Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

For months, politicians, media pundits, and ordinary citizens have watched the Occupy Wall Street protesters grow in numbers throughout the United States and elsewhere, including Canada. In this part of the country, Occupy protesters have made camp in several cities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, eliciting both support and condemnation from public officials and citizens. But how might we understand the Occupy phenomenon? Is it a genuine movement, in the sense of past movements, or just a passing phase? What are its roots? While the Occupy protesters have targeted Wall Street (and capitalism in general), are there other, broader currents at work? Is there a connection, for example, between the alleged “Arab Spring” protests that began a year ago in the Middle East and the Occupy protesters? Who are the occupiers? Do its members have a coherent message, or is the group made up of largely individualized grievances? What has been the response of authorities? And what is its future? (Does it have a

For months, politicians, media pundits, and ordinary citizens have watched the Occupy Wall Street protesters grow in numbers throughout the United States and elsewhere, including Canada. In this part of the country, Occupy protesters have made camp in several cities, including Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, eliciting both support and condemnation from public officials and citizens. But how might we understand the Occupy phenomenon? Is it a genuine movement, in the sense of past movements, or just a passing phase? What are its roots? While the Occupy protesters have targeted Wall Street (and capitalism in general), are there other, broader currents at work? Is there a connection, for example, between the alleged “Arab Spring” protests that began a year ago in the Middle East and the Occupy protesters? Who are the occupiers? Do its members have a coherent message, or is the group made up of largely individualized grievances? What has been the response of authorities? And what is its future? (Does it have a

A new report challenges Albertans to consider recommendations that focus on the province’s long-term prosperity by realizing the full potential of Alberta’s energy resources and broadening its economic base. “Shaping Alberta’s Future”, the report from the 12-member Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, also calls on all Albertans to consider their role to ensure future success. “My goal for this council was to ‘think big’ on how we can best position Alberta, looking 30 years into the future. This type of long-term planning has been done on behalf of all Albertans, and their children and grandchildren,” said former Premier Ed Stelmach. “Now it’s time for all Albertans to contemplate this report and provide comment on their role in creating the future they want to see and how to contribute to positive change.” Our speaker, a member of the Council, will introduce the report and discuss its role in engaging Albertans to contribute to establishing the long term outlook and financing strategy needed to tran

A new report challenges Albertans to consider recommendations that focus on the province’s long-term prosperity by realizing the full potential of Alberta’s energy resources and broadening its economic base. “Shaping Alberta’s Future”, the report from the 12-member Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, also calls on all Albertans to consider their role to ensure future success. “My goal for this council was to ‘think big’ on how we can best position Alberta, looking 30 years into the future. This type of long-term planning has been done on behalf of all Albertans, and their children and grandchildren,” said former Premier Ed Stelmach. “Now it’s time for all Albertans to contemplate this report and provide comment on their role in creating the future they want to see and how to contribute to positive change.” Our speaker, a member of the Council, will introduce the report and discuss its role in engaging Albertans to contribute to establishing the long term outlook and financing strategy needed to tran

Alberta's political leaders have long cast themselves as the tough-talking lone wolf, eager to take on foes in Ottawa and around the world. Is it an unabashed and partisan political entitlement or will Alison Redford attempt to change that culture? Days after Ms. Redford became Premier of Alberta by winning the leadership race of Alberta's venerable Progressive Conservative Party, her vision appeared to emerge as a constructive compromise to a strong arm. While early indications suggest Ms. Redford seems to view Ottawa and its regulators as friends, not foes, the speaker will speculate on how much input from opposition parties Ms. Redford is willing to accept, how often can she reasonable be expected to change her mind and will the shouts of “flip-flop” be too much to bear? Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. In addition to her duties as an MLA, Ms. Pastoor currently serves as the Official Oppositio

Alberta's political leaders have long cast themselves as the tough-talking lone wolf, eager to take on foes in Ottawa and around the world. Is it an unabashed and partisan political entitlement or will Alison Redford attempt to change that culture? Days after Ms. Redford became Premier of Alberta by winning the leadership race of Alberta's venerable Progressive Conservative Party, her vision appeared to emerge as a constructive compromise to a strong arm. While early indications suggest Ms. Redford seems to view Ottawa and its regulators as friends, not foes, the speaker will speculate on how much input from opposition parties Ms. Redford is willing to accept, how often can she reasonable be expected to change her mind and will the shouts of “flip-flop” be too much to bear? Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA of Alberta for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. In addition to her duties as an MLA, Ms. Pastoor currently serves as the Official Oppositio

Like most good things in life, a good death is worth planning for. But many people don’t even talk about dying, never mind plan for it. Medical science is able to keep us alive longer and longer, but length of life does not necessarily relate to its quality. The end of life can be painful, degrading, lonely and not much fun. As in many other things that touch our lives in the 21st century, technology is ahead of ethics and compassion. Shouldn’t we have control over our own bodies? Why does “the government” decide when, where and how we die? A survey conducted by the Lethbridge College in 2010 found that two out of three people in southern Alberta were in favour of medically assisted suicide for terminally ill people with the proportion increasing to three out of four for the whole of Canada. Indeed, with statistics like that, why is the tail wagging the dog? The speaker will argue that Canadians should have the same rights as people living in Oregon, Washington, Montana or several European countries who no

