Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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 an

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 Lari

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 Lari

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

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

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 In

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 In

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, an

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, an

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 Sh

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 Sh

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 s

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 s

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

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

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 Backco

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 Backco

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 t

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 t

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 he