Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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

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

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

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

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 La

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 La

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 t

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 t

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 C

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 C

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 resource

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 resource

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

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

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

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

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 period

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 period

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 ar

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 ar