach. He also runs a small construction business designing and building custom-made homes. Dr. Sherman is a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and a past member of the University of Alberta Senate. He continues to be a keynote speaker and panelist at national health conferences.
Among his many professional accomplishments Dr. Sherman received a gold pin for his service with STARS, a bronze medal from the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories, and the Alan Drummond advocacy award from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. In July 2011 he was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. Dr Sherman continues to practice emergency medicine on weekends in Edmonton, Alberta.
What started twenty plus years ago as a regional eco-gastronomic movement in northern Italy has grown to become a world wide peaceful revolution for change with over 100,000 members in 160 countries. To quote founder Carlo Petrini: “Human greed has destroyed our soil fertility, water, biodiversity. The Earth is not an infinite resource. We need to strengthen the true drivers of sustainable farming, small and medium sized farmers.” Petrini argues that the key to changing the way we produce food is through “glocal” action – linking up local initiatives using technology to create a global force, the “multi-nationals for tomorrow.”
Slow Food Southern Alberta is committed to educate people about traditional and wholesome means of food production. Slow Food connects producers and co-producers; educates consumers, including children, through tasting workshops and community gardens; and help to protect biodiversity by providing better knowledge of and control over what we eat and how it is produced.
Speaker: Jacqueline L. Chalmers
Jacqueline Chalmers is the founder and president of Slow Food Southern Alberta. She was chosen to attend the international conference of Slow Food – “Terra Madre” in 2010 in Turin, Italy. Six thousand people from all over the world attended; workshops and seminars were translated into six languages, making it feel like United Nations of Food.
The conference fuelled her on-going passion to do the utmost to protect and respect Mother Earth thus ensuring that everyone in the world has access to good, clean, fair food. Jackie and her family live west of Claresholm on the historic New Oxley Ranche. They raise garlic commercially and their produce can be found in all Calgary Co-ops and is served in many of the restaurants in southern Alberta that feature local producers.
What started twenty plus years ago as a regional eco-gastronomic movement in northern Italy has grown to become a world wide peaceful revolution for change with over 100,000 members in 160 countries. To quote founder Carlo Petrini: “Human greed has destroyed our soil fertility, water, biodiversity. The Earth is not an infinite resource. We need to strengthen the true drivers of sustainable farming, small and medium sized farmers.” Petrini argues that the key to changing the way we produce food is through “glocal” action – linking up local initiatives using technology to create a global force, the “multi-nationals for tomorrow.”
Slow Food Southern Alberta is committed to educate people about traditional and wholesome means of food production. Slow Food connects producers and co-producers; educates consumers, including children, through tasting workshops and community gardens; and help to protect biodiversity by providing better knowledge of and control over what we eat and how it is produced.
Speaker: Jacqueline L. Chalmers
Jacqueline Chalmers is the founder and president of Slow Food Southern Alberta. She was chosen to attend the international conference of Slow Food – “Terra Madre” in 2010 in Turin, Italy. Six thousand people from all over the world attended; workshops and seminars were translated into six languages, making it feel like United Nations of Food.
The conference fuelled her on-going passion to do the utmost to protect and respect Mother Earth thus ensuring that everyone in the world has access to good, clean, fair food. Jackie and her family live west of Claresholm on the historic New Oxley Ranche. They raise garlic commercially and their produce can be found in all Calgary Co-ops and is served in many of the restaurants in southern Alberta that feature local producers.
The speaker will offer a glimpse behind the curtains, into the world of your investments as well as public money entrusted to governments, pension funds and institutions. We will hear how millions of dollars can be diverted from your pockets and your governments, into the hands of others and how self regulation can lead to decriminalization.
Do investment regulators work for the public, or against? What about the police? Your Government? The speaker will look at conditions that come together to allow perfect financial crimes to occur with you as the unknowing victim. Are you as safe in Canada as you are told?
Is there an intentional focus on criminal enforcement for the poor and the middle class, while deliberately ignoring crimes of the rich? What if your governments were aiding the criminally rich and privileged, by focusing 99.9% of crime effort on the rest? Are there any provisions in the recent Omnibus Crime Bill dealing with financial and White Collar crime?
Speaker: Larry Elford, retired CFP, CIM, FCSI, Associate Portfolio Manager
Larry worked inside the largest financial institutions in Canada for twenty years until his retirement in 2004. He works today writing, speaking and coaching Canadians on how to create safe and honest treatment for investors. He produced a documentary film to benefit investors, legislators and those who investigate financial crime.
Larry is the founder and executive director of a web forum dedicated to revealing predatory practices and has appeared in two CTV W5 investigative reports on investment malpractice. He has also participated on CBC news programs, and as a witness in Ottawa to the Standing Committee on Finance on the ABCP sub prime mortgage crisis, April 10, 2008, and the Standing Committee On Justice and Human Rights hearings on Enhanced Criminal Charges for Financial Fraud, (Bill C52, C21) December 9, 2009.
The speaker will offer a glimpse behind the curtains, into the world of your investments as well as public money entrusted to governments, pension funds and institutions. We will hear how millions of dollars can be diverted from your pockets and your governments, into the hands of others and how self regulation can lead to decriminalization.
Do investment regulators work for the public, or against? What about the police? Your Government? The speaker will look at conditions that come together to allow perfect financial crimes to occur with you as the unknowing victim. Are you as safe in Canada as you are told?
Is there an intentional focus on criminal enforcement for the poor and the middle class, while deliberately ignoring crimes of the rich? What if your governments were aiding the criminally rich and privileged, by focusing 99.9% of crime effort on the rest? Are there any provisions in the recent Omnibus Crime Bill dealing with financial and White Collar crime?
Speaker: Larry Elford, retired CFP, CIM, FCSI, Associate Portfolio Manager
Larry worked inside the largest financial institutions in Canada for twenty years until his retirement in 2004. He works today writing, speaking and coaching Canadians on how to create safe and honest treatment for investors. He produced a documentary film to benefit investors, legislators and those who investigate financial crime.
Larry is the founder and executive director of a web forum dedicated to revealing predatory practices and has appeared in two CTV W5 investigative reports on investment malpractice. He has also participated on CBC news programs, and as a witness in Ottawa to the Standing Committee on Finance on the ABCP sub prime mortgage crisis, April 10, 2008, and the Standing Committee On Justice and Human Rights hearings on Enhanced Criminal Charges for Financial Fraud, (Bill C52, C21) December 9, 2009.
Although Santa Claus was originally viewed as the Christian figure of Saint Nicholas, a patron saint of children, Santa Claus is arguable wholly secular in today’s world. Some Christians object to him because he is secular rather than Christian; some non-Christians object to him because of his Christian roots. He is a powerful cultural symbol which is nearly impossible to ignore, but does this mean that he should simply be accepted without question?
The Santa Claus myth is based on the idea of children getting gifts. There’s nothing wrong with getting gifts, but Santa Claus seems to make it the focus of the entire holiday. Children are encouraged to behave according to parental expectation in order to receive ever more presents. In order to make their Christmas wish lists, kids pay close attention to what advertisers tell them they need and should want, effectively encouraging unbridled consumerism and economic activity.
Some might think that because Santa Claus is such an old tradition, this alone is sufficient reason to continue it. They were taught to believe in Santa as children, so why not pass this along to their own? But arguments from tradition are rarely sufficient to establish a point and in any case the role of Santa Claus in Christmas celebration is actually quite recent — the mid to late 19th century. The speakers will speculate on how or if the Santa Claus culture benefits society overall.
Speakers: Trudy Govier and Rossitsa Yalamova
Trudy Govier is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Her interests are in the areas of critical thinking and social philosophy. She is the author of a widely used textbook A Practical Study of Argument (7th Edition 2010), and ten other works including Dilemmas of Trust (1998), and Forgiveness and Revenge (2002). In the Lethbridge community, Trudy has helped to organize public lecture series and Philosophy Cafes, and worked with Amnesty International.
Rossitsa M. Yalamova is an Associate professor of Finance at the University of Lethbridge. She holds a Ph.D. in finance from Kent State University. Her research has been published in Fractals, International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, The Journal of Behavioral Finance, etc. She is interested in risk measurement, analysis of market crashes, phase transition and chaos. In 2009-10, Rossitsa was a visiting professor at the Facoltà di Scienze Economiche, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
Although Santa Claus was originally viewed as the Christian figure of Saint Nicholas, a patron saint of children, Santa Claus is arguable wholly secular in today’s world. Some Christians object to him because he is secular rather than Christian; some non-Christians object to him because of his Christian roots. He is a powerful cultural symbol which is nearly impossible to ignore, but does this mean that he should simply be accepted without question?
The Santa Claus myth is based on the idea of children getting gifts. There’s nothing wrong with getting gifts, but Santa Claus seems to make it the focus of the entire holiday. Children are encouraged to behave according to parental expectation in order to receive ever more presents. In order to make their Christmas wish lists, kids pay close attention to what advertisers tell them they need and should want, effectively encouraging unbridled consumerism and economic activity.
Some might think that because Santa Claus is such an old tradition, this alone is sufficient reason to continue it. They were taught to believe in Santa as children, so why not pass this along to their own? But arguments from tradition are rarely sufficient to establish a point and in any case the role of Santa Claus in Christmas celebration is actually quite recent — the mid to late 19th century. The speakers will speculate on how or if the Santa Claus culture benefits society overall.
Speakers: Trudy Govier and Rossitsa Yalamova
Trudy Govier is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Her interests are in the areas of critical thinking and social philosophy. She is the author of a widely used textbook A Practical Study of Argument (7th Edition 2010), and ten other works including Dilemmas of Trust (1998), and Forgiveness and Revenge (2002). In the Lethbridge community, Trudy has helped to organize public lecture series and Philosophy Cafes, and worked with Amnesty International.
Rossitsa M. Yalamova is an Associate professor of Finance at the University of Lethbridge. She holds a Ph.D. in finance from Kent State University. Her research has been published in Fractals, International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, The Journal of Behavioral Finance, etc. She is interested in risk measurement, analysis of market crashes, phase transition and chaos. In 2009-10, Rossitsa was a visiting professor at the Facoltà di Scienze Economiche, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
“Somebody should do something to protect historic buildings.” There are many passionate, hard-working individuals, municipalities and organizations working to preserve our built heritage. Much is being done in Lethbridge and across Alberta. However, as the reality of the Chinese National League Building shows us, sometimes it’s just not enough. What sort of systemic changes must be made to help protect historic buildings? What can be done to help owners protect built heritage on behalf of all Albertans? Be your community’s somebody. Learn what is being done and what you can do to help protect Alberta’s historic buildings for today and for the future.
Speakers: Belinda Crowson and Jean Johnstone
Belinda Crowson is the President of the Historical Society of Alberta, a volunteer organization founded in 1907 to preserve and share Alberta’s history. She also serves as the Lethbridge Historical Society representative on the City of Lethbridge Heart of Our City Revitalization Committee. In addition to her volunteer work, Belinda is the Museum Educator at the Galt Museum & Archives Jean Johnstone was the first City of Lethbridge Archivist and the first female City Clerk and is now retired. She is Past President of the Lethbridge Historical Society; Past Second Vice-President of the Historical Society of Alberta; Co-Chairman of the Lethbridge Historical Society Plaques & Monuments Committee and Chairman of the newly formed Heritage Advisory Committee for the City of Lethbridge. This committee has been set up to evaluate and make recommendations to City Council regarding the potential designation of Historical properties.
Jean is the recipient of the 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal presented to her by the Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Norman Kwong, the LHS “Alex Johnston Award of Merit”, and the Historical Society of Alberta’s “Annual Award”.
“Somebody should do something to protect historic buildings.” There are many passionate, hard-working individuals, municipalities and organizations working to preserve our built heritage. Much is being done in Lethbridge and across Alberta. However, as the reality of the Chinese National League Building shows us, sometimes it’s just not enough. What sort of systemic changes must be made to help protect historic buildings? What can be done to help owners protect built heritage on behalf of all Albertans? Be your community’s somebody. Learn what is being done and what you can do to help protect Alberta’s historic buildings for today and for the future.
Speakers: Belinda Crowson and Jean Johnstone
Belinda Crowson is the President of the Historical Society of Alberta, a volunteer organization founded in 1907 to preserve and share Alberta’s history. She also serves as the Lethbridge Historical Society representative on the City of Lethbridge Heart of Our City Revitalization Committee. In addition to her volunteer work, Belinda is the Museum Educator at the Galt Museum & Archives Jean Johnstone was the first City of Lethbridge Archivist and the first female City Clerk and is now retired. She is Past President of the Lethbridge Historical Society; Past Second Vice-President of the Historical Society of Alberta; Co-Chairman of the Lethbridge Historical Society Plaques & Monuments Committee and Chairman of the newly formed Heritage Advisory Committee for the City of Lethbridge. This committee has been set up to evaluate and make recommendations to City Council regarding the potential designation of Historical properties.
Jean is the recipient of the 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal presented to her by the Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Norman Kwong, the LHS “Alex Johnston Award of Merit”, and the Historical Society of Alberta’s “Annual Award”.
The speaker will illustrate the different types of stigma experienced by people with mental illness and examine whether living in a rural or urban community makes life easier for them. A large percentage of homeless people have mental illness and are found in bigger cities, however research indicate that per capita, mental illness occur equally in rural settings where very little homelessness appear. Do people with mental illness gravitate to large population centers? Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers.
Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy.
The speaker will illustrate the different types of stigma experienced by people with mental illness and examine whether living in a rural or urban community makes life easier for them. A large percentage of homeless people have mental illness and are found in bigger cities, however research indicate that per capita, mental illness occur equally in rural settings where very little homelessness appear. Do people with mental illness gravitate to large population centers? Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon
Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers.
Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy.
For months, politicians, media pundits, and ordinary citizens have watched the Occupy Wall Street protesters grow in numbers throughout the United States and elsewhere, including Canada. In this part of the country, Occupy protesters have made camp in several cities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, eliciting both support and condemnation from public officials and citizens.
But how might we understand the Occupy phenomenon? Is it a genuine movement, in the sense of past movements, or just a passing phase? What are its roots? While the Occupy protesters have targeted Wall Street (and capitalism in general), are there other, broader currents at work? Is there a connection, for example, between the alleged “Arab Spring” protests that began a year ago in the Middle East and the Occupy protesters? Who are the occupiers? Do its members have a coherent message, or is the group made up of largely individualized grievances? What has been the response of authorities? And what is its future? (Does it have a future?)
These are not easy questions to answer – nor will the speaker provide them. Instead, the speaker will provide observations in the context of previous protest movements, while also looking at the factors that will influence the trajectory and impact of the Occupy movement in the days to come.
Speaker: Trevor W. Harrison
Trevor W. Harrison is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics at the University of Lethbridge. Recently, he also took on the role as co-director of Parkland Institute, a province-wide think tank that he co-founded in 1996 that is dedicated to studies of public policy.
A frequent presenter at SACPA talks, he is best known for his studies in political sociology and political economy. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of eight books, numerous journal articles and book chapters, and a regular contributor to radio, television, and the print media.
For months, politicians, media pundits, and ordinary citizens have watched the Occupy Wall Street protesters grow in numbers throughout the United States and elsewhere, including Canada. In this part of the country, Occupy protesters have made camp in several cities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, eliciting both support and condemnation from public officials and citizens.
But how might we understand the Occupy phenomenon? Is it a genuine movement, in the sense of past movements, or just a passing phase? What are its roots? While the Occupy protesters have targeted Wall Street (and capitalism in general), are there other, broader currents at work? Is there a connection, for example, between the alleged “Arab Spring” protests that began a year ago in the Middle East and the Occupy protesters? Who are the occupiers? Do its members have a coherent message, or is the group made up of largely individualized grievances? What has been the response of authorities? And what is its future? (Does it have a future?)
These are not easy questions to answer – nor will the speaker provide them. Instead, the speaker will provide observations in the context of previous protest movements, while also looking at the factors that will influence the trajectory and impact of the Occupy movement in the days to come.
Speaker: Trevor W. Harrison
Trevor W. Harrison is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics at the University of Lethbridge. Recently, he also took on the role as co-director of Parkland Institute, a province-wide think tank that he co-founded in 1996 that is dedicated to studies of public policy.
A frequent presenter at SACPA talks, he is best known for his studies in political sociology and political economy. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of eight books, numerous journal articles and book chapters, and a regular contributor to radio, television, and the print media.
A new report challenges Albertans to consider recommendations that focus on the province’s long-term prosperity by realizing the full potential of Alberta’s energy resources and broadening its economic base.
“Shaping Alberta’s Future”, the report from the 12-member Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, also calls on all Albertans to consider their role to ensure future success.
“My goal for this council was to ‘think big’ on how we can best position Alberta, looking 30 years into the future. This type of long-term planning has been done on behalf of all Albertans, and their children and grandchildren,” said former Premier Ed Stelmach. “Now it’s time for all Albertans to contemplate this report and provide comment on their role in creating the future they want to see and how to contribute to positive change.”
Our speaker, a member of the Council, will introduce the report and discuss its role in engaging Albertans to contribute to establishing the long term outlook and financing strategy needed to transition to the future.
Speaker: Lorne Taylor, Ph.D.
Dr. Taylor is a consultant and businessman based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He is currently Special Advisor to Alberta Water Smart, a not for profit organization committed to developing and improving the management of Alberta’s water resources.
As the Member for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Cypress-Medicine Hat from 1993 to 2004, he served as Alberta's Minister of Science, Research and Information Technology, Minister of Innovation and Science and Minister of the Environment. While in government, Dr. Taylor was instrumental in the creation of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, and Alberta SuperNet, a multi-million dollar high-speed, broadband network to every community in Alberta as well as Alberta’s Electronic Recycling program. He also envisioned and led the creation of Alberta's Water for Life Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan and was the founding Chair of the Alberta Water Research Institute.
Dr. Taylor holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Calgary and has held tenured positions at several universities, among them the University of Saskatchewan from where he eventually returned to his family’s grain and cattle business. He currently lives in Medicine Hat with his wife Lois. They have four married daughters.
A new report challenges Albertans to consider recommendations that focus on the province’s long-term prosperity by realizing the full potential of Alberta’s energy resources and broadening its economic base.
“Shaping Alberta’s Future”, the report from the 12-member Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, also calls on all Albertans to consider their role to ensure future success.
“My goal for this council was to ‘think big’ on how we can best position Alberta, looking 30 years into the future. This type of long-term planning has been done on behalf of all Albertans, and their children and grandchildren,” said former Premier Ed Stelmach. “Now it’s time for all Albertans to contemplate this report and provide comment on their role in creating the future they want to see and how to contribute to positive change.”
Our speaker, a member of the Council, will introduce the report and discuss its role in engaging Albertans to contribute to establishing the long term outlook and financing strategy needed to transition to the future.
Speaker: Lorne Taylor, Ph.D.
Dr. Taylor is a consultant and businessman based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He is currently Special Advisor to Alberta Water Smart, a not for profit organization committed to developing and improving the management of Alberta’s water resources.
As the Member for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Cypress-Medicine Hat from 1993 to 2004, he served as Alberta's Minister of Science, Research and Information Technology, Minister of Innovation and Science and Minister of the Environment. While in government, Dr. Taylor was instrumental in the creation of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund, and Alberta SuperNet, a multi-million dollar high-speed, broadband network to every community in Alberta as well as Alberta’s Electronic Recycling program. He also envisioned and led the creation of Alberta's Water for Life Strategy and Climate Change Action Plan and was the founding Chair of the Alberta Water Research Institute.
Dr. Taylor holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Calgary and has held tenured positions at several universities, among them the University of Saskatchewan from where he eventually returned to his family’s grain and cattle business. He currently lives in Medicine Hat with his wife Lois. They have four married daughters.
Alberta's political leaders have long cast themselves as the tough-talking lone wolf, eager to take on foes in Ottawa and around the world. Is it an unabashed and partisan political entitlement or will Alison Redford attempt to change that culture? Days after Ms. Redford became Premier of Alberta by winning the leadership race of Alberta's venerable Progressive Conservative Party, her vision appeared to emerge as a constructive compromise to a strong arm.
While early indications suggest Ms. Redford seems to view Ottawa and its regulators as friends, not foes, the speaker will speculate on how much input from opposition parties Ms. Redford is willing to accept, how often can she reasonable be expected to change her mind and will the shouts of “flip-flop” be too much to bear?
Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA
Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. In addition to her duties as an MLA, Ms. Pastoor currently serves as the Official Opposition Whip. She is also shadow minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Municipal Affairs and Seniors and Community Supports. As well, she is currently serving as a member of three Standing Committees.
Prior to entering provincial politics, Bridget served as an alderwoman on Lethbridge City Council from 1998 to 2004. Ms Pastoor began her career with Air Canada. After raising three children, she returned to school and graduated from Lethbridge College as a registered nurse, later qualifying as a geriatric specialist from Grant MacEwan. Bridget worked as an RN at the Edith Cavell care centre from 1990 to 2004.
Alberta's political leaders have long cast themselves as the tough-talking lone wolf, eager to take on foes in Ottawa and around the world. Is it an unabashed and partisan political entitlement or will Alison Redford attempt to change that culture? Days after Ms. Redford became Premier of Alberta by winning the leadership race of Alberta's venerable Progressive Conservative Party, her vision appeared to emerge as a constructive compromise to a strong arm.
While early indications suggest Ms. Redford seems to view Ottawa and its regulators as friends, not foes, the speaker will speculate on how much input from opposition parties Ms. Redford is willing to accept, how often can she reasonable be expected to change her mind and will the shouts of “flip-flop” be too much to bear?
Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA
Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. In addition to her duties as an MLA, Ms. Pastoor currently serves as the Official Opposition Whip. She is also shadow minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Municipal Affairs and Seniors and Community Supports. As well, she is currently serving as a member of three Standing Committees.
Prior to entering provincial politics, Bridget served as an alderwoman on Lethbridge City Council from 1998 to 2004. Ms Pastoor began her career with Air Canada. After raising three children, she returned to school and graduated from Lethbridge College as a registered nurse, later qualifying as a geriatric specialist from Grant MacEwan. Bridget worked as an RN at the Edith Cavell care centre from 1990 to 2004.
Like most good things in life, a good death is worth planning for. But many people don’t even talk about dying, never mind plan for it. Medical science is able to keep us alive longer and longer, but length of life does not necessarily relate to its quality. The end of life can be painful, degrading, lonely and not much fun. As in many other things that touch our lives in the 21st century, technology is ahead of ethics and compassion.
Shouldn’t we have control over our own bodies? Why does “the government” decide when, where and how we die? A survey conducted by the Lethbridge College in 2010 found that two out of three people in southern Alberta were in favour of medically assisted suicide for terminally ill people with the proportion increasing to three out of four for the whole of Canada. Indeed, with statistics like that, why is the tail wagging the dog?
The speaker will argue that Canadians should have the same rights as people living in Oregon, Washington, Montana or several European countries who now have the right to choose to die at their own time and in their own place.
Speaker: John Warren
John has been in favour of medically assisted dying since watching a movie called “Whose Life is It Anyway” about 30 years ago and he was supportive of Sue Rodriguez’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1993 to allow her to have someone help her die instead of suffering a painful and protracted death from ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The court denied her appeal.
Last year John got a nasty case of Hepatitis B that resulted in a few trips to the Lethbridge Hospital and to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. Having looked death in the face John has now developed an interest in the end of life that seemed, at that time, to be imminent. He is particularly interested in the right to die movement across Canada and around the world. John is a member of Dying With Dignity and the Farewell Foundation.
Like most good things in life, a good death is worth planning for. But many people don’t even talk about dying, never mind plan for it. Medical science is able to keep us alive longer and longer, but length of life does not necessarily relate to its quality. The end of life can be painful, degrading, lonely and not much fun. As in many other things that touch our lives in the 21st century, technology is ahead of ethics and compassion.
Shouldn’t we have control over our own bodies? Why does “the government” decide when, where and how we die? A survey conducted by the Lethbridge College in 2010 found that two out of three people in southern Alberta were in favour of medically assisted suicide for terminally ill people with the proportion increasing to three out of four for the whole of Canada. Indeed, with statistics like that, why is the tail wagging the dog?
The speaker will argue that Canadians should have the same rights as people living in Oregon, Washington, Montana or several European countries who now have the right to choose to die at their own time and in their own place.
Speaker: John Warren
John has been in favour of medically assisted dying since watching a movie called “Whose Life is It Anyway” about 30 years ago and he was supportive of Sue Rodriguez’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1993 to allow her to have someone help her die instead of suffering a painful and protracted death from ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The court denied her appeal.
Last year John got a nasty case of Hepatitis B that resulted in a few trips to the Lethbridge Hospital and to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. Having looked death in the face John has now developed an interest in the end of life that seemed, at that time, to be imminent. He is particularly interested in the right to die movement across Canada and around the world. John is a member of Dying With Dignity and the Farewell Foundation.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers. The CWB is single desk in its marketing structure and its whole premise is built upon the concept that farmers benefit from marketing their grain together, as one, big or small.
The Wheat Board belongs to farmers. They pay for its operations from the sale of grain and run it through elected representatives on the CWB board of directors. However, the federal Government has announced its intention to remove the CWB's single desk for wheat and barley as of August 1, 2012, with legislation to be introduced this fall. Minister Gerry Ritz have said that farmers will not be allowed a vote, despite the majority of farmers voting for maintaining CWB single desk marketing in a recent plebiscite.
The CWB is not a grain company; it has no grain-handling infrastructure and no capital base for borrowing money or financing its operations. It exists by virtue of legislation and the existence of Government financial guarantees. The speaker will argue that if the CWB were to function as a grain company in an open market, it would be at a disadvantage compared to established grain companies in carrying out its business.
Speaker: Stewart Wells
Stewart Wells was elected director for district 3 of the CWB last year. He was born and raised on a family farm near Swift Current, SK. where he and his partner Terry Toews co-own and operate the third generation farm, with the majority of acres seeded to organic red spring wheat, winter wheat, peas and lentils. He earned a Degree in Agricultural Engineering from University of Saskatchewan and later served as a farmer-delegate to the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.
Stewart was elected to the board of the National Farmers Union for 12 years, including eight years served as President. He has also been an advisor to the board of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and has sat on numerous provincial and national committees related to marketing, trade and safety nets.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers. The CWB is single desk in its marketing structure and its whole premise is built upon the concept that farmers benefit from marketing their grain together, as one, big or small.
The Wheat Board belongs to farmers. They pay for its operations from the sale of grain and run it through elected representatives on the CWB board of directors. However, the federal Government has announced its intention to remove the CWB's single desk for wheat and barley as of August 1, 2012, with legislation to be introduced this fall. Minister Gerry Ritz have said that farmers will not be allowed a vote, despite the majority of farmers voting for maintaining CWB single desk marketing in a recent plebiscite.
The CWB is not a grain company; it has no grain-handling infrastructure and no capital base for borrowing money or financing its operations. It exists by virtue of legislation and the existence of Government financial guarantees. The speaker will argue that if the CWB were to function as a grain company in an open market, it would be at a disadvantage compared to established grain companies in carrying out its business.
Speaker: Stewart Wells
Stewart Wells was elected director for district 3 of the CWB last year. He was born and raised on a family farm near Swift Current, SK. where he and his partner Terry Toews co-own and operate the third generation farm, with the majority of acres seeded to organic red spring wheat, winter wheat, peas and lentils. He earned a Degree in Agricultural Engineering from University of Saskatchewan and later served as a farmer-delegate to the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.
Stewart was elected to the board of the National Farmers Union for 12 years, including eight years served as President. He has also been an advisor to the board of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and has sat on numerous provincial and national committees related to marketing, trade and safety nets.
In August 2011, Michael Byers sailed the Northwest Passage on two vessels: the Canadian Coast Guard research icebreaker Amundsen and the Russian expedition ship Akademik Ioffe. His photographs from those two voyages provide a vivid backdrop to a riveting tale of exploration, economic ambition, geopolitics and a looming environmental crisis – and yes – cooperation.
Speaker: Michael Byers
Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Professor Byers has led two projects for ArcticNet, a Canadian government–funded consortium of scientists from 29 Canadian universities and eight federal departments.
Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen and has written for the international newspapers The Guardian, New York Times, Financial Times and London Review of Books. Books to Michael Byers credit are: War Law and the glowingly reviewed Canadian bestseller, Intent for a Nation (2007). His most recent book is from 2009, titled Who Owns the Arctic? Michael is a graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
In August 2011, Michael Byers sailed the Northwest Passage on two vessels: the Canadian Coast Guard research icebreaker Amundsen and the Russian expedition ship Akademik Ioffe. His photographs from those two voyages provide a vivid backdrop to a riveting tale of exploration, economic ambition, geopolitics and a looming environmental crisis – and yes – cooperation.
Speaker: Michael Byers
Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Professor Byers has led two projects for ArcticNet, a Canadian government–funded consortium of scientists from 29 Canadian universities and eight federal departments.
Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen and has written for the international newspapers The Guardian, New York Times, Financial Times and London Review of Books. Books to Michael Byers credit are: War Law and the glowingly reviewed Canadian bestseller, Intent for a Nation (2007). His most recent book is from 2009, titled Who Owns the Arctic? Michael is a graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
With recent financial support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) at Lethbridge College has a goal of “Community Capacity Building for Wind Energy Development.” The IWEA is engaging southern Albertans to take advantage of the emerging economic opportunities, including quality jobs, associated with the development and operation of large and small wind energy projects.
Are subsidies necessary for wind energy to succeed? Is wind and renewable energy receiving infrastructure support from governments similar to that of the non renewable energy sector? What are the relative arguments facing wind power in terms of bats, birds, noise and no breeze? These issues and others facing wind power will be put in perspective by the speaker, while he attempts to cut through the clutter of false information.
Speaker:Kris Hodgson
Kris Hodgson is a Wind Energy Community Liaison with the IWEA, which is advocating for building wind energy in southern Alberta and beyond through education and demonstration sites. An extension of the highly successful Wind Turbine Technician Training Program at Lethbridge College is also on Hodgson’s radar.
Previously, Kris worked to attract investment in renewable energy while employed with Economic Development Lethbridge. He has a professional designation in Economic Development (Ec.D) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.
With recent financial support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) at Lethbridge College has a goal of “Community Capacity Building for Wind Energy Development.” The IWEA is engaging southern Albertans to take advantage of the emerging economic opportunities, including quality jobs, associated with the development and operation of large and small wind energy projects.
Are subsidies necessary for wind energy to succeed? Is wind and renewable energy receiving infrastructure support from governments similar to that of the non renewable energy sector? What are the relative arguments facing wind power in terms of bats, birds, noise and no breeze? These issues and others facing wind power will be put in perspective by the speaker, while he attempts to cut through the clutter of false information.
Speaker:Kris Hodgson
Kris Hodgson is a Wind Energy Community Liaison with the IWEA, which is advocating for building wind energy in southern Alberta and beyond through education and demonstration sites. An extension of the highly successful Wind Turbine Technician Training Program at Lethbridge College is also on Hodgson’s radar.
Previously, Kris worked to attract investment in renewable energy while employed with Economic Development Lethbridge. He has a professional designation in Economic Development (Ec.D) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.
As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par.
Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem..
Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have more dependable and predictable sources of funding in future.
Speaker:Glenn Taylor
Glenn Taylor is the leader of the Alberta Party. He settled in Hinton, Alberta in 1986, and is a three-term Mayor of the town.
Glenn has served as Vice-President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association chairing its Municipal Governance Committee. He has also served as Board Chair of the Grande Alberta Economic Region as well as the Rural Alberta Development Fund. He is a past director of the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Board and the Foothills Research Institute.
As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par.
Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem..
Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have more dependable and predictable sources of funding in future.
Speaker:Glenn Taylor
Glenn Taylor is the leader of the Alberta Party. He settled in Hinton, Alberta in 1986, and is a three-term Mayor of the town.
Glenn has served as Vice-President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association chairing its Municipal Governance Committee. He has also served as Board Chair of the Grande Alberta Economic Region as well as the Rural Alberta Development Fund. He is a past director of the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Board and the Foothills Research Institute.
Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions.
The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed.
Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Water Resources
David Hill is the Executive Director of Water Resources for Energy and Environment Solutions (Alberta Innovates). He has more than 35 years’ experience in water management in Alberta, crossing the broadest spectrum of water issues and water companies.
David has taken a lead role in the development of tools, policies and processes to promote increased water use efficiency in the agricultural sector, and has been a founding member of a number of regionally based water stakeholder organizations. He has been involved with the Alberta Water Council since its inception, representing irrigated agriculture first and then the science and research community since the fall of 2007.
This experience provides David Hill with a broad understanding of water’s integrating importance related to sustainable, social, environmental and economic benefits. At one point in his career he served locally as Executive Director of Alberta Irrigation Projects Association in Lethbridge.
Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions.
The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed.
Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Water Resources
David Hill is the Executive Director of Water Resources for Energy and Environment Solutions (Alberta Innovates). He has more than 35 years’ experience in water management in Alberta, crossing the broadest spectrum of water issues and water companies.
David has taken a lead role in the development of tools, policies and processes to promote increased water use efficiency in the agricultural sector, and has been a founding member of a number of regionally based water stakeholder organizations. He has been involved with the Alberta Water Council since its inception, representing irrigated agriculture first and then the science and research community since the fall of 2007.
This experience provides David Hill with a broad understanding of water’s integrating importance related to sustainable, social, environmental and economic benefits. At one point in his career he served locally as Executive Director of Alberta Irrigation Projects Association in Lethbridge.
Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands.
The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for Alberta. The AEMP concluded that only an independent, science-based monitoring authority, at arms-length from government and industry, could establish the necessary credibility in gathering data, carrying out analyses and making recommendations regarding local and long-term environmental effects. The final report was completed on time and released to the public by the Minister on July 5, 2011. The speaker, who was co-chair of the Panel, will review the issues and speculate on how and when we might expect action.
Speaker: Dr. Howard Tennant
Howard Tennant and his wife, Sharon, reside in Lethbridge. He is a Professor of Management and President emeritus at University of Lethbridge, where he continues to teach.
Tennant’s current involvements include: Alberta Research & Innovation Authority; Audit Committee of National Research Council; Kainai Chieftainship of the Blood Indian Reserve (Past President); and on the board of several private sector companies. He formerly served as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 18th Air Defence Regiment, RCA; Board Member, National Centre of Excellence - Canadian Water Network; The Advisory Board of Statistics Canada; and Chair of the Governing Council of the National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. Tennant is a member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Management. In 2008 he was awarded the ASTech prize for outstanding leadership in science and technology. He has received two honorary degrees.
Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands.
The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for Alberta. The AEMP concluded that only an independent, science-based monitoring authority, at arms-length from government and industry, could establish the necessary credibility in gathering data, carrying out analyses and making recommendations regarding local and long-term environmental effects. The final report was completed on time and released to the public by the Minister on July 5, 2011. The speaker, who was co-chair of the Panel, will review the issues and speculate on how and when we might expect action.
Speaker: Dr. Howard Tennant
Howard Tennant and his wife, Sharon, reside in Lethbridge. He is a Professor of Management and President emeritus at University of Lethbridge, where he continues to teach.
Tennant’s current involvements include: Alberta Research & Innovation Authority; Audit Committee of National Research Council; Kainai Chieftainship of the Blood Indian Reserve (Past President); and on the board of several private sector companies. He formerly served as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 18th Air Defence Regiment, RCA; Board Member, National Centre of Excellence - Canadian Water Network; The Advisory Board of Statistics Canada; and Chair of the Governing Council of the National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. Tennant is a member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Management. In 2008 he was awarded the ASTech prize for outstanding leadership in science and technology. He has received two honorary degrees.
Alberta is facing many problems as the next boom approaches. Besides environmental and infrastructure challenges, it can be argued that this boom will once again benefit the wealthy and the larger corporations while most other people in Alberta will gain little in terms of quality lifestyle.
In the past, Alberta has witnessed many booms and busts, but still realized long-term growth in the size of the economy and a dramatic increase in wealth, particularly for well to do individuals and large multi-national corporations, who receive sizeable subsidies and pay little or, in some cases, no taxes. Quality of life indicators such as income security, personal disposable income, Food Bank non-dependency, housing affordability, leisure and family time, and educational attainment show that middle and low-income Albertans are struggling to keep the status quo and many are being left behind. Funding for health care, education and essential social services arguably suffer more at every bust cycle, begging the question: What is the Alberta Advantage?
That being said, who is to blame for this inequality? If governments act according to who elects them, it can be assumed that people vote against their own best interest since the overwhelming majority of us are in the middle to low-income bracket. The speaker will speculate on the causes of and remedies to such behaviour.
Speaker: Rachel Notley MLA
Rachel Notley grew up in Fairview, Alberta as one of three children born to former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School.
She was elected MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in the 2008 provincial election. Prior to being elected, Notley pursued a lengthy legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues, including eight years in British Columbia.
In 2002, Notley returned to Edmonton and has since held positions with the National Union of Public and General Employees, Athabasca University, and as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta. Rachel lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.
Alberta is facing many problems as the next boom approaches. Besides environmental and infrastructure challenges, it can be argued that this boom will once again benefit the wealthy and the larger corporations while most other people in Alberta will gain little in terms of quality lifestyle.
In the past, Alberta has witnessed many booms and busts, but still realized long-term growth in the size of the economy and a dramatic increase in wealth, particularly for well to do individuals and large multi-national corporations, who receive sizeable subsidies and pay little or, in some cases, no taxes. Quality of life indicators such as income security, personal disposable income, Food Bank non-dependency, housing affordability, leisure and family time, and educational attainment show that middle and low-income Albertans are struggling to keep the status quo and many are being left behind. Funding for health care, education and essential social services arguably suffer more at every bust cycle, begging the question: What is the Alberta Advantage?
That being said, who is to blame for this inequality? If governments act according to who elects them, it can be assumed that people vote against their own best interest since the overwhelming majority of us are in the middle to low-income bracket. The speaker will speculate on the causes of and remedies to such behaviour.
Speaker: Rachel Notley MLA
Rachel Notley grew up in Fairview, Alberta as one of three children born to former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School.
She was elected MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in the 2008 provincial election. Prior to being elected, Notley pursued a lengthy legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues, including eight years in British Columbia.
In 2002, Notley returned to Edmonton and has since held positions with the National Union of Public and General Employees, Athabasca University, and as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta. Rachel lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.
Over the last few months the news has been filled with stories of stalemates and showdowns in the halls of the United States Congress. Sometimes it has seemed as though the country was on the brink of collapse. For Canadians, the specter of American politics can appear very confusing, even if it does dominate our media airwaves. As the United States prepare for the November 2012 elections, interested outsiders have many questions about American politics and the structure of an American government that often see party politics work against the common good of the country.
The speaker is a political scientist and seasoned observer of American politics for many decades. He will consider the historical backdrop to today’s events in Congress and the Senate and why Americans find themselves in stalemate after stalemate. Is the US Constitution so difficult to amend that change is unlikely? What needs to happen before Americans get a government that can efficiently deal with the current impasse? And, more broadly, are we witnessing the decline of American hegemony in a world where emerging economic superpower China is competing for that leadership role?
Speaker: Dr. Ed Webking
Dr. Ed Webking grew up in the western United States and earned his BA at Pepperdine; his MA in Government at California State University at Los Angeles, and his PhD in Government at Claremont Graduate School and University Centre. He has been an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1973. As well, he is the President of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and was the recipient of the Province of Alberta Human Rights Award in 1994.
Though now retired from the University, Dr. Webking remains deeply interested in the politics of the United States and in human rights and international law.
Over the last few months the news has been filled with stories of stalemates and showdowns in the halls of the United States Congress. Sometimes it has seemed as though the country was on the brink of collapse. For Canadians, the specter of American politics can appear very confusing, even if it does dominate our media airwaves. As the United States prepare for the November 2012 elections, interested outsiders have many questions about American politics and the structure of an American government that often see party politics work against the common good of the country.
The speaker is a political scientist and seasoned observer of American politics for many decades. He will consider the historical backdrop to today’s events in Congress and the Senate and why Americans find themselves in stalemate after stalemate. Is the US Constitution so difficult to amend that change is unlikely? What needs to happen before Americans get a government that can efficiently deal with the current impasse? And, more broadly, are we witnessing the decline of American hegemony in a world where emerging economic superpower China is competing for that leadership role?
Speaker: Dr. Ed Webking
Dr. Ed Webking grew up in the western United States and earned his BA at Pepperdine; his MA in Government at California State University at Los Angeles, and his PhD in Government at Claremont Graduate School and University Centre. He has been an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1973. As well, he is the President of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and was the recipient of the Province of Alberta Human Rights Award in 1994.
Though now retired from the University, Dr. Webking remains deeply interested in the politics of the United States and in human rights and international law.
A SACPA presentation in February introduced the issue of “hydraulic fracking” in the Lethbridge area. In particular, two oil companies have leased land on the Blood reserve and are exploring the use of hydraulic fracking to recover oil and gas from formations which underly Southern Alberta.
The speaker will discuss, from an industry perspective, what unconventional oil and gas is and where it has been found. As well he will introduce the techniques used to develop it, including hydraulic fracturing (fraccing) and horizontal drilling.
The speaker will discuss industry practices and some regulatory examples for use of water in fracs and protection of surface aquifers.
Speaker: Steven Dunk, P.Eng.
Steve is currently Manager, BC Operations with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers represents over 100 companies that explore for, develop and produce natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, oil sands, and elemental sulphur throughout Canada. CAPP member companies produce more than 90 per cent of Canada’s natural gas and crude oil.
Key areas of responsibility include: operations regulatory issues, land management, natural gas competitiveness, species at risk and managing and working to improve industry-stakeholder relations.
Steve has over 25 years experience in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry, having worked for major oil and gas companies in numerous field and office based technical and management positions in oil and gas operations, reservoir development, and facility construction, in Canada, Indonesia and eastern USA.
He has a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta.
A SACPA presentation in February introduced the issue of “hydraulic fracking” in the Lethbridge area. In particular, two oil companies have leased land on the Blood reserve and are exploring the use of hydraulic fracking to recover oil and gas from formations which underly Southern Alberta.
The speaker will discuss, from an industry perspective, what unconventional oil and gas is and where it has been found. As well he will introduce the techniques used to develop it, including hydraulic fracturing (fraccing) and horizontal drilling.
The speaker will discuss industry practices and some regulatory examples for use of water in fracs and protection of surface aquifers.
Speaker: Steven Dunk, P.Eng.
Steve is currently Manager, BC Operations with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers represents over 100 companies that explore for, develop and produce natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, oil sands, and elemental sulphur throughout Canada. CAPP member companies produce more than 90 per cent of Canada’s natural gas and crude oil.
Key areas of responsibility include: operations regulatory issues, land management, natural gas competitiveness, species at risk and managing and working to improve industry-stakeholder relations.
Steve has over 25 years experience in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry, having worked for major oil and gas companies in numerous field and office based technical and management positions in oil and gas operations, reservoir development, and facility construction, in Canada, Indonesia and eastern USA.
He has a degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Alberta.
According to section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada, it is illegal for people to practice polygamy. Under s. 293, not only is any form of polygamy illegal but any type of polygamous union that purports to result from a rite of polygamy is illegal. Despite this prohibition, there is a community of polygamists in British Columbia called Bountiful which, to date, the authorities in British Columbia have refrained from prosecuting. The apparent rationale for the non-prosecution of polygamy practiced by Bountiful members has been a belief that s. 293 would not withstand a challenge under the freedom of religion provision, section 2(a), of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Could it be argued that the anti-polygamy provision in the Code impinges on the freedom of religion for the residents of Bountiful? Are the harms associated with polygamy significant enough to justify a limitation on freedom of religion? Would s. 293 survive a Charter s. 2(a) challenge?
Speakers: Pamela Dos Ramos, M.A. (Counseling). Ph.D. (Transformative Learning) Linda McKay-Panos, B.Ed., J.D., LL.M.
Linda McKay-Panos is the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. She taught with the Calgary Board of Education for 7 years before obtaining a Law Degree. Linda received her Bachelor of Education, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Calgary. She is the President Alberta Association for Multicultural Education and the Past President of the Public Legal Education Network of Alberta. Linda is the author of several publications dealing with civil liberties, access to information, human rights, discrimination, equality and related topics. Linda received the 2001 Suzanne Mah Award and an Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for her work in human rights in Alberta.
Dr. Dos Ramos owns Pathways to Diversity, a Training, Counselling and Consulting company. She has worked in Diversity Management and counseling. Pamela is a human rights educator for the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and is a board member of the Alberta Association for Multicultural Education. She has taught Multicultural Counseling to Master's Degree candidates at Gonzaga University's Calgary Centre since 1995. Pamela has worked for many years on issues of social justice, particularly human rights and equality and is very involved in Multicultural/Intercultural community groups and education.
According to section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada, it is illegal for people to practice polygamy. Under s. 293, not only is any form of polygamy illegal but any type of polygamous union that purports to result from a rite of polygamy is illegal. Despite this prohibition, there is a community of polygamists in British Columbia called Bountiful which, to date, the authorities in British Columbia have refrained from prosecuting. The apparent rationale for the non-prosecution of polygamy practiced by Bountiful members has been a belief that s. 293 would not withstand a challenge under the freedom of religion provision, section 2(a), of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Could it be argued that the anti-polygamy provision in the Code impinges on the freedom of religion for the residents of Bountiful? Are the harms associated with polygamy significant enough to justify a limitation on freedom of religion? Would s. 293 survive a Charter s. 2(a) challenge?
Speakers: Pamela Dos Ramos, M.A. (Counseling). Ph.D. (Transformative Learning) Linda McKay-Panos, B.Ed., J.D., LL.M.
Linda McKay-Panos is the Executive Director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. She taught with the Calgary Board of Education for 7 years before obtaining a Law Degree. Linda received her Bachelor of Education, Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Calgary. She is the President Alberta Association for Multicultural Education and the Past President of the Public Legal Education Network of Alberta. Linda is the author of several publications dealing with civil liberties, access to information, human rights, discrimination, equality and related topics. Linda received the 2001 Suzanne Mah Award and an Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for her work in human rights in Alberta.
Dr. Dos Ramos owns Pathways to Diversity, a Training, Counselling and Consulting company. She has worked in Diversity Management and counseling. Pamela is a human rights educator for the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and is a board member of the Alberta Association for Multicultural Education. She has taught Multicultural Counseling to Master's Degree candidates at Gonzaga University's Calgary Centre since 1995. Pamela has worked for many years on issues of social justice, particularly human rights and equality and is very involved in Multicultural/Intercultural community groups and education.
Water Under Threat: CETA, Fracking and Water Markets Featuring Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians National Chairperson Wednesday, June 1 7:00 - 9:00 pm Yates Memorial Centre (1002 4 Ave S, Lethbridge)
Free admission! Everyone is welcome.
Presented by the Council of Canadians-Lethbridge Chapter and the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs
Co-sponsored by: Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group, University of Lethbridge Students' Union, Lethbridge College Students' Association
Water is vital to people’s health and livelihoods and yet our freshwater faces crises including contamination, shortages, and privatization. Canada’s water systems are under threat from a free-trade agreement being negotiated between Canada and the European Union called the Comprehensive Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA). A recent report from CUPE and the Council of Canadians exposes how CETA would open public water systems across Canada to privatization. In Alberta, the provincial government has plans to introduce legislation to create a province-wide, deregulated water market that distributes water based on the ability of one to pay, instead of being based on environmental needs and the public interest.
Another threat to Canada’s water system is water contamination due to shale gas extraction known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Fracking is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health. The federal government and provincial governments have yet to establish regulations and safety standards that would protect people and drinking water sources.
Speaker: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians
Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chairs the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch. She is also an executive member of the San Francisco–based International Forum on Globalization and a Councillor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. Maude is the recipient of ten honorary doctorates as well as many awards, including the 2005 Right Livelihood Award (known as the “Alternative Nobel”), the Citation of Lifetime Achievement at the 2008 Canadian Environment Award, and the 2009 Earth Day Canada Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award. In 2008/2009, she served as Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the United Nations General Assembly. She is also the bestselling author or co-author of 16 books, including the international best seller Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and The Coming Battle for the Right to Water. Maude will receive an honorary degree from the University of Lethbridge during the spring convocation on June 3rd.
Water Under Threat: CETA, Fracking and Water Markets Featuring Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians National Chairperson Wednesday, June 1 7:00 - 9:00 pm Yates Memorial Centre (1002 4 Ave S, Lethbridge)
Free admission! Everyone is welcome.
Presented by the Council of Canadians-Lethbridge Chapter and the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs
Co-sponsored by: Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group, University of Lethbridge Students' Union, Lethbridge College Students' Association
Water is vital to people’s health and livelihoods and yet our freshwater faces crises including contamination, shortages, and privatization. Canada’s water systems are under threat from a free-trade agreement being negotiated between Canada and the European Union called the Comprehensive Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA). A recent report from CUPE and the Council of Canadians exposes how CETA would open public water systems across Canada to privatization. In Alberta, the provincial government has plans to introduce legislation to create a province-wide, deregulated water market that distributes water based on the ability of one to pay, instead of being based on environmental needs and the public interest.
Another threat to Canada’s water system is water contamination due to shale gas extraction known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Fracking is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into rock formations such as shale, coal beds and “tight” sands to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. Serious health and environmental questions are being raised about the effects of fracking on groundwater, drinking water and on people’s health. The federal government and provincial governments have yet to establish regulations and safety standards that would protect people and drinking water sources.
Speaker: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians
Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chairs the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch. She is also an executive member of the San Francisco–based International Forum on Globalization and a Councillor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. Maude is the recipient of ten honorary doctorates as well as many awards, including the 2005 Right Livelihood Award (known as the “Alternative Nobel”), the Citation of Lifetime Achievement at the 2008 Canadian Environment Award, and the 2009 Earth Day Canada Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award. In 2008/2009, she served as Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the United Nations General Assembly. She is also the bestselling author or co-author of 16 books, including the international best seller Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and The Coming Battle for the Right to Water. Maude will receive an honorary degree from the University of Lethbridge during the spring convocation on June 3rd.
An increasing number of Canadian households are embracing “locally-produced” food. A response to a complex of factors, it appears that local food may be on the verge of moving from a niche market to a market segment. Notwithstanding the growing popularity of local foods, a number of important questions remain unresolved.
In this presentation the following questions will be addressed: 1.Just how “local” is locally-produced food? 2.Is the growing popularity of locally-produced food really a “turn toward quality”, or is it simply another example of branding and product differentiation? 3.What is the likely future of local food systems?
Speaker: Tom Johnston
Tom Johnston holds degrees from the universities of Guelph and Waterloo, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to his interest in local food systems, Dr. Johnston’s ongoing research projects include an examination of the adoption of drought-proofing strategies by farmers and rural households, an evaluation of voluntary adoption programming pursuant to environmentally sympathetic rural land-use practices, a study of the efficacy of community-level water management initiatives, and an investigation of the use of water conserving measures by irrigation farmers.
An increasing number of Canadian households are embracing “locally-produced” food. A response to a complex of factors, it appears that local food may be on the verge of moving from a niche market to a market segment. Notwithstanding the growing popularity of local foods, a number of important questions remain unresolved.
In this presentation the following questions will be addressed: 1.Just how “local” is locally-produced food? 2.Is the growing popularity of locally-produced food really a “turn toward quality”, or is it simply another example of branding and product differentiation? 3.What is the likely future of local food systems?
Speaker: Tom Johnston
Tom Johnston holds degrees from the universities of Guelph and Waterloo, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to his interest in local food systems, Dr. Johnston’s ongoing research projects include an examination of the adoption of drought-proofing strategies by farmers and rural households, an evaluation of voluntary adoption programming pursuant to environmentally sympathetic rural land-use practices, a study of the efficacy of community-level water management initiatives, and an investigation of the use of water conserving measures by irrigation farmers.
Since 2007 the Allied Arts Council and the arts community of Lethbridge have collaborated on the Arts Re:Building Together initiative, which addresses concerns regarding the City’s arts facilities and proposed the concept of a “Cultural Corridor” for Lethbridge. In this campaign three buildings were identified as needing urgent care or replacement. First up was a renovation and expansion to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, which was completed in September 2010; and in process now is a new Community Arts Centre to replace the Bowman Arts Centre, which is scheduled to break ground this spring. The final piece of the puzzle is a new Performing Arts Theatre, which would provide increased performing arts capacity in the City of Lethbridge. Is Lethbridge ready for a new Performing Arts Theatre? What social & economic benefits will a completed Cultural Corridor bring to our community? Why is Lethbridge in need of increased performing arts capacity? What background work and research have been done thus far? Where will the funding come for this project?
Speaker:Ian Randell and Barbara Lacey Members of Lethbridge’s Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee
Ian Randell is a retired art teacher and administrator with the local Holy Spirit school district. He now maintains a studio in downtown Lethbridge where he relates his affinity and love for the prairies and mountains through his landscape paintings in oils, acrylics and water media while continuing to teach on a casual basis. Ian is also a musician and performs with the Community Gold Band and the Lethbridge Big Band. He has been on the board of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge for the past six years including two years as president. Ian currently serves as Chair of the City of Lethbridge Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee.
Barbara Lacey was born & raised in Britain and did her medical training in London, England. In 1968, she and her husband, Ronald and their two small children immigrated to Lethbridge where Barbara and Ronald practiced medicine. Barbara was a family physician and then was appointed medical officer of health for the City of Lethbridge. After her retirement in 1995, she was elected as city alderman and served for 15 years. She has always been an avid supporter of performing arts and over the years has attended many performances in Lethbridge. While on city council, she served on the Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee, and today she continues to support the committee as a community member.
Since 2007 the Allied Arts Council and the arts community of Lethbridge have collaborated on the Arts Re:Building Together initiative, which addresses concerns regarding the City’s arts facilities and proposed the concept of a “Cultural Corridor” for Lethbridge. In this campaign three buildings were identified as needing urgent care or replacement. First up was a renovation and expansion to the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, which was completed in September 2010; and in process now is a new Community Arts Centre to replace the Bowman Arts Centre, which is scheduled to break ground this spring. The final piece of the puzzle is a new Performing Arts Theatre, which would provide increased performing arts capacity in the City of Lethbridge. Is Lethbridge ready for a new Performing Arts Theatre? What social & economic benefits will a completed Cultural Corridor bring to our community? Why is Lethbridge in need of increased performing arts capacity? What background work and research have been done thus far? Where will the funding come for this project?
Speaker:Ian Randell and Barbara Lacey Members of Lethbridge’s Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee
Ian Randell is a retired art teacher and administrator with the local Holy Spirit school district. He now maintains a studio in downtown Lethbridge where he relates his affinity and love for the prairies and mountains through his landscape paintings in oils, acrylics and water media while continuing to teach on a casual basis. Ian is also a musician and performs with the Community Gold Band and the Lethbridge Big Band. He has been on the board of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge for the past six years including two years as president. Ian currently serves as Chair of the City of Lethbridge Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee.
Barbara Lacey was born & raised in Britain and did her medical training in London, England. In 1968, she and her husband, Ronald and their two small children immigrated to Lethbridge where Barbara and Ronald practiced medicine. Barbara was a family physician and then was appointed medical officer of health for the City of Lethbridge. After her retirement in 1995, she was elected as city alderman and served for 15 years. She has always been an avid supporter of performing arts and over the years has attended many performances in Lethbridge. While on city council, she served on the Performing Arts Theatre Steering Committee, and today she continues to support the committee as a community member.
The 2011 election saw many interesting developments. The Conservatives winning a majority was the immediate story, but the long-term story was one of party realignment. Realignment elections (1921, 1957, 1993) are few and far between, but when they occur they are significant. 2011 was a realignment election. First, we have seen the destruction of the Bloc Quebecois. Second, the Liberals – the Natural Governing Party of Canada – suffered a historic (and possibly fatal) defeat. Third, the NDP, largely due to an orange surge throughout Quebec, is now the official opposition. Fourth, the Green Party won its first seat ever. As a result of these changes, the Canadian Parliament will look like most other parliaments: a right wing party, a left wing party, and a group of small centrist, nationalist, and movement parties.
Duane Bratt will explain the significance of the realignment election and what it means for the future of Canadian politics. He will also offer some thoughts on the policies that the new Harper-led majority government will pursue as well as some of its challenges. Speaker: Professor Duane Bratt, Mount Royal University
Duane Bratt is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations, with specialties in the sub-fields of international organizations and Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
Duane is a regular guest on Access Television’s Alberta PrimeTime and CBC-Radio’s Alberta at Noon, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Prairie Atoms: The Opportunities and Challenges of Nuclear Power in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Canada West Foundation, 2008), and The Politics of CANDU Exports (University of Toronto Press: Toronto, 2006). He is currently working on a book entitled Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival.
The 2011 election saw many interesting developments. The Conservatives winning a majority was the immediate story, but the long-term story was one of party realignment. Realignment elections (1921, 1957, 1993) are few and far between, but when they occur they are significant. 2011 was a realignment election. First, we have seen the destruction of the Bloc Quebecois. Second, the Liberals – the Natural Governing Party of Canada – suffered a historic (and possibly fatal) defeat. Third, the NDP, largely due to an orange surge throughout Quebec, is now the official opposition. Fourth, the Green Party won its first seat ever. As a result of these changes, the Canadian Parliament will look like most other parliaments: a right wing party, a left wing party, and a group of small centrist, nationalist, and movement parties.
Duane Bratt will explain the significance of the realignment election and what it means for the future of Canadian politics. He will also offer some thoughts on the policies that the new Harper-led majority government will pursue as well as some of its challenges. Speaker: Professor Duane Bratt, Mount Royal University
Duane Bratt is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations, with specialties in the sub-fields of international organizations and Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy.
Duane is a regular guest on Access Television’s Alberta PrimeTime and CBC-Radio’s Alberta at Noon, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Prairie Atoms: The Opportunities and Challenges of Nuclear Power in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Canada West Foundation, 2008), and The Politics of CANDU Exports (University of Toronto Press: Toronto, 2006). He is currently working on a book entitled Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival.
The latest provincial budget is going to impact on many Alberta families and communities very hard. We are told that there needs to be cuts to many essential public services due to the current deficit, but when you look deeper at the budget, you see that there are many choices that the government is making that clearly do not support what matters most to Albertans. In this talk, the speaker will not only explore how the provincial budget is affecting our communities and families, but will also talk about what we can do to advocate for a better vision for Alberta.
Speaker Bill Moore-Kilgannon
Bill Moore-Kilgannon is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Prior to joining Public Interest Alberta, he worked in Ottawa as the Director of Campaigns and Communications of the Council of Canadians from 2001 – 2004 and he was the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta from 1997 - 2001. Earlier, Bill was the coordinator of the Global Visions Festival from 1992 – 1997 and he also makes documentary videos (most recent production is a video about the music, art and theatre of street children in Nicaragua).
Bill studied Canadian and Latin American history, political science and economics at the University of Alberta and l”Unversité de Sherbrooke, and speaks French and Spanish. To compliment his well rounded work experiences, Bill has lent a hand fighting forest fires in Alberta.
The latest provincial budget is going to impact on many Alberta families and communities very hard. We are told that there needs to be cuts to many essential public services due to the current deficit, but when you look deeper at the budget, you see that there are many choices that the government is making that clearly do not support what matters most to Albertans. In this talk, the speaker will not only explore how the provincial budget is affecting our communities and families, but will also talk about what we can do to advocate for a better vision for Alberta.
Speaker Bill Moore-Kilgannon
Bill Moore-Kilgannon is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Prior to joining Public Interest Alberta, he worked in Ottawa as the Director of Campaigns and Communications of the Council of Canadians from 2001 – 2004 and he was the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta from 1997 - 2001. Earlier, Bill was the coordinator of the Global Visions Festival from 1992 – 1997 and he also makes documentary videos (most recent production is a video about the music, art and theatre of street children in Nicaragua).
Bill studied Canadian and Latin American history, political science and economics at the University of Alberta and l”Unversité de Sherbrooke, and speaks French and Spanish. To compliment his well rounded work experiences, Bill has lent a hand fighting forest fires in Alberta.
NEW: The link to the video Jim Byrne screened is here: http://scientiaproductions.com/clw/introduction
Run-off and waste streams from farms, factories and cities is choking our lakes and waterways. Chemical fertilizers, intensive livestock operations, industrial waste and lawn and household products are just some of the causes. Massive blue-green algae blooms have appeared in Lake Winnipeg and other water bodies across the Canadian prairies. Eutrophication is fast becoming a problem; not just in Canada but in the most heavily-populated parts of the industrialized and developing world.
We are polluting our sources of drinking water and the habitat of fish and other aquatic species.
The speaker’s new film, Choking Lake Winnipeg, will be screened during this session to illustrate the problems of aquatic pollution and describe some of the actions needed at various levels to reverse the process, including action that can be taken at the household level. Dr. Byrne will take questions from the audience after the screening of the film
Speaker:James Byrne
James Byrne is Professor and Chair of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. His expertise is in global environmental change. He was the lead scientist, originator and co-producer of the 2002 award-winning television series Global Change and the 2004 TV series Water under Fire. His latest film is Choking Lake Winnipeg.
NEW: The link to the video Jim Byrne screened is here: http://scientiaproductions.com/clw/introduction
Run-off and waste streams from farms, factories and cities is choking our lakes and waterways. Chemical fertilizers, intensive livestock operations, industrial waste and lawn and household products are just some of the causes. Massive blue-green algae blooms have appeared in Lake Winnipeg and other water bodies across the Canadian prairies. Eutrophication is fast becoming a problem; not just in Canada but in the most heavily-populated parts of the industrialized and developing world.
We are polluting our sources of drinking water and the habitat of fish and other aquatic species.
The speaker’s new film, Choking Lake Winnipeg, will be screened during this session to illustrate the problems of aquatic pollution and describe some of the actions needed at various levels to reverse the process, including action that can be taken at the household level. Dr. Byrne will take questions from the audience after the screening of the film
Speaker:James Byrne
James Byrne is Professor and Chair of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. His expertise is in global environmental change. He was the lead scientist, originator and co-producer of the 2002 award-winning television series Global Change and the 2004 TV series Water under Fire. His latest film is Choking Lake Winnipeg.
The recent sentencing of seven innocent members of the Baha’i Faith in Iran is testament to the continued mistreatment of this religion under the Iranian government. Persecution of Bahai’s began in the nineteenth century and has continued to the present day. Many members of this minority religion in Iran have been imprisoned and executed. Iranian Bahai’s now face increasingly restrictive laws concerning employment, education, marriage and the right to assemble.
Why do Bahai’s face such opposition in Iran? What tenets of this religion are particularly problematic for the government? Why has religious intolerance continued to escalate even in the face of increased pressure from the U.N. and from many other countries?
A discussion of the Baha’i Faith and the chanting of some Baha’i prayers will follow a short history of the oppression of the Bahai’s in Iran.
Speaker: Janet Youngdahl, D.M.A.; M.M.
Janet Youngdahl is a Professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge, and was formerly a Professor at the University of Calgary. Janet is a singer, conductor and music historian specializing in medieval and baroque music. She appears on numerous CD recordings on the BMG, Centaur, BIS, and Toccata Classics record labels, and is a frequent soloist in concerts of baroque music.
Janet holds a doctorate of music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. She currently serves as the chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of Lethbridge.
The recent sentencing of seven innocent members of the Baha’i Faith in Iran is testament to the continued mistreatment of this religion under the Iranian government. Persecution of Bahai’s began in the nineteenth century and has continued to the present day. Many members of this minority religion in Iran have been imprisoned and executed. Iranian Bahai’s now face increasingly restrictive laws concerning employment, education, marriage and the right to assemble.
Why do Bahai’s face such opposition in Iran? What tenets of this religion are particularly problematic for the government? Why has religious intolerance continued to escalate even in the face of increased pressure from the U.N. and from many other countries?
A discussion of the Baha’i Faith and the chanting of some Baha’i prayers will follow a short history of the oppression of the Bahai’s in Iran.
Speaker: Janet Youngdahl, D.M.A.; M.M.
Janet Youngdahl is a Professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge, and was formerly a Professor at the University of Calgary. Janet is a singer, conductor and music historian specializing in medieval and baroque music. She appears on numerous CD recordings on the BMG, Centaur, BIS, and Toccata Classics record labels, and is a frequent soloist in concerts of baroque music.
Janet holds a doctorate of music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. She currently serves as the chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of Lethbridge.
To date, there has been very little work done or literature available on the stories, the narratives of experience, of those Aboriginal individuals who have journeyed through post-secondary, Eurocentric paradigm-based Western education successfully. This is a critical missing (qualitative) piece in the literature. So much quantitative data and attention around the issues of Aboriginal success focuses on the lack of success, on Western education, on the negatives or deficiencies, on how poorly Aboriginal students do relative to non-Aboriginal students. Seldom do we hear how they have excelled, what has enabled them.
In understanding the post-secondary experience of Aboriginal students, it is important to hear the story from their voices and from their perspective such that it will lead a better understanding of success rather than always focusing on the deficit. The speaker’s research entailed collecting and evaluating the oral, educational, experiential narratives of perceived both “successful” and “unsuccessful” Aboriginal individuals who journeyed through post-secondary Western education. These narratives served as the raw data around her research, focused on answering the questions: 1) How did those Aboriginal individuals journey through post-secondary education, with focus on science, and succeed when most do not? 2) What worked for them? 3) What were their challenges? 4) How did they manage that space between paradigms? 5) How did they turn the “space between” from a “gap, border or roadblock” to a liminal place of possibility? 6) How do they exist in that space now? 7) How does their story, their experience serve to inform, enable and mentor others embarking on such a journey? 8) How can such success enable the voice and subjectivity of Aboriginal people for the future economic milieu and globalization?
Speaker: Michelle Hogue Ph.D.
Dr. Michelle Hogue is the Coordinator of the First Nations Transition Program at the University of Lethbridge and teaches as well, in that program. A Métis from Saskatchewan, her recent Ph.D. from the University of Calgary, focuses on the success of Aboriginal students in Post-Secondary Education, with a passionate focus on the sciences. Michelle believes post-secondary education is critical for Aboriginal students and it is the “New Buffalo”. She also believes the young Aboriginal populations are going to be the next leaders and professionals because, unlike the non-Aboriginal population, they live in and between both worlds which will be advantageous in this time of globalization.
To date, there has been very little work done or literature available on the stories, the narratives of experience, of those Aboriginal individuals who have journeyed through post-secondary, Eurocentric paradigm-based Western education successfully. This is a critical missing (qualitative) piece in the literature. So much quantitative data and attention around the issues of Aboriginal success focuses on the lack of success, on Western education, on the negatives or deficiencies, on how poorly Aboriginal students do relative to non-Aboriginal students. Seldom do we hear how they have excelled, what has enabled them.
In understanding the post-secondary experience of Aboriginal students, it is important to hear the story from their voices and from their perspective such that it will lead a better understanding of success rather than always focusing on the deficit. The speaker’s research entailed collecting and evaluating the oral, educational, experiential narratives of perceived both “successful” and “unsuccessful” Aboriginal individuals who journeyed through post-secondary Western education. These narratives served as the raw data around her research, focused on answering the questions: 1) How did those Aboriginal individuals journey through post-secondary education, with focus on science, and succeed when most do not? 2) What worked for them? 3) What were their challenges? 4) How did they manage that space between paradigms? 5) How did they turn the “space between” from a “gap, border or roadblock” to a liminal place of possibility? 6) How do they exist in that space now? 7) How does their story, their experience serve to inform, enable and mentor others embarking on such a journey? 8) How can such success enable the voice and subjectivity of Aboriginal people for the future economic milieu and globalization?
