Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The mission of the Law Society of Alberta is to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession. This discussion will focus on why and how the regulator of the legal profession is involved in promoting access to high quality legal services in Alberta. Topics to be discussed will include the delivery of legal services by non-lawyers, the delivery of legal services pro bono (for free), the use of limited scope retainers, promotion of diversity in the legal profession, recognition of foreign trained lawyers, and the retention and re-engagement of lawyers in the private practice of law. Speaker: Rodney Jerke Q.C. Rodney Jerke was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1955. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction and then from the University of Alberta with an LLB, with Distinction. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1980 and ap

The mission of the Law Society of Alberta is to serve the public interest by promoting a high standard of legal services and professional conduct through the governance and regulation of an independent legal profession. This discussion will focus on why and how the regulator of the legal profession is involved in promoting access to high quality legal services in Alberta. Topics to be discussed will include the delivery of legal services by non-lawyers, the delivery of legal services pro bono (for free), the use of limited scope retainers, promotion of diversity in the legal profession, recognition of foreign trained lawyers, and the retention and re-engagement of lawyers in the private practice of law. Speaker: Rodney Jerke Q.C. Rodney Jerke was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1955. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with Distinction and then from the University of Alberta with an LLB, with Distinction. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1980 and ap

After 60 years of debate and research, controversy still rages in the relatively few countries where fluoridation is widespread. Many studies suggest that the benefits of fluoride result from mainly topical action on dental enamel, not from swallowing it, begging the question: “Why are we still adding fluoride to our public drinking water”. Variable amounts of natural fluoride are present in most water sources. However the fluoride used for water fluoridation is not of pharmaceutical grade, but is in fact a chemical waste by-product. The speaker will contend that the safety margin of fluoride is much lower than was originally envisaged and likely affecting children, our bone composition and the thyroid gland adversely, questioning the ethics of exposing all people to fluoridated water. It will also be suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation is largely a myth, as evidence shows a lack of correlation between dental health and fluoridation status. Important issues not addressed in many dental studie

After 60 years of debate and research, controversy still rages in the relatively few countries where fluoridation is widespread. Many studies suggest that the benefits of fluoride result from mainly topical action on dental enamel, not from swallowing it, begging the question: “Why are we still adding fluoride to our public drinking water”. Variable amounts of natural fluoride are present in most water sources. However the fluoride used for water fluoridation is not of pharmaceutical grade, but is in fact a chemical waste by-product. The speaker will contend that the safety margin of fluoride is much lower than was originally envisaged and likely affecting children, our bone composition and the thyroid gland adversely, questioning the ethics of exposing all people to fluoridated water. It will also be suggested that the benefits of water fluoridation is largely a myth, as evidence shows a lack of correlation between dental health and fluoridation status. Important issues not addressed in many dental studie

Canada’s democratic system is in distress, with low voter turnouts and distorted results. The speaker will give examples of these and other problems and will suggest that much of the difficulty stems from our “first-past-the-post” electoral system. It will be argued that both federal and provincial legislatures should join the overwhelming number of countries who have chosen to use some form of Proportional Representation. While PR may have some disadvantages, the benefits of such a system overwhelm them. Speaker:Phil Elder After a B. A. at Queen’s University, Phil Elder obtained his LL.B. at the University of British Columbia and then an LL. M. at the University of London (London School of Economics) in 1967. From 1967-70 he was an Assistant to various Liberal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, including Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. From 1970-73, Elder taught criminal law at the University of Western Ontario, then joined the graduate Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where

Canada’s democratic system is in distress, with low voter turnouts and distorted results. The speaker will give examples of these and other problems and will suggest that much of the difficulty stems from our “first-past-the-post” electoral system. It will be argued that both federal and provincial legislatures should join the overwhelming number of countries who have chosen to use some form of Proportional Representation. While PR may have some disadvantages, the benefits of such a system overwhelm them. Speaker:Phil Elder After a B. A. at Queen’s University, Phil Elder obtained his LL.B. at the University of British Columbia and then an LL. M. at the University of London (London School of Economics) in 1967. From 1967-70 he was an Assistant to various Liberal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, including Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. From 1970-73, Elder taught criminal law at the University of Western Ontario, then joined the graduate Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, where

