Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library Logging the Oldman Headwaters – What’s all the Fuss About? Date:Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lethbridge Public Library, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome. Beginning in the late 1800s government recognized the importance of preserving the forests of the southern Eastern Slopes to protect the headwaters of prairie watersheds. In addition to creating Waterton Lakes National Park (that initially included the Castle drainage) the federal government took measures to manage timber harvest and control wildfires. After assuming jurisdiction over natural resources in 1931 and following large wildfires that swept through the Eastern Slopes, the Province established the Alberta Forest Service in 1948 to control timber harvest and forest fires. The Eastern Slopes Policy in the late 1970s and the Forest Conservation Strategy in the 1990s were developed in response to public concerns about adverse impacts of lan

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library Logging the Oldman Headwaters – What’s all the Fuss About? Date:Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Location: Lethbridge Public Library, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome. Beginning in the late 1800s government recognized the importance of preserving the forests of the southern Eastern Slopes to protect the headwaters of prairie watersheds. In addition to creating Waterton Lakes National Park (that initially included the Castle drainage) the federal government took measures to manage timber harvest and control wildfires. After assuming jurisdiction over natural resources in 1931 and following large wildfires that swept through the Eastern Slopes, the Province established the Alberta Forest Service in 1948 to control timber harvest and forest fires. The Eastern Slopes Policy in the late 1970s and the Forest Conservation Strategy in the 1990s were developed in response to public concerns about adverse impacts of lan

A new report from the U of A’s Parkland Institute says that despite a provincial deficit, the Alberta government will forego some $55 billion in potential revenue over the next three years as a result of overly generous royalty cuts and the government’s failure to meet even the modest targets set by previous administrations. The report looks at the most recent data on profits in the oil and gas industry versus government share and determines that despite tremendous growth in the industry the share of profits to Albertans is shrinking. Alberta has gone from capturing close to 40% in 1979 to only 10% in 2009 and 13% in 2010.That is arguably all money that has gone directly from serving the public interest to serving the bottom lines of huge oil and gas corporations. Peter Lougheed set a target of capturing 35% of the revenue from oil and gas production, which his government met or exceeded. Ralph Klein lowered those targets significantly, yet in most years even failed to meet those. If Lougheed’s 35% target had

A new report from the U of A’s Parkland Institute says that despite a provincial deficit, the Alberta government will forego some $55 billion in potential revenue over the next three years as a result of overly generous royalty cuts and the government’s failure to meet even the modest targets set by previous administrations. The report looks at the most recent data on profits in the oil and gas industry versus government share and determines that despite tremendous growth in the industry the share of profits to Albertans is shrinking. Alberta has gone from capturing close to 40% in 1979 to only 10% in 2009 and 13% in 2010.That is arguably all money that has gone directly from serving the public interest to serving the bottom lines of huge oil and gas corporations. Peter Lougheed set a target of capturing 35% of the revenue from oil and gas production, which his government met or exceeded. Ralph Klein lowered those targets significantly, yet in most years even failed to meet those. If Lougheed’s 35% target had

April 11th from 6-8pm at the SAAG. Southern Alberta Art Gallery, The U of L Department of Political Science and Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs is pleased to present: Art, Security and the Arctic: New Understandings A presentation by Dr. Rob Huebert, Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary Rob Huebert, Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and professor of Political Science, will present a new outlook on arctic security at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery on April 11th. In the context of Charles Stankievech’s Over the Rainbow, Under the Radar, the newest exhibit installation in the main gallery at SAAG, Dr. Huebert will critically examine arctic security, why it is important to Canada, and it’s relevance in our contemporary world. This talk will take place Wednesday, April 11th 2012 at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Dr. Huebert will be focusing on the his

The business model of Canadian immigration policy has dramatically resulted in the rise of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) through a combination of federal and provincial labour migration schemes. In Alberta, TFWs even surpassed the number of “landed immigrants” in 2006. The limited work visa issued to employers, not the worker, and structural barriers in place to regulate their mobility imply that TFWs will eventually return to their home countries when labour demands decline; they have become Canada’s “disposable labour.” Or, do they really return home? International labour migration is not premised on the idea of a “holiday-cum work tour” akin to the popular western “backpacker.” After investing their own resources, the 1-2 years stint as TFW do not make sense. It is plausible that after the expiration of work permits, TFWs search for alternative routes ---the road to illegality. If TFWs are vital to the delivery of services, the choiceless workforce contributing to taxation (but cannot make demands for

The business model of Canadian immigration policy has dramatically resulted in the rise of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) through a combination of federal and provincial labour migration schemes. In Alberta, TFWs even surpassed the number of “landed immigrants” in 2006. The limited work visa issued to employers, not the worker, and structural barriers in place to regulate their mobility imply that TFWs will eventually return to their home countries when labour demands decline; they have become Canada’s “disposable labour.” Or, do they really return home? International labour migration is not premised on the idea of a “holiday-cum work tour” akin to the popular western “backpacker.” After investing their own resources, the 1-2 years stint as TFW do not make sense. It is plausible that after the expiration of work permits, TFWs search for alternative routes ---the road to illegality. If TFWs are vital to the delivery of services, the choiceless workforce contributing to taxation (but cannot make demands for

Research indicates that there is some genetic influence on male homosexuality, yet homosexual males reproduce at a fraction of the rate of heterosexual males, if at all. This raises the question as to why genes associated with male homosexuality do not become extinct? Cross-cultural research conducted in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa provides intriguing and unexpected answers to this question—answers which underscores the importance of biology and culture. Speaker:Paul L Vasey, Ph.D. Paul Vasey is a faculty member of the University of Lethbridge Psychology Department. He conducts cross-species and cross-cultural research to answer the question: If reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-conceptive sex? For the past decade he has conducted research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behavior in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at Arashiyama, Japan. He also studies the development and evolution male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Sam

Research indicates that there is some genetic influence on male homosexuality, yet homosexual males reproduce at a fraction of the rate of heterosexual males, if at all. This raises the question as to why genes associated with male homosexuality do not become extinct? Cross-cultural research conducted in the Polynesian island nation of Samoa provides intriguing and unexpected answers to this question—answers which underscores the importance of biology and culture. Speaker:Paul L Vasey, Ph.D. Paul Vasey is a faculty member of the University of Lethbridge Psychology Department. He conducts cross-species and cross-cultural research to answer the question: If reproduction is the engine that drives evolution, why engage in non-conceptive sex? For the past decade he has conducted research on the development and evolution of female homosexual behavior in free-ranging Japanese monkeys at Arashiyama, Japan. He also studies the development and evolution male same-sex sexual attraction in humans at field sites in Sam

This year’s theme for World Water Day (March 22) is water and food security. In Alberta we do not often feel food insecure, so how does the theme of World Water Day have an impact in our world? Southern Alberta has a limited water supply for both urban and rural residents. As well, agricultural production relies heavily on irrigation, so it is essential to ensure our water is not polluted. Water pollution is a main cause of reduced water availability and can have serious impacts on the environment and on human health. The pollution can stem from inadequate rules for resource and industrial development. Increasing amounts of urban waste also compromise water quality in rivers, lakes and aquifers along with agricultural practices using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As well, intensive livestock production impacts water resources adversely if proper practices are not followed. New, more integrated approaches to food production can substantially limit pollution. Alberta’s NDP says the heart of water p

This year’s theme for World Water Day (March 22) is water and food security. In Alberta we do not often feel food insecure, so how does the theme of World Water Day have an impact in our world? Southern Alberta has a limited water supply for both urban and rural residents. As well, agricultural production relies heavily on irrigation, so it is essential to ensure our water is not polluted. Water pollution is a main cause of reduced water availability and can have serious impacts on the environment and on human health. The pollution can stem from inadequate rules for resource and industrial development. Increasing amounts of urban waste also compromise water quality in rivers, lakes and aquifers along with agricultural practices using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As well, intensive livestock production impacts water resources adversely if proper practices are not followed. New, more integrated approaches to food production can substantially limit pollution. Alberta’s NDP says the heart of water p

The fourth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012 with a total of eight students, Stephen Graham, Michael Orr, Leslie Mahoney, Kylie Kettles, Sea Marsland, Madison Webber, Danika Jorgensen McGuire and Martin Heavy Head competing in this year’s event. Through four preliminary rounds, two semi-finals and a final, they addressed the question: “Is there a systemic crisis in the world and if so, how can it be resolved?” from a wide variety of perspectives. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the U of L. Panels of judges determined the winner of the competition, which carried a prize of $500. Second place received $300 and $100 was awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Book prizes have been given to all eight competitors. Speakers: Sea Marsland and Michael Orr finalists of the Student Speaker Challenge Sea Marsland is in her final year of Social Work study

The fourth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2012 with a total of eight students, Stephen Graham, Michael Orr, Leslie Mahoney, Kylie Kettles, Sea Marsland, Madison Webber, Danika Jorgensen McGuire and Martin Heavy Head competing in this year’s event. Through four preliminary rounds, two semi-finals and a final, they addressed the question: “Is there a systemic crisis in the world and if so, how can it be resolved?” from a wide variety of perspectives. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the U of L. Panels of judges determined the winner of the competition, which carried a prize of $500. Second place received $300 and $100 was awarded to the two students not advancing past semifinals. Book prizes have been given to all eight competitors. Speakers: Sea Marsland and Michael Orr finalists of the Student Speaker Challenge Sea Marsland is in her final year of Social Work study

This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement. This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare. Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians. Speaker: Auburn Phillips Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high s

This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement. This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare. Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians. Speaker: Auburn Phillips Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high s

In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria). In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon. Speakers: Doug Colwell Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Ca

In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria). In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon. Speakers: Doug Colwell Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Ca

Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many. While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy. Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As on

Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many. While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy. Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As on

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada first announced its intention of creating an Office of Religious Freedom during the federal election campaign of May 2011. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird subsequently reiterated this goal in a speech at the United Nations, where he cited the initiative as consistent with “core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” As a result, Canada vowed to protect these principles in the international community “whether it was popular, convenient, or expedient.” The decision to open an Office of Religious Freedom, however, raises a number of important questions related to both religion and Canada’s foreign relations. As a secular state, should Canada be pursuing religious objectives in its foreign policy? Is it realistic to think that Canada can have an impact on the treatment of religious groups in other states? Is the Office committed to multi-faith perspectives or simply Judeo-Christian views? The Office of Religiou