Like most good things in life, a good death is worth planning for. But many people don’t even talk about dying, never mind plan for it. Medical science is able to keep us alive longer and longer, but length of life does not necessarily relate to its quality. The end of life can be painful, degrading, lonely and not much fun. As in many other things that touch our lives in the 21st century, technology is ahead of ethics and compassion. Shouldn’t we have control over our own bodies? Why does “the government” decide when, where and how we die? A survey conducted by the Lethbridge College in 2010 found that two out of three people in southern Alberta were in favour of medically assisted suicide for terminally ill people with the proportion increasing to three out of four for the whole of Canada. Indeed, with statistics like that, why is the tail wagging the dog? The speaker will argue that Canadians should have the same rights as people living in Oregon, Washington, Montana or several European countries who no

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers. The CWB is single desk in its marketing structure and its whole premise is built upon the concept that farmers benefit from marketing their grain together, as one, big or small. The Wheat Board belongs to farmers. They pay for its operations from the sale of grain and run it through elected representatives on the CWB board of directors. However, the federal Government has announced its intention to remove the CWB's single desk for wheat and barley as of August 1, 2012, with legislation to be introduced this fall. Minister Gerry Ritz have said that farmers will not be allowed a vote, despite the majority of farmers voting for maintaining CWB single desk marketing in a recent plebiscite. The CWB is not a grain company; it has no grain-handling in

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers. The CWB is single desk in its marketing structure and its whole premise is built upon the concept that farmers benefit from marketing their grain together, as one, big or small. The Wheat Board belongs to farmers. They pay for its operations from the sale of grain and run it through elected representatives on the CWB board of directors. However, the federal Government has announced its intention to remove the CWB's single desk for wheat and barley as of August 1, 2012, with legislation to be introduced this fall. Minister Gerry Ritz have said that farmers will not be allowed a vote, despite the majority of farmers voting for maintaining CWB single desk marketing in a recent plebiscite. The CWB is not a grain company; it has no grain-handling in

In August 2011, Michael Byers sailed the Northwest Passage on two vessels: the Canadian Coast Guard research icebreaker Amundsen and the Russian expedition ship Akademik Ioffe. His photographs from those two voyages provide a vivid backdrop to a riveting tale of exploration, economic ambition, geopolitics and a looming environmental crisis – and yes – cooperation. Speaker: Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Professor Byers has led two projects for ArcticNet, a Canadian government–funded consortium of scientists from 29 Canadian universities and eight federal departments. Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen and has written for the international newspapers The Guardian, New York Times, Financial Times and London Review of Books. Books to Michael Byers credit are: War Law and the glowingly reviewed Canadian bestseller, Intent for a

In August 2011, Michael Byers sailed the Northwest Passage on two vessels: the Canadian Coast Guard research icebreaker Amundsen and the Russian expedition ship Akademik Ioffe. His photographs from those two voyages provide a vivid backdrop to a riveting tale of exploration, economic ambition, geopolitics and a looming environmental crisis – and yes – cooperation. Speaker: Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Professor Byers has led two projects for ArcticNet, a Canadian government–funded consortium of scientists from 29 Canadian universities and eight federal departments. Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen and has written for the international newspapers The Guardian, New York Times, Financial Times and London Review of Books. Books to Michael Byers credit are: War Law and the glowingly reviewed Canadian bestseller, Intent for a

With recent financial support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) at Lethbridge College has a goal of “Community Capacity Building for Wind Energy Development.” The IWEA is engaging southern Albertans to take advantage of the emerging economic opportunities, including quality jobs, associated with the development and operation of large and small wind energy projects. Are subsidies necessary for wind energy to succeed? Is wind and renewable energy receiving infrastructure support from governments similar to that of the non renewable energy sector? What are the relative arguments facing wind power in terms of bats, birds, noise and no breeze? These issues and others facing wind power will be put in perspective by the speaker, while he attempts to cut through the clutter of false information. Speaker:Kris Hodgson Kris Hodgson is a Wind Energy Community Liaison with the IWEA, which is advocating for building wind energy in southern Alberta and beyond through

With recent financial support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) at Lethbridge College has a goal of “Community Capacity Building for Wind Energy Development.” The IWEA is engaging southern Albertans to take advantage of the emerging economic opportunities, including quality jobs, associated with the development and operation of large and small wind energy projects. Are subsidies necessary for wind energy to succeed? Is wind and renewable energy receiving infrastructure support from governments similar to that of the non renewable energy sector? What are the relative arguments facing wind power in terms of bats, birds, noise and no breeze? These issues and others facing wind power will be put in perspective by the speaker, while he attempts to cut through the clutter of false information. Speaker:Kris Hodgson Kris Hodgson is a Wind Energy Community Liaison with the IWEA, which is advocating for building wind energy in southern Alberta and beyond through

As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par. Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem.. Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have

As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par. Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem.. Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have

Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions. The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed. Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Wate

Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions. The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed. Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Wate

Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands. The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation a

Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands. The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation a