Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Tea Party is an American populist political movement, which is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009. Reduced government spending, opposition to taxation in varying degrees, reduction of the national debt and federal budget deficit are on the Tea Party’s agenda, as is adherence to an originalist interpretation of the United States Constitution. The name "Tea Party" is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, a protest by colonists who objected to a British tax on tea in 1773 and demonstrated by dumping British tea taken from docked ships into the harbor. The present Tea Party movement in the US arose seemingly out of nowhere. Yet within two years, it moved from being a fringe right-wing movement to one of some prominence. What is the Tea Party movement really aiming to achieve? Who are its supporters? Is it an Astroturf or a grassroots movement? What was its real impact on the 2010 American midterm-elections? Is there th

In the course of a week, Alberta’s political landscape changed dramatically. First, Premier Ed Stelmach announced he would not run in the next provincial election. Then David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of the Official Opposition, also announced his resignation. On the one side: a new party with a dynamic young leader is scoring high in the public opinion polls. On the other side: the two major parties in the legislature both face leadership races. And there may or may not be a new center option in the form of the Alberta Party. More than it has for decades, the political landscape appears open for major change -- but what kind of change will it be? The speaker will argue that the door is now open for a new kind of politics to emerge, a politics that reflects the demands and the priorities and the style of a new generation. In 1971, Peter Lougheed's surprise win marked the political arrival of the "Baby Boomer" generation -- but the first baby boomers turned 65 in January.

In the course of a week, Alberta’s political landscape changed dramatically. First, Premier Ed Stelmach announced he would not run in the next provincial election. Then David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party and leader of the Official Opposition, also announced his resignation. On the one side: a new party with a dynamic young leader is scoring high in the public opinion polls. On the other side: the two major parties in the legislature both face leadership races. And there may or may not be a new center option in the form of the Alberta Party. More than it has for decades, the political landscape appears open for major change -- but what kind of change will it be? The speaker will argue that the door is now open for a new kind of politics to emerge, a politics that reflects the demands and the priorities and the style of a new generation. In 1971, Peter Lougheed's surprise win marked the political arrival of the "Baby Boomer" generation -- but the first baby boomers turned 65 in January.

7:00 – 9:00 PM Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S Despite its more than 60-year history, fair trade is still a relatively new concept for many North Americans and is unfortunately often confused with free trade. However, this has begun to change according to online surveys. Consumer recognition of Fair Trade-certified labeling has increased greatly in the past few years. Awareness and understanding, however, are two different things. While more and more customers are loyal to the premise of fair trade, they don't necessarily know exactly what it involves, or that there are different "shades" of fair trading, just as there are with “green” products. Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices, but it does not necessarily mean that the products are organic or environmentally friendly. The speaker will outline how direct fair trade is desirable, but admits that the process, which includes close work with producers to help them improve efficiency, environmental standards

In recent months two commercial drilling firms have received permission to begin drilling for gas and oil on leases within the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta. Conventional drilling and exploration have taken place there in the past. However, a different technique using hydraulic fracking is planned for drilling the proposed wells, which may have potential to yield large amounts of gas and oil previously not reachable by conventional means. While several locations in the surrounding area of Lethbridge may have seen hydraulic fracking being used to drill for gas and oil, many people in Alberta and North America have already raised concerns about the technology of hydraulic fracking and its potential threat to the water and environment. Known dangerous chemicals and large amount of water applied under extreme pressure appears to be necessary in the process of fracturing shale or coal seams deep underground. What is hydraulic fracking and do we really need to be concerned about our only water supplies, the

In recent months two commercial drilling firms have received permission to begin drilling for gas and oil on leases within the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta. Conventional drilling and exploration have taken place there in the past. However, a different technique using hydraulic fracking is planned for drilling the proposed wells, which may have potential to yield large amounts of gas and oil previously not reachable by conventional means. While several locations in the surrounding area of Lethbridge may have seen hydraulic fracking being used to drill for gas and oil, many people in Alberta and North America have already raised concerns about the technology of hydraulic fracking and its potential threat to the water and environment. Known dangerous chemicals and large amount of water applied under extreme pressure appears to be necessary in the process of fracturing shale or coal seams deep underground. What is hydraulic fracking and do we really need to be concerned about our only water supplies, the

12- 1:30pm In some countries, voting is an obligation or legal responsibility. Mandatory voting is promoted as a means of addressing low voter turnout and ensuring election results reflect the will of the majority. In Australia, which has an established tradition of compulsory voting, recent polls show ¾ of the population supports the practice. In Canada, voting is a right which a citizen can choose to exercise or not. What happens when citizens stop exercising this right? The 2008 Alberta election recorded the lowest voter turnout ever for a provincial election (40.6%), and voter turnout in federal, provincial, and municipal elections has been in steady decline across the country for decades. This debate sponsored by SACPA, the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership and the Famous 5 Foundation will explore compulsory voting as a possible solution to record low voter turnout in Canada. Arguments for and against compulsory voting using experiences of other countries will be debated. T

12- 1:30pm In some countries, voting is an obligation or legal responsibility. Mandatory voting is promoted as a means of addressing low voter turnout and ensuring election results reflect the will of the majority. In Australia, which has an established tradition of compulsory voting, recent polls show ¾ of the population supports the practice. In Canada, voting is a right which a citizen can choose to exercise or not. What happens when citizens stop exercising this right? The 2008 Alberta election recorded the lowest voter turnout ever for a provincial election (40.6%), and voter turnout in federal, provincial, and municipal elections has been in steady decline across the country for decades. This debate sponsored by SACPA, the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership and the Famous 5 Foundation will explore compulsory voting as a possible solution to record low voter turnout in Canada. Arguments for and against compulsory voting using experiences of other countries will be debated. T

Wednesday, February 9, 2011 7 – 9 pm At Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S The Conservative Party in Alberta, which for the last 40 years has formed our provincial government, appears to be in disarray. Premier Ed Stelmach’s recent resignation and rumblings regarding property owners rights, the environment, deficits and the upcoming budged seems to have shaken their long standing, right of center, foundation. The Alberta Party, which has existed in one form or another since 1985, aims to represent the center of the political spectrum. They have recently consulted with a wide range of Albertans before the development of their policy platform. The party advocates that Alberta, a potential world economic leader, should take advantage of a diversified long term economic plan favoring more stability and less, as is now the case, “boom and bust” cycles. The speaker will explain how the Alberta Party plans to renew Albertans faith in the political process, while stren

As a result of changing demographics, enrolment rates are expected to drop off in Canada soon and un¬less universities find a way to fill the gap, the future may see a lot more empty seats in class. Right now many universities are at max¬imum capacity in post-secondary en¬rolments, but over the next three, four, five years the number of enrolments may start to decline throughout the sys¬tem. Many universities are looking to ex¬pand their campuses and programs, because of maxed-out capacity coming from the large num¬ber of children that were born out of the baby boom generation. However those numbers peaked in 1991, which means that the rate of enrolment is likely to drop, coinciding with the gradu¬al decline in birthrates that occurred during the 1990s. While demographics may impact university enrolment, increasing gender inequality is certain to have a lasting effect on universities. Men now represent just 42 percent of total enrolments. Moreover, their higher dropout rate means that they will represent a

As a result of changing demographics, enrolment rates are expected to drop off in Canada soon and un¬less universities find a way to fill the gap, the future may see a lot more empty seats in class. Right now many universities are at max¬imum capacity in post-secondary en¬rolments, but over the next three, four, five years the number of enrolments may start to decline throughout the sys¬tem. Many universities are looking to ex¬pand their campuses and programs, because of maxed-out capacity coming from the large num¬ber of children that were born out of the baby boom generation. However those numbers peaked in 1991, which means that the rate of enrolment is likely to drop, coinciding with the gradu¬al decline in birthrates that occurred during the 1990s. While demographics may impact university enrolment, increasing gender inequality is certain to have a lasting effect on universities. Men now represent just 42 percent of total enrolments. Moreover, their higher dropout rate means that they will represent a

12-1:30pm In the 21st century girls and women are as likely as boys and men to be participants in sports. It would be easy to challenge this statement from a media perspective as very few women athletes are seen on television, in sports magazines, on sport-related internet sites or on the sports pages of newspapers. In the world of sport, women are still seen to be intruders in a male domain. There are exceptions, of course. Women athletes who are especially beautiful are welcomed in various media outlets - particularly if they are scantily clad and gazing into the camera with the come-hither expression of a sex kitten. The sexualization of women athletes is not a new phenomenon. The physical appearance of women athletes has been the most frequently used aspect of publicity regarding women and sport for over a century. The beauty (and, therefore, the assumed heterosexuality) of the female athlete has been used to legitimize women's participation in a seemingly masculine activity. Over the decades, as wom

12-1:30pm In the 21st century girls and women are as likely as boys and men to be participants in sports. It would be easy to challenge this statement from a media perspective as very few women athletes are seen on television, in sports magazines, on sport-related internet sites or on the sports pages of newspapers. In the world of sport, women are still seen to be intruders in a male domain. There are exceptions, of course. Women athletes who are especially beautiful are welcomed in various media outlets - particularly if they are scantily clad and gazing into the camera with the come-hither expression of a sex kitten. The sexualization of women athletes is not a new phenomenon. The physical appearance of women athletes has been the most frequently used aspect of publicity regarding women and sport for over a century. The beauty (and, therefore, the assumed heterosexuality) of the female athlete has been used to legitimize women's participation in a seemingly masculine activity. Over the decades, as wom

The sexual scandals of some priests in the Roman Catholic Church make big news but are extremely distressing to the faithful. The Roman Catholics are not alone in their distress though. Nearly every religious institution in Canada has faced the fallibility of their human leaders. Some formerly faithful people claim the scandals have pushed them away from organized religions and we have seen church attendance plummet over the last few decades. There is no question that the sexual crimes of clergy must be punished, but can the exposure of these failures of the clergy and administration ultimately be good for religion? The speaker will argue that it is good the problem is now being exposed because it reveals the truth about human nature: power corrupts most of us. The sexual crimes of clergy and the scandals about their cover up have forced the churches to examine the power of the clergy and the role of the church hierarchy. Those same scandals have convinced the majority of people to pull the clergy class

The sexual scandals of some priests in the Roman Catholic Church make big news but are extremely distressing to the faithful. The Roman Catholics are not alone in their distress though. Nearly every religious institution in Canada has faced the fallibility of their human leaders. Some formerly faithful people claim the scandals have pushed them away from organized religions and we have seen church attendance plummet over the last few decades. There is no question that the sexual crimes of clergy must be punished, but can the exposure of these failures of the clergy and administration ultimately be good for religion? The speaker will argue that it is good the problem is now being exposed because it reveals the truth about human nature: power corrupts most of us. The sexual crimes of clergy and the scandals about their cover up have forced the churches to examine the power of the clergy and the role of the church hierarchy. Those same scandals have convinced the majority of people to pull the clergy class

Omar Khadr was captured by American Forces in July 2002 in Afghanistan following a firefight between Afghani insurgents and US soldiers. Severely wounded by two M-16 bullets in his back, Khadr, who was just 15 at the time, was flown to Bagram airbase where he was treated for his injuries and later subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques” before being transported to the notorious US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US government deemed Khadr an “enemy combatant” in 2002 which allowed US military interrogators to use “enhanced techniques” on the teenager that are described by various human rights groups as forms of torture that would otherwise be banned under the Geneva Conventions. Khadr’s “enemy combatant” status also allowed an American military tribunal to prosecute the young Canadian for war crimes despite being defined as a child soldier by the United Nations. Khadr is the only child soldier ever to be tried for war crimes. Khadr languished in Guantanamo Bay for eight years before pleadin

Omar Khadr was captured by American Forces in July 2002 in Afghanistan following a firefight between Afghani insurgents and US soldiers. Severely wounded by two M-16 bullets in his back, Khadr, who was just 15 at the time, was flown to Bagram airbase where he was treated for his injuries and later subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques” before being transported to the notorious US prison camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The US government deemed Khadr an “enemy combatant” in 2002 which allowed US military interrogators to use “enhanced techniques” on the teenager that are described by various human rights groups as forms of torture that would otherwise be banned under the Geneva Conventions. Khadr’s “enemy combatant” status also allowed an American military tribunal to prosecute the young Canadian for war crimes despite being defined as a child soldier by the United Nations. Khadr is the only child soldier ever to be tried for war crimes. Khadr languished in Guantanamo Bay for eight years before pleadin

Some 1,370,000 acres are assessed for irrigation among thirteen irrigation districts in Southern Alberta. In addition, approximately 280,000 acres are assessed for irrigation outside the irrigation districts. Irrigation waters are however used for much more than growing food. Irrigation infrastructure provides water for many communities and is essential to much of the commerce, industry, wildlife, wetlands and recreation in Southern Alberta. Increasing demand for food production and economic growth will provide challenges for the irrigation industry. The speaker will explain how efficiency gains have occurred in irrigation districts delivery systems and farm application methods. The myth of charging for water in an attempt to increase efficiencies or to stimulate production of value added crops will also be discussed. How will crop trends be affected by climate change? Is the production of biofuels a wise use of irrigation water? Will the demand for irrigation water in Southern Alberta be great enough to

Many of our contemporary global tensions pit Christian and Islamic nations against one another. Each camp often views the other with deep distrust and even hatred. At least that is what the media repeatedly tell us. How urgent that we talk to one another – with respect and careful listening. How appropriate that we have this conversation as Christians yearn for peace at Christmas time. This topic will feature a Christian and a Muslim in conversation about the great matters of faith – the scriptures, God, evil, violence, the place of women, radical fundamentalists, and more. And even better, you will be able to ask your questions of both. Speakers: Shukrulla Khan and Brenda Kersell Shukrulla Kahn is a local Muslim and business man. He was born in Bangalore, India, taught Islamic sign design in Saudi Arabia, and came to Lethbridge seven years ago. He is also the president of the local Muslim faith community. He is married to Shamshad Khan and is father to 2 boys (12 & 6) and a baby girl (1 Mo.). He

Many of our contemporary global tensions pit Christian and Islamic nations against one another. Each camp often views the other with deep distrust and even hatred. At least that is what the media repeatedly tell us. How urgent that we talk to one another – with respect and careful listening. How appropriate that we have this conversation as Christians yearn for peace at Christmas time. This topic will feature a Christian and a Muslim in conversation about the great matters of faith – the scriptures, God, evil, violence, the place of women, radical fundamentalists, and more. And even better, you will be able to ask your questions of both. Speakers: Shukrulla Khan and Brenda Kersell Shukrulla Kahn is a local Muslim and business man. He was born in Bangalore, India, taught Islamic sign design in Saudi Arabia, and came to Lethbridge seven years ago. He is also the president of the local Muslim faith community. He is married to Shamshad Khan and is father to 2 boys (12 & 6) and a baby girl (1 Mo.). He