Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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 a

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 a

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:

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:

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.

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.

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 effe

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 effe

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

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

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

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

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 abou

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 abou

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 o

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 o

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.

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.