Speaker: Michelle Hogue Ph.D.
Dr. Michelle Hogue is the Coordinator of the First Nations Transition Program at the University of Lethbridge and teaches as well, in that program. A Métis from Saskatchewan, her recent Ph.D. from the University of Calgary, focuses on the success of Aboriginal students in Post-Secondary Education, with a passionate focus on the sciences. Michelle believes post-secondary education is critical for Aboriginal students and it is the “New Buffalo”. She also believes the young Aboriginal populations are going to be the next leaders and professionals because, unlike the non-Aboriginal population, they live in and between both worlds which will be advantageous in this time of globalization.
Glaciers and ice sheets play an important role in the global environment. They are storage systems of most of the world's fresh water, dramatically alter the landscape and sea level, affect ecosystems and provide us with unique records of climate and atmospheric conditions that go back hundreds of thousands of years. Global climate change has caused widespread accelerated glacier retreat, which has negative effects on fresh water availability, causes global sea level rise and affects climate and ecosystems at the local and global scales. In order to understand how glaciers affect life on earth, it is important to understand how glaciers work and what causes them to change.
By being informed about natural systems such as glaciers we can understand why some changes in nature happen fast while others take longer, and why snapshots do not always reflect the big picture. This presentation will address recent measurements and predictions of glacier shrinkage and sea level rise, as well as local and global effects thereof, and will explain more complex issues such as ‘Why have a handful of glaciers advanced in recent years and why does this not contradict records of global warming?’
Speaker: Hester Jiskoot PhD
Dr Hester Jiskoot is Associate Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Lethbridge and holds a BSc and MSc in Physical Geography (University of Amsterdam, NL) and a PhD in Glaciology (University of Leeds, UK). She is an award winning NSERC-funded glaciologist, is one of the world experts on glacier surging and has published widely. Her main research interests are in ice flow dynamics, glacier-environment and glacier-climate interactions. Since 1991, Dr Jiskoot has been a member and leader of glaciological expedition teams, and has been on glaciers in Greenland, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Iceland, the Yukon Territory, Alaska, the European Alps, the Canadian Rockies, and the Himalayas.
In 2005 Dr Jiskoot was invited by the Canadian Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, to advise about the role of glaciers in the water supply prognosis for western Canada. In 2009 she was elected Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and in 2010 she became Associate Editor of the scientific journal Arctic, Antarctic & Alpine Research.
Glaciers and ice sheets play an important role in the global environment. They are storage systems of most of the world's fresh water, dramatically alter the landscape and sea level, affect ecosystems and provide us with unique records of climate and atmospheric conditions that go back hundreds of thousands of years. Global climate change has caused widespread accelerated glacier retreat, which has negative effects on fresh water availability, causes global sea level rise and affects climate and ecosystems at the local and global scales. In order to understand how glaciers affect life on earth, it is important to understand how glaciers work and what causes them to change.
By being informed about natural systems such as glaciers we can understand why some changes in nature happen fast while others take longer, and why snapshots do not always reflect the big picture. This presentation will address recent measurements and predictions of glacier shrinkage and sea level rise, as well as local and global effects thereof, and will explain more complex issues such as ‘Why have a handful of glaciers advanced in recent years and why does this not contradict records of global warming?’
Speaker: Hester Jiskoot PhD
Dr Hester Jiskoot is Associate Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Lethbridge and holds a BSc and MSc in Physical Geography (University of Amsterdam, NL) and a PhD in Glaciology (University of Leeds, UK). She is an award winning NSERC-funded glaciologist, is one of the world experts on glacier surging and has published widely. Her main research interests are in ice flow dynamics, glacier-environment and glacier-climate interactions. Since 1991, Dr Jiskoot has been a member and leader of glaciological expedition teams, and has been on glaciers in Greenland, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Iceland, the Yukon Territory, Alaska, the European Alps, the Canadian Rockies, and the Himalayas.
In 2005 Dr Jiskoot was invited by the Canadian Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, to advise about the role of glaciers in the water supply prognosis for western Canada. In 2009 she was elected Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and in 2010 she became Associate Editor of the scientific journal Arctic, Antarctic & Alpine Research.
In recent weeks we have witnessed dramatic and sometime violent social unrest in many Middle East countries. While these protests have led to democratic reform in Egypt and Tunisia, civil war has been the result in Libya. Populations in several other countries have gained some concessions, but are nevertheless still demonstrating against the ruling class. Nervous Arab leaders in these countries are scrambling to stay in power.
The speaker will explore the unique culture and demography of this region. He will examine who is an Arab, and what is Islam. He will inquire into the impact of Facebook and other social media. He will probe the tensions of Arab and western worlds and where the future is heading.
Speaker: Thabit Alomari
Thabit Alomari is a mature graduate Anthropology student at the University of Lethbridge. He is researching the phenomenon of "religious tourism". He holds an MA in tourism from Yarmouk University in Jordan as well as a B.A. in Islamic studies from Medina University in Saudi Arabia.
Prior to his graduate work at the University of Lethbridge, Thabit was in a management positions at a major company in Dubai. He brings to his knowledge of the anthropological and political landscape of the Middle East, a lifetime of intimate experience with the region.
In recent weeks we have witnessed dramatic and sometime violent social unrest in many Middle East countries. While these protests have led to democratic reform in Egypt and Tunisia, civil war has been the result in Libya. Populations in several other countries have gained some concessions, but are nevertheless still demonstrating against the ruling class. Nervous Arab leaders in these countries are scrambling to stay in power.
The speaker will explore the unique culture and demography of this region. He will examine who is an Arab, and what is Islam. He will inquire into the impact of Facebook and other social media. He will probe the tensions of Arab and western worlds and where the future is heading.
Speaker: Thabit Alomari
Thabit Alomari is a mature graduate Anthropology student at the University of Lethbridge. He is researching the phenomenon of "religious tourism". He holds an MA in tourism from Yarmouk University in Jordan as well as a B.A. in Islamic studies from Medina University in Saudi Arabia.
Prior to his graduate work at the University of Lethbridge, Thabit was in a management positions at a major company in Dubai. He brings to his knowledge of the anthropological and political landscape of the Middle East, a lifetime of intimate experience with the region.
Arguments for supporting the family farm appear to be plentiful among both urban and rural folks. However, paying more for food is not one of them. This type of farming has in the past been the lifeblood of the rural society economy, but driven by many different factors, the landscape is changing. What was considered an “industrial farm” 30 years ago is now the norm and as technology expands, chances are, so will the size of family farms.
The speaker will argue that despite variable government subsidy programs around the world, which often makes it difficult for Canadian farmers to compete, the family farm can survive. However, efforts to make it more attractive for the younger generation to replace the aging majority of present family farm owners are paramount. Related to that, farmers needs better marketing opportunities for their products, which often are handicapped by obstructive regulations, frequently involving the Canadian Wheat Board. The speaker will further relate how farm policies can affect food and environmental safety.
Speakers: Brian Otto
A third generation farmer, Brian Otto has been a grain, oilseeds and special crops grower for 38 years. He also holds a teaching degree (1971) from the University of Calgary. Brian, his wife Carolyn and family operate a 4,000-acre farm near Warner, AB.
Otto has been a director and vice-chair of the Alberta Barley Commission where he helped develop the Commission’s governance policy. In the 1980s, Brian helped start and was an executive on the board of directors serving the Alberta Winter Wheat Association (which later became the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission) and the Alberta Safflower Growers Association.
Brian Otto served on the Western Grains Research Foundation for 12 years and is the current president of the Western Barley Growers Association. His community work includes coaching school sports and he volunteered on the Warner School Parent Advisory Council from 1984 to 1998. Brian was a founding director of the Warner Girls Hockey School.
Arguments for supporting the family farm appear to be plentiful among both urban and rural folks. However, paying more for food is not one of them. This type of farming has in the past been the lifeblood of the rural society economy, but driven by many different factors, the landscape is changing. What was considered an “industrial farm” 30 years ago is now the norm and as technology expands, chances are, so will the size of family farms.
The speaker will argue that despite variable government subsidy programs around the world, which often makes it difficult for Canadian farmers to compete, the family farm can survive. However, efforts to make it more attractive for the younger generation to replace the aging majority of present family farm owners are paramount. Related to that, farmers needs better marketing opportunities for their products, which often are handicapped by obstructive regulations, frequently involving the Canadian Wheat Board. The speaker will further relate how farm policies can affect food and environmental safety.
Speakers: Brian Otto
A third generation farmer, Brian Otto has been a grain, oilseeds and special crops grower for 38 years. He also holds a teaching degree (1971) from the University of Calgary. Brian, his wife Carolyn and family operate a 4,000-acre farm near Warner, AB.
Otto has been a director and vice-chair of the Alberta Barley Commission where he helped develop the Commission’s governance policy. In the 1980s, Brian helped start and was an executive on the board of directors serving the Alberta Winter Wheat Association (which later became the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission) and the Alberta Safflower Growers Association.
Brian Otto served on the Western Grains Research Foundation for 12 years and is the current president of the Western Barley Growers Association. His community work includes coaching school sports and he volunteered on the Warner School Parent Advisory Council from 1984 to 1998. Brian was a founding director of the Warner Girls Hockey School.
Delegate’s from all 194 countries except one agreed to cut carbon emissions and assist developing countries tackle climate change as part of a "historic" deal in Cancun to help stop global warming. The deal falls far short of what many scientists, environmentalist and the country of Bolivia claim is needed to stop catastrophic global warming. But it represents a step towards the eventual goal of many, a legally binding treaty aimed at preventing temperatures rising more than 2C this century.
For the first time all countries are committed to cutting carbon emissions under an official UN agreement. As well, rich nations have to pay a total of £60 billion annually from 2020 on, into a "green fund" to help poor countries adapt to floods and droughts. The money will also help developing countries, including China and India, switch to renewable energy sources. The speakers will offer their opinions on the deal and whether it’s too little, too late or a good start.
Speakers: Richard Mrazek, George Gallant and Stephen McGlenn
Rick Mrazek is a Professor of Science Education in the Faculty of Education and Associate Dean. He earned his B.Sc. and B.Ed. from the University of Lethbridge before going on to obtain his Masters and Ph.D. in Science Education at the University of Alberta. Rick was a Canadian Wildlife Federation delegate who presented at Cop 15 in Copenhagen and COP 16 in Cancun and has been internationally recognized as a leading science, technology and environmental educator.
George Gallant has been an independent producer for the past 13 years working on various projects including broadcasting daily live video back to Canada from Nepal for CBC Newsworld during the successful Everest 2000 Expedition. His work has earned him awards for Best Educational programming and in 2005 George was the Director and one of the Producers of the 7 part series Water Under Fire which exposed our nation’s water crisis. Since 2007 he has been teaching TV production at Lethbridge College and working with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Stephen McGlenn is a recent graduate of the University of Lethbridge, completing his BA with Honours and Distinction in Native American Studies. Stephen recently attended COP16 in Cancun as part of the Canadian Youth Delegation, a non-governmental organization of youth leaders from across the country that has been sending delegations to the UNFCCC meetings for several years to present the perspective of youth on the issue of climate change. Stephen is an advocate for social justice issues, in particular those associated with climate change and indigenous rights. Stephen currently works as a nature interpreter at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
The Galt Museum & Archives is committed to sustainability within its own organization. 2011 marks the second year it is participating in Earth Hour [March 26, 8:30 pm] and it will be host to the traveling exhibit “Earth’s Climate in the Balance” from January 21 – April 22, 2012.
Eight Student competitors kicked off the 2011 U of L Student Speaker Challenge on January 18, 2011. Robbie Rolfe and Thomas Fox, Brittany Kocken and Taylor Webb, Channing Stenhouse and Sara Ortiz Ospina, Alex Masse and Rory Tarant competed in the preliminary rounds with Thomas Fox and Taylor Webb, Channing Stenhouse and Rory Tarant squaring off in the semifinals.
A wide variety of solutions were offered, ranging from globalization to climate justice to upholding human rights and the rule of law. Acceptance and respect regarding diverse cultures was also cited as important, as was the possibility of forming a representative world governing body specifically metering out global justice. It was generally felt however, that “Global Justice” in terms of total equality among people, most likely is unachievable, not only globally, but also within nations.
Speakers: Channing Stenhouse and Thomas Fox
Channing Stenhouse was born in Peace River and raised with two brothers and a foster sister in McLennan, AB. In 2006 she moved to Lethbridge to study music. Since then, she has been an active member of the Lethbridge music community, and has organized several different types of benefit concerts in order to bridge the gap between music and meaningful contribution. Channing is currently in her fifth and final year of study at the U of L (Bachelor of Music program) and intends to continue her studies in conducting at the post-graduate level. Thomas Fox is a long-time Lethbridge resident. Born in Winnipeg, Thomas took some time off for traveling between high school and University. In his last semester at U of L, Thomas will only be taking one class, but will also be working on the University's first Environmental Science Honors Thesis, analyzing glacier flow dynamics using a GIS. His interests include science, music, chess, cycling and activism. Thomas is currently on the board of directors for both LPIRG and Amnesty International Lethbridge. He is planning to eventually enter grad or law school.
Eight Student competitors kicked off the 2011 U of L Student Speaker Challenge on January 18, 2011. Robbie Rolfe and Thomas Fox, Brittany Kocken and Taylor Webb, Channing Stenhouse and Sara Ortiz Ospina, Alex Masse and Rory Tarant competed in the preliminary rounds with Thomas Fox and Taylor Webb, Channing Stenhouse and Rory Tarant squaring off in the semifinals.
A wide variety of solutions were offered, ranging from globalization to climate justice to upholding human rights and the rule of law. Acceptance and respect regarding diverse cultures was also cited as important, as was the possibility of forming a representative world governing body specifically metering out global justice. It was generally felt however, that “Global Justice” in terms of total equality among people, most likely is unachievable, not only globally, but also within nations.
Speakers: Channing Stenhouse and Thomas Fox
Channing Stenhouse was born in Peace River and raised with two brothers and a foster sister in McLennan, AB. In 2006 she moved to Lethbridge to study music. Since then, she has been an active member of the Lethbridge music community, and has organized several different types of benefit concerts in order to bridge the gap between music and meaningful contribution. Channing is currently in her fifth and final year of study at the U of L (Bachelor of Music program) and intends to continue her studies in conducting at the post-graduate level. Thomas Fox is a long-time Lethbridge resident. Born in Winnipeg, Thomas took some time off for traveling between high school and University. In his last semester at U of L, Thomas will only be taking one class, but will also be working on the University's first Environmental Science Honors Thesis, analyzing glacier flow dynamics using a GIS. His interests include science, music, chess, cycling and activism. Thomas is currently on the board of directors for both LPIRG and Amnesty International Lethbridge. He is planning to eventually enter grad or law school.
January 18 – March 15, 2011 Ballroom A in the SU building and at Andy’s Place (AH 100) University of Lethbridge
The third annual Student Speaker Challenge will kick off on Tuesday, Jan. 18 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event, addressing the question: What is global justice and how can it be achieved?
The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $500 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $300 and $100 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Student Speaker Challenge Preliminary Session Schedule at the University of Lethbridge is: Session 1 - Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A, Students Union Building Speakers - Robbie Rolfe and Thomas Fox Session 2 - Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Brittany Kocken and Taylor Webb Session 3 – Tuesday, Feb 1 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Channing Stenhouse and Sara Ortiz Ospina
Session 4 - Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Alex Masse and Rory Tarant
Semifinal Session Schedule Tuesday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom A Tuesday, March 8 at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom A
Final Session - Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in Andy’s Place (AH100) The two Finalists will present at SACPA’s regular session, Thursday, March 17, noon-1:30 at CKC
January 18 – March 15, 2011 Ballroom A in the SU building and at Andy’s Place (AH 100) University of Lethbridge
The third annual Student Speaker Challenge will kick off on Tuesday, Jan. 18 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event, addressing the question: What is global justice and how can it be achieved?
The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $500 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $300 and $100 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Student Speaker Challenge Preliminary Session Schedule at the University of Lethbridge is: Session 1 - Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A, Students Union Building Speakers - Robbie Rolfe and Thomas Fox Session 2 - Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Brittany Kocken and Taylor Webb Session 3 – Tuesday, Feb 1 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Channing Stenhouse and Sara Ortiz Ospina
Session 4 - Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m. in Ballroom A Speakers - Alex Masse and Rory Tarant
Semifinal Session Schedule Tuesday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom A Tuesday, March 8 at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom A
Final Session - Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in Andy’s Place (AH100) The two Finalists will present at SACPA’s regular session, Thursday, March 17, noon-1:30 at CKC
Alberta appears to be moving towards a serious water crisis. Climate change is causing rapid melting of the glaciers and decreasing snowpack on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the source of most Alberta's water. Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada and this growing population is centered in the southern most, driest region of the province. Industry and agriculture continue to thirst for more water to expand their operations; but as rivers are beginning and expected to continue to decline, the water limits are becoming evident.
An Our Water Is Not For Sale (OWINF) working group came together in 2010 when it became apparent the Alberta government was planning on changing Alberta's current water allocation system to a market based system. The proposed water market system could give wealthy and powerful individuals and companies better access and control over Alberta's already over allocated water resources. OWINF believes the proposed water markets would have insufficient conservation tools and would promote the use of nearly all flowing water. Furthermore, the market system gives those with the most money such as industry, including oil and gas explorations and large-scale agriculture, the ability to compete with municipalities for water. This could leave rivers and streams with very limited amounts of clean water flow.
Speakers: Julia Dalman and Kevin Force
Julia Dalman is currently the Environmental Intern for Public Interest Alberta working on the Our Water Is Not For Sale campaign. She has a Bsc with a major in Biology and a minor in International studies from the University of Alberta. Julia believes in community engagement and volunteer work and has a passion for gardening and cooking food believing it to be a 'gateway drug' to community engagement and activism. At U of A, Julia became a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Center on campus and is still involved now. She is also part of a youth leadership program called Next Up.
Kevin Force is a water educator for the Sierra Club. Kevin has been active in student politics with the Council of Canadians University of Alberta Chapter helping to build awareness and advocacy for progressive energy, trade and water policies. Passionate about environmental and social justice, Kevin is taking his talents and expertise to community groups in Alberta, building awareness about OWINF network and how water in Alberta is affected by climate change, over-allocation and pollution, while advocating for provincial protection that prioritize water rights for human needs and future generations. He has his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Certificate of Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta.
Alberta appears to be moving towards a serious water crisis. Climate change is causing rapid melting of the glaciers and decreasing snowpack on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the source of most Alberta's water. Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada and this growing population is centered in the southern most, driest region of the province. Industry and agriculture continue to thirst for more water to expand their operations; but as rivers are beginning and expected to continue to decline, the water limits are becoming evident.
An Our Water Is Not For Sale (OWINF) working group came together in 2010 when it became apparent the Alberta government was planning on changing Alberta's current water allocation system to a market based system. The proposed water market system could give wealthy and powerful individuals and companies better access and control over Alberta's already over allocated water resources. OWINF believes the proposed water markets would have insufficient conservation tools and would promote the use of nearly all flowing water. Furthermore, the market system gives those with the most money such as industry, including oil and gas explorations and large-scale agriculture, the ability to compete with municipalities for water. This could leave rivers and streams with very limited amounts of clean water flow.
Speakers: Julia Dalman and Kevin Force
Julia Dalman is currently the Environmental Intern for Public Interest Alberta working on the Our Water Is Not For Sale campaign. She has a Bsc with a major in Biology and a minor in International studies from the University of Alberta. Julia believes in community engagement and volunteer work and has a passion for gardening and cooking food believing it to be a 'gateway drug' to community engagement and activism. At U of A, Julia became a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Center on campus and is still involved now. She is also part of a youth leadership program called Next Up.
Kevin Force is a water educator for the Sierra Club. Kevin has been active in student politics with the Council of Canadians University of Alberta Chapter helping to build awareness and advocacy for progressive energy, trade and water policies. Passionate about environmental and social justice, Kevin is taking his talents and expertise to community groups in Alberta, building awareness about OWINF network and how water in Alberta is affected by climate change, over-allocation and pollution, while advocating for provincial protection that prioritize water rights for human needs and future generations. He has his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Certificate of Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta.
The Tea Party is an American populist political movement, which is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009. Reduced government spending, opposition to taxation in varying degrees, reduction of the national debt and federal budget deficit are on the Tea Party’s agenda, as is adherence to an originalist interpretation of the United States Constitution. The name "Tea Party" is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, a protest by colonists who objected to a British tax on tea in 1773 and demonstrated by dumping British tea taken from docked ships into the harbor. The present Tea Party movement in the US arose seemingly out of nowhere. Yet within two years, it moved from being a fringe right-wing movement to one of some prominence. What is the Tea Party movement really aiming to achieve? Who are its supporters? Is it an Astroturf or a grassroots movement? What was its real impact on the 2010 American midterm-elections? Is there the chance of a comparable movement in Canada? These are a few of the questions examined in this talk.
Speaker: Trevor Harrison
Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics at the University of Lethbridge. In 1996, he also co-founded Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta. Trevor is best known for his studies in political sociology, political economy, and public policy.
In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Trevor is the author, co-author, or co-editor of seven books, and a frequent contributor to public media. During the fall of 2010, he was a visiting Fulbright Research Chair at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
The Tea Party is an American populist political movement, which is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009. Reduced government spending, opposition to taxation in varying degrees, reduction of the national debt and federal budget deficit are on the Tea Party’s agenda, as is adherence to an originalist interpretation of the United States Constitution. The name "Tea Party" is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, a protest by colonists who objected to a British tax on tea in 1773 and demonstrated by dumping British tea taken from docked ships into the harbor. The present Tea Party movement in the US arose seemingly out of nowhere. Yet within two years, it moved from being a fringe right-wing movement to one of some prominence. What is the Tea Party movement really aiming to achieve? Who are its supporters? Is it an Astroturf or a grassroots movement? What was its real impact on the 2010 American midterm-elections? Is there the chance of a comparable movement in Canada? These are a few of the questions examined in this talk.
Speaker: Trevor Harrison
Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics at the University of Lethbridge. In 1996, he also co-founded Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta. Trevor is best known for his studies in political sociology, political economy, and public policy.
In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Trevor is the author, co-author, or co-editor of seven books, and a frequent contributor to public media. During the fall of 2010, he was a visiting Fulbright Research Chair at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
7:00 – 9:00 PM Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S
Despite its more than 60-year history, fair trade is still a relatively new concept for many North Americans and is unfortunately often confused with free trade. However, this has begun to change according to online surveys. Consumer recognition of Fair Trade-certified labeling has increased greatly in the past few years. Awareness and understanding, however, are two different things. While more and more customers are loyal to the premise of fair trade, they don't necessarily know exactly what it involves, or that there are different "shades" of fair trading, just as there are with “green” products. Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices, but it does not necessarily mean that the products are organic or environmentally friendly. The speaker will outline how direct fair trade is desirable, but admits that the process, which includes close work with producers to help them improve efficiency, environmental standards and other conditions, can be painstaking and difficult to articulate. However, he feels it is an important, fundamental pillar of fair trade that cannot be reduced to a formalized logo.
Speaker: Stacey Toews
Stacey Toews is co-founder of Level Ground Trading, a Direct Fair Trade company based out of Victoria, B.C. Since 1999, Stacey has travelled across North America educating and engaging audiences about Fair Trade, sustainability and ethical consumer choices.
Stacey is passionate about social justice. He has quickly become one of Fair Trade’s leading advocates, encouraging critical and independent thought about our everyday purchases and how they affect people and communities that make the products we buy.
For Toews, sustainability is based on how people relate to each other and the environment, both locally and globally. His experience with Direct Fair Trade in producer communities has shown that environmentally sound practices flourish when people can be assured their livelihoods are secure.
In the course of a week, Alberta’s political landscape changed dramatically. First, Premier Ed Stelmach announced he would not run in the next provincial election. Then David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of the Official Opposition, also announced his resignation. On the one side: a new party with a dynamic young leader is scoring high in the public opinion polls. On the other side: the two major parties in the legislature both face leadership races. And there may or may not be a new center option in the form of the Alberta Party. More than it has for decades, the political landscape appears open for major change -- but what kind of change will it be?
The speaker will argue that the door is now open for a new kind of politics to emerge, a politics that reflects the demands and the priorities and the style of a new generation. In 1971, Peter Lougheed's surprise win marked the political arrival of the "Baby Boomer" generation -- but the first baby boomers turned 65 in January. The last generational shift obliterated the long-lived Social Credit party; what will the next one look like? After the upcoming leadership races and the provincial election that will probably follow in 2012, there will be new faces wall to wall -- and the odds are they will be younger faces. The critical question, the one that will drive our politics for the next decades, is how the parties -- the old ones, and the new ones just emerged or trying to emerge -- will cope with this new reality.
Speaker: Peter McCormick
Dr. Peter McCormick is Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Lethbridge, where he teaches Canadian Government and Politics and Constitutional Law. He holds degrees from the University of Alberta (BA 68), the University of Toronto (MA 69) and the London School of Economics (PhD 74). Dr. McCormick is heard regularly on CBC radio and is often quoted in the national news media.
In the course of a week, Alberta’s political landscape changed dramatically. First, Premier Ed Stelmach announced he would not run in the next provincial election. Then David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of the Official Opposition, also announced his resignation. On the one side: a new party with a dynamic young leader is scoring high in the public opinion polls. On the other side: the two major parties in the legislature both face leadership races. And there may or may not be a new center option in the form of the Alberta Party. More than it has for decades, the political landscape appears open for major change -- but what kind of change will it be?
The speaker will argue that the door is now open for a new kind of politics to emerge, a politics that reflects the demands and the priorities and the style of a new generation. In 1971, Peter Lougheed's surprise win marked the political arrival of the "Baby Boomer" generation -- but the first baby boomers turned 65 in January. The last generational shift obliterated the long-lived Social Credit party; what will the next one look like? After the upcoming leadership races and the provincial election that will probably follow in 2012, there will be new faces wall to wall -- and the odds are they will be younger faces. The critical question, the one that will drive our politics for the next decades, is how the parties -- the old ones, and the new ones just emerged or trying to emerge -- will cope with this new reality.
Speaker: Peter McCormick
Dr. Peter McCormick is Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Lethbridge, where he teaches Canadian Government and Politics and Constitutional Law. He holds degrees from the University of Alberta (BA 68), the University of Toronto (MA 69) and the London School of Economics (PhD 74). Dr. McCormick is heard regularly on CBC radio and is often quoted in the national news media.
In recent months two commercial drilling firms have received permission to begin drilling for gas and oil on leases within the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta. Conventional drilling and exploration have taken place there in the past. However, a different technique using hydraulic fracking is planned for drilling the proposed wells, which may have potential to yield large amounts of gas and oil previously not reachable by conventional means. While several locations in the surrounding area of Lethbridge may have seen hydraulic fracking being used to drill for gas and oil, many people in Alberta and North America have already raised concerns about the technology of hydraulic fracking and its potential threat to the water and environment. Known dangerous chemicals and large amount of water applied under extreme pressure appears to be necessary in the process of fracturing shale or coal seams deep underground. What is hydraulic fracking and do we really need to be concerned about our only water supplies, the Oldman River and the St. Mary River Irrigation District, both of which are in the vicinity of the planned drilling project?
Speaker: Mike Bruised Head
Mike Bruised Head is a member of the Blood Reserve and also a member of "Friends of the Blood Lands". He is a Kainai Educator raised to have cultural respect for the earth and firmly believe he has a duty to protect the lands as a future elder. This organization is "a coalition of concerned people for the environment where we hold the earth, water and air precious so that it will sustain our people and future generations forever." Mike believes fracking presents a real threat to the environment of Southern Alberta.
In recent months two commercial drilling firms have received permission to begin drilling for gas and oil on leases within the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta. Conventional drilling and exploration have taken place there in the past. However, a different technique using hydraulic fracking is planned for drilling the proposed wells, which may have potential to yield large amounts of gas and oil previously not reachable by conventional means. While several locations in the surrounding area of Lethbridge may have seen hydraulic fracking being used to drill for gas and oil, many people in Alberta and North America have already raised concerns about the technology of hydraulic fracking and its potential threat to the water and environment. Known dangerous chemicals and large amount of water applied under extreme pressure appears to be necessary in the process of fracturing shale or coal seams deep underground. What is hydraulic fracking and do we really need to be concerned about our only water supplies, the Oldman River and the St. Mary River Irrigation District, both of which are in the vicinity of the planned drilling project?
Speaker: Mike Bruised Head
Mike Bruised Head is a member of the Blood Reserve and also a member of "Friends of the Blood Lands". He is a Kainai Educator raised to have cultural respect for the earth and firmly believe he has a duty to protect the lands as a future elder. This organization is "a coalition of concerned people for the environment where we hold the earth, water and air precious so that it will sustain our people and future generations forever." Mike believes fracking presents a real threat to the environment of Southern Alberta.
12- 1:30pm
In some countries, voting is an obligation or legal responsibility. Mandatory voting is promoted as a means of addressing low voter turnout and ensuring election results reflect the will of the majority. In Australia, which has an established tradition of compulsory voting, recent polls show ¾ of the population supports the practice. In Canada, voting is a right which a citizen can choose to exercise or not.
What happens when citizens stop exercising this right? The 2008 Alberta election recorded the lowest voter turnout ever for a provincial election (40.6%), and voter turnout in federal, provincial, and municipal elections has been in steady decline across the country for decades.
This debate sponsored by SACPA, the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership and the Famous 5 Foundation will explore compulsory voting as a possible solution to record low voter turnout in Canada. Arguments for and against compulsory voting using experiences of other countries will be debated. The audience is encouraged to question the speakers and to join in the discussion on how to address voter apathy and disengagement at all levels of Canadian politics.
Speakers:Heather MacIntosh, Dan Shapiro and Dr. Gordon Campbell
Heather MacIntosh, Sheldon Chumir Foundation Program Director - Democratic Development and Human Rights, joined the Foundation in April, 2005. Over the past 20 years, Heather has worked with the Canadian International Development Agency, University of Calgary, and with several international NGOs. She holds an MA (Public Administration) from Carleton University in Ottawa and a B.A. from University of Alberta.
Dan Shapiro is a Research Associate at the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership. He completed his M.A. at Queen's University and his B.A. (Hons) at the University of Winnipeg, both in philosophy. Dan works on ethics, human rights and civil liberties – especially freedom of expression. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2006, he taught moral philosophy and critical thinking at the University of Winnipeg.
Gordon Campbell, Professor Emeritus of the University of Lethbridge and instrumental in the formation of both SACPA and the Lethbridge chapter of Friends of Medicare. He also served as the founding National Secretary of the World University Service of Canada, whose mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Dr. Campbell is the recipient of many awards including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Centenary Medal and the Annual Award of Great Distinction from the World University Service of Canada.
12- 1:30pm
In some countries, voting is an obligation or legal responsibility. Mandatory voting is promoted as a means of addressing low voter turnout and ensuring election results reflect the will of the majority. In Australia, which has an established tradition of compulsory voting, recent polls show ¾ of the population supports the practice. In Canada, voting is a right which a citizen can choose to exercise or not.
What happens when citizens stop exercising this right? The 2008 Alberta election recorded the lowest voter turnout ever for a provincial election (40.6%), and voter turnout in federal, provincial, and municipal elections has been in steady decline across the country for decades.
This debate sponsored by SACPA, the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership and the Famous 5 Foundation will explore compulsory voting as a possible solution to record low voter turnout in Canada. Arguments for and against compulsory voting using experiences of other countries will be debated. The audience is encouraged to question the speakers and to join in the discussion on how to address voter apathy and disengagement at all levels of Canadian politics.
Speakers:Heather MacIntosh, Dan Shapiro and Dr. Gordon Campbell
Heather MacIntosh, Sheldon Chumir Foundation Program Director - Democratic Development and Human Rights, joined the Foundation in April, 2005. Over the past 20 years, Heather has worked with the Canadian International Development Agency, University of Calgary, and with several international NGOs. She holds an MA (Public Administration) from Carleton University in Ottawa and a B.A. from University of Alberta.
Dan Shapiro is a Research Associate at the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership. He completed his M.A. at Queen's University and his B.A. (Hons) at the University of Winnipeg, both in philosophy. Dan works on ethics, human rights and civil liberties – especially freedom of expression. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2006, he taught moral philosophy and critical thinking at the University of Winnipeg.
Gordon Campbell, Professor Emeritus of the University of Lethbridge and instrumental in the formation of both SACPA and the Lethbridge chapter of Friends of Medicare. He also served as the founding National Secretary of the World University Service of Canada, whose mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Dr. Campbell is the recipient of many awards including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Centenary Medal and the Annual Award of Great Distinction from the World University Service of Canada.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 7 – 9 pm At Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S
The Conservative Party in Alberta, which for the last 40 years has formed our provincial government, appears to be in disarray. Premier Ed Stelmach’s recent resignation and rumblings regarding property owners rights, the environment, deficits and the upcoming budged seems to have shaken their long standing, right of center, foundation.
The Alberta Party, which has existed in one form or another since 1985, aims to represent the center of the political spectrum. They have recently consulted with a wide range of Albertans before the development of their policy platform. The party advocates that Alberta, a potential world economic leader, should take advantage of a diversified long term economic plan favoring more stability and less, as is now the case, “boom and bust” cycles.
The speaker will explain how the Alberta Party plans to renew Albertans faith in the political process, while strengthening the educational and health care systems and proving that a healthy environment not only can coexist with, but is necessary for, a healthy economy.
Speaker: Sue Huff
Sue Huff is a 30-year resident of Alberta and interim leader of the Alberta Party. Her great-grandparents settled in Alberta in 1906. Sue was born in Bermuda and spent her first 14 years traveling around Canada because her father was in the Canadian military. Her professional training is in theatre and she has worked for twenty years in the arts, as an actor and a writer for radio, theatre, television and film. Sue also wrote and directed a short film for the National Film Board called “Kids Talkin’ About Death”.
Sue Huff is married to Kevin, her husband of 18 years and they have two children aged 15 and 12. They love to travel and have lived for extended periods of time in London (UK), Swaziland and Korea. In 2007, a whole new phase of Sue’s life began when she was elected trustee for the Edmonton Public School Board. That was her first taste of politics.
As a result of changing demographics, enrolment rates are expected to drop off in Canada soon and un¬less universities find a way to fill the gap, the future may see a lot more empty seats in class. Right now many universities are at max¬imum capacity in post-secondary en¬rolments, but over the next three, four, five years the number of enrolments may start to decline throughout the sys¬tem.
Many universities are looking to ex¬pand their campuses and programs, because of maxed-out capacity coming from the large num¬ber of children that were born out of the baby boom generation. However those numbers peaked in 1991, which means that the rate of enrolment is likely to drop, coinciding with the gradu¬al decline in birthrates that occurred during the 1990s.
While demographics may impact university enrolment, increasing gender inequality is certain to have a lasting effect on universities. Men now represent just 42 percent of total enrolments. Moreover, their higher dropout rate means that they will represent an even lower proportion of graduates. It appears that in terms of higher education it is women who are flourishing; by comparison, young men seem to be on autopilot. The speaker will explain how these statistics are likely to affect the University of Lethbridge and as well, possible remedies.
Speaker: Mike Mahon PhD Mike Mahon was installed as the sixth President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010. An accomplished physical education researcher, Dr. Mahon holds a PhD in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MSc in Physical Education from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Man., Dr. Mahon began his academic career at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies in 1987. He joined the University of Alberta in 2000 and served two terms as the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. A vigorous proponent of physical activity for people of every age and ability, Dr Mahon has worked with the Canadian Special Olympics organization and Right to Play, a group that supplies sports equipment and support to children in developing countries. He was instrumental in the creation of The Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre, inaugurated in 2003, and received the Award of Distinction from the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies in 2000.
As a result of changing demographics, enrolment rates are expected to drop off in Canada soon and un¬less universities find a way to fill the gap, the future may see a lot more empty seats in class. Right now many universities are at max¬imum capacity in post-secondary en¬rolments, but over the next three, four, five years the number of enrolments may start to decline throughout the sys¬tem.
Many universities are looking to ex¬pand their campuses and programs, because of maxed-out capacity coming from the large num¬ber of children that were born out of the baby boom generation. However those numbers peaked in 1991, which means that the rate of enrolment is likely to drop, coinciding with the gradu¬al decline in birthrates that occurred during the 1990s.
While demographics may impact university enrolment, increasing gender inequality is certain to have a lasting effect on universities. Men now represent just 42 percent of total enrolments. Moreover, their higher dropout rate means that they will represent an even lower proportion of graduates. It appears that in terms of higher education it is women who are flourishing; by comparison, young men seem to be on autopilot. The speaker will explain how these statistics are likely to affect the University of Lethbridge and as well, possible remedies.
Speaker: Mike Mahon PhD Mike Mahon was installed as the sixth President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge in 2010. An accomplished physical education researcher, Dr. Mahon holds a PhD in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MSc in Physical Education from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Man., Dr. Mahon began his academic career at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies in 1987. He joined the University of Alberta in 2000 and served two terms as the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. A vigorous proponent of physical activity for people of every age and ability, Dr Mahon has worked with the Canadian Special Olympics organization and Right to Play, a group that supplies sports equipment and support to children in developing countries. He was instrumental in the creation of The Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre, inaugurated in 2003, and received the Award of Distinction from the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies in 2000.
12-1:30pm
In the 21st century girls and women are as likely as boys and men to be participants in sports. It would be easy to challenge this statement from a media perspective as very few women athletes are seen on television, in sports magazines, on sport-related internet sites or on the sports pages of newspapers. In the world of sport, women are still seen to be intruders in a male domain.
There are exceptions, of course. Women athletes who are especially beautiful are welcomed in various media outlets - particularly if they are scantily clad and gazing into the camera with the come-hither expression of a sex kitten. The sexualization of women athletes is not a new phenomenon. The physical appearance of women athletes has been the most frequently used aspect of publicity regarding women and sport for over a century. The beauty (and, therefore, the assumed heterosexuality) of the female athlete has been used to legitimize women's participation in a seemingly masculine activity.
Over the decades, as women athletes have gotten greater opportunities to train and compete in sport, their level of performance has increased to the point that many women athletes equal the skill and physicality of many men athletes. One push-back to this increasing excellence of women athletes is for them to 'prove' that they are women. Reducing the woman athlete to a heterosexually attractive body is one method of 'allowing' women to be participants in the traditionally masculine domain of sport.
Speaker: Dayna Daniels, Ph.D.
Dayna Daniels is a professor at The University of Lethbridge in the departments of Women's Studies and Kinesiology and Physical Education. As a lifelong participant in sport, she has lived and studied the differences that exist between females and males in accessing and participating in sport and physical activities. Her recent book, Polygendered and Ponytailed: The Dilemma of Femininity and the Female Athlete, investigates the historical and contemporary barriers that keep girls and women from achieving excellence in many areas of the sporting world - most particularly the focus on their requisite presentation of femininity and heterosexuality.
Dr. Daniels is an advocate for girls and women in sport and physical activity. She has served on the board of CAAWS - the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.
12-1:30pm
In the 21st century girls and women are as likely as boys and men to be participants in sports. It would be easy to challenge this statement from a media perspective as very few women athletes are seen on television, in sports magazines, on sport-related internet sites or on the sports pages of newspapers. In the world of sport, women are still seen to be intruders in a male domain.
There are exceptions, of course. Women athletes who are especially beautiful are welcomed in various media outlets - particularly if they are scantily clad and gazing into the camera with the come-hither expression of a sex kitten. The sexualization of women athletes is not a new phenomenon. The physical appearance of women athletes has been the most frequently used aspect of publicity regarding women and sport for over a century. The beauty (and, therefore, the assumed heterosexuality) of the female athlete has been used to legitimize women's participation in a seemingly masculine activity.
Over the decades, as women athletes have gotten greater opportunities to train and compete in sport, their level of performance has increased to the point that many women athletes equal the skill and physicality of many men athletes. One push-back to this increasing excellence of women athletes is for them to 'prove' that they are women. Reducing the woman athlete to a heterosexually attractive body is one method of 'allowing' women to be participants in the traditionally masculine domain of sport.
Speaker: Dayna Daniels, Ph.D.
Dayna Daniels is a professor at The University of Lethbridge in the departments of Women's Studies and Kinesiology and Physical Education. As a lifelong participant in sport, she has lived and studied the differences that exist between females and males in accessing and participating in sport and physical activities. Her recent book, Polygendered and Ponytailed: The Dilemma of Femininity and the Female Athlete, investigates the historical and contemporary barriers that keep girls and women from achieving excellence in many areas of the sporting world - most particularly the focus on their requisite presentation of femininity and heterosexuality.
Dr. Daniels is an advocate for girls and women in sport and physical activity. She has served on the board of CAAWS - the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.
The sexual scandals of some priests in the Roman Catholic Church make big news but are extremely distressing to the faithful. The Roman Catholics are not alone in their distress though. Nearly every religious institution in Canada has faced the fallibility of their human leaders. Some formerly faithful people claim the scandals have pushed them away from organized religions and we have seen church attendance plummet over the last few decades. There is no question that the sexual crimes of clergy must be punished, but can the exposure of these failures of the clergy and administration ultimately be good for religion? The speaker will argue that it is good the problem is now being exposed because it reveals the truth about human nature: power corrupts most of us. The sexual crimes of clergy and the scandals about their cover up have forced the churches to examine the power of the clergy and the role of the church hierarchy. Those same scandals have convinced the majority of people to pull the clergy class and the church hierarchy down from the false pedestal they have stood on for many centuries. No human should have so much power over another that these crimes can be perpetrated.
Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui (Tad)
Tad was born in Japan, did his undergraduate education in Theology in Tokyo and his graduate work in Vancouver and Montreal. He taught at a university in Lesotho, Southern Africa, worked in international development agencies in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Toronto, and was in an administrative position within the United Church bureaucracy in Montreal. Tad is a retired United Church minister.
The sexual scandals of some priests in the Roman Catholic Church make big news but are extremely distressing to the faithful. The Roman Catholics are not alone in their distress though. Nearly every religious institution in Canada has faced the fallibility of their human leaders. Some formerly faithful people claim the scandals have pushed them away from organized religions and we have seen church attendance plummet over the last few decades. There is no question that the sexual crimes of clergy must be punished, but can the exposure of these failures of the clergy and administration ultimately be good for religion? The speaker will argue that it is good the problem is now being exposed because it reveals the truth about human nature: power corrupts most of us. The sexual crimes of clergy and the scandals about their cover up have forced the churches to examine the power of the clergy and the role of the church hierarchy. Those same scandals have convinced the majority of people to pull the clergy class and the church hierarchy down from the false pedestal they have stood on for many centuries. No human should have so much power over another that these crimes can be perpetrated.
Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui (Tad)
Tad was born in Japan, did his undergraduate education in Theology in Tokyo and his graduate work in Vancouver and Montreal. He taught at a university in Lesotho, Southern Africa, worked in international development agencies in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Toronto, and was in an administrative position within the United Church bureaucracy in Montreal. Tad is a retired United Church minister.
Omar Khadr was captured by American Forces in July 2002 in Afghanistan following a firefight between Afghani insurgents and US soldiers. Severely wounded by two M-16 bullets in his back, Khadr, who was just 15 at the time, was flown to Bagram airbase where he was treated for his injuries and later subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques” before being transported to the notorious US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US government deemed Khadr an “enemy combatant” in 2002 which allowed US military interrogators to use “enhanced techniques” on the teenager that are described by various human rights groups as forms of torture that would otherwise be banned under the Geneva Conventions. Khadr’s “enemy combatant” status also allowed an American military tribunal to prosecute the young Canadian for war crimes despite being defined as a child soldier by the United Nations. Khadr is the only child soldier ever to be tried for war crimes. Khadr languished in Guantanamo Bay for eight years before pleading guilty to five war crimes charges in October 2010 including murder for allegedly throwing a grenade in the 2002 firefight that killed a US soldier. Khadr’s Canadian lawyer, Dennis Edney, have suggested that the Canadian still maintains his innocence and only agreed to the guilty plea so he could be repatriated to Canada. Despite urgings from the US government and several rulings by Canadian Courts, the Canadian government refused on multiple occasions to seek the repatriation of Khadr to Canada. Canada is the only western nation that did not seek and receive the return of one of its citizens from the Guantanamo Bay prison. In January 2010, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that the failure of the Canadian government to seek Khadr’s return to Canada was a violation of his Charter rights.
Speaker: Dennis Edney
Originally from Dundee, Scotland, Dennis Edney is a Canadian defence lawyer based in Edmonton, Alberta noted for his involvement in many high-profile and complicated cases, including being the defence lawyer for Abdullah and Omar Khadr, who were captured in the War on Terror, and for Fahim Ahmad in the 2010 Toronto terrorism case. Mr. Edney has appeared in all levels of Canadian courts, including landmark Supreme Court cases: Canada (Minister of Justice)v. Khadr 2008 S.C.C. Canada (Prime Minister)v. Khadr 2009 S.C.C. and as well The Queen v. Fahim Ahmad 2010 SCC Mr. Edney was granted standing to file an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court, in Rasul v. Bush, 2002. He was also appointed as Foreign Attorney Consultant by the U.S. Pentagon to participate in the Military Commission trial of Omar Khadr, a young Canadian detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Dennis Edney received the prestigious 2008 National Pro Bono Award, and is the recipient of the 2009 Human Rights Medal, awarded by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, for work that has helped promote and further human rights.
Omar Khadr was captured by American Forces in July 2002 in Afghanistan following a firefight between Afghani insurgents and US soldiers. Severely wounded by two M-16 bullets in his back, Khadr, who was just 15 at the time, was flown to Bagram airbase where he was treated for his injuries and later subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques” before being transported to the notorious US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US government deemed Khadr an “enemy combatant” in 2002 which allowed US military interrogators to use “enhanced techniques” on the teenager that are described by various human rights groups as forms of torture that would otherwise be banned under the Geneva Conventions. Khadr’s “enemy combatant” status also allowed an American military tribunal to prosecute the young Canadian for war crimes despite being defined as a child soldier by the United Nations. Khadr is the only child soldier ever to be tried for war crimes. Khadr languished in Guantanamo Bay for eight years before pleading guilty to five war crimes charges in October 2010 including murder for allegedly throwing a grenade in the 2002 firefight that killed a US soldier. Khadr’s Canadian lawyer, Dennis Edney, have suggested that the Canadian still maintains his innocence and only agreed to the guilty plea so he could be repatriated to Canada. Despite urgings from the US government and several rulings by Canadian Courts, the Canadian government refused on multiple occasions to seek the repatriation of Khadr to Canada. Canada is the only western nation that did not seek and receive the return of one of its citizens from the Guantanamo Bay prison. In January 2010, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that the failure of the Canadian government to seek Khadr’s return to Canada was a violation of his Charter rights.
Speaker: Dennis Edney
Originally from Dundee, Scotland, Dennis Edney is a Canadian defence lawyer based in Edmonton, Alberta noted for his involvement in many high-profile and complicated cases, including being the defence lawyer for Abdullah and Omar Khadr, who were captured in the War on Terror, and for Fahim Ahmad in the 2010 Toronto terrorism case. Mr. Edney has appeared in all levels of Canadian courts, including landmark Supreme Court cases: Canada (Minister of Justice)v. Khadr 2008 S.C.C. Canada (Prime Minister)v. Khadr 2009 S.C.C. and as well The Queen v. Fahim Ahmad 2010 SCC Mr. Edney was granted standing to file an amicus brief before the United States Supreme Court, in Rasul v. Bush, 2002. He was also appointed as Foreign Attorney Consultant by the U.S. Pentagon to participate in the Military Commission trial of Omar Khadr, a young Canadian detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Dennis Edney received the prestigious 2008 National Pro Bono Award, and is the recipient of the 2009 Human Rights Medal, awarded by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, for work that has helped promote and further human rights.
Some 1,370,000 acres are assessed for irrigation among thirteen irrigation districts in Southern Alberta. In addition, approximately 280,000 acres are assessed for irrigation outside the irrigation districts. Irrigation waters are however used for much more than growing food. Irrigation infrastructure provides water for many communities and is essential to much of the commerce, industry, wildlife, wetlands and recreation in Southern Alberta.
Increasing demand for food production and economic growth will provide challenges for the irrigation industry. The speaker will explain how efficiency gains have occurred in irrigation districts delivery systems and farm application methods. The myth of charging for water in an attempt to increase efficiencies or to stimulate production of value added crops will also be discussed.
How will crop trends be affected by climate change? Is the production of biofuels a wise use of irrigation water? Will the demand for irrigation water in Southern Alberta be great enough to justify inter-basin transfer from Northern Alberta?
Speaker: Ron Renwick
Ron Renwick was born and raised on a mixed farm on the Regina Plains of Southern Saskatchewan. He obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering from University of Saskatchewan in 1972, after which he worked three years at the Hydrology Branch of Saskatchewan Department of Environment and eight years at Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Ron started work at the St Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) in 1983, first as District Engineer and later as General Manager (2002). Included in Ron’s responsibilities was to manage Irrican Power, SMRID’s three hydro electric plants. He retired in 2009. Ron has served terms as Director for the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association and the Oldman Watershed Council. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta.
Many of our contemporary global tensions pit Christian and Islamic nations against one another. Each camp often views the other with deep distrust and even hatred. At least that is what the media repeatedly tell us. How urgent that we talk to one another – with respect and careful listening. How appropriate that we have this conversation as Christians yearn for peace at Christmas time.
This topic will feature a Christian and a Muslim in conversation about the great matters of faith – the scriptures, God, evil, violence, the place of women, radical fundamentalists, and more. And even better, you will be able to ask your questions of both.
Speakers: Shukrulla Khan and Brenda Kersell
Shukrulla Kahn is a local Muslim and business man. He was born in Bangalore, India, taught Islamic sign design in Saudi Arabia, and came to Lethbridge seven years ago. He is also the president of the local Muslim faith community. He is married to Shamshad Khan and is father to 2 boys (12 & 6) and a baby girl (1 Mo.). He is the owner of SK SIGNS and is a person of deep faith.
Brenda Kersell is a local United Church of Canada minister (at First United Church). She arrived in this community this past July 1, after serving seven years in Red Deer. She has also lived and served in several prairie communities. A teacher before gong into ministry, she is the proud mother of Graeme and is also a person of deep faith.
Many of our contemporary global tensions pit Christian and Islamic nations against one another. Each camp often views the other with deep distrust and even hatred. At least that is what the media repeatedly tell us. How urgent that we talk to one another – with respect and careful listening. How appropriate that we have this conversation as Christians yearn for peace at Christmas time.
This topic will feature a Christian and a Muslim in conversation about the great matters of faith – the scriptures, God, evil, violence, the place of women, radical fundamentalists, and more. And even better, you will be able to ask your questions of both.
Speakers: Shukrulla Khan and Brenda Kersell
Shukrulla Kahn is a local Muslim and business man. He was born in Bangalore, India, taught Islamic sign design in Saudi Arabia, and came to Lethbridge seven years ago. He is also the president of the local Muslim faith community. He is married to Shamshad Khan and is father to 2 boys (12 & 6) and a baby girl (1 Mo.). He is the owner of SK SIGNS and is a person of deep faith.
Brenda Kersell is a local United Church of Canada minister (at First United Church). She arrived in this community this past July 1, after serving seven years in Red Deer. She has also lived and served in several prairie communities. A teacher before gong into ministry, she is the proud mother of Graeme and is also a person of deep faith.
The mission of the Law Society of Alberta is to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession.
This discussion will focus on why and how the regulator of the legal profession is involved in promoting access to high quality legal services in Alberta.
Topics to be discussed will include the delivery of legal services by non-lawyers, the delivery of legal services pro bono (for free), the use of limited scope retainers, promotion of diversity in the legal profession, recognition of foreign trained lawyers, and the retention and re-engagement of lawyers in the private practice of law.
Speaker: Rodney Jerke Q.C.
Rodney Jerke was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1955. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction and then from the University of Alberta with an LLB, with Distinction. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1980 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1998.
Professionally, Rodney Jerke’s practice is concentrated on civil litigation at trial and appellate levels. He has conducted numerous trials and appeals and handled a variety of litigation files, including land disputes, serious motor vehicle accidents, commercial disputes, constitutional and administrative law cases, fraudulent preference and fraud actions, foreclosure, bank litigation, insurance litigation, environmental claims and professional negligence claims.
The mission of the Law Society of Alberta is to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession.
This discussion will focus on why and how the regulator of the legal profession is involved in promoting access to high quality legal services in Alberta.
Topics to be discussed will include the delivery of legal services by non-lawyers, the delivery of legal services pro bono (for free), the use of limited scope retainers, promotion of diversity in the legal profession, recognition of foreign trained lawyers, and the retention and re-engagement of lawyers in the private practice of law.
Speaker: Rodney Jerke Q.C.
Rodney Jerke was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1955. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction and then from the University of Alberta with an LLB, with Distinction. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1980 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1998.
Professionally, Rodney Jerke’s practice is concentrated on civil litigation at trial and appellate levels. He has conducted numerous trials and appeals and handled a variety of litigation files, including land disputes, serious motor vehicle accidents, commercial disputes, constitutional and administrative law cases, fraudulent preference and fraud actions, foreclosure, bank litigation, insurance litigation, environmental claims and professional negligence claims.
After 60 years of debate and research, controversy still rages in the relatively few countries where fluoridation is widespread. Many studies suggest that the benefits of fluoride result from mainly topical action on dental enamel, not from swallowing it, begging the question: “Why are we still adding fluoride to our public drinking water”.
Variable amounts of natural fluoride are present in most water sources. However the fluoride used for water fluoridation is not of pharmaceutical grade, but is in fact a chemical waste by-product. The speaker will contend that the safety margin of fluoride is much lower than was originally envisaged and likely affecting children, our bone composition and the thyroid gland adversely, questioning the ethics of exposing all people to fluoridated water.
It will also be suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation is largely a myth, as evidence shows a lack of correlation between dental health and fluoridation status. Important issues not addressed in many dental studies hint that claimed fluoridation benefits against caries are overstated. If proposed today, fluoridation of drinking water to prevent tooth decay would stand little chance of being adopted, given the current status of scientific knowledge.
Speaker: James Beck M.D., Ph.D.
James S. Beck is professor emeritus of medical biophysics, University of Calgary. He has an M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley. He has held positions in physiology and physics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and joined the University of Calgary in 1969 as a founding member of the Faculty of Medicine. In addition to research and teaching he served with the faculty association and on the board of governors of the university and retired in 1991.
Dr. Beck was asked to join a committee of dentists and a family physician opposed to fluoridation in Calgary about ten years ago. He has studied the scientific literature on effectiveness of fluoridation and on its possible toxicities since then. He is co-author of the book, The Case against Fluoride, released in November of this year.
After 60 years of debate and research, controversy still rages in the relatively few countries where fluoridation is widespread. Many studies suggest that the benefits of fluoride result from mainly topical action on dental enamel, not from swallowing it, begging the question: “Why are we still adding fluoride to our public drinking water”.
Variable amounts of natural fluoride are present in most water sources. However the fluoride used for water fluoridation is not of pharmaceutical grade, but is in fact a chemical waste by-product. The speaker will contend that the safety margin of fluoride is much lower than was originally envisaged and likely affecting children, our bone composition and the thyroid gland adversely, questioning the ethics of exposing all people to fluoridated water.
It will also be suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation is largely a myth, as evidence shows a lack of correlation between dental health and fluoridation status. Important issues not addressed in many dental studies hint that claimed fluoridation benefits against caries are overstated. If proposed today, fluoridation of drinking water to prevent tooth decay would stand little chance of being adopted, given the current status of scientific knowledge.
Speaker: James Beck M.D., Ph.D.
James S. Beck is professor emeritus of medical biophysics, University of Calgary. He has an M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley. He has held positions in physiology and physics at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and joined the University of Calgary in 1969 as a founding member of the Faculty of Medicine. In addition to research and teaching he served with the faculty association and on the board of governors of the university and retired in 1991.
Dr. Beck was asked to join a committee of dentists and a family physician opposed to fluoridation in Calgary about ten years ago. He has studied the scientific literature on effectiveness of fluoridation and on its possible toxicities since then. He is co-author of the book, The Case against Fluoride, released in November of this year.
Canada’s democratic system is in distress, with low voter turnouts and distorted results. The speaker will give examples of these and other problems and will suggest that much of the difficulty stems from our “first-past-the-post” electoral system.
It will be argued that both federal and provincial legislatures should join the overwhelming number of countries who have chosen to use some form of Proportional Representation. While PR may have some disadvantages, the benefits of such a system overwhelm them.
Speaker:Phil Elder
After a B. A. at Queen’s University, Phil Elder obtained his LL.B. at the University of British Columbia and then an LL. M. at the University of London (London School of Economics) in 1967. From 1967-70 he was an Assistant to various Liberal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, including Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. From 1970-73, Elder taught criminal law at the University of Western Ontario, then joined the graduate Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where he taught environmental and planning law until taking early retirement in 1997. He was Associate Dean for eight years.
For several years, he was active in city and provincial politics, founding an urban political party in 1977 and running, unsuccessfully, for both municipal and provincial office. Elder has written widely, on renewable energy policy, environmental and planning law and environmental philosophy. He is Co-chair, Democratic Renewal Project (Calgary).
Canada’s democratic system is in distress, with low voter turnouts and distorted results. The speaker will give examples of these and other problems and will suggest that much of the difficulty stems from our “first-past-the-post” electoral system.
It will be argued that both federal and provincial legislatures should join the overwhelming number of countries who have chosen to use some form of Proportional Representation. While PR may have some disadvantages, the benefits of such a system overwhelm them.
Speaker:Phil Elder
After a B. A. at Queen’s University, Phil Elder obtained his LL.B. at the University of British Columbia and then an LL. M. at the University of London (London School of Economics) in 1967. From 1967-70 he was an Assistant to various Liberal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, including Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. From 1970-73, Elder taught criminal law at the University of Western Ontario, then joined the graduate Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where he taught environmental and planning law until taking early retirement in 1997. He was Associate Dean for eight years.
For several years, he was active in city and provincial politics, founding an urban political party in 1977 and running, unsuccessfully, for both municipal and provincial office. Elder has written widely, on renewable energy policy, environmental and planning law and environmental philosophy. He is Co-chair, Democratic Renewal Project (Calgary).
A few weeks ago, with Halloween just around the corner, the government introduced the new Alberta Health Act in the legislature. How appropriate that timing was, as the Act, like Halloween, appears to require Albertans to suspend their disbelief. The principles being proposed for the Health Act sounds rosy and includes, quality and safety, timely and appropriate care, and access not based on ability to pay. However, many of these principles are already being violated across the province; rural Albertans cannot access timely care and seniors across Alberta are often accessing care based on ability to pay, not need. Just before the act hit the legislature, emergency room doctors went to the media with their fears of a likely collapse of timely emergency care in the province. Suggesting that the Tory government created the current crisis in health care, the speaker believe that it is part of a long-term campaign to privatize health services and cut spending on hospitals and long-term care in this province. Hospital spending in Alberta has plummeted from 44.7 per cent of health spending in 1975 to 27.8 per cent in 2009. Despite our vast wealth, Alberta has fewer hospital beds than Canada's average and is in the bottom third of developed countries. The same applies for long-term care. Alberta has half the beds per capita that Manitoba has and Alberta also sits close to the bottom for home-care spending, again half that of Manitoba. The speaker will argue that this province have plenty of resources, but is sadly lacking the political will to allocate sufficient and thoughtful health care funding, thanks in part to lobbying for the contrary by private interest.
Speaker:Diana Gibson
Diana Gibson is the Research Director for the Parkland Institute, a public policy research center based at the University of Alberta. She has an extensive background in social policy research and has engaged nationally and internationally on topics ranging from health care and energy, to the environment and international trade agreements. Diana is also the lead author of the “Bottom Line: The truth about private health insurance in Canada”, a book that was on the Edmonton Journal’s best seller list for four weeks running.
Moderator: Beverly Muendel-Atherstone
Extremes including drought and heavy precipitation are fundamental aspects of the climate system and its water cycle. Many of the greatest climatic impacts are also linked with such phenomena. Based to a considerable degree on research conducted over the Prairies within the Drought Research Initiative (DRI), some of the means of producing a sustained lack of precipitation are shown. It is then illustrated that heavy precipitation sometimes occurs on the edge of such a region or, occasionally, within it, and that the nature of the associated storms can be affected significantly by their proximity to a drought region. Finally, future projections of drought and heavy precipitation occurrence across the Prairies in particular are summarized along with scientific issues that limit our predictive capability.
Speaker: Professor Ron Stewart
Ronald Stewart is a Professor in and Head of the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of Manitoba as of July 1, 2008. Dr. Stewart obtained his BSc (honours) in physics from the University of Manitoba and his PhD in physics from the University of Toronto. He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (Colorado) and was an assistant professor at the University of Wyoming before moving back to Canada. He was a senior scientist with Environment Canada and an adjunct professor at York University in Toronto before moving to McGill and becoming a professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
Professor Stewart's research focuses on extreme winter and summer weather, precipitation and regional climate. He has led numerous Canadian and international research activities addressing these issues. He conceived and is currently co-leading the Drought Research Initiative (DRI). Dr. Stewart has also been President of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society and he led Canada's involvement in global initiatives on regional climate within the World Climate Research Programme and is currently one of the leaders within a new effort examining hydro meteorological extremes around the world.
This presentation is co-sponsored by the U of L Department of Geography, the Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanography Society (CMOS), LPIRG, ULSU, SAGE, SAYEE/SACEE, Greensence and SACPA.
Moderator: Stephanie Watson
Free presentation, refreshments and snacks provided, everyone welcome
Canada has one of the highest levels of corporate fraud in the industrialized world. Large commercial investors, investment managers, financial analysts and individual shareholders are being increasingly subjected to major accounting manipulations, kick-back schemes, invoice and loan frauds, and rogue actions of ‘trusted’ directors and employees. How can you protect your company, your clients, and your own portfolio? The speaker will argue that understanding fraud and swindling tactics is a critical factor to consider before making investments and business decisions. Whether you are directly involved in the financial investment or banking industry, or managing your own portfolio, the issues are similar in nature. Speaker: Al Rosen Lawrence S. (“Al”) Rosen. Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of British Columbia with an undergraduate degree, and later obtained a Ph.D. and MBA from the University of Washington. He founded Rosen & Associates Limited, a forensic and investigative accounting and auditing firm in 1990. He has given independent opinions on hundreds of litigation-related engagements across Canada, and in the U.S., including the Courts of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and New York, and has provided an affidavit for the Supreme Court of Canada.
He is a member of several accounting associations in the U.S., China and Canada. Dr. Rosen is the author or co-author of several books and hundreds of articles in various publications. He is a frequent writer for Canadian Business magazine. He has been an instructor or professor of accounting at the University of British Columbia, the University of Washington, the University of Alberta, and York University. For fifteen years he served as a technical advisor to three Auditors’ General of Canada.
Canada has one of the highest levels of corporate fraud in the industrialized world. Large commercial investors, investment managers, financial analysts and individual shareholders are being increasingly subjected to major accounting manipulations, kick-back schemes, invoice and loan frauds, and rogue actions of ‘trusted’ directors and employees. How can you protect your company, your clients, and your own portfolio? The speaker will argue that understanding fraud and swindling tactics is a critical factor to consider before making investments and business decisions. Whether you are directly involved in the financial investment or banking industry, or managing your own portfolio, the issues are similar in nature. Speaker: Al Rosen Lawrence S. (“Al”) Rosen. Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of British Columbia with an undergraduate degree, and later obtained a Ph.D. and MBA from the University of Washington. He founded Rosen & Associates Limited, a forensic and investigative accounting and auditing firm in 1990. He has given independent opinions on hundreds of litigation-related engagements across Canada, and in the U.S., including the Courts of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and New York, and has provided an affidavit for the Supreme Court of Canada.
He is a member of several accounting associations in the U.S., China and Canada. Dr. Rosen is the author or co-author of several books and hundreds of articles in various publications. He is a frequent writer for Canadian Business magazine. He has been an instructor or professor of accounting at the University of British Columbia, the University of Washington, the University of Alberta, and York University. For fifteen years he served as a technical advisor to three Auditors’ General of Canada.
The billion dollar Long Gun Registry may be safe for now after a contentious vote in the House of Commons, but debate over its usefulness rages on. A Private Member's bill to abolish it was narrowly defeated in its Third Reading in the House of Commons on Sept. 22. The legislation to abolish the long gun registry would not have affected the current Possession/Acquisition License process, which all gun owners are required to complete. Created in 1995, the registry was part of Bill C-68, which required all guns in Canada to be registered. The bill was partly influenced by a campaign for stricter gun control legislation fronted by families of the victims of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 28 people were shot by a gunman wielding a legally obtained rifle. The Canadian Association of Police Boards and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police came out in favor of keeping the registry, as it can be useful in instances such as domestic assaults, where police can check to see if there are weapons registered to the home, or to find out if any registered firearms need to be dealt with in order for individuals to meet bail conditions. That said the speaker will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Long Gun Registry and consider a best “bang for your buck” scenario in terms of how funds earmarked for public safety programs are being spent.
Speaker: Chief Tom McKenzie
Upon completing the Criminal Justice Program at Lethbridge College, Tom McKenzie joined the Lethbridge Regional Police Service (LRPS) in 1976. Working his way through the ranks and experiencing nearly all aspects of law enforcement in Lethbridge and as well serving on several provincial action committees, Tom was sworn in as Chief of LRPS January 1, 2007, after successfully competing for that position. Throughout his career, Chief McKenzie has also been involved with sports, neighborhood associations, Criminal Justice lecturer at the College and as a course designer (white collar crime) at Athabasca University, to name just a few.
Less than five percent of Alberta is comprised of native prairie on public lands. The 7000-year-old remnants of native prairie are of immeasurable value in preserving biodiversity, maintaining healthy watersheds, sequestering carbon, sustaining livestock production and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for a rapidly growing human population in southern Alberta. Albertans value native prairie and their public lands.
The speaker will suggest current law and policy regarding public land sale reflects an outdated ideology that defines progress as turning the prairie into a human enterprise, such as tame pasture, cultivated fields or industrial development. The taking of public land by individuals or corporations willing to pay for it is secretly sanctioned by Cabinet on an ad hoc basis without public input. Proposals to change this situation have fallen on deaf ears.
The storm over the recent application to Alberta’s Minister of Sustainable Resource Development that would see 25 sections of native prairie on public land near Bow Island turned into potato fields has been brewing for many years. Conservation interests appear to have been shut out. That Cabinet is surprised by the public outrage suggests they are disturbingly out of touch.
Speaker: Cheryl Bradley P. Biol.
Cheryl Bradley is a professional biologist who has worked in conservation biology and development of environmental law and policy for three decades. She is a long-standing and active member of Alberta’s Prairie Conservation Forum, the Alberta Native Plant Council, the Southern Alberta Group for Environment, and the Urban Team of the Oldman Watershed Council. She has served on the Board of the Environmental Law Centre and is a founding Board member of Water Matters. Cheryl has received several awards, including an Emerald Award, for her volunteer work in nature conservation.