A few weeks ago, with Halloween just around the corner, the government introduced the new Alberta Health Act in the legislature. How appropriate that timing was, as the Act, like Halloween, appears to require Albertans to suspend their disbelief. The principles being proposed for the Health Act sounds rosy and includes, quality and safety, timely and appropriate care, and access not based on ability to pay. However, many of these principles are already being violated across the province; rural Albertans cannot access timely care and seniors across Alberta are often accessing care based on ability to pay, not need. Just before the act hit the legislature, emergency room doctors went to the media with their fears of a likely collapse of timely emergency care in the province. Suggesting that the Tory government created the current crisis in health care, the speaker believe that it is part of a long-term campaign to privatize health services and cut spending on hospitals and long-term care in this province. Hos

Extremes including drought and heavy precipitation are fundamental aspects of the climate system and its water cycle. Many of the greatest climatic impacts are also linked with such phenomena. Based to a considerable degree on research conducted over the Prairies within the Drought Research Initiative (DRI), some of the means of producing a sustained lack of precipitation are shown. It is then illustrated that heavy precipitation sometimes occurs on the edge of such a region or, occasionally, within it, and that the nature of the associated storms can be affected significantly by their proximity to a drought region. Finally, future projections of drought and heavy precipitation occurrence across the Prairies in particular are summarized along with scientific issues that limit our predictive capability. Speaker: Professor Ron Stewart Ronald Stewart is a Professor in and Head of the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of Manitoba as of July 1, 2008. Dr. Stewart obtained his BSc (ho

Canada has one of the highest levels of corporate fraud in the industrialized world. Large commercial investors, investment managers, financial analysts and individual shareholders are being increasingly subjected to major accounting manipulations, kick-back schemes, invoice and loan frauds, and rogue actions of ‘trusted’ directors and employees. How can you protect your company, your clients, and your own portfolio? The speaker will argue that understanding fraud and swindling tactics is a critical factor to consider before making investments and business decisions. Whether you are directly involved in the financial investment or banking industry, or managing your own portfolio, the issues are similar in nature. Speaker: Al Rosen Lawrence S. (“Al”) Rosen. Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of British Columbia with an undergraduate degree, and later obtained a Ph.D. and MBA from the University of Washington. He founded Rosen & Associates Limited, a forensic and investigative accounting and

Canada has one of the highest levels of corporate fraud in the industrialized world. Large commercial investors, investment managers, financial analysts and individual shareholders are being increasingly subjected to major accounting manipulations, kick-back schemes, invoice and loan frauds, and rogue actions of ‘trusted’ directors and employees. How can you protect your company, your clients, and your own portfolio? The speaker will argue that understanding fraud and swindling tactics is a critical factor to consider before making investments and business decisions. Whether you are directly involved in the financial investment or banking industry, or managing your own portfolio, the issues are similar in nature. Speaker: Al Rosen Lawrence S. (“Al”) Rosen. Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of British Columbia with an undergraduate degree, and later obtained a Ph.D. and MBA from the University of Washington. He founded Rosen & Associates Limited, a forensic and investigative accounting and

The billion dollar Long Gun Registry may be safe for now after a contentious vote in the House of Commons, but debate over its usefulness rages on. A Private Member's bill to abolish it was narrowly defeated in its Third Reading in the House of Commons on Sept. 22. The legislation to abolish the long gun registry would not have affected the current Possession/Acquisition License process, which all gun owners are required to complete. Created in 1995, the registry was part of Bill C-68, which required all guns in Canada to be registered. The bill was partly influenced by a campaign for stricter gun control legislation fronted by families of the victims of the Ecole Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 28 people were shot by a gunman wielding a legally obtained rifle. The Canadian Association of Police Boards and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police came out in favor of keeping the registry, as it can be useful in instances such as domestic assaults, where police can check to see if there are weapo

Less than five percent of Alberta is comprised of native prairie on public lands. The 7000-year-old remnants of native prairie are of immeasurable value in preserving biodiversity, maintaining healthy watersheds, sequestering carbon, sustaining livestock production and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for a rapidly growing human population in southern Alberta. Albertans value native prairie and their public lands. The speaker will suggest current law and policy regarding public land sale reflects an outdated ideology that defines progress as turning the prairie into a human enterprise, such as tame pasture, cultivated fields or industrial development. The taking of public land by individuals or corporations willing to pay for it is secretly sanctioned by Cabinet on an ad hoc basis without public input. Proposals to change this situation have fallen on deaf ears. The storm over the recent application to Alberta’s Minister of Sustainable Resource Development that would see 25 sections of native pra

Less than five percent of Alberta is comprised of native prairie on public lands. The 7000-year-old remnants of native prairie are of immeasurable value in preserving biodiversity, maintaining healthy watersheds, sequestering carbon, sustaining livestock production and providing outdoor recreation opportunities for a rapidly growing human population in southern Alberta. Albertans value native prairie and their public lands. The speaker will suggest current law and policy regarding public land sale reflects an outdated ideology that defines progress as turning the prairie into a human enterprise, such as tame pasture, cultivated fields or industrial development. The taking of public land by individuals or corporations willing to pay for it is secretly sanctioned by Cabinet on an ad hoc basis without public input. Proposals to change this situation have fallen on deaf ears. The storm over the recent application to Alberta’s Minister of Sustainable Resource Development that would see 25 sections of native pra

In past ages, artists were essentially craftsmen carrying out the wishes of the ruling political, aristocratic, and religious elites. When modern artists gained a degree of economic independence in the late 18th century, and with the rise of democratic ideals, a minority began criticizing the establishment as an artistic opposition, and this has continued to the present day. The relation of artists to politics largely mirrors that found in the rest of society, a difference being that artists are experts in the manipulation of charged symbols. With respect to political issues in society (and regarding all political tendencies from left to right) artists have been harshly critical, slavishly supportive, and at times completely apathetic, depending on the moment. This presentation will explain some of the approaches politicized artists have taken to engage in the social and political process, and it will discuss what sorts of effects these engagements may, or may not, have in the larger social and political

In past ages, artists were essentially craftsmen carrying out the wishes of the ruling political, aristocratic, and religious elites. When modern artists gained a degree of economic independence in the late 18th century, and with the rise of democratic ideals, a minority began criticizing the establishment as an artistic opposition, and this has continued to the present day. The relation of artists to politics largely mirrors that found in the rest of society, a difference being that artists are experts in the manipulation of charged symbols. With respect to political issues in society (and regarding all political tendencies from left to right) artists have been harshly critical, slavishly supportive, and at times completely apathetic, depending on the moment. This presentation will explain some of the approaches politicized artists have taken to engage in the social and political process, and it will discuss what sorts of effects these engagements may, or may not, have in the larger social and political

Is climate change anthropogenic (are we causing it)? Do we need to wait while UN Scientists “the Greenies” and questioning Scientists “the Skeptics” debate this issue? Do we have the time to wait? What issues should we be thinking about ourselves? What will it take to progress from the stage of ideas and ideologies to a stage of realistic and pragmatic implementation for a selection of the proposed options? What criteria should be used? Climate is a very complex and dynamic system and it is healthy for the “Greenies” and “Skeptics” to debate the issues of possible anthropogenic origin. This happens in science all the time. The problem is that the non scientific public has been divided into different camps on the basis of ideology. This division prevents the development of a flexible and comprehensive solution. The speaker will address the above questions and explore a solution that provides for sustainable energy in harmony with both our environment and our pockets. Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos P.En

Is climate change anthropogenic (are we causing it)? Do we need to wait while UN Scientists “the Greenies” and questioning Scientists “the Skeptics” debate this issue? Do we have the time to wait? What issues should we be thinking about ourselves? What will it take to progress from the stage of ideas and ideologies to a stage of realistic and pragmