Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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 success

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 n

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

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

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 n

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 As

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 As

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 re

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 re

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 spea

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

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 spea

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

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 s

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 s

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

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

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 Kyo

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 Kyo

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 Col