NOTE correction to one of Cheryl's answer:
Here is a list of facts from an article about public lands by Joyce Hildebrand written in the December 2007 Wildlands Advocate:
Total Area of Alberta – 662,583 km2
Public Land - 60% of Alberta (397,550 km2)
Private Land - 28.5% of Alberta (virtually all in the White Area of southern Alberta) (188,836 km2)
Green Area (unsettled) - 47% of Alberta (311,414 km2)
Public Land in Green Area – 47% of Alberta (311,414 km2)
White Area (settled) – 31% of Alberta (205,400 km2)
Public Land in White Area - 2.5% (16,564)
(excludes federal land (10% of Alberta), provincial protected areas (4.2% of Alberta), tax recovery lands and areas covered by water (2.5% of Alberta)
Less than five percent of Alberta is comprised of native prairie on public lands. The 7000-year-old remnants of native prairie are of immeasurable value in preserving biodiversity, maintaining healthy watersheds, sequestering carbon, sustaining livestock production and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for a rapidly growing human population in southern Alberta. Albertans value native prairie and their public lands.
The speaker will suggest current law and policy regarding public land sale reflects an outdated ideology that defines progress as turning the prairie into a human enterprise, such as tame pasture, cultivated fields or industrial development. The taking of public land by individuals or corporations willing to pay for it is secretly sanctioned by Cabinet on an ad hoc basis without public input. Proposals to change this situation have fallen on deaf ears.
The storm over the recent application to Alberta’s Minister of Sustainable Resource Development that would see 25 sections of native prairie on public land near Bow Island turned into potato fields has been brewing for many years. Conservation interests appear to have been shut out. That Cabinet is surprised by the public outrage suggests they are disturbingly out of touch.
Speaker: Cheryl Bradley P. Biol.
Cheryl Bradley is a professional biologist who has worked in conservation biology and development of environmental law and policy for three decades. She is a long-standing and active member of Alberta’s Prairie Conservation Forum, the Alberta Native Plant Council, the Southern Alberta Group for Environment, and the Urban Team of the Oldman Watershed Council. She has served on the Board of the Environmental Law Centre and is a founding Board member of Water Matters. Cheryl has received several awards, including an Emerald Award, for her volunteer work in nature conservation.
NOTE correction to one of Cheryl's answer:
Here is a list of facts from an article about public lands by Joyce Hildebrand written in the December 2007 Wildlands Advocate:
Total Area of Alberta – 662,583 km2
Public Land - 60% of Alberta (397,550 km2)
Private Land - 28.5% of Alberta (virtually all in the White Area of southern Alberta) (188,836 km2)
Green Area (unsettled) - 47% of Alberta (311,414 km2)
Public Land in Green Area – 47% of Alberta (311,414 km2)
White Area (settled) – 31% of Alberta (205,400 km2)
Public Land in White Area - 2.5% (16,564)
(excludes federal land (10% of Alberta), provincial protected areas (4.2% of Alberta), tax recovery lands and areas covered by water (2.5% of Alberta)
In past ages, artists were essentially craftsmen carrying out the wishes of the ruling political, aristocratic, and religious elites. When modern artists gained a degree of economic independence in the late 18th century, and with the rise of democratic ideals, a minority began criticizing the establishment as an artistic opposition, and this has continued to the present day.
The relation of artists to politics largely mirrors that found in the rest of society, a difference being that artists are experts in the manipulation of charged symbols. With respect to political issues in society (and regarding all political tendencies from left to right) artists have been harshly critical, slavishly supportive, and at times completely apathetic, depending on the moment.
This presentation will explain some of the approaches politicized artists have taken to engage in the social and political process, and it will discuss what sorts of effects these engagements may, or may not, have in the larger social and political environment.
Speaker: Kenneth Allan
Ken Allan teaches art history courses on modern and contemporary art, photography, and experimental film at the University of Lethbridge. He has a PhD in Art History from the University of Toronto, with a specialization in the study of Conceptual art.
Allan’s recent publications include: “Metamorphosis in 391: A Cryptographic Collaboration by Francis Picabia, Man Ray, and Erik Satie” for Art History (forthcoming in 2011) and “Grounds of Forgetting and Intermediaries for Memory: Some Photographs by David M.C. Miller” in Public, 42, “Traces” (Fall 2010). His essay “Understanding Information” forms a chapter of Conceptual Art: Theory, Myth, and Practice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
In past ages, artists were essentially craftsmen carrying out the wishes of the ruling political, aristocratic, and religious elites. When modern artists gained a degree of economic independence in the late 18th century, and with the rise of democratic ideals, a minority began criticizing the establishment as an artistic opposition, and this has continued to the present day.
The relation of artists to politics largely mirrors that found in the rest of society, a difference being that artists are experts in the manipulation of charged symbols. With respect to political issues in society (and regarding all political tendencies from left to right) artists have been harshly critical, slavishly supportive, and at times completely apathetic, depending on the moment.
This presentation will explain some of the approaches politicized artists have taken to engage in the social and political process, and it will discuss what sorts of effects these engagements may, or may not, have in the larger social and political environment.
Speaker: Kenneth Allan
Ken Allan teaches art history courses on modern and contemporary art, photography, and experimental film at the University of Lethbridge. He has a PhD in Art History from the University of Toronto, with a specialization in the study of Conceptual art.
Allan’s recent publications include: “Metamorphosis in 391: A Cryptographic Collaboration by Francis Picabia, Man Ray, and Erik Satie” for Art History (forthcoming in 2011) and “Grounds of Forgetting and Intermediaries for Memory: Some Photographs by David M.C. Miller” in Public, 42, “Traces” (Fall 2010). His essay “Understanding Information” forms a chapter of Conceptual Art: Theory, Myth, and Practice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
Is climate change anthropogenic (are we causing it)? Do we need to wait while UN Scientists “the Greenies” and questioning Scientists “the Skeptics” debate this issue? Do we have the time to wait? What issues should we be thinking about ourselves? What will it take to progress from the stage of ideas and ideologies to a stage of realistic and pragmatic implementation for a selection of the proposed options? What criteria should be used?
Climate is a very complex and dynamic system and it is healthy for the “Greenies” and “Skeptics” to debate the issues of possible anthropogenic origin. This happens in science all the time. The problem is that the non scientific public has been divided into different camps on the basis of ideology. This division prevents the development of a flexible and comprehensive solution. The speaker will address the above questions and explore a solution that provides for sustainable energy in harmony with both our environment and our pockets.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos P.Eng.
Cosmos earned a Bachelor’s in Mech. Eng., System Dynamics & Control, from the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Mech. Eng., Thermo-fluids, from McMaster University. His career progressed from system designs in the Canadian nuclear Industry to construction management of US power plants in Taiwan. While in Taiwan he specialized in engineering economics. He designed Taiwan’s power infrastructure to incorporate LNG and coal port facilities, oil fired, coal fired, gas fired, hydro, and nuclear power plants to ensure that Taiwan had a reliable power supply in the event that military and/or political actions blocked external energy supplies.
Upon returning to Canada he started Adtech Manufacturing Ltd, manufacturing high tech control systems for the military, nuclear and aerospace industries. In 2002 Cosmos sold his company and semi-retired in Lethbridge. He continues his involvement in the energy sector through the CNS and his consulting company Technology Integration Ltd. (TIL). In addition, he has authored two booklets ”Using Nuclear Energy to Get the Most Out of Alberta’s Tar Sands” and “Road Map For a Comprehensive Energy Policy”.
Moderator: Ralph Thrall Jr.
Date:Thursday, October 21, 2010 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
Is climate change anthropogenic (are we causing it)? Do we need to wait while UN Scientists “the Greenies” and questioning Scientists “the Skeptics” debate this issue? Do we have the time to wait? What issues should we be thinking about ourselves? What will it take to progress from the stage of ideas and ideologies to a stage of realistic and pragmatic implementation for a selection of the proposed options? What criteria should be used?
Climate is a very complex and dynamic system and it is healthy for the “Greenies” and “Skeptics” to debate the issues of possible anthropogenic origin. This happens in science all the time. The problem is that the non scientific public has been divided into different camps on the basis of ideology. This division prevents the development of a flexible and comprehensive solution. The speaker will address the above questions and explore a solution that provides for sustainable energy in harmony with both our environment and our pockets.
Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos P.Eng.
Cosmos earned a Bachelor’s in Mech. Eng., System Dynamics & Control, from the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Mech. Eng., Thermo-fluids, from McMaster University. His career progressed from system designs in the Canadian nuclear Industry to construction management of US power plants in Taiwan. While in Taiwan he specialized in engineering economics. He designed Taiwan’s power infrastructure to incorporate LNG and coal port facilities, oil fired, coal fired, gas fired, hydro, and nuclear power plants to ensure that Taiwan had a reliable power supply in the event that military and/or political actions blocked external energy supplies.
Upon returning to Canada he started Adtech Manufacturing Ltd, manufacturing high tech control systems for the military, nuclear and aerospace industries. In 2002 Cosmos sold his company and semi-retired in Lethbridge. He continues his involvement in the energy sector through the CNS and his consulting company Technology Integration Ltd. (TIL). In addition, he has authored two booklets ”Using Nuclear Energy to Get the Most Out of Alberta’s Tar Sands” and “Road Map For a Comprehensive Energy Policy”.
Moderator: Ralph Thrall Jr.
Date:Thursday, October 21, 2010 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost:$10.00 (includes lunch)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing CO2 from point-source surface facilities and injecting it into subsurface geological formations, particularly depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline aquifers. It is a key technology being considered and implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In 2008 the government of Alberta committed $2B to accelerate CCS in the province, with the goal of having four CCS projects operating by 2015, each storing about 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Current targets are to have 50 million tonnes of CO2 stored in geological formations annually by 2020 and 139 million tonnes annually by 2050.
Of paramount importance to CCS is the ability to track the injected CO2 plume in the storage formation and to verify safe and permanent storage of the CO2. These goals are vital for public acceptance of CCS particularly during early projects as the technology becomes implemented at commercial scale. A comprehensive range of technologies exists for monitoring CO2 injection and storage but continued research and development is being undertaken for next generation technologies. Current Alberta CCS projects and aspects of monitoring research will be discussed in this presentation.
Speaker: Don C. Lawton, Ph.D., P. Geoph.
Don Lawton is a Professor of Geophysics and Chair in Exploration Geophysics in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary. He previously served as Head of the Department from 1997 to 2002. His research interests include geological storage of CO2, acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic data, and integrated geophysical and geological studies in the Rocky Mountain Foothills. He is an Associate Director of the Consortium for Research in Elastic Wave Exploration Seismology (CREWES) and was recently appointed Theme Lead in Secure Carbon Storage for Carbon Management Canada, a $25M National Centre of Excellence. He is involved in research for a number of carbon capture and storage projects in Alberta.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing CO2 from point-source surface facilities and injecting it into subsurface geological formations, particularly depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline aquifers. It is a key technology being considered and implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In 2008 the government of Alberta committed $2B to accelerate CCS in the province, with the goal of having four CCS projects operating by 2015, each storing about 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Current targets are to have 50 million tonnes of CO2 stored in geological formations annually by 2020 and 139 million tonnes annually by 2050.
Of paramount importance to CCS is the ability to track the injected CO2 plume in the storage formation and to verify safe and permanent storage of the CO2. These goals are vital for public acceptance of CCS particularly during early projects as the technology becomes implemented at commercial scale. A comprehensive range of technologies exists for monitoring CO2 injection and storage but continued research and development is being undertaken for next generation technologies. Current Alberta CCS projects and aspects of monitoring research will be discussed in this presentation.
Speaker: Don C. Lawton, Ph.D., P. Geoph.
Don Lawton is a Professor of Geophysics and Chair in Exploration Geophysics in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary. He previously served as Head of the Department from 1997 to 2002. His research interests include geological storage of CO2, acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic data, and integrated geophysical and geological studies in the Rocky Mountain Foothills. He is an Associate Director of the Consortium for Research in Elastic Wave Exploration Seismology (CREWES) and was recently appointed Theme Lead in Secure Carbon Storage for Carbon Management Canada, a $25M National Centre of Excellence. He is involved in research for a number of carbon capture and storage projects in Alberta.
2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Mayor
The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be an exiting event with six candidates running for Mayor. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights.
The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Mayor will be held on Friday, October 8 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 - 9 pm
Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm.
Moderator:Trevor Page
Dates:Friday October 8, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Candidate List for Mayor in the 2011 Lethbridge Municipal Election
ADENIYI,Kay k.adeniyi@hotmail.com www.anewlethbridge.ca
CARRIER, Dennis denbren@shaw.ca www.denniscarrierformayor.blogspot.com
DODIC, Rajko rajkododic@gmail.com www.dodicformayor.ca
FREY, James P. jamesfrey@telus.net www.freyformayor.com
MEHEDEN, Cheryl cheryl@meheden.ca www.meheden.ca
SPEARMAN, Chris spearmac@gmail.com www.spearmanformayor.com
2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Mayor
The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be an exiting event with six candidates running for Mayor. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights.
The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Mayor will be held on Friday, October 8 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 - 9 pm
Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm.
Moderator:Trevor Page
Dates:Friday October 8, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Candidate List for Mayor in the 2011 Lethbridge Municipal Election
ADENIYI,Kay k.adeniyi@hotmail.com www.anewlethbridge.ca
CARRIER, Dennis denbren@shaw.ca www.denniscarrierformayor.blogspot.com
DODIC, Rajko rajkododic@gmail.com www.dodicformayor.ca
FREY, James P. jamesfrey@telus.net www.freyformayor.com
MEHEDEN, Cheryl cheryl@meheden.ca www.meheden.ca
SPEARMAN, Chris spearmac@gmail.com www.spearmanformayor.com
2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Aldermen
The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with a large number of aldermanic candidates running for City Council. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights.
The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Aldermen will be held on Thursday, October 7 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 – 9 pm
Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm.
Moderator:Trevor Page
Dates:Thursday, October 7, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Candidate list for Aldermen in the 2011 Lethbridge Municipal Election
BABKI, Bob rfbabki@shaw.ca www.babki4council.ca
BOORA, Bal balboora@telusplanet.net www.balboora.ca/elect
BOUCHARD, Kris krisbouchard@gmail.com
CARLSON, Jeff aldermancarlson@gmail.com www.voteforcarlson.com
COFFMAN, Jeffrey jeff@jeffcoffman.ca www.jeffreycoffman.ca
COONEY, Bob electbob@bobcooney.ca www.bobcooney.ca
CUTFORTH, Lee lee@cutforthforalderman.ca www.cutforthforalderman.ca
DOHERTY, Fiona Littlebigmomma1@hotmail.com
ELLIS, Faron faron.ellis@gmail.com www.faronellis.com
FLETCHER, Melvin James melfletcher@shaw.ca www.electmelfletcher.com
HART, Hazel hazelhart@live.com
HECKER, Geri geri.hecker@gmail.com www.gerihecker.ca
HOEG, Rod hoeg@telus.net
HYGGEN, Blaine blaine@electhyggen.com www.electhyggen.com
IWASKIW, Liz iwaskiw@telusplanet.net www.iwaskiw.ca
JANZEN, Bob empiregirl53@hotmail.com
JONES, Kris kris.for.alderman@gmail.com
LANZ, Bev beverly.lanz@gmail.com
LAYTON, Kevin kevinlaytonforalderman@gmail.com
MAURO, Joe joemauro4alderman@shaw.ca
MEARNS, Bridget elect@bridgetmearns.com www.bridgetmearns.com
PARKER, Ryan ryan_parker75@hotmail.com
SIMMONS, Margaret simmonsmargaret@gmail.com www.margaretsimmons.webs.com
SWITZER, Lea leaswitzer@hotmail.com www.leaswitzer.ca
TARANT, Rory rory@electrory.com www.electrory.com
TRATCH, Ken ken.tratch@gmail.com www.kentratch.ca
VAN DER LEE, Joyce jjeano@shaw.ca
WARD, Shaun sward55@gmail.com www.shaunward.ca
WEIKUM, Gary Gary.weikum@gmail.com www.garyweikum.com
WICKERSHAM, Tom thwicker@gmail.com
2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Aldermen
The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with a large number of aldermanic candidates running for City Council. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights.
The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Aldermen will be held on Thursday, October 7 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 – 9 pm
Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm.
Moderator:Trevor Page
Dates:Thursday, October 7, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca
Candidate list for Aldermen in the 2011 Lethbridge Municipal Election
BABKI, Bob rfbabki@shaw.ca www.babki4council.ca
BOORA, Bal balboora@telusplanet.net www.balboora.ca/elect
BOUCHARD, Kris krisbouchard@gmail.com
CARLSON, Jeff aldermancarlson@gmail.com www.voteforcarlson.com
COFFMAN, Jeffrey jeff@jeffcoffman.ca www.jeffreycoffman.ca
COONEY, Bob electbob@bobcooney.ca www.bobcooney.ca
CUTFORTH, Lee lee@cutforthforalderman.ca www.cutforthforalderman.ca
DOHERTY, Fiona Littlebigmomma1@hotmail.com
ELLIS, Faron faron.ellis@gmail.com www.faronellis.com
FLETCHER, Melvin James melfletcher@shaw.ca www.electmelfletcher.com
HART, Hazel hazelhart@live.com
HECKER, Geri geri.hecker@gmail.com www.gerihecker.ca
HOEG, Rod hoeg@telus.net
HYGGEN, Blaine blaine@electhyggen.com www.electhyggen.com
IWASKIW, Liz iwaskiw@telusplanet.net www.iwaskiw.ca
JANZEN, Bob empiregirl53@hotmail.com
JONES, Kris kris.for.alderman@gmail.com
LANZ, Bev beverly.lanz@gmail.com
LAYTON, Kevin kevinlaytonforalderman@gmail.com
MAURO, Joe joemauro4alderman@shaw.ca
MEARNS, Bridget elect@bridgetmearns.com www.bridgetmearns.com
PARKER, Ryan ryan_parker75@hotmail.com
SIMMONS, Margaret simmonsmargaret@gmail.com www.margaretsimmons.webs.com
SWITZER, Lea leaswitzer@hotmail.com www.leaswitzer.ca
TARANT, Rory rory@electrory.com www.electrory.com
TRATCH, Ken ken.tratch@gmail.com www.kentratch.ca
VAN DER LEE, Joyce jjeano@shaw.ca
WARD, Shaun sward55@gmail.com www.shaunward.ca
WEIKUM, Gary Gary.weikum@gmail.com www.garyweikum.com
WICKERSHAM, Tom thwicker@gmail.com
Back to the Future: Why Alberta needs more pioneer-style collective action and less American-style conservative ideology. Job loss; declining quality and accessibility of public services; environmental impact of development; and cut throat competition from abroad are the kinds of challenges Alberta faces as it moves into the second decade of the 21st century. Will we be able to maintain our prosperity and quality of life in the face of these challenges? Will we adapt, innovate and develop better ways to support each other and our communities? Or will we see more and more of our neighbours tossed to the curb as the newly “globalized” economy picks winners and losers? Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will argue Alberta has the tools it needs to deal successfully with the challenges facing the province; all that’s missing is political vision and political will. McGowan believes that it’s time to reject American-inspired free-market conservatism that has dominated Alberta’s political and policy landscape since the beginning of the so-called Klein Revolution. Instead, Albertans should embrace an updated version of progressive and community based populism that helped our province’s earliest settlers build thriving communities in an often inhospitable landscape. Speaker: Gil McGowan Gil McGowan is serving his third term as the elected president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta’s largest union advocacy organization representing more than 140,000 workers from 27 unions in both the public and private sectors. He also serves as a board member for Friends of Medicare and the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute.
Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been successful in moving a number of work-related issues to the centre of public debate in Alberta, including: workplace health and safety; the use (and abuse) of temporary foreign workers; and the increasing loss of oil sands jobs as the result of raw bitumen exports. As well, McGowan played an important role in campaigns to increase the provincial minimum wage and to stop the introduction of former Premier Ralph Klein’s controversial Third Way plan for health care.
Back to the Future: Why Alberta needs more pioneer-style collective action and less American-style conservative ideology. Job loss; declining quality and accessibility of public services; environmental impact of development; and cut throat competition from abroad are the kinds of challenges Alberta faces as it moves into the second decade of the 21st century. Will we be able to maintain our prosperity and quality of life in the face of these challenges? Will we adapt, innovate and develop better ways to support each other and our communities? Or will we see more and more of our neighbours tossed to the curb as the newly “globalized” economy picks winners and losers? Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will argue Alberta has the tools it needs to deal successfully with the challenges facing the province; all that’s missing is political vision and political will. McGowan believes that it’s time to reject American-inspired free-market conservatism that has dominated Alberta’s political and policy landscape since the beginning of the so-called Klein Revolution. Instead, Albertans should embrace an updated version of progressive and community based populism that helped our province’s earliest settlers build thriving communities in an often inhospitable landscape. Speaker: Gil McGowan Gil McGowan is serving his third term as the elected president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta’s largest union advocacy organization representing more than 140,000 workers from 27 unions in both the public and private sectors. He also serves as a board member for Friends of Medicare and the University of Alberta’s Parkland Institute.
Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been successful in moving a number of work-related issues to the centre of public debate in Alberta, including: workplace health and safety; the use (and abuse) of temporary foreign workers; and the increasing loss of oil sands jobs as the result of raw bitumen exports. As well, McGowan played an important role in campaigns to increase the provincial minimum wage and to stop the introduction of former Premier Ralph Klein’s controversial Third Way plan for health care.
Beethoven’s Third Symphony in Eb Major, the “Eroica” is one of the most influential works of the 19th century. It marked the beginning of the symphony as a new monumental art form, capable of a seriousness and depth of expression that was previously associated only with epic poetry. As far as Beethoven’s personal style is concerned, it also ushered in his “heroic” period of composition, the features of which have come to be accepted as the essence of the composer’s unique musical personality. Moreover, these features, which created the music’s great power, were in turn taken up as the guiding principles of symphonic writing by many later composers, continuing well into the twentieth century. The Symphony’s dynamism owes much to French revolutionary music and above all reflects the inspiration Beethoven drew from the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, to whom the Symphony was to be dedicated. However, when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, Beethoven tore out the dedication page in disgust and instead dedicated the Symphony to “the memory of a great man.” This talk will look at the circumstances surrounding the composition of the Symphony and will show how its new musical style expresses many of the ideas and intellectual currents of the revolutionary era in European history. It will then explore the continuing relevance of Beethoven’s great achievement in today’s world.
Speaker: Brian Black Ph.D.
Brian Black is currently Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Lethbridge. He studied piano first at McGill University under Charles Reiner, earning a Bachelor of Music in performance. He then studied in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Brigitte Wild, one of Claudio Arrau’s first student and his assistant at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin. Brian earned a Licentiate from the Guildhall School and an Associate Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London, before returning to Montreal, where he completed his Ph.D. in Musicology at McGill University.
Brian has performed in London and Montreal and has been heard on Radio Canada, the French arm of the CBC. His main research interest is the instrumental music of Schubert, on which he has given papers at meetings of the American Musicological Society and the Society for Music Theory. Brian has published articles in Durch die Brille, a publication of the Internationales Franz Schubert Institut in Vienna and Intersections, the Journal of the Canadian University Music Society.
Moderator:Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday September 30, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
As the municipal election in Lethbridge was beginning to gain steam this summer and candidates were coming forward, there was already a local group pressing one topic as an election issue: the building of a new skateboard park in Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Skateboard Association has managed to make their concern about the current crumbling and unsafe skateboard park one of the most talked about topics in this election. Most candidates are expressing support for a major investment of funds into a new skateboard park in a central location and the Lethbridge Skateboard Association has made itself a major player in the election through its involvement with online media.
While skateboarding is one of the most popular sports for young people, it does not appear to be particularly well understood by either city council or administration. Average voters also struggle to understand why they should invest $500,000 to build a bunch of “graffiti-covered concrete hills” for skateboarders. The speaker will explain why skateboarding has become such an important election issue and cite adequate grounds for why Lethbridge should make a major investment in this particular sport.
Speaker: Wade Galloway
Wade Galloway is an entrepreneur and business owner who up until a few months ago reveled in his privacy. Over the last two months he has gone from anonymity to a vocal proponent of new skateboard facilities for Lethbridge. He spearheaded the Lethbridge Skateboard Association presentation to City Council and has written extensively on the issue through letters to the editor and on their association website blog. Wade is a father to two children, one of whom is learning to skateboard. More than 15 years have passed since Wade could have been charitably described as proficient at skateboarding, but an opportunity to share his former passion with his son has been a significant motivator for the current crusade.
Beethoven’s Third Symphony in Eb Major, the “Eroica” is one of the most influential works of the 19th century. It marked the beginning of the symphony as a new monumental art form, capable of a seriousness and depth of expression that was previously associated only with epic poetry. As far as Beethoven’s personal style is concerned, it also ushered in his “heroic” period of composition, the features of which have come to be accepted as the essence of the composer’s unique musical personality. Moreover, these features, which created the music’s great power, were in turn taken up as the guiding principles of symphonic writing by many later composers, continuing well into the twentieth century. The Symphony’s dynamism owes much to French revolutionary music and above all reflects the inspiration Beethoven drew from the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, to whom the Symphony was to be dedicated. However, when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, Beethoven tore out the dedication page in disgust and instead dedicated the Symphony to “the memory of a great man.” This talk will look at the circumstances surrounding the composition of the Symphony and will show how its new musical style expresses many of the ideas and intellectual currents of the revolutionary era in European history. It will then explore the continuing relevance of Beethoven’s great achievement in today’s world.
Speaker: Brian Black Ph.D.
Brian Black is currently Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Lethbridge. He studied piano first at McGill University under Charles Reiner, earning a Bachelor of Music in performance. He then studied in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Brigitte Wild, one of Claudio Arrau’s first student and his assistant at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin. Brian earned a Licentiate from the Guildhall School and an Associate Diploma from the Royal College of Music in London, before returning to Montreal, where he completed his Ph.D. in Musicology at McGill University.
Brian has performed in London and Montreal and has been heard on Radio Canada, the French arm of the CBC. His main research interest is the instrumental music of Schubert, on which he has given papers at meetings of the American Musicological Society and the Society for Music Theory. Brian has published articles in Durch die Brille, a publication of the Internationales Franz Schubert Institut in Vienna and Intersections, the Journal of the Canadian University Music Society.
Moderator:Tad Mitsui
Date:Thursday September 30, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
As the municipal election in Lethbridge was beginning to gain steam this summer and candidates were coming forward, there was already a local group pressing one topic as an election issue: the building of a new skateboard park in Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Skateboard Association has managed to make their concern about the current crumbling and unsafe skateboard park one of the most talked about topics in this election. Most candidates are expressing support for a major investment of funds into a new skateboard park in a central location and the Lethbridge Skateboard Association has made itself a major player in the election through its involvement with online media.
While skateboarding is one of the most popular sports for young people, it does not appear to be particularly well understood by either city council or administration. Average voters also struggle to understand why they should invest $500,000 to build a bunch of “graffiti-covered concrete hills” for skateboarders. The speaker will explain why skateboarding has become such an important election issue and cite adequate grounds for why Lethbridge should make a major investment in this particular sport.
Speaker: Wade Galloway
Wade Galloway is an entrepreneur and business owner who up until a few months ago reveled in his privacy. Over the last two months he has gone from anonymity to a vocal proponent of new skateboard facilities for Lethbridge. He spearheaded the Lethbridge Skateboard Association presentation to City Council and has written extensively on the issue through letters to the editor and on their association website blog. Wade is a father to two children, one of whom is learning to skateboard. More than 15 years have passed since Wade could have been charitably described as proficient at skateboarding, but an opportunity to share his former passion with his son has been a significant motivator for the current crusade.
The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source.
Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region.
The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA.
Speaker: Richard Burke
Richard Burke is a retired journalist/journalism instructor who most recently wrote a weekly column called Infinite Outdoors for the Lethbridge Herald. He has been involved with the Oldman River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada for 20 years, the past 10 as co-chair, helping them in establishing two conservation leases on Crown land along the Crowsnest River.
Richard is also an Oldman Watershed Council board member and previously served as a Lethbridge Public School Board member and chairman.
The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source.
Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region.
The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA.
Speaker: Richard Burke
Richard Burke is a retired journalist/journalism instructor who most recently wrote a weekly column called Infinite Outdoors for the Lethbridge Herald. He has been involved with the Oldman River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada for 20 years, the past 10 as co-chair, helping them in establishing two conservation leases on Crown land along the Crowsnest River.
Richard is also an Oldman Watershed Council board member and previously served as a Lethbridge Public School Board member and chairman.
Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative.
Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior. .
Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D.
Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related to violence in sport. He has published numerous books and papers, including books on risk and injury in sport, the Olympic Games and aspects of violence on and off the field of play. His teaching focuses mostly on Criminology and Sociology of Sport. Recently, Kevin's research on sport as a vehicle for social development and peace has taken him to several African and Asian countries.
Kevin grew up in the north of England, where he became a passionate soccer fan. He played varsity rugby on both sides of the Atlantic and continues to dabble, often injured, in a number of recreational sports.
Moderator:Knud Petersen
Date:Monday, September 20, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative.
Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior. .
Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D.
Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related to violence in sport. He has published numerous books and papers, including books on risk and injury in sport, the Olympic Games and aspects of violence on and off the field of play. His teaching focuses mostly on Criminology and Sociology of Sport. Recently, Kevin's research on sport as a vehicle for social development and peace has taken him to several African and Asian countries.
Kevin grew up in the north of England, where he became a passionate soccer fan. He played varsity rugby on both sides of the Atlantic and continues to dabble, often injured, in a number of recreational sports.
Moderator:Knud Petersen
Date:Monday, September 20, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted
Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy.
The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies.
While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective.
Speaker: Russ Smith
Russ Smith is the City of Medicine Hat's Energy Sustainability Manager. He has worked for the City of Medicine Hat the past fifteen years in a variety of roles including extensive financial and strategic planning within the City’s Energy division. Russ earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1991.
Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy.
The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies.
While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective.
Speaker: Russ Smith
Russ Smith is the City of Medicine Hat's Energy Sustainability Manager. He has worked for the City of Medicine Hat the past fifteen years in a variety of roles including extensive financial and strategic planning within the City’s Energy division. Russ earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1991.
The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan.
In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term.
Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi MacDonald
Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Sociology Professor at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. Dr. McDaniel also serves on the National Statistics Council of eminent Canadians which advises the federal government on data collection/analysis. She has advised on the Census for almost two decades.
Dr. Heidi MacDonald has served as a History Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1999 and was Chair of the History Department from 2004-09. She is currently a member of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. Dr. MacDonald received her PhD in History from the University of New Brunswick in 2000. She studies and teaches Canadian history and is currently working on a book on coming of age during the Great Depression in Canada. Over her career, she has been a frequent user of the Census of Canada both in her own research and in teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan.
In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term.
Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi MacDonald
Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Sociology Professor at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. Dr. McDaniel also serves on the National Statistics Council of eminent Canadians which advises the federal government on data collection/analysis. She has advised on the Census for almost two decades.
Dr. Heidi MacDonald has served as a History Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1999 and was Chair of the History Department from 2004-09. She is currently a member of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. Dr. MacDonald received her PhD in History from the University of New Brunswick in 2000. She studies and teaches Canadian history and is currently working on a book on coming of age during the Great Depression in Canada. Over her career, she has been a frequent user of the Census of Canada both in her own research and in teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point.
Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP
Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the second New Democrat MP ever from the province of Alberta, and the only non-Conservative to represent the province in the 40th Parliament. She serves as the Environment Critic within the NDP Caucus. Linda is a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Conservation and Biodiversity.
Before her election to Parliament, Linda worked as an international environmental law consultant based in Edmonton. She was senior legal advisor regarding effective environmental enforcement to the Canadian International Development Agency, World Bank and Asian Development Bank in Jamaica, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Linda has also held senior government positions as the Head of Law & Enforcement Cooperation for the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Assistant Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources for the Yukon government, and Chief of Enforcement for Environment Canada. She was a professor of Environmental Law at Dalhousie Law School and, in the early 1980s, the founding Executive Director of the Alberta Environmental Law Centre.
“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point.
Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP
Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the second New Democrat MP ever from the province of Alberta, and the only non-Conservative to represent the province in the 40th Parliament. She serves as the Environment Critic within the NDP Caucus. Linda is a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Conservation and Biodiversity.
Before her election to Parliament, Linda worked as an international environmental law consultant based in Edmonton. She was senior legal advisor regarding effective environmental enforcement to the Canadian International Development Agency, World Bank and Asian Development Bank in Jamaica, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Linda has also held senior government positions as the Head of Law & Enforcement Cooperation for the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Assistant Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources for the Yukon government, and Chief of Enforcement for Environment Canada. She was a professor of Environmental Law at Dalhousie Law School and, in the early 1980s, the founding Executive Director of the Alberta Environmental Law Centre.
12-1:30pm
In the early 1990’s, each of the three Prairie Provinces held judicial inquiries into Aboriginal Justice. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples followed these inquiries with a National analysis. All of these important studies reviewed the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian Justice System.
At present about 20% of federal offenders are Aboriginal. On the Prairies, provincial Aboriginal incarceration rates range from 35% in Alberta to 80% in Saskatchewan. In the words of Justice Cawsey from the Alberta Inquiry: “The only things that have worked for Natives have come from Natives”. There are consistent statistics demonstrating the decreased rate of reoffending or recidivism where Aboriginal offenders have gone through Aboriginal programming including healing lodges, ceremonies and opportunities to commune with Elders. Just this past winter, Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator for Correctional Services of Canada underlined these facts. Mr. Sapers emphasized the need for urgent action to improve support programs for Aboriginal prisoners or face a potential crisis.
In the face of these truths and the young and vulnerable demographic of the Aboriginal population, it defies logic that the Alberta Government would suddenly and arbitrarily decide to close the Kainai Minimum Security Corrections Centre and cut Aboriginal Correctional Programming on Reserves. It is in the interests of everyone in Alberta that these worthwhile programs on Kainai and other reserves be supported. The Director of Kainai Corrections will speak to this issue, its implications and what can be done about it.
Speaker: Rick Soop
Since his graduation with a political science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1981, Rick Soop has worked in the Criminal Justice System. For the last 10 years Mr. Soop has been the Director of the Kainai Community Corrections Society. He is an active participant on various boards and committees for the Blood Tribe, and is helping to develop the Kainai Peacemaking Centre.
12-1:30pm
In the early 1990’s, each of the three Prairie Provinces held judicial inquiries into Aboriginal Justice. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples followed these inquiries with a National analysis. All of these important studies reviewed the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian Justice System.
At present about 20% of federal offenders are Aboriginal. On the Prairies, provincial Aboriginal incarceration rates range from 35% in Alberta to 80% in Saskatchewan. In the words of Justice Cawsey from the Alberta Inquiry: “The only things that have worked for Natives have come from Natives”. There are consistent statistics demonstrating the decreased rate of reoffending or recidivism where Aboriginal offenders have gone through Aboriginal programming including healing lodges, ceremonies and opportunities to commune with Elders. Just this past winter, Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator for Correctional Services of Canada underlined these facts. Mr. Sapers emphasized the need for urgent action to improve support programs for Aboriginal prisoners or face a potential crisis.
In the face of these truths and the young and vulnerable demographic of the Aboriginal population, it defies logic that the Alberta Government would suddenly and arbitrarily decide to close the Kainai Minimum Security Corrections Centre and cut Aboriginal Correctional Programming on Reserves. It is in the interests of everyone in Alberta that these worthwhile programs on Kainai and other reserves be supported. The Director of Kainai Corrections will speak to this issue, its implications and what can be done about it.
Speaker: Rick Soop
Since his graduation with a political science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1981, Rick Soop has worked in the Criminal Justice System. For the last 10 years Mr. Soop has been the Director of the Kainai Community Corrections Society. He is an active participant on various boards and committees for the Blood Tribe, and is helping to develop the Kainai Peacemaking Centre.
12- 1:30pm
There is widespread debate in academic, advocate, and public spheres regarding the legal status of the sex trade. Governmental policies concerning sex work vary from country to country and from state to state, ranging from prostitution being entirely illegal in some areas to a wholly decriminalized system in others.
This presentation will outline the differences between legalization and decriminalization, and provide information on governmental policies in Canada, the United States, and Overseas. Furthermore, it will highlight the very real and immediate effects such policies have on the day-to-day lives of sex trade workers, effects that often are disregarded in the hallowed halls of government.
By considering an array of legislative policies, the speaker will aim to provide the public with a broader understanding of sex work and the law, and to highlight the repercussions of legislation on the lives of sex workers.
Speaker: Tamara Larter
Tamara Larter was born and raised in the Edmonton area of Alberta, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, in sociology and english, from the University of Alberta in 2006.
Presently, Tamara is a Master of Arts candidate in sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her research interests are in the area of gender, sexuality, public policy and discourse. Aside from her research, Tamara is an avid reader, particularly biographies and memoirs. She is also a devout vegetarian and a dedicated animal rights activist.
12- 1:30pm
There is widespread debate in academic, advocate, and public spheres regarding the legal status of the sex trade. Governmental policies concerning sex work vary from country to country and from state to state, ranging from prostitution being entirely illegal in some areas to a wholly decriminalized system in others.
This presentation will outline the differences between legalization and decriminalization, and provide information on governmental policies in Canada, the United States, and Overseas. Furthermore, it will highlight the very real and immediate effects such policies have on the day-to-day lives of sex trade workers, effects that often are disregarded in the hallowed halls of government.
By considering an array of legislative policies, the speaker will aim to provide the public with a broader understanding of sex work and the law, and to highlight the repercussions of legislation on the lives of sex workers.
Speaker: Tamara Larter
Tamara Larter was born and raised in the Edmonton area of Alberta, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, in sociology and english, from the University of Alberta in 2006.
Presently, Tamara is a Master of Arts candidate in sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her research interests are in the area of gender, sexuality, public policy and discourse. Aside from her research, Tamara is an avid reader, particularly biographies and memoirs. She is also a devout vegetarian and a dedicated animal rights activist.
12-1:30 PM
The rising rates of obesity and sedentary living among aging Canadians is a major public health issue. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reported that the next generation of seniors may be the first to experience a relative decrease in quality of life compared to previous generations.
Although it seems we often hear about the importance of physical activity for children and youth, we don’t hear as much about the vital role physical activity plays in successful aging. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease, problems with mobility, and loss of independence - yet, less than half of Canadians meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and adults over the age of 65 are the least active group of all.
Join us in learning more about this important topic as the speaker explores the difference between life-expectancy and dependence-free life expectancy, the role of physical activity in successful aging, and the barriers we all face to maintaining an active lifestyle.
Speaker: Jennifer Copeland
Jennifer Copeland completed her Ph.D. at the University of New Brunswick and she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Lethbridge where she teaches courses in exercise physiology, fitness assessment, and health.
Jennifer’s research laboratory is part of the Southern Alberta Centre for Successful Aging, an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the improvement of physical functioning and wellness among aging Canadians. She has conducted research examining the effects of aging and exercise on hormone levels and is using new technology to study how patterns of activity change with age and during life transitions. Jennifer strives to translate research into practice and is a board member of various local and provincial organizations.
12-1:30 PM
The rising rates of obesity and sedentary living among aging Canadians is a major public health issue. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reported that the next generation of seniors may be the first to experience a relative decrease in quality of life compared to previous generations.
Although it seems we often hear about the importance of physical activity for children and youth, we don’t hear as much about the vital role physical activity plays in successful aging. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease, problems with mobility, and loss of independence - yet, less than half of Canadians meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and adults over the age of 65 are the least active group of all.
Join us in learning more about this important topic as the speaker explores the difference between life-expectancy and dependence-free life expectancy, the role of physical activity in successful aging, and the barriers we all face to maintaining an active lifestyle.
Speaker: Jennifer Copeland
Jennifer Copeland completed her Ph.D. at the University of New Brunswick and she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Lethbridge where she teaches courses in exercise physiology, fitness assessment, and health.
Jennifer’s research laboratory is part of the Southern Alberta Centre for Successful Aging, an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the improvement of physical functioning and wellness among aging Canadians. She has conducted research examining the effects of aging and exercise on hormone levels and is using new technology to study how patterns of activity change with age and during life transitions. Jennifer strives to translate research into practice and is a board member of various local and provincial organizations.
7-9pm Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
In 2006-2009, a wretched place for a construction worker in Indonesia was to be on a “humanitarian” tsunami reconstruction project in Aceh, Sumatra. Instead of receiving benefits from the largest, most generously-funded humanitarian operation in history, tens of thousands of Javanese construction workers were arguably victims of human trafficking and falsely recruited for exploitative use and/or involuntary labour, under conditions defined as “human trafficking” or “modern slavery.” The social disaster throughout Aceh and Java was borne mostly by Javanese laborers, some of whom died in Aceh because of abuse.
The speaker will contend that disproportionate numbers of trafficked victims were from larger projects managed by Red Cross, U.N., development banks and NGO’s. The more remote a project site was, the more likely workers would be trapped and would eventually walk or hitchhike trying to escape. Witnesses have testified in every affected community visited, that many or most Javanese workers were unpaid, hungry and had to escape to find other work or ways to get home. Arguably, Red Cross, UN and the NGO’s ought to have known that they were complicit in the trafficking of slave labour.
Speaker: Virgil Grandfield
Virgil Grandfield grew up in Texas and achieved degrees in Political Science at the University of Lethbridge (1992) and Journalism at Concordia in Montreal (1993). In the mid 90s, he started the first Canadian educational consulting agency in Mexico and in 1999 after Hurricane Mitch, began a career in the humanitarian field of work in Central America.
Grandfield became a Canadian Red Cross delegate after working as part of the Blood Reserve flood response in 2002 and was deployed to Aceh, Indonesia in 2006 to work as Information Delegate for the tsunami operation of the International Red Cross. Returning to Aceh in 2007, Grandfield recognized the human trafficking and resigned as Canadian Red Cross delegate in 2008, to advocate for the “modern slavery” workers and their families, seeking justice from those relief agencies which used and abandoned them in Aceh.
7-9pm Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
In 2006-2009, a wretched place for a construction worker in Indonesia was to be on a “humanitarian” tsunami reconstruction project in Aceh, Sumatra. Instead of receiving benefits from the largest, most generously-funded humanitarian operation in history, tens of thousands of Javanese construction workers were arguably victims of human trafficking and falsely recruited for exploitative use and/or involuntary labour, under conditions defined as “human trafficking” or “modern slavery.” The social disaster throughout Aceh and Java was borne mostly by Javanese laborers, some of whom died in Aceh because of abuse.
The speaker will contend that disproportionate numbers of trafficked victims were from larger projects managed by Red Cross, U.N., development banks and NGO’s. The more remote a project site was, the more likely workers would be trapped and would eventually walk or hitchhike trying to escape. Witnesses have testified in every affected community visited, that many or most Javanese workers were unpaid, hungry and had to escape to find other work or ways to get home. Arguably, Red Cross, UN and the NGO’s ought to have known that they were complicit in the trafficking of slave labour.
Speaker: Virgil Grandfield
Virgil Grandfield grew up in Texas and achieved degrees in Political Science at the University of Lethbridge (1992) and Journalism at Concordia in Montreal (1993). In the mid 90s, he started the first Canadian educational consulting agency in Mexico and in 1999 after Hurricane Mitch, began a career in the humanitarian field of work in Central America.
Grandfield became a Canadian Red Cross delegate after working as part of the Blood Reserve flood response in 2002 and was deployed to Aceh, Indonesia in 2006 to work as Information Delegate for the tsunami operation of the International Red Cross. Returning to Aceh in 2007, Grandfield recognized the human trafficking and resigned as Canadian Red Cross delegate in 2008, to advocate for the “modern slavery” workers and their families, seeking justice from those relief agencies which used and abandoned them in Aceh.
12- 1:30pm
Do we want others to think that landscapes by the Group of Seven are representing Canadian Art? Or is it Northwest coast totem poles by the native Gitxsan people? The Vancouver Olympic Committee certainly seemed to think the later and art by First Nation people truly represented Canadian identity, judging by the design of the opening ceremony at the 2010 Winter Olympic.
The speaker will suggest that such was not always the case. In fact, during the early Twentieth Century, the Canadian government actively rejected that native people’s culture represented Canada. Canada was European, if not just British. The policy of the Canadian government regarding native people was assimilation. “Indians must become Europeans” was the dictum. Cultures, languages, and religions of First Nation people were made targets of eradication. Native art was totally rejected. In fact, some artistic forms of art such as dance were made illegal.
However, Europeans found immense artistic value in Native art at a Paris exhibition in 1927 and Canada eventually rediscovered Native art, partly because it became a very lucrative business during the great depression of the 1930''s.
Speaker: Leslie Dawn
Leslie Dawn is Professor of Art History at the University of Lethbridge. He obtained his PhD from the University of British Columbia and has for many years been active as a critic of contemporary art. Leslie’s historical research investigates problems in the construction of Canadian national identities, colonial landscapes, and the representations and arts of Native people in Western Canada.
Leslie has published many articles on the subject and his book “National Vision/National Blindness - Canadian Art and Identities” received the Raymond Klibansky Prize.
12- 1:30pm
Do we want others to think that landscapes by the Group of Seven are representing Canadian Art? Or is it Northwest coast totem poles by the native Gitxsan people? The Vancouver Olympic Committee certainly seemed to think the later and art by First Nation people truly represented Canadian identity, judging by the design of the opening ceremony at the 2010 Winter Olympic.
The speaker will suggest that such was not always the case. In fact, during the early Twentieth Century, the Canadian government actively rejected that native people’s culture represented Canada. Canada was European, if not just British. The policy of the Canadian government regarding native people was assimilation. “Indians must become Europeans” was the dictum. Cultures, languages, and religions of First Nation people were made targets of eradication. Native art was totally rejected. In fact, some artistic forms of art such as dance were made illegal.
However, Europeans found immense artistic value in Native art at a Paris exhibition in 1927 and Canada eventually rediscovered Native art, partly because it became a very lucrative business during the great depression of the 1930''s.
Speaker: Leslie Dawn
Leslie Dawn is Professor of Art History at the University of Lethbridge. He obtained his PhD from the University of British Columbia and has for many years been active as a critic of contemporary art. Leslie’s historical research investigates problems in the construction of Canadian national identities, colonial landscapes, and the representations and arts of Native people in Western Canada.
Leslie has published many articles on the subject and his book “National Vision/National Blindness - Canadian Art and Identities” received the Raymond Klibansky Prize.
Housing options remain limited for Aboriginal people in Lethbridge. Ongoing research shows that NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) may be regularly practiced by landlords, and plays a central role in denying Aboriginal renters access to accommodations.
In this presentation, the speaker examines the systemic nature of what can be described as the NIMBY Gauntlet. Lethbridge landlords, under the guise of the NIMBY Gauntlet, arguable use this mechanism to bring about discrimination against potential Native tenants.
The NIMBY Gauntlet, as described, perpetuates what one scholar proclaims to be municipal colonialism, which in this case is characterized by landlords systematically filtering out potential Aboriginal tenants. The speaker will outline some possible remedies aimed at ending such discrimination.
Speaker: Yale Belanger
Dr. Yale D. Belanger (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Native American Studies (NAS) at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta). Trained as a political historian, his doctoral work at Trent University focused on the emergence and evolution of Aboriginal political organizations in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Canada.
His current research with Drs. David Gregory and Jo-Anne Fiske focuses on how NIMBY operates to deny Aboriginal people access to rental accommodations, with an emphasis on developing appropriate strategies to eradicate this process.
7-9pm
The Lethbridge Action on Racism Circle (LARC) has undertaken several initiatives to address racism and discrimination in Lethbridge. Their work has been informed by dialogue with over 100 community members at potluck meetings. Through this process, varied and creative recommendations for action at several levels were gathered and published in two reports which have been widely disseminated.
A screening of a special series on racism by CTV''s Dory Rossiter will precede the panel presentation. The panel will then highlight key recommendations from its reports, and share stories of personal experiences of racism and discrimination. An opportunity will be provided for questions and answers, and further dialogue following the presentation.
Panel Speakers:
Dr. Joanne Fiske, Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Lethbridge
Dr. Trudy Govier, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Lethbridge
Kayress Dela Cruz, Lethbridge Immigrant Services
Sarah Sweet Grass, Communications Dept., Blood Tribe Administration & Director, Amnesty International Lethbridge
Mike Frank, Graduate Student, University of Lethbridge
Mary Kosta, Linguist & Director, Amnesty International Lethbridge
Pastor Ruth Preston Schilk, Lethbridge Mennonite Church
Pastor Jason Anderson, Christ Trinity Lutheran Church
12-1:30pm
Population aging is much in the news, with talk about health care and pensions as the Canadian population ages.
We ask in this talk, based on the speaker''s current research in Canada and the US, the extent to which population aging is indeed a challenge. We further ask whether population aging is an equal challenge in Canada and the US. How does the current economic situation affect the picture? What about diversity, inequalities and changing family/household living arrangements?
The specific focus in this talk is on the circumstances of those aged 45-64 in Canada and the U.S. in the late 1990s and 2000''s, how their lives look as they grow older and what policy challenges are posed. Data come from a wide range of sources, and include analysis of two waves in each country of nationally representative surveys, as well as qualitative interviews conducted in late 2009 and 2010.
We find that demographic aging per se matters far less to the prospects of those presently in mid-life in the two countries than the rapidly shifting socio-economic contexts in which they live. Canadians are far less at risk as we age than are Americans.
Speaker: Susan McDaniel
Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs.
Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. She was on faculty at the University of Alberta for 15 years.
12-1:30pm
Population aging is much in the news, with talk about health care and pensions as the Canadian population ages.
We ask in this talk, based on the speaker''s current research in Canada and the US, the extent to which population aging is indeed a challenge. We further ask whether population aging is an equal challenge in Canada and the US. How does the current economic situation affect the picture? What about diversity, inequalities and changing family/household living arrangements?
The specific focus in this talk is on the circumstances of those aged 45-64 in Canada and the U.S. in the late 1990s and 2000''s, how their lives look as they grow older and what policy challenges are posed. Data come from a wide range of sources, and include analysis of two waves in each country of nationally representative surveys, as well as qualitative interviews conducted in late 2009 and 2010.
We find that demographic aging per se matters far less to the prospects of those presently in mid-life in the two countries than the rapidly shifting socio-economic contexts in which they live. Canadians are far less at risk as we age than are Americans.
Speaker: Susan McDaniel
Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs.
Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. She was on faculty at the University of Alberta for 15 years.
12- 1:30pm
There is a deafening silence around women''s issues in Alberta, the only province in Canada with no ministry for the status of women, no policy secretariat, or no advisory council on the status of women. All other jurisdictions have some kind of formal voice, within government, for women.
The speaker will present evidence from various sources, including Statistics Canada and other national data sources, that women in Alberta still experience disproportionate levels of poverty, low wages and high levels of economic inequality in comparison with men. Such data are contained in a report produced by partnership between Parkland Institute based in Edmonton and Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge. The speaker is a key figure in the creation of the report.
Issues addressed in the presentation will include concerns that, for women, Alberta is the most unequal place in Canada. An Alberta woman working a full-year and full-time earns, on average, 60% of a man''s salary. By contrast, Quebec women earn, on average, 81% of men''s earnings. The speaker will also argue that Alberta parents with children age six and under, are met with the most under-funded, inaccessible child care system in Canada.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips
Shannon Phillips is a journalist, researcher, and communications consultant based in Lethbridge, AB. She holds an MA in Political Science from the University of Alberta.
Shannon is a frequent contributor to Albertaviews Magazine, has worked as a producer at CBC Newsworld and as a public affairs advisor to the Canadian Red Cross. She is currently on maternity leave from the Red Cross and doing consulting work with the Parkland Institute and Womanspace Resource Centre in Lethbridge.
12- 1:30pm
There is a deafening silence around women''s issues in Alberta, the only province in Canada with no ministry for the status of women, no policy secretariat, or no advisory council on the status of women. All other jurisdictions have some kind of formal voice, within government, for women.
The speaker will present evidence from various sources, including Statistics Canada and other national data sources, that women in Alberta still experience disproportionate levels of poverty, low wages and high levels of economic inequality in comparison with men. Such data are contained in a report produced by partnership between Parkland Institute based in Edmonton and Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge. The speaker is a key figure in the creation of the report.
Issues addressed in the presentation will include concerns that, for women, Alberta is the most unequal place in Canada. An Alberta woman working a full-year and full-time earns, on average, 60% of a man''s salary. By contrast, Quebec women earn, on average, 81% of men''s earnings. The speaker will also argue that Alberta parents with children age six and under, are met with the most under-funded, inaccessible child care system in Canada.
Speaker: Shannon Phillips
Shannon Phillips is a journalist, researcher, and communications consultant based in Lethbridge, AB. She holds an MA in Political Science from the University of Alberta.
Shannon is a frequent contributor to Albertaviews Magazine, has worked as a producer at CBC Newsworld and as a public affairs advisor to the Canadian Red Cross. She is currently on maternity leave from the Red Cross and doing consulting work with the Parkland Institute and Womanspace Resource Centre in Lethbridge.
12- 1:30pm
Transgendered persons in Alberta face significant discrimination as a result of their gender identity. The Alberta government decided last year to stop funding gender reassignment surgeries, a move that the Ontario government has had to retract after losing at a number of human rights tribunals. In St. Albert, substitute teacher Jan Buterman was fired when he revealed he was transitioning from a woman to a man. The Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board will soon be facing the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal on Buterman’s complaint. These two cases are high profile but much of the discrimination against trans people is less blatant and can be traced to the lack of public understanding of gender, generally, and trans(gender) specifically.
Mickey Wilson works to educate the public and advance equality for queer and trans people. His presentation will explore some of the misconceptions about gender and what it is like to be trans or queer in Alberta.
Speaker: Mickey Wilson
For over 25 years, Mickey Wilson has focused much of his time and energy on activism and education surrounding trans and queer issues in Alberta. He founded Edmonton’s first trans support group, provides peer education, does workshops and presentations and develops educational materials. Active in a variety of organizations, Mickey is the Vice President of Egale Canada and chair of their national trans committee as well as President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge & Area.
Mickey is passionate about justice and committed to advancing equality and human rights for queer and trans people. He is a retired minister, having served a church in Edmonton''s LGBT community for 14 years. Mickey is married to a bisexual man and they live in a village south of Lethbridge where he now operates a small business.
12- 1:30pm
Transgendered persons in Alberta face significant discrimination as a result of their gender identity. The Alberta government decided last year to stop funding gender reassignment surgeries, a move that the Ontario government has had to retract after losing at a number of human rights tribunals. In St. Albert, substitute teacher Jan Buterman was fired when he revealed he was transitioning from a woman to a man. The Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board will soon be facing the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal on Buterman’s complaint. These two cases are high profile but much of the discrimination against trans people is less blatant and can be traced to the lack of public understanding of gender, generally, and trans(gender) specifically.
Mickey Wilson works to educate the public and advance equality for queer and trans people. His presentation will explore some of the misconceptions about gender and what it is like to be trans or queer in Alberta.
Speaker: Mickey Wilson
For over 25 years, Mickey Wilson has focused much of his time and energy on activism and education surrounding trans and queer issues in Alberta. He founded Edmonton’s first trans support group, provides peer education, does workshops and presentations and develops educational materials. Active in a variety of organizations, Mickey is the Vice President of Egale Canada and chair of their national trans committee as well as President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Lethbridge & Area.
Mickey is passionate about justice and committed to advancing equality and human rights for queer and trans people. He is a retired minister, having served a church in Edmonton''s LGBT community for 14 years. Mickey is married to a bisexual man and they live in a village south of Lethbridge where he now operates a small business.
12-1:30pm
This presentation will provide first-hand insight into the challenges of command during a demanding and complex mission, as well as the advances being made by Canadian soldiers and civilians in spite of the difficult conditions in the heart of Kandahar Province.
The Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province are comprised of about 200 Canadian soldiers. They are largely responsible for the training, development and mentoring of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 1st Brigade.
Through experiences by the speaker, you will learn how Canadian Forces are assisting the Afghans in sustaining a more secure environment to facilitate development, reconstruction and law and order while preparing the ANA to assume responsibility for their own security as the NATO nations prepare to leave the scene.
Speaker: Colonel Gregory Burt G.D., OMM, CD
Col. Burt recently returned from Afghanistan where he served from Feb. to Nov. 2009 as Commander of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province.
A proud native of Newfoundland, Col. Burt is a member of the Royal 22e Régiment du Canada. He has a Bachelor''s degree from the Royal Military College in Business Admin. and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King''s College, London. He also holds a Master''s degree from the École nationale d''administration publique (ENAP) de Québec in public administration.
Col. Burt has served Canada in Lahr (Germany), Somalia, former Yugoslavia and Bosnia. Within Canada, his postings have included: Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff of the Land Force, Quebec Area, Director of Land Strategic Concepts in Kingston and Defence Strategy Management, Department of National Defence.
12-1:30pm
This presentation will provide first-hand insight into the challenges of command during a demanding and complex mission, as well as the advances being made by Canadian soldiers and civilians in spite of the difficult conditions in the heart of Kandahar Province.
The Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province are comprised of about 200 Canadian soldiers. They are largely responsible for the training, development and mentoring of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 1st Brigade.
Through experiences by the speaker, you will learn how Canadian Forces are assisting the Afghans in sustaining a more secure environment to facilitate development, reconstruction and law and order while preparing the ANA to assume responsibility for their own security as the NATO nations prepare to leave the scene.
Speaker: Colonel Gregory Burt G.D., OMM, CD
Col. Burt recently returned from Afghanistan where he served from Feb. to Nov. 2009 as Commander of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province.
A proud native of Newfoundland, Col. Burt is a member of the Royal 22e Régiment du Canada. He has a Bachelor''s degree from the Royal Military College in Business Admin. and a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King''s College, London. He also holds a Master''s degree from the École nationale d''administration publique (ENAP) de Québec in public administration.
Col. Burt has served Canada in Lahr (Germany), Somalia, former Yugoslavia and Bosnia. Within Canada, his postings have included: Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff of the Land Force, Quebec Area, Director of Land Strategic Concepts in Kingston and Defence Strategy Management, Department of National Defence.
12- 1:30pm
Post Secondary Education: How Will It Benefit Today’s World?
The second annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event. Students addressed the question: What is the value of post-secondary education in today’s world? Much of the debate has focused on the need for such education to be utilized promoting much more critical thinking regarding sustainable (world) development, i.e. be the change you want others to adopt. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. Four initial sessions with two speakers each have successfully been held and the first semifinal session on Tuesday Feb 23 matched James Falconer and Keith McLaughlin, with the latter coming out ahead. The following week, Keith Gardner and Kate Nesbitt squared off, with Kate moving on. Selin Bilgin, Cashe Erskine, Vanessa Lodermeier and Saikat Basu were the other contestants.
Speakers: Kate Nesbitt and Keith McLaughlin
Kate Nesbitt is a fifth year student in the Environmental Science program. She has been a member of the Pronghorns Women’s Hockey team for the past four years and also involved in several student organizations, including Campus Roots and LPIRG. Kate is the founder of GreenHorns, a campus environmental awareness and mentoring group. She loves the University of Lethbridge and greatly values the opportunities it has provided for her.
Keith McLaughlin is a fifth-year political science student at the University of Lethbridge. For the last three years at the U of L, Keith has worked part time at The Meliorist. As a two-time News Editor for the campus publication (2006-07, 2009-10), he have covered campus, local and provincial news for the student and community readership. Keith has also dabbled in topical journalism as The Meliorist’s Features Editor in 2008-2009.
Moderators: Jenn Prosser and Alex Masse
12- 1:30pm
Post Secondary Education: How Will It Benefit Today’s World?
The second annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event. Students addressed the question: What is the value of post-secondary education in today’s world? Much of the debate has focused on the need for such education to be utilized promoting much more critical thinking regarding sustainable (world) development, i.e. be the change you want others to adopt. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. Four initial sessions with two speakers each have successfully been held and the first semifinal session on Tuesday Feb 23 matched James Falconer and Keith McLaughlin, with the latter coming out ahead. The following week, Keith Gardner and Kate Nesbitt squared off, with Kate moving on. Selin Bilgin, Cashe Erskine, Vanessa Lodermeier and Saikat Basu were the other contestants.
Speakers: Kate Nesbitt and Keith McLaughlin
Kate Nesbitt is a fifth year student in the Environmental Science program. She has been a member of the Pronghorns Women’s Hockey team for the past four years and also involved in several student organizations, including Campus Roots and LPIRG. Kate is the founder of GreenHorns, a campus environmental awareness and mentoring group. She loves the University of Lethbridge and greatly values the opportunities it has provided for her.
Keith McLaughlin is a fifth-year political science student at the University of Lethbridge. For the last three years at the U of L, Keith has worked part time at The Meliorist. As a two-time News Editor for the campus publication (2006-07, 2009-10), he have covered campus, local and provincial news for the student and community readership. Keith has also dabbled in topical journalism as The Meliorist’s Features Editor in 2008-2009.
Moderators: Jenn Prosser and Alex Masse
12-1:30pm
The Lethbridge Association for Community Living (LACL) is founded on the belief that all people are entitled to all the rights and benefits of citizenship. This includes the right to participate and be involved in the community. The citizenship that many of us take for granted can be a daily struggle for some people as they try to overcome a legacy of discrimination and isolation. Awareness is fundamental to creating a welcoming inclusive community that values the contributions and potential of all of its citizens.
The speaker will provide insight into the history of segregation and the exclusion of citizens with developmental disabilities and the affect that this discrimination has on our community. He will share his thoughts on the accomplishments of our community through the community living movement, inclusive education, expanded employment opportunities and the self-advocacy movement.
Having worked with families and self-advocates as they build awareness of issues that can prevent people from being meaningfully engaged in community, the speaker will help us understand some of the obstacles faced by people with disabilities in the pursuit of living rich, meaningful lives and the role that each of us can play in building welcoming communities for all.
Speaker: Dave Lawson
Dave has been involved in supporting people with developmental disabilities for 30 years. For the past 4 years he has been the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Association for Community Living (LACL), a local organization providing support and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Lethbridge and area for more than 50 years.
12-1:30pm
The Lethbridge Association for Community Living (LACL) is founded on the belief that all people are entitled to all the rights and benefits of citizenship. This includes the right to participate and be involved in the community. The citizenship that many of us take for granted can be a daily struggle for some people as they try to overcome a legacy of discrimination and isolation. Awareness is fundamental to creating a welcoming inclusive community that values the contributions and potential of all of its citizens.
The speaker will provide insight into the history of segregation and the exclusion of citizens with developmental disabilities and the affect that this discrimination has on our community. He will share his thoughts on the accomplishments of our community through the community living movement, inclusive education, expanded employment opportunities and the self-advocacy movement.
Having worked with families and self-advocates as they build awareness of issues that can prevent people from being meaningfully engaged in community, the speaker will help us understand some of the obstacles faced by people with disabilities in the pursuit of living rich, meaningful lives and the role that each of us can play in building welcoming communities for all.
Speaker: Dave Lawson
Dave has been involved in supporting people with developmental disabilities for 30 years. For the past 4 years he has been the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Association for Community Living (LACL), a local organization providing support and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Lethbridge and area for more than 50 years.
12-1:30pm
Not everyone agrees that we should teach gambling and probabilities to students. Some worry that we might initiate or encourage gambling addictions among a percentage of students. This is a genuine concern, but overall, the speaker believes the benefit to the majority of students outweighs the possible negatives, because everyone gambles.
You do not have to go to a casino, bingo hall or a lounge to gamble. Everybody gambles daily, be it for large, significant amounts, small change at a golf game or in relationships and job choices. The more we know about probabilities the better our chances of making favourable bets that affect our lives.
Speaker: Dennis Connolly
Dennis Connolly arrived in Canada from Sydney, Australia, September 1966. On his travels across Canada, Dennis was delayed in Lethbridge, during a snowstorm in May 1967, when five feet of wet snow fell on Southern Alberta. While waiting out the storm, he was offered a job at the newly formed University of Lethbridge and initially signed on for 2 years. 43 years later, Dennis is one of the very few original professors still teaching full time at U of L.
Along the way, Dennis received his Masters degree in Mathematics at the University of Western Ontario and his PhD from the University of York, York England.
On all his research visits to Las Vegas, the “Probability’s Theory of Loss” has been confirmed every time. Dennis has also written or co-written several publications related to probabilities and gambling.
12-1:30pm
Not everyone agrees that we should teach gambling and probabilities to students. Some worry that we might initiate or encourage gambling addictions among a percentage of students. This is a genuine concern, but overall, the speaker believes the benefit to the majority of students outweighs the possible negatives, because everyone gambles.
You do not have to go to a casino, bingo hall or a lounge to gamble. Everybody gambles daily, be it for large, significant amounts, small change at a golf game or in relationships and job choices. The more we know about probabilities the better our chances of making favourable bets that affect our lives.
Speaker: Dennis Connolly
Dennis Connolly arrived in Canada from Sydney, Australia, September 1966. On his travels across Canada, Dennis was delayed in Lethbridge, during a snowstorm in May 1967, when five feet of wet snow fell on Southern Alberta. While waiting out the storm, he was offered a job at the newly formed University of Lethbridge and initially signed on for 2 years. 43 years later, Dennis is one of the very few original professors still teaching full time at U of L.
Along the way, Dennis received his Masters degree in Mathematics at the University of Western Ontario and his PhD from the University of York, York England.
On all his research visits to Las Vegas, the “Probability’s Theory of Loss” has been confirmed every time. Dennis has also written or co-written several publications related to probabilities and gambling.
12- 1:30pm
The latest polls show that the Alberta Conservative Party, which for the last 39 years has formed our provincial government, is trailing the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party. While the governing Tories presently have a massive majority in the Legislature, lack of support from core groups may open the door for big changes in the next election.
In Sep 2009, former Wildrose Alliance leader Paul Hinman led the party to a stunning by-election victory in the long held Conservative riding of Calgary-Glenmore. Apparent discontent within the Tory caucus, became reality with the recent “floor crossing” by 2 Tory MLA’s, to join the Wildrose Alliance and new leader Danielle Smith, further suggesting that Alberta’s political landscape could be different in the future.
The speaker will explain the Wildrose Alliance Party policies and argue that they are mostly grass roots in nature, therefore responsive to the needs and wishes of the voting public.
Speaker: Danielle Smith
October 17, 2009 Danielle Smith was elected as the Leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party. A fiscal conservative, she believes in the power of a free enterprise economy and efficient, cost effective delivery of essential social services by government.
Until recently, Danielle was the Director of Provincial Affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Prior to joining CFIB, Danielle worked as an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years and has been the host of Global Sunday, a national current affairs television talk show.
Danielle received her B.A. in English and Economics from the University of Calgary. Later she worked on policy research during a year-long internship at the Fraser Institute. Danielle has also served as a trustee for the Calgary Board of Education and worked in advocacy as director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative.
12- 1:30pm
The latest polls show that the Alberta Conservative Party, which for the last 39 years has formed our provincial government, is trailing the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party. While the governing Tories presently have a massive majority in the Legislature, lack of support from core groups may open the door for big changes in the next election.
In Sep 2009, former Wildrose Alliance leader Paul Hinman led the party to a stunning by-election victory in the long held Conservative riding of Calgary-Glenmore. Apparent discontent within the Tory caucus, became reality with the recent “floor crossing” by 2 Tory MLA’s, to join the Wildrose Alliance and new leader Danielle Smith, further suggesting that Alberta’s political landscape could be different in the future.
The speaker will explain the Wildrose Alliance Party policies and argue that they are mostly grass roots in nature, therefore responsive to the needs and wishes of the voting public.
Speaker: Danielle Smith
October 17, 2009 Danielle Smith was elected as the Leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party. A fiscal conservative, she believes in the power of a free enterprise economy and efficient, cost effective delivery of essential social services by government.
Until recently, Danielle was the Director of Provincial Affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Prior to joining CFIB, Danielle worked as an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years and has been the host of Global Sunday, a national current affairs television talk show.
Danielle received her B.A. in English and Economics from the University of Calgary. Later she worked on policy research during a year-long internship at the Fraser Institute. Danielle has also served as a trustee for the Calgary Board of Education and worked in advocacy as director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean has prorogued Parliament again this year, postponing the opening date from January 25 to March 3, in response to a request from Prime Minister Harper.
Professor Duane Bratt will discuss the constitutional implications and role of prorogation in the context of last year’s prorogation and the place it might have in managing ongoing minority governments.
Speaker: Professor Duane Bratt, Mount Royal University
Duane Bratt teaches political science and public policy in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. He is also an Associate with the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations, with specialties in the sub-fields of international organizations and Canadian foreign policy.
Duane is a regular guest on CITY-TV’s Breakfast Television and CBC-radio’s Wildrose Forum, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: Canada and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, forthcoming), The Politics of CANDU Exports (University of Toronto Press: Toronto, 2006), and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2006).
Governor General Michaëlle Jean has prorogued Parliament again this year, postponing the opening date from January 25 to March 3, in response to a request from Prime Minister Harper.
Professor Duane Bratt will discuss the constitutional implications and role of prorogation in the context of last year’s prorogation and the place it might have in managing ongoing minority governments.
Speaker: Professor Duane Bratt, Mount Royal University
Duane Bratt teaches political science and public policy in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. He is also an Associate with the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. Duane was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (PhD 1996). His primary teaching area is international relations, with specialties in the sub-fields of international organizations and Canadian foreign policy.
Duane is a regular guest on CITY-TV’s Breakfast Television and CBC-radio’s Wildrose Forum, as well as a general media commentator on political matters. Recent publications include: Canada and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, forthcoming), The Politics of CANDU Exports (University of Toronto Press: Toronto, 2006), and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2006).
Scientists are often so focussed on measuring the evidence required to determine how things work that they either forget or do not have time for the needs of public education, and the directions the nation will take in applying the knowledge gained by science. James Hoggan and Richard Littlemore have recently produced a book entitled “Climate Cover-Up”, in which they examine the powerful public relations forces brought to bear against mainstream climate science, physics and chemistry, in order to blunt the message that we need to take steps to avoid future harm.
As a PR professional himself, Hoggan felt a strong need to keep the work of PR honest, and he recognized the methods that were used in the attacks on the science findings. He says “it is infuriating, as a public relations professional, to watch my colleagues use their skills, their training and their considerable intellect to poison the international debate on climate change.” Some of the arguments of the self-appointed skeptics are lacking in both common sense and modern science, but other tactics and campaigns are skillfully designed to appear to show debate among informed physical scientists regarding whether there is an effect caused by atmospheric change at all.
Hoggan and Littlemore track the funds and describe the motives behind the campaigns, noting that “few PR offences have been so obvious, so successful and so despicable as the attack on the scientific certainty of climate change.” They call the unprecedented PR attack “a triumph of disinformation – one of the boldest and most extensive PR campaigns in history”.
Speaker: Richard Littlemore
Richard has spent 20 years in daily newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen, the Winnipeg Tribune and the Vancouver Sun), before turning his hand in 1995 to freelance journalism and public affairs. He wrote the David Suzuki Foundation’s first public information package on climate change in 1996 was vice-chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District''s Air Quality Committee in 1996 and 1997 and sat as a delegate to the Canadian government''s (failed) Kyoto Implementation Process from 1997 to 1999.
In addition to his DeSmog endeavors, Richard is a regular speech writer for many business and academic leaders and is a senior counselor and the lead writer at James Hoggan and Associates. Most importantly, he is a parent to three teenage boys who, like all children of their generation, deserve to inherit a world uncompromised by climate change.
Moderator: Dan Johnson
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE 250 University of Lethbridge 1st Choice Saving Centre Cost: Free to everyone, refreshment supplied
Scientists are often so focussed on measuring the evidence required to determine how things work that they either forget or do not have time for the needs of public education, and the directions the nation will take in applying the knowledge gained by science. James Hoggan and Richard Littlemore have recently produced a book entitled “Climate Cover-Up”, in which they examine the powerful public relations forces brought to bear against mainstream climate science, physics and chemistry, in order to blunt the message that we need to take steps to avoid future harm.
As a PR professional himself, Hoggan felt a strong need to keep the work of PR honest, and he recognized the methods that were used in the attacks on the science findings. He says “it is infuriating, as a public relations professional, to watch my colleagues use their skills, their training and their considerable intellect to poison the international debate on climate change.” Some of the arguments of the self-appointed skeptics are lacking in both common sense and modern science, but other tactics and campaigns are skillfully designed to appear to show debate among informed physical scientists regarding whether there is an effect caused by atmospheric change at all.
Hoggan and Littlemore track the funds and describe the motives behind the campaigns, noting that “few PR offences have been so obvious, so successful and so despicable as the attack on the scientific certainty of climate change.” They call the unprecedented PR attack “a triumph of disinformation – one of the boldest and most extensive PR campaigns in history”.
Speaker: Richard Littlemore
Richard has spent 20 years in daily newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen, the Winnipeg Tribune and the Vancouver Sun), before turning his hand in 1995 to freelance journalism and public affairs. He wrote the David Suzuki Foundation’s first public information package on climate change in 1996 was vice-chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District''s Air Quality Committee in 1996 and 1997 and sat as a delegate to the Canadian government''s (failed) Kyoto Implementation Process from 1997 to 1999.
In addition to his DeSmog endeavors, Richard is a regular speech writer for many business and academic leaders and is a senior counselor and the lead writer at James Hoggan and Associates. Most importantly, he is a parent to three teenage boys who, like all children of their generation, deserve to inherit a world uncompromised by climate change.
Moderator: Dan Johnson
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE 250 University of Lethbridge 1st Choice Saving Centre Cost: Free to everyone, refreshment supplied
International Banks Squeeze on Canadian Non Bank ABCP Owners?
Did international banks attempt to extort $60 billion from the Quebec Caisse Pension Fund and the Alberta, Ontario and Federal Governments? Public money ultimately provided $5 billion of emergency funding in Dec. 2008, in order to bring the ABCP Restructuring Plan to a close. Canadian bankruptcy laws were changed after the Non Bank ABCP market froze, giving international banks undue bargaining power in the ABCP restructuring process.
The speaker will explain that Canadian banks were spared liability for their wholly owned investment dealer’s distribution of the toxic ABCP. Court-sanctioned legal release removed the ABCP owners'' right to sue for damages caused by the banks alleged negligence and fraud in the design and distribution of ABCP. Canadian bank regulations permitted use of a market disruption clause in the liquidity agreements that allowed international banks to walk away from their obligations to repurchase the ABCP from the Canadian investors.
It will further be argued that Canadian securities regulators permitted the toxic ABCP into the public markets and how such regulators continue to provide minimal inspections of investment products. Unless banks, investment dealers and credit rating agencies are held responsible for the delivery of toxic investment products on inflated credit ratings, they will continue to deliver such products into the marketplace.
Speaker: Diane Urquhart
Diane Urquhart is a top-ranked independent financial services analyst with over 30 years experience in the investment field. She was head of equity research at a predecessor of BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Diane will speak from her experience as the financial advisor, appointed by Justice Colin Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to advise the retail ABCP owners. Ms. Urquhart and legal counsel, Henry Juroviesky, succeeded in obtaining, for individuals owning less than $1 million of the toxic ABCP, a full cash settlement from their investment dealers.
International Banks Squeeze on Canadian Non Bank ABCP Owners?
Did international banks attempt to extort $60 billion from the Quebec Caisse Pension Fund and the Alberta, Ontario and Federal Governments? Public money ultimately provided $5 billion of emergency funding in Dec. 2008, in order to bring the ABCP Restructuring Plan to a close. Canadian bankruptcy laws were changed after the Non Bank ABCP market froze, giving international banks undue bargaining power in the ABCP restructuring process.
The speaker will explain that Canadian banks were spared liability for their wholly owned investment dealer’s distribution of the toxic ABCP. Court-sanctioned legal release removed the ABCP owners'' right to sue for damages caused by the banks alleged negligence and fraud in the design and distribution of ABCP. Canadian bank regulations permitted use of a market disruption clause in the liquidity agreements that allowed international banks to walk away from their obligations to repurchase the ABCP from the Canadian investors.
It will further be argued that Canadian securities regulators permitted the toxic ABCP into the public markets and how such regulators continue to provide minimal inspections of investment products. Unless banks, investment dealers and credit rating agencies are held responsible for the delivery of toxic investment products on inflated credit ratings, they will continue to deliver such products into the marketplace.
Speaker: Diane Urquhart
Diane Urquhart is a top-ranked independent financial services analyst with over 30 years experience in the investment field. She was head of equity research at a predecessor of BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Diane will speak from her experience as the financial advisor, appointed by Justice Colin Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to advise the retail ABCP owners. Ms. Urquhart and legal counsel, Henry Juroviesky, succeeded in obtaining, for individuals owning less than $1 million of the toxic ABCP, a full cash settlement from their investment dealers.
7-9pm in Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
Alberta may have been the location of the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history, namely the Brost and Sorenson Ponzi Fraud, but other provinces have had their share of toxic investment schemes as well. Despite such, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are not planning to support Ottawa’s plan for a national securities regulator.
Effective policing of financial fraud is a necessary ingredient for the stability of Canada''s financial system. Canadian and global financial systems have been rocked by systemic fraud in subprime mortgages and structured credit products sold by the securities industry. The essence of financial fraud is deceit and it is difficult to believe that sophisticated industry players did not know they had packaged credit products with toxic ingredients that would eventually harm their customers.
The financial crisis in Canada is wreaking havoc on many through job losses, pensions underfunding and savings lost. Broad national issues regarding the fight against financial fraud will be addressed by the speaker and the audience will hear about the reception her group received in Ottawa on their call for a more a vigorous battle by government, securities commissions and police against white collar crime.
Speaker: Diane Urquhart
Diane Urquhart graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a degree in Math and Economics. Her resume includes being head of equity research at predecessors to BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Now an independent financial analyst promoting better investor protection laws and enforcement in Canada, Diane is currently assisting former workers of bankrupted Nortel, battling for pension benefits from the trustees.
Ms. Urquhart also conducts research and prepares communication for federal and provincial legislators, the media, police forces, Canadian and U.S. securities, accounting regulators and citizen associations. A member of CFA Institute and Toronto CFA Society, Diane has also won many scholarships and awards, including a Canada Council Special M.A. Scholarship and the Hurd Medal for Honors in Economics at McMaster University.
7-9pm in Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
Alberta may have been the location of the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history, namely the Brost and Sorenson Ponzi Fraud, but other provinces have had their share of toxic investment schemes as well. Despite such, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are not planning to support Ottawa’s plan for a national securities regulator.
Effective policing of financial fraud is a necessary ingredient for the stability of Canada''s financial system. Canadian and global financial systems have been rocked by systemic fraud in subprime mortgages and structured credit products sold by the securities industry. The essence of financial fraud is deceit and it is difficult to believe that sophisticated industry players did not know they had packaged credit products with toxic ingredients that would eventually harm their customers.
The financial crisis in Canada is wreaking havoc on many through job losses, pensions underfunding and savings lost. Broad national issues regarding the fight against financial fraud will be addressed by the speaker and the audience will hear about the reception her group received in Ottawa on their call for a more a vigorous battle by government, securities commissions and police against white collar crime.
Speaker: Diane Urquhart
Diane Urquhart graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a degree in Math and Economics. Her resume includes being head of equity research at predecessors to BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Now an independent financial analyst promoting better investor protection laws and enforcement in Canada, Diane is currently assisting former workers of bankrupted Nortel, battling for pension benefits from the trustees.
Ms. Urquhart also conducts research and prepares communication for federal and provincial legislators, the media, police forces, Canadian and U.S. securities, accounting regulators and citizen associations. A member of CFA Institute and Toronto CFA Society, Diane has also won many scholarships and awards, including a Canada Council Special M.A. Scholarship and the Hurd Medal for Honors in Economics at McMaster University.
Renaissance religious art poses two questions: In depicting Biblical personalities, why is there no nude female and why aren’t all the Jewish male figures circumcised? Obviously, it appears to show male chauvinism and anti-Semitism by the Christian church that lasted many centuries. Is this no longer a problem today?
It will be argued that religions have been guilty of provoking and perpetuating xenophobia and racism for a long time. The Christian church is no exception. There is a problem of homophobia among some Christians, which is as problematic as the threat posed by Al-Qaida and Taliban. It is important to question the misinterpretations of teachings from the founders of major religions in today’s reality, when religious extremism is a serious thread to our civilization.
The speaker will examine Renaissance religious art to expose the way the church used artists to perpetuate the doctrines, thereby excluding certain groups of people.
Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui
Tadashi Mitsui (Tad) is a retired United Church minister residing in Lethbridge since 2001. He was born and lived in Japan until 1957 when he immigrated to Canada. He was trained in theology and obtained BD in Tokyo, STM in Vancouver, and STD in Montreal.
Tad worked in Vancouver, Lesotho in Southern Africa, Geneva in Switzerland, Toronto and Montreal, as a pastor and university teacher. He also managed development programs and was an ecclesiastic administrator.
Renaissance religious art poses two questions: In depicting Biblical personalities, why is there no nude female and why aren’t all the Jewish male figures circumcised? Obviously, it appears to show male chauvinism and anti-Semitism by the Christian church that lasted many centuries. Is this no longer a problem today?
It will be argued that religions have been guilty of provoking and perpetuating xenophobia and racism for a long time. The Christian church is no exception. There is a problem of homophobia among some Christians, which is as problematic as the threat posed by Al-Qaida and Taliban. It is important to question the misinterpretations of teachings from the founders of major religions in today’s reality, when religious extremism is a serious thread to our civilization.
The speaker will examine Renaissance religious art to expose the way the church used artists to perpetuate the doctrines, thereby excluding certain groups of people.
Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui
Tadashi Mitsui (Tad) is a retired United Church minister residing in Lethbridge since 2001. He was born and lived in Japan until 1957 when he immigrated to Canada. He was trained in theology and obtained BD in Tokyo, STM in Vancouver, and STD in Montreal.
Tad worked in Vancouver, Lesotho in Southern Africa, Geneva in Switzerland, Toronto and Montreal, as a pastor and university teacher. He also managed development programs and was an ecclesiastic administrator.
12-1:30pm
Under The Electric Statutes Amendment Act (formerly Bill 50) passed into law in December 2009, the Government of Alberta is responsible for approving the need for critical transmission infrastructure.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for identifying the need for transmission system development, within a market system intended to provide competitive electricity supply to customers throughout the province. Governed by an independent board that provides advice and direction for market participants, the AESO is a not-for-profit entity.
The speaker will briefly explain the mandate of the AESO and how it works. She will also focus on the role of the transmission system and long term development plans, including the perceived need for proposed billion dollar upgrades over the next several years.
Speaker: Leanne Dawkins
Leanne works in the AESO Corporate Communications group as a community relations advisor. She looks after public outreach, community support, the regional advisor program and government relations.
She began with the Power Pool in 2001 and then joined the AESO when it was officially formed on June 2, 2003. Taking a brief break from the organization in 2006 to explore the oil and gas industry, Leanne returned to the AESO in 2008.
12-1:30pm
Under The Electric Statutes Amendment Act (formerly Bill 50) passed into law in December 2009, the Government of Alberta is responsible for approving the need for critical transmission infrastructure.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for identifying the need for transmission system development, within a market system intended to provide competitive electricity supply to customers throughout the province. Governed by an independent board that provides advice and direction for market participants, the AESO is a not-for-profit entity.
The speaker will briefly explain the mandate of the AESO and how it works. She will also focus on the role of the transmission system and long term development plans, including the perceived need for proposed billion dollar upgrades over the next several years.
Speaker: Leanne Dawkins
Leanne works in the AESO Corporate Communications group as a community relations advisor. She looks after public outreach, community support, the regional advisor program and government relations.
She began with the Power Pool in 2001 and then joined the AESO when it was officially formed on June 2, 2003. Taking a brief break from the organization in 2006 to explore the oil and gas industry, Leanne returned to the AESO in 2008.
The Conservative Government of Alberta arguably has a history of fabricating crises in Medicare. From full frontal assault in 1994, through Bill 11 in 2000, past the Third Way in 2005 to the Super Board in 2009; closing beds, jeopardizing the health of our seniors and tossing the mentally ill into an already overloaded community network on the way; the agenda seems similar: Create a crisis and then try selling privatization as a solution.
More than 80% of Albertans consistently affirm their desire to keep Medicare public, universal and accessible to all. The speaker will argue Medicare is affordable and that Government fear-mongering is an attempt to question the affordability of public healthcare.
Premier Stelmach’s appointed Health Minister openly admits that he is tougher than his predecessors and that he has the ‘mettle’ and the organization to push this agenda on reluctant Albertans. Why is he doing this; in whose interests and what monstrosity lurks over the horizon?
James will outline the patterns and motivation of this agenda and describe some actions and options to defeat it once again.
Speaker: James Moore
James Moore is an advocate for a healthy and informed society. He lives in Lethbridge with his spouse Arlene and sons Kevin and Julius. James is a part time Instructor in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College. He also works in computer communications, instructional design and on-line learning through his Lethbridge business Distancedge Communications
The Conservative Government of Alberta arguably has a history of fabricating crises in Medicare. From full frontal assault in 1994, through Bill 11 in 2000, past the Third Way in 2005 to the Super Board in 2009; closing beds, jeopardizing the health of our seniors and tossing the mentally ill into an already overloaded community network on the way; the agenda seems similar: Create a crisis and then try selling privatization as a solution.
More than 80% of Albertans consistently affirm their desire to keep Medicare public, universal and accessible to all. The speaker will argue Medicare is affordable and that Government fear-mongering is an attempt to question the affordability of public healthcare.
Premier Stelmach’s appointed Health Minister openly admits that he is tougher than his predecessors and that he has the ‘mettle’ and the organization to push this agenda on reluctant Albertans. Why is he doing this; in whose interests and what monstrosity lurks over the horizon?
James will outline the patterns and motivation of this agenda and describe some actions and options to defeat it once again.
Speaker: James Moore
James Moore is an advocate for a healthy and informed society. He lives in Lethbridge with his spouse Arlene and sons Kevin and Julius. James is a part time Instructor in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College. He also works in computer communications, instructional design and on-line learning through his Lethbridge business Distancedge Communications
12-1:30pm
Across Canada, including Lethbridge, there is definite convergence of both short and long term visions for more sustainable communities. For instance, in 2006, the City of Lethbridge invested in its public transit system by purchasing 16 new buses, developing levels of service standards through community consultation, and redesigning transit services. At the same time, sustainability became the focus of City Council’s 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, “Towards a Sustainable Future” and Lethbridge Transit’s 2008-2011 Business Plan, “On the Road to Sustainability”. As well, the City’s recent “Plan Your City” consultation process to update the City’s Municipal Development Plan suggests that the citizens of Lethbridge are looking for change in how the city grows and develops.
John King will build on these examples and discuss the Canada-wide long term vision for public transit - Transit Vision 2040 - and how it is applicable to smaller centres like Lethbridge. John will consider what all of this means for the community of Lethbridge and public transportation looking forward on the Road to Sustainability?
Speaker: John King, Transit Manager, City of Lethbridge
John King has been Transit Manager with the City of Lethbridge since 2005, and has over 30 years of planning, development, and management experience with transit systems in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and consulting experience across Canada. He is an active and involved member of CUTA - on the Board of Directors, as a Master Trainer, and on numerous committees. John holds a bachelor and a master’s degree in applied science.
12-1:30pm
Across Canada, including Lethbridge, there is definite convergence of both short and long term visions for more sustainable communities. For instance, in 2006, the City of Lethbridge invested in its public transit system by purchasing 16 new buses, developing levels of service standards through community consultation, and redesigning transit services. At the same time, sustainability became the focus of City Council’s 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, “Towards a Sustainable Future” and Lethbridge Transit’s 2008-2011 Business Plan, “On the Road to Sustainability”. As well, the City’s recent “Plan Your City” consultation process to update the City’s Municipal Development Plan suggests that the citizens of Lethbridge are looking for change in how the city grows and develops.
John King will build on these examples and discuss the Canada-wide long term vision for public transit - Transit Vision 2040 - and how it is applicable to smaller centres like Lethbridge. John will consider what all of this means for the community of Lethbridge and public transportation looking forward on the Road to Sustainability?
Speaker: John King, Transit Manager, City of Lethbridge
John King has been Transit Manager with the City of Lethbridge since 2005, and has over 30 years of planning, development, and management experience with transit systems in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and consulting experience across Canada. He is an active and involved member of CUTA - on the Board of Directors, as a Master Trainer, and on numerous committees. John holds a bachelor and a master’s degree in applied science.
12-1:30pm
Fort McMurray is often thought of as "the armpit of Alberta" -- complete with vast scarred land, ugly toxic ponds and a monster drug problem. The residents of this frontier city have another perspective, and see the situation quite differently. They would more likely say that theirs is a healthy community, and that the oil sands are a gift.
Terry Shillington will help us take a second look at what are the real problems and who are the bigger villains for Fort McMurray, based on his direct experiences there. While there ARE villains in this story, it may not be the huge oil corporations, as many would suggest. We need to take a closer look at the care of Alberta’s environment more generally.
Speaker: Terry Shillington
Terry Shillington is a semi-retired United Church minister who served the United Church in Fort McMurray from September 2008 to June 2009, after having served in Lethbridge for many years. He has returned to his long time home in Southern Alberta. Terry is also a committed environmentalist.
12-1:30pm
Fort McMurray is often thought of as "the armpit of Alberta" -- complete with vast scarred land, ugly toxic ponds and a monster drug problem. The residents of this frontier city have another perspective, and see the situation quite differently. They would more likely say that theirs is a healthy community, and that the oil sands are a gift.
Terry Shillington will help us take a second look at what are the real problems and who are the bigger villains for Fort McMurray, based on his direct experiences there. While there ARE villains in this story, it may not be the huge oil corporations, as many would suggest. We need to take a closer look at the care of Alberta’s environment more generally.
Speaker: Terry Shillington
Terry Shillington is a semi-retired United Church minister who served the United Church in Fort McMurray from September 2008 to June 2009, after having served in Lethbridge for many years. He has returned to his long time home in Southern Alberta. Terry is also a committed environmentalist.
12-1:30pm
After an 18 month creation period, in which time a twenty-six member committee obtained input from many internal and external constituents, the 2009-2013 Strategic plan of the University of Lethbridge was rolled out in January of 2009. The plan emphasizes the University’s continued commitment to advancing as a comprehensive institution that maintains and deepens its dedication to “a sense of community, engagement, diversity, and connection.” Five strategic directions have been articulated within the plan to shape the future of the University. However, with current worldwide economic conditions, it is both fair and reasonable to question the strength and durability of the strategic plan as a vehicle to move the University forward.
Dr. Andrew Hakin will discuss how potential funding cuts to post secondary education in Alberta impacts the durability of the U of L Strategic Plan and describes how the U of L plans to serve in the best interests of students.
SPEAKER:Andrew Hakin
Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.
In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.
Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.
12-1:30pm
After an 18 month creation period, in which time a twenty-six member committee obtained input from many internal and external constituents, the 2009-2013 Strategic plan of the University of Lethbridge was rolled out in January of 2009. The plan emphasizes the University’s continued commitment to advancing as a comprehensive institution that maintains and deepens its dedication to “a sense of community, engagement, diversity, and connection.” Five strategic directions have been articulated within the plan to shape the future of the University. However, with current worldwide economic conditions, it is both fair and reasonable to question the strength and durability of the strategic plan as a vehicle to move the University forward.
Dr. Andrew Hakin will discuss how potential funding cuts to post secondary education in Alberta impacts the durability of the U of L Strategic Plan and describes how the U of L plans to serve in the best interests of students.
SPEAKER:Andrew Hakin
Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.
In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.
Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.
12-1:30pm
Throughout human history, the concept of evil has often been used to explain human behaviour. For example, evil was used to explain disease and natural disaster in earlier centuries, the Holocaust of WWII, and of course there’s the recent use of the phrase “Axis of Evil” by George W Bush in 2002. An enduring question is whether evil is a permanent characteristic of some people or temporary behavior because of the situation they are in.
Using recent events such as reports of torture in war situations, Mark Sandilands will present a social psychological analysis of evil, showing how little-recognized external factors can lead ordinary people to commit acts that might be considered evil.
Speaker: Mark Sandilands, PhD (Professor Emeritus, Dept of Psychology, University of Lethbridge)
Mark came to the University in 1968, the second year of its existence, and took early retirement in 2000 after 32 years. His areas of interest include general, social, and environmental psychology, personality factors in social behaviour, social and environmental factors in institutional care of the elderly, and family violence research.
Mark was a candidate for the NDP in the provincial elections of 2001 and 2004, and the federal election of 2008. He also ran for a seat on the board of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital in 2001. He is a frequent contributor to the letters section of the Lethbridge Herald and other publications.
12-1:30pm
Throughout human history, the concept of evil has often been used to explain human behaviour. For example, evil was used to explain disease and natural disaster in earlier centuries, the Holocaust of WWII, and of course there’s the recent use of the phrase “Axis of Evil” by George W Bush in 2002. An enduring question is whether evil is a permanent characteristic of some people or temporary behavior because of the situation they are in.
Using recent events such as reports of torture in war situations, Mark Sandilands will present a social psychological analysis of evil, showing how little-recognized external factors can lead ordinary people to commit acts that might be considered evil.
Speaker: Mark Sandilands, PhD (Professor Emeritus, Dept of Psychology, University of Lethbridge)
Mark came to the University in 1968, the second year of its existence, and took early retirement in 2000 after 32 years. His areas of interest include general, social, and environmental psychology, personality factors in social behaviour, social and environmental factors in institutional care of the elderly, and family violence research.
Mark was a candidate for the NDP in the provincial elections of 2001 and 2004, and the federal election of 2008. He also ran for a seat on the board of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital in 2001. He is a frequent contributor to the letters section of the Lethbridge Herald and other publications.
12- 1:30pm
Remote sensing technology allows us to “see” sediment loads and pollution in water, map oil wells and pipelines over broad areas and image crop stress in extensive agricultural operations. How can having this information - that we now have so easily at hand because of advanced technology - allow us to make more informed assessments and evaluations with respect to the environment?
Mr. Kokko will share practical examples of satellite and remotely sensed imagery, and what it can tell us about agriculture, forestry, water and other resource uses, as we grapple with economic and environmental decisions.
Speaker:Eric Kokko
Eric is the President and CEO of the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre (ATIC) since 2005. His business management and leadership skills, as well as his experience as a technologist, research scientist and digital imaging analyst, place him at the forefront of the imaging field. The Centre works closely with various partners in the community, including the University of Lethbridge.
12- 1:30pm
Remote sensing technology allows us to “see” sediment loads and pollution in water, map oil wells and pipelines over broad areas and image crop stress in extensive agricultural operations. How can having this information - that we now have so easily at hand because of advanced technology - allow us to make more informed assessments and evaluations with respect to the environment?
Mr. Kokko will share practical examples of satellite and remotely sensed imagery, and what it can tell us about agriculture, forestry, water and other resource uses, as we grapple with economic and environmental decisions.
Speaker:Eric Kokko
Eric is the President and CEO of the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre (ATIC) since 2005. His business management and leadership skills, as well as his experience as a technologist, research scientist and digital imaging analyst, place him at the forefront of the imaging field. The Centre works closely with various partners in the community, including the University of Lethbridge.
12 - 1:30pm
A political candidate in past provincial and federal elections and now a researcher, writer, and publisher, Catherine Whelan Costen will explore with us just what ‘a better world’ means and our potential to achieve it. She will challenge us to consider whether we want such a world or prefer to struggle with the status quo and conventional ways of doing things. Introducing her thoughts on the idea and practice of leadership, Catherine will discuss whether or not it matters if our leaders are men or women, male or female.
Speaker:Catherine Whelan Costen
Catherine is author of numerous articles on peace, leadership and exploring potentials for a better way to live. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, and on websites around the world and recently wrote and published a biography on Roman Catholic priest, Father Walter Krewski.
Currently residing in a small hamlet south of High River, Alberta, with her husband of over 20 years, she is also the mother of two grown sons. Her insatiable appetite for knowledge and natural curiosity has led to a diverse exploration of humanity, history, spirituality and potentials for something different. She enthusiastically shares her discoveries and vision through the written and spoken word.
12 - 1:30pm
A political candidate in past provincial and federal elections and now a researcher, writer, and publisher, Catherine Whelan Costen will explore with us just what ‘a better world’ means and our potential to achieve it. She will challenge us to consider whether we want such a world or prefer to struggle with the status quo and conventional ways of doing things. Introducing her thoughts on the idea and practice of leadership, Catherine will discuss whether or not it matters if our leaders are men or women, male or female.
Speaker:Catherine Whelan Costen
Catherine is author of numerous articles on peace, leadership and exploring potentials for a better way to live. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, and on websites around the world and recently wrote and published a biography on Roman Catholic priest, Father Walter Krewski.
Currently residing in a small hamlet south of High River, Alberta, with her husband of over 20 years, she is also the mother of two grown sons. Her insatiable appetite for knowledge and natural curiosity has led to a diverse exploration of humanity, history, spirituality and potentials for something different. She enthusiastically shares her discoveries and vision through the written and spoken word.
12-1:30pm
A former industry insider, Larry Elford, will explore the often overwhelming investment industry. He will explore and clarify for us the types of investment abuses that have worked in combination to effectively cut the retirement savings of the average Canadian by more than half.
Elford then continues to make recent events more transparent, travelling up the “economic food chain” to demonstrate how investment dealers and investment regulators work against, rather than for, the best interests of the public. This presentation is intended to provide the general public a brief introduction to what goes on “behind the curtains” of a trillion dollar industry, showing how the illegal is often made legal.
Speaker:Larry Elford
Larry Elford worked in the investment industry from 1984 to 2004, earning the designations CFP, CIM, FCSI and Associate Portfolio Manager. During this time, he became familiar with many tricks of the trade, which for insiders were often considered standard practice. Believing that exposing this “financial crime” through writing and speaking, Larry hopes to help instigate positive change. He has presented to a federal government standing committee on finance, and to documentaries on CTV and CBC. Currently semi-retired, Larry is studying to become a financial criminologist, using his over 30 years experience in the financial industry.
We apologize for the sound quality of the recording below.
12-1:30pm
A former industry insider, Larry Elford, will explore the often overwhelming investment industry. He will explore and clarify for us the types of investment abuses that have worked in combination to effectively cut the retirement savings of the average Canadian by more than half.
Elford then continues to make recent events more transparent, travelling up the “economic food chain” to demonstrate how investment dealers and investment regulators work against, rather than for, the best interests of the public. This presentation is intended to provide the general public a brief introduction to what goes on “behind the curtains” of a trillion dollar industry, showing how the illegal is often made legal.
Speaker:Larry Elford
Larry Elford worked in the investment industry from 1984 to 2004, earning the designations CFP, CIM, FCSI and Associate Portfolio Manager. During this time, he became familiar with many tricks of the trade, which for insiders were often considered standard practice. Believing that exposing this “financial crime” through writing and speaking, Larry hopes to help instigate positive change. He has presented to a federal government standing committee on finance, and to documentaries on CTV and CBC. Currently semi-retired, Larry is studying to become a financial criminologist, using his over 30 years experience in the financial industry.
We apologize for the sound quality of the recording below.
Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.
The UN FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) projects that the greatest number of people in history will be starving this year, with over 1 billion going to bed hungry. In Eastern Africa, this reality is exacerbated by persistent drought.
In a world threatened by simultaneous economic and ecological crises, thousands of billions of dollars are made available on short notice for banks and financiers. Should the poorest of the poor suffer even more because of financial profligacy of the moneyed elite?
Justin Odera will talk about the plight of his Acholi people in the Sudan, displaced by civil war and now coming home after 15 years from the Kenyan and Ugandan refugee camps to face hunger, and a void in education and medical care. Justin will also speak about those of his people who have come to Alberta and how they are faring in this time of crises. In our interconnected world, this is a story we should be told.
Speaker:Justin Odera
Justin Odera was born in 1973, during a period of civil war. His Acholi family hometown was Pajok in the Magwi district, eastern Equatoria province, Southern Sudan. Justin lived through twenty-nine brutal war years as well as the fragile life in refugee camps, before arriving in Canada in 2001.
The Acholies have been living along the shores of East Africa’s rivers and lakes for the past six centuries. The traditional territories of his Luo speaking tribe are the borderlands of western Uganda, north-western Kenya and Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria province.
Justin is the Program Director of Southern Sudan Canada Acholi Progressive Education Association (SSCAPEA), an Alberta based, non-profit organization dedicated to health, education, economic aid and community development amongst war weary families hailing from the refugee camps of East Africa.
Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.
The UN FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) projects that the greatest number of people in history will be starving this year, with over 1 billion going to bed hungry. In Eastern Africa, this reality is exacerbated by persistent drought.
In a world threatened by simultaneous economic and ecological crises, thousands of billions of dollars are made available on short notice for banks and financiers. Should the poorest of the poor suffer even more because of financial profligacy of the moneyed elite?
Justin Odera will talk about the plight of his Acholi people in the Sudan, displaced by civil war and now coming home after 15 years from the Kenyan and Ugandan refugee camps to face hunger, and a void in education and medical care. Justin will also speak about those of his people who have come to Alberta and how they are faring in this time of crises. In our interconnected world, this is a story we should be told.
Speaker:Justin Odera
Justin Odera was born in 1973, during a period of civil war. His Acholi family hometown was Pajok in the Magwi district, eastern Equatoria province, Southern Sudan. Justin lived through twenty-nine brutal war years as well as the fragile life in refugee camps, before arriving in Canada in 2001.
The Acholies have been living along the shores of East Africa’s rivers and lakes for the past six centuries. The traditional territories of his Luo speaking tribe are the borderlands of western Uganda, north-western Kenya and Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria province.
Justin is the Program Director of Southern Sudan Canada Acholi Progressive Education Association (SSCAPEA), an Alberta based, non-profit organization dedicated to health, education, economic aid and community development amongst war weary families hailing from the refugee camps of East Africa.
(Session is from 7-9pm.)
On June 1, 2009, the Alberta Government introduced legislation to give the government more control over the construction of power lines they consider may be needed for future growth under rules that will have tax payers cover the full cost of these projects.
Bill-50, if passed, gives cabinet control over power lines to be built or upgraded in Alberta. The Alberta Utilities Commission will decide the location of such power lines and, in due course, conduct meetings with the affected landowners.
In late October, Bill-50 may pass third reading and become law, which the speaker will argue, compliments two earlier Alberta laws, Bills 46 and 19, both also designed to curb public consultation regarding power lines. He believes Bill-50 could transfer $15-20 Billion of wealth from Albertans to corporate owners, providing funds for export capacity power lines.
Speaker: Joe Anglin
Joe Anglin is the President and CEO of Anglin Stewart Investment Group Inc. (ASIG), a firm that specializes in managing energy and currency traded funds. He has provided analysis of energy related matters to CBC radio and CNBC television.
Joe is also an independent author and writer advocating for social justice. He writes a bi-weekly column for two central Alberta newspapers, the Red Deer Advocate and Stettler Independent.
Joe guided a landowner’s group, (Lavesta Area Group) who successfully challenged the tactics used by Altalink and the Energy Utilities Board with respect to an application for regulatory approval of a 500 KV transmission line from Edmonton to Calgary, although he was not directly affected by the proposed transmission line. Joe lives in Rimbey.
(Session is from 7-9pm.)
On June 1, 2009, the Alberta Government introduced legislation to give the government more control over the construction of power lines they consider may be needed for future growth under rules that will have tax payers cover the full cost of these projects.
Bill-50, if passed, gives cabinet control over power lines to be built or upgraded in Alberta. The Alberta Utilities Commission will decide the location of such power lines and, in due course, conduct meetings with the affected landowners.
In late October, Bill-50 may pass third reading and become law, which the speaker will argue, compliments two earlier Alberta laws, Bills 46 and 19, both also designed to curb public consultation regarding power lines. He believes Bill-50 could transfer $15-20 Billion of wealth from Albertans to corporate owners, providing funds for export capacity power lines.
Speaker: Joe Anglin
Joe Anglin is the President and CEO of Anglin Stewart Investment Group Inc. (ASIG), a firm that specializes in managing energy and currency traded funds. He has provided analysis of energy related matters to CBC radio and CNBC television.
Joe is also an independent author and writer advocating for social justice. He writes a bi-weekly column for two central Alberta newspapers, the Red Deer Advocate and Stettler Independent.
Joe guided a landowner’s group, (Lavesta Area Group) who successfully challenged the tactics used by Altalink and the Energy Utilities Board with respect to an application for regulatory approval of a 500 KV transmission line from Edmonton to Calgary, although he was not directly affected by the proposed transmission line. Joe lives in Rimbey.
Held 12:00 - 1:30pm.
Canada’s current role in Afghanistan began in late 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Over the years Canada’s contribution has evolved in this United Nations mandated, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led effort of 37 NATO and non-NATO countries. Canada’s special government website, titled “Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan” indicates primary priorities are to help establish a secure environment, provide humanitarian assistance, and build Afghanistan’s institutions to support democratic processes and foster a sustainable peace. Rick Casson, M.P., Lethbridge, will discuss Canada’s progress toward these goals as well as implications to Canadians - in particular the impacts on Canadians serving in Afghanistan.
Speaker: Rick Casson,
Mr. Casson has been the Member of Parliament for the Lethbridge riding since 1997 when he was first elected as an Opposition MP. He was sworn in as a Member of the Government of Canada following the January 2006 election and for a second time following the 2008 election. Mr. Casson is Chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan. He has twice traveled to Afghanistan – in January 2007 and May 2008 on a Canadian Forces fact-finding mission related to his previous position as Chair of Canada’s Standing Committee on National Defence. He is also the Canadian Co-Chair of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; a Canadian-American advisory body established in 1940, by PM Mackenzie King and US President F.D. Roosevelt. In addition he is Chair of the Alberta Caucus. Raised in Southern Alberta, Rick credits 20 years of municipal government involvement as his initial training ground for federal politics. First elected to grassroots government in 1977, he served as a Picture Butte town councilor for nine years and mayor of the municipality for nine more years.
Held 12:00 - 1:30pm.
Canada’s current role in Afghanistan began in late 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Over the years Canada’s contribution has evolved in this United Nations mandated, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led effort of 37 NATO and non-NATO countries. Canada’s special government website, titled “Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan” indicates primary priorities are to help establish a secure environment, provide humanitarian assistance, and build Afghanistan’s institutions to support democratic processes and foster a sustainable peace. Rick Casson, M.P., Lethbridge, will discuss Canada’s progress toward these goals as well as implications to Canadians - in particular the impacts on Canadians serving in Afghanistan.
Speaker: Rick Casson,
Mr. Casson has been the Member of Parliament for the Lethbridge riding since 1997 when he was first elected as an Opposition MP. He was sworn in as a Member of the Government of Canada following the January 2006 election and for a second time following the 2008 election. Mr. Casson is Chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan. He has twice traveled to Afghanistan – in January 2007 and May 2008 on a Canadian Forces fact-finding mission related to his previous position as Chair of Canada’s Standing Committee on National Defence. He is also the Canadian Co-Chair of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; a Canadian-American advisory body established in 1940, by PM Mackenzie King and US President F.D. Roosevelt. In addition he is Chair of the Alberta Caucus. Raised in Southern Alberta, Rick credits 20 years of municipal government involvement as his initial training ground for federal politics. First elected to grassroots government in 1977, he served as a Picture Butte town councilor for nine years and mayor of the municipality for nine more years.
Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.
In the past few years, alternative dispute resolution approaches have taken their place in the justice system along side more traditional methods, such as litigation through the courts. Mediation and conflict resolution practices bring people together to resolve their disputes rather than facing them off in stressful adversarial processes. The underlying belief is that conflict or anticipated conflict can be managed more effectively through a process that is aimed at the development of understanding among the participants of their respective concerns, needs, beliefs, fears and expectations. With the help of highly skilled experts through local organizations such as Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS), more and more community members are engaging in less confrontational approaches to resolving a wide range of issues and situations, ranging from complaints between neighbours to dealing with young offenders. Benefits of community-based approaches to conflict resolution include the preservation of relationships, avoidance of costly legal action and strengthened coping skills and sense of empowerment for all participants.
Speaker: Betty Lynn-Benson
Betty is the Executive Director of Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS) in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has over 10 years experience with RCMP-based victims services programs, and five years as a Restorative Justice Mediator in the Saskatchewan Alternative Measures Program. Betty believes much more can be gained through efforts directed towards healing rather than punishing, and advocates for Alternative Measures programs and Restorative Justice.
Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.
In the past few years, alternative dispute resolution approaches have taken their place in the justice system along side more traditional methods, such as litigation through the courts. Mediation and conflict resolution practices bring people together to resolve their disputes rather than facing them off in stressful adversarial processes. The underlying belief is that conflict or anticipated conflict can be managed more effectively through a process that is aimed at the development of understanding among the participants of their respective concerns, needs, beliefs, fears and expectations. With the help of highly skilled experts through local organizations such as Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS), more and more community members are engaging in less confrontational approaches to resolving a wide range of issues and situations, ranging from complaints between neighbours to dealing with young offenders. Benefits of community-based approaches to conflict resolution include the preservation of relationships, avoidance of costly legal action and strengthened coping skills and sense of empowerment for all participants.
Speaker: Betty Lynn-Benson
Betty is the Executive Director of Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS) in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has over 10 years experience with RCMP-based victims services programs, and five years as a Restorative Justice Mediator in the Saskatchewan Alternative Measures Program. Betty believes much more can be gained through efforts directed towards healing rather than punishing, and advocates for Alternative Measures programs and Restorative Justice.
When Michelle Obama planted the first White House vegetable garden in 60 years she wanted to spark a discussion about food and food production in America. While food security and the production of food in urban settings has been a topic of discussion for small groups of people, the First Lady’s garden has sparked interest and discussion about urban food production and has renewed people’s interest in growing their own food and knowing more about food production.
In Canada, the popularity of local eating – also called the 100 mile diet – has brought discussions of food and food policy to municipal, provincial, and federal decision makers. In Calgary a group of citizens has formed a pressure group to change bylaws restricting urban livestock so that Calgarians can raise chickens in their back yards. The University of Lethbridge recently opened its first cooperative garden, which strives to grow both a stronger community and tasty produce.
The growing demands for sustainable food production and reduced carbon emissions in the production of that food has policy makers discussing food security. What about you - are you ready to share your neighborhood with your neighbour’s livestock? What do you think a progressive food policy should look like? How do we meet the growing demands for Food Security, Food Democracy, and Food Justice?
Paul Hughes is the Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, a grassroots, citizen-driven initiative that aims to advocate and educate on matters of food health and sustainability, with the goal of lobbying Calgary City Council to adopt food policy that is healthy for people and the environment. Paul is also a conceptualist with Paulinate, an abstract expressionist artist, a high performance hockey coach, an urban farmer and an expert in Food Policy.
When Michelle Obama planted the first White House vegetable garden in 60 years she wanted to spark a discussion about food and food production in America. While food security and the production of food in urban settings has been a topic of discussion for small groups of people, the First Lady’s garden has sparked interest and discussion about urban food production and has renewed people’s interest in growing their own food and knowing more about food production.
In Canada, the popularity of local eating – also called the 100 mile diet – has brought discussions of food and food policy to municipal, provincial, and federal decision makers. In Calgary a group of citizens has formed a pressure group to change bylaws restricting urban livestock so that Calgarians can raise chickens in their back yards. The University of Lethbridge recently opened its first cooperative garden, which strives to grow both a stronger community and tasty produce.
The growing demands for sustainable food production and reduced carbon emissions in the production of that food has policy makers discussing food security. What about you - are you ready to share your neighborhood with your neighbour’s livestock? What do you think a progressive food policy should look like? How do we meet the growing demands for Food Security, Food Democracy, and Food Justice?
Paul Hughes is the Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, a grassroots, citizen-driven initiative that aims to advocate and educate on matters of food health and sustainability, with the goal of lobbying Calgary City Council to adopt food policy that is healthy for people and the environment. Paul is also a conceptualist with Paulinate, an abstract expressionist artist, a high performance hockey coach, an urban farmer and an expert in Food Policy.
In a democracy, elected officials of all stripes are generally expected to primarily represent their constituents. However party policy sometimes makes it difficult to perform that task, particularly when their party form the government
Progressive Conservative MLAs in Alberta often find themselves having to make a choice of either speaking for their constituents, or act, which arguably is the norm, as the government’s mouthpiece to the constituents.
In July 2009, Guy Boutilier, at the time a P.C. MLA for Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo, spoke up on behalf of the people he represents, regarding an earlier promised, but postponed Long Term Care facility in Ft. McMurray and was promptly ejected from the P.C. caucus. The speaker will express his views on several issues and explain the events leading to him now serving Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo as an Independent MLA at the Alberta Legislature.
Speaker: Guy Boutilier
Guy Boutilier has a rare combination of Private, Public and Academic experience. He worked in the Oil Sands Industry for Syncrude Canada as a Financial Analyst 1978-83.
Mr. Boutilier served as Fort McMurray’s youngest mayor after two terms on city Council, before successfully entering provincial politics in 1997. Responsibilities the past 12 years includes: Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Environment and Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal relations. Guy chaired the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, when he addressed the U.N. COPs 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina on that topic.
Mr. Boutilier currently also teaches part-time at the School of Business at University of Alberta. He has a MPA Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, a BBA Business degree from St.F.X. University and a B.Ed Education degree with honors from St Mary’s University in Halifax. Guy and his wife Gail have a 2 year old son Marc.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
In a democracy, elected officials of all stripes are generally expected to primarily represent their constituents. However party policy sometimes makes it difficult to perform that task, particularly when their party form the government
Progressive Conservative MLAs in Alberta often find themselves having to make a choice of either speaking for their constituents, or act, which arguably is the norm, as the government’s mouthpiece to the constituents.
In July 2009, Guy Boutilier, at the time a P.C. MLA for Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo, spoke up on behalf of the people he represents, regarding an earlier promised, but postponed Long Term Care facility in Ft. McMurray and was promptly ejected from the P.C. caucus. The speaker will express his views on several issues and explain the events leading to him now serving Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo as an Independent MLA at the Alberta Legislature.
Speaker: Guy Boutilier
Guy Boutilier has a rare combination of Private, Public and Academic experience. He worked in the Oil Sands Industry for Syncrude Canada as a Financial Analyst 1978-83.
Mr. Boutilier served as Fort McMurray’s youngest mayor after two terms on city Council, before successfully entering provincial politics in 1997. Responsibilities the past 12 years includes: Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Environment and Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal relations. Guy chaired the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, when he addressed the U.N. COPs 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina on that topic.
Mr. Boutilier currently also teaches part-time at the School of Business at University of Alberta. He has a MPA Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, a BBA Business degree from St.F.X. University and a B.Ed Education degree with honors from St Mary’s University in Halifax. Guy and his wife Gail have a 2 year old son Marc.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Evidence of the earliest domestication of rice has been found in China in about 7500 B.C. China''s development of farming over the centuries has played a key role in supporting what is now the world’s largest population. Nevertheless, famines occurred periodically throughout China''s history, including during the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. And Chairman Mao Zedong’s belief that “man can conquer nature” led to the implementation of many irrational agriculture policies and production practices.
Since China’s open door policy which started more than 30 years ago, the economy and agricultural production has expanded rapidly. This has caused many environmental and ecological problems. If China continues along this path, a catastrophic agriculture production failure is waiting to happen. Can a young country like Canada assist an old country like China improve its current agricultural production practices?
Speaker: Chi Chang
Chi Chang was born in Guizhou, China. He moved to Taiwan with his parents in 1949 where he grew up and was educated. Moving to Canada in 1969, he completed his post-graduate study obtaining a PhD from the University of Manitoba in 1976.
Dr Chang has worked at Lethbridge Research Centre since 1978 as a Research Scientist. His areas of research are soil and the environment. He has been involved in several international projects: one in Sudan in 1982, and two CIDA projects in China (1991 – 2002 and 2006 – 2008). He just returned to Lethbridge after working for two years in Chengdu, China.
Evidence of the earliest domestication of rice has been found in China in about 7500 B.C. China''s development of farming over the centuries has played a key role in supporting what is now the world’s largest population. Nevertheless, famines occurred periodically throughout China''s history, including during the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. And Chairman Mao Zedong’s belief that “man can conquer nature” led to the implementation of many irrational agriculture policies and production practices.
Since China’s open door policy which started more than 30 years ago, the economy and agricultural production has expanded rapidly. This has caused many environmental and ecological problems. If China continues along this path, a catastrophic agriculture production failure is waiting to happen. Can a young country like Canada assist an old country like China improve its current agricultural production practices?
Speaker: Chi Chang
Chi Chang was born in Guizhou, China. He moved to Taiwan with his parents in 1949 where he grew up and was educated. Moving to Canada in 1969, he completed his post-graduate study obtaining a PhD from the University of Manitoba in 1976.
Dr Chang has worked at Lethbridge Research Centre since 1978 as a Research Scientist. His areas of research are soil and the environment. He has been involved in several international projects: one in Sudan in 1982, and two CIDA projects in China (1991 – 2002 and 2006 – 2008). He just returned to Lethbridge after working for two years in Chengdu, China.
Pressure on Alberta''s water resources is growing by the day.
Limits on water availability have brought about Canada''s first market for water. This is a controversial topic but is not well understood by many Albertans.
The Alberta government is considering changes to this water market as well as fundamental changes to water use and allocation.
The speaker will provide an overview of Alberta''s current water allocation system, key issues on the table and alternatives for the future.
Speaker: Danielle Droitsch
Danielle Droitsch is the Executive Director of Water Matters, an Alberta non-governmental organization founded in 2007 to address province-wide watershed issues.
Danielle has been working on river conservation since 1995. She founded the Tennessee Clean Water Network, a state-wide organization focused on implementation of the Clean Water Act. She has also acted as a policy director for American Rivers’ Hydropower Reform Coalition in Washington DC.
Ms. Droitsch has worked for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. She is a former member of the Alberta Water Council and is Chair of the Alberta Environment Network Water Caucus, which comprises up to 50 groups.
Danielle holds a degree in law from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University.
Pressure on Alberta''s water resources is growing by the day.
Limits on water availability have brought about Canada''s first market for water. This is a controversial topic but is not well understood by many Albertans.
The Alberta government is considering changes to this water market as well as fundamental changes to water use and allocation.
The speaker will provide an overview of Alberta''s current water allocation system, key issues on the table and alternatives for the future.
Speaker: Danielle Droitsch
Danielle Droitsch is the Executive Director of Water Matters, an Alberta non-governmental organization founded in 2007 to address province-wide watershed issues.
Danielle has been working on river conservation since 1995. She founded the Tennessee Clean Water Network, a state-wide organization focused on implementation of the Clean Water Act. She has also acted as a policy director for American Rivers’ Hydropower Reform Coalition in Washington DC.
Ms. Droitsch has worked for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. She is a former member of the Alberta Water Council and is Chair of the Alberta Environment Network Water Caucus, which comprises up to 50 groups.
Danielle holds a degree in law from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University.
Domestic violence doesn''t stay home when its victims and perpetrators go to work. It often follows them, resulting in some kind of violence at the workplace, including threatening phone calls and other harassment from their partners, contributing to less productivity.
With nearly one-third women in North America reportedly being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, the speaker believes it’s a certainty that in any mid-to-large sized company domestic violence is negatively affecting their employees.
The speaker will argue it is crucial that domestic abuse be seen as a serious, recognizable and preventable problem like any other workplace health and safety issue, which affect businesses and their bottom line. Do you know what to do if a co-worker lives with abuse?
Speaker: Jan Reimer
Jan Reimer served as Edmonton’s first woman mayor from1989 to 1995. Prior to that, she was a City Councilor for 9 years. Some of her initiatives included: A waste management plan to solve Edmonton’s land fill crises (including curbside recycling, composting and toxic round-up) and improving the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River as well as preservation of the City’s River Valley.
Jan Reimer was born and raised in Edmonton and graduated with a BA from the University of Alberta in 1972, after which she travelled and worked for several years in SE Asia, India and Australia. Jan is presently the Provincial Coordinator for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.
Among her many awards, Jan received a Women of Distinction Special Award from the YWCA and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (2006) for her contributions to women’s equality.
Domestic violence doesn''t stay home when its victims and perpetrators go to work. It often follows them, resulting in some kind of violence at the workplace, including threatening phone calls and other harassment from their partners, contributing to less productivity.
With nearly one-third women in North America reportedly being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, the speaker believes it’s a certainty that in any mid-to-large sized company domestic violence is negatively affecting their employees.
The speaker will argue it is crucial that domestic abuse be seen as a serious, recognizable and preventable problem like any other workplace health and safety issue, which affect businesses and their bottom line. Do you know what to do if a co-worker lives with abuse?
Speaker: Jan Reimer
Jan Reimer served as Edmonton’s first woman mayor from1989 to 1995. Prior to that, she was a City Councilor for 9 years. Some of her initiatives included: A waste management plan to solve Edmonton’s land fill crises (including curbside recycling, composting and toxic round-up) and improving the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River as well as preservation of the City’s River Valley.
Jan Reimer was born and raised in Edmonton and graduated with a BA from the University of Alberta in 1972, after which she travelled and worked for several years in SE Asia, India and Australia. Jan is presently the Provincial Coordinator for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.
Among her many awards, Jan received a Women of Distinction Special Award from the YWCA and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case (2006) for her contributions to women’s equality.
Universities and colleges are economic drivers; the more educated the populace, the greater the opportunity for success and prosperity, both for individuals and their communities. As Alberta moves towards the “next generation economy”, critical thinkers, researchers and “technopreneurs” will be the human capital underpinning our competitive advantage both on the national and international stage.
But are our post-secondary institutions able to produce the knowledge for workers of the future? Are they positioned to change and adapt to the shifting demands of employers? To paraphrase Wayne Gretzky: “Can they learn to skate to where the puck is going to be?”
Based on 25 year’s experience in the college environment both in Canada and the United States, the speaker will present her predictions for the future of post-secondary education in Alberta and beyond.
Speaker: Tracy Edwards, Ed.D.
Dr. Edwards has been the President of Lethbridge College since 2005. She started her career as a faculty member of Nova Scotia Community College and was also Academic Vice-President of Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida, which grants the largest number of Associate Degrees in the United States. With doctoral work in college leadership, she is a regular speaker at national and international conferences. Her passion revolves around creating a positive cultural environment where she believes faculty and staff can do their best work.
Universities and colleges are economic drivers; the more educated the populace, the greater the opportunity for success and prosperity, both for individuals and their communities. As Alberta moves towards the “next generation economy”, critical thinkers, researchers and “technopreneurs” will be the human capital underpinning our competitive advantage both on the national and international stage.
But are our post-secondary institutions able to produce the knowledge for workers of the future? Are they positioned to change and adapt to the shifting demands of employers? To paraphrase Wayne Gretzky: “Can they learn to skate to where the puck is going to be?”
Based on 25 year’s experience in the college environment both in Canada and the United States, the speaker will present her predictions for the future of post-secondary education in Alberta and beyond.
Speaker: Tracy Edwards, Ed.D.
Dr. Edwards has been the President of Lethbridge College since 2005. She started her career as a faculty member of Nova Scotia Community College and was also Academic Vice-President of Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida, which grants the largest number of Associate Degrees in the United States. With doctoral work in college leadership, she is a regular speaker at national and international conferences. Her passion revolves around creating a positive cultural environment where she believes faculty and staff can do their best work.
While the federal government has finally acknowledged that Canada is not immune to the effects of the global economic crisis, and Boomtown Alberta has just unveiled its first deficit budget in 16 years, how are we faring in Lethbridge?
What is happening to major infrastructure projects that affect the development of Lethbridge and its hinterland?
And what about unemployment? While not as high as in Ontario and B.C., last month’s figures show that unemployment in Alberta is running at a 7-year high.
Cheryl Dick, the CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge will speak to these issues and to the unusual stability of this region’s economy during these troubled times. She will also touch on the strategic priorities of Economic Development Lethbridge over the next 3 years.
Speaker:Cheryl Dick, APR, MBA
Cheryl Dick has been the CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge since June 2005. Her 10 years of corporate experience ranged from employee communications with Canadian Airlines International to investor and media relations with international oil and gas firm Norcen Energy Resources.
Cheryl is an alumna of Lethbridge College as well as a former employee. She has a double major in Print Journalism and Public Relations/Advertising from the college and she completed her MBA from Royal Roads University in 2003. Prior to working in public relations, Cheryl was a news anchor/reporter for CFCN Television in Lethbridge.
While the federal government has finally acknowledged that Canada is not immune to the effects of the global economic crisis, and Boomtown Alberta has just unveiled its first deficit budget in 16 years, how are we faring in Lethbridge?
What is happening to major infrastructure projects that affect the development of Lethbridge and its hinterland?
And what about unemployment? While not as high as in Ontario and B.C., last month’s figures show that unemployment in Alberta is running at a 7-year high.
Cheryl Dick, the CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge will speak to these issues and to the unusual stability of this region’s economy during these troubled times. She will also touch on the strategic priorities of Economic Development Lethbridge over the next 3 years.
Speaker:Cheryl Dick, APR, MBA
Cheryl Dick has been the CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge since June 2005. Her 10 years of corporate experience ranged from employee communications with Canadian Airlines International to investor and media relations with international oil and gas firm Norcen Energy Resources.
Cheryl is an alumna of Lethbridge College as well as a former employee. She has a double major in Print Journalism and Public Relations/Advertising from the college and she completed her MBA from Royal Roads University in 2003. Prior to working in public relations, Cheryl was a news anchor/reporter for CFCN Television in Lethbridge.
What is the legitimacy and status of a political coalition assuming power from a government that has lost the confidence of the House of Commons?
Senator Tommy Banks says that this is not a new invention and is perfectly in order in our Parliamentary system. It has, in fact, twice been suggested over the past five years by political coalitions, he argues.
Senator Banks also questions the role of Parliament in the governance of Canada, with a particular emphasis on matters of public spending and of framework legislation.
Speaker: Senator Tommy Banks
Tommy Banks was appointed for two consecutive terms to the Board of the Canada Council for the Arts, and to a further term as policy adviser to the Board, during the administration of the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney.
Under the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark he served as Alberta spokesman in the campaign for the national referendum on constitutional amendment and, with Professor Kathleen Mahoney, argued the “yes” side, opposing Stephen Harper and Mel Hurtig on the referendum’s televised debate.
During the administration of the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, and following a fifty-year international career as a musician, Tommy Banks was summoned to the Senate of Canada on 7 April 2000. He is a member of the Liberal Parliamentary Caucus.
The multi-talented (Senator) Tommy Banks (jazz musician, conductor and host) is the recipient of the Juno Award, the Gemini Award, the Grand Prix du Disques-Canada, several ARIA Awards, and is a member of the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.
What is the legitimacy and status of a political coalition assuming power from a government that has lost the confidence of the House of Commons?
Senator Tommy Banks says that this is not a new invention and is perfectly in order in our Parliamentary system. It has, in fact, twice been suggested over the past five years by political coalitions, he argues.
Senator Banks also questions the role of Parliament in the governance of Canada, with a particular emphasis on matters of public spending and of framework legislation.
Speaker: Senator Tommy Banks
Tommy Banks was appointed for two consecutive terms to the Board of the Canada Council for the Arts, and to a further term as policy adviser to the Board, during the administration of the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney.
Under the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark he served as Alberta spokesman in the campaign for the national referendum on constitutional amendment and, with Professor Kathleen Mahoney, argued the “yes” side, opposing Stephen Harper and Mel Hurtig on the referendum’s televised debate.
During the administration of the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, and following a fifty-year international career as a musician, Tommy Banks was summoned to the Senate of Canada on 7 April 2000. He is a member of the Liberal Parliamentary Caucus.
The multi-talented (Senator) Tommy Banks (jazz musician, conductor and host) is the recipient of the Juno Award, the Gemini Award, the Grand Prix du Disques-Canada, several ARIA Awards, and is a member of the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.
The methods we use to elect our Members of Parliament may seem only of interest to political scientists and others who are obsessed with the institutional workings of our system. But they have real consequences for the way our political system operates.
Canada currently uses a single member plurality electoral system (often known as first past the post), and it has profound consequences. The speaker will outline the effects and argue that our electoral system does not serve the needs of Canada’s political institutions, parties, or citizens.
But there are alternative systems out there. We’ll discuss some of the options and the advantages and disadvantages of a shift to various forms of proportional representation.
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen has degrees for Carlton University and the University of Alberta. He received his Ph.D from the U of A in 1998, and has been a professor in the Political Science Department of the University of Lethbridge since then. His area of specialization is Canadian politics, particularly political parties and elections.
Dr. Jansen has published several articles and book chapters on topics such as electoral systems and electoral reform, Alberta politics, political party finance in Canada, and the impact of the Internet on political communication.
Harold Jansen helped to start Mapleleafweb, the leading Canadian political education website. He serves as Senior Editor for the site.
The methods we use to elect our Members of Parliament may seem only of interest to political scientists and others who are obsessed with the institutional workings of our system. But they have real consequences for the way our political system operates.
Canada currently uses a single member plurality electoral system (often known as first past the post), and it has profound consequences. The speaker will outline the effects and argue that our electoral system does not serve the needs of Canada’s political institutions, parties, or citizens.
But there are alternative systems out there. We’ll discuss some of the options and the advantages and disadvantages of a shift to various forms of proportional representation.
Speaker: Harold Jansen
Harold Jansen has degrees for Carlton University and the University of Alberta. He received his Ph.D from the U of A in 1998, and has been a professor in the Political Science Department of the University of Lethbridge since then. His area of specialization is Canadian politics, particularly political parties and elections.
Dr. Jansen has published several articles and book chapters on topics such as electoral systems and electoral reform, Alberta politics, political party finance in Canada, and the impact of the Internet on political communication.
Harold Jansen helped to start Mapleleafweb, the leading Canadian political education website. He serves as Senior Editor for the site.
Since time immemorial, people have gazed up at the night sky in wonderment. Yet the answer to the question: “Is there anyone out there?” continues to evade us. But the 16th century Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, Galileo Galilei, gave us a much better understanding of the heavenly bodies that make up our universe.
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of the simple telescope; thus beginning four centuries of unfolding the mysteries of the universe. In Galileo’s time, attempting to unfold these mysteries meant risking life, limb and freedom. While the risks associated with discovery are no longer with us, our understanding of the universe, though infinitely better, remains incomplete.
The speaker’s presentation will touch on the major achievements of Galileo and the amazing developments in our understanding of the universe.
Speaker:Barry Olson
Barry Olson is the President of Lethbridge Astronomy Society. He has been a member of the society for 20 years. He is also a member of the National Space Society, the Planetary Society, and the Canadian Association of Rocketry. He has held a life-long interest in astronomy and space exploration.
Dr. Olson has a Ph.D in soil science and agriculture. He works for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development as a Research Scientist focusing on soil, water, and environmental issues in agriculture.
Since time immemorial, people have gazed up at the night sky in wonderment. Yet the answer to the question: “Is there anyone out there?” continues to evade us. But the 16th century Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, Galileo Galilei, gave us a much better understanding of the heavenly bodies that make up our universe.
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of the simple telescope; thus beginning four centuries of unfolding the mysteries of the universe. In Galileo’s time, attempting to unfold these mysteries meant risking life, limb and freedom. While the risks associated with discovery are no longer with us, our understanding of the universe, though infinitely better, remains incomplete.
The speaker’s presentation will touch on the major achievements of Galileo and the amazing developments in our understanding of the universe.
Speaker:Barry Olson
Barry Olson is the President of Lethbridge Astronomy Society. He has been a member of the society for 20 years. He is also a member of the National Space Society, the Planetary Society, and the Canadian Association of Rocketry. He has held a life-long interest in astronomy and space exploration.
Dr. Olson has a Ph.D in soil science and agriculture. He works for Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development as a Research Scientist focusing on soil, water, and environmental issues in agriculture.
In collaboration with Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) and the Students'' Union, and with funding from the University of Lethbridge, SACPA is offering students a forum to express their point of view on issues of significance. Recognizing that each individual has a unique perspective and an authentic voice, students will be given a chance to communicate their thesis to an audience and defend it, thereby gaining and honing skills in developing and exchanging new ideas.
SACPA-on-campus will take the form of a competition in which students will address the topic "Our Current Crisis: What Does Change Mean in Our World Today?" The speaker series will begin with three noon-hour sessions, each with two speakers addressing the topic and fielding questions on their thesis. A winner will be chosen at each of these sessions and will be promoted to the semi-finals. Two students will then go on to the final session where a sole winner will be selected to receive a prize of $500. Winners at each session will be determined by a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Session 1 - Tuesday, February 24, 12:15 - 1:25, Galileo''s Gallery
Session 2 - Tuesday, March 3, 12:15 - 1:25 Ballroom A
Session 3 - Tuesday, March 10, 12:15 - 1:25 Galileo’s Gallery
Semi-Final Session - Tuesday, March 17, 4:00 - 6:00 Ballroom A
Final Session - Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 - 9:00 Andy''s Place (AH100)
The Public is encouraged to attend and participate in this series of debates.
The rapid development of the tar sands has changed the nation and made most of Alberta a suburb of Fort McMurray. The current financial meltdown has highlighted the folly of exploiting this resource with inadequate planning, little financial accountability, dubious technology and poor regulation. But low oil prices have also given Alberta an opportunity to reassess the pace and scale of development. Without a clear savings plan, fair royalties and hard renewable energy targets the tar sands could impoverish the province.
Speaker:Andrew Nikiforuk
For the last two decades, Andrew Nikiforuk has written about energy, economics and the West for a variety of Canadian publications including The Walrus, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, and the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. He is a frequent commentator on CBC.
In the late 1990s, Nikiforuk investigated the social and ecological impacts of intensive livestock industries and the legacy of northern uranium mining for the Calgary Herald. His public policy position papers on water diversion in the Great Lakes (2004) and water, energy and North American integration (2007) at the University of Toronto’s Munk Centre sparked both discussion and reform.
Andrew’s journalism has won many National Magazine Awards and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. His Alberta-based book, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War against Big Oil, won the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. His latest book is The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent.
The rapid development of the tar sands has changed the nation and made most of Alberta a suburb of Fort McMurray. The current financial meltdown has highlighted the folly of exploiting this resource with inadequate planning, little financial accountability, dubious technology and poor regulation. But low oil prices have also given Alberta an opportunity to reassess the pace and scale of development. Without a clear savings plan, fair royalties and hard renewable energy targets the tar sands could impoverish the province.
Speaker:Andrew Nikiforuk
For the last two decades, Andrew Nikiforuk has written about energy, economics and the West for a variety of Canadian publications including The Walrus, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, and the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. He is a frequent commentator on CBC.
In the late 1990s, Nikiforuk investigated the social and ecological impacts of intensive livestock industries and the legacy of northern uranium mining for the Calgary Herald. His public policy position papers on water diversion in the Great Lakes (2004) and water, energy and North American integration (2007) at the University of Toronto’s Munk Centre sparked both discussion and reform.
Andrew’s journalism has won many National Magazine Awards and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. His Alberta-based book, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War against Big Oil, won the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. His latest book is The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent.