Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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 fo

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

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

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

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

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 histor

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 histor

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 pers

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 pers

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 Eng

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 Eng

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 an

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 an

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 J

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 J

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

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

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 r

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 r

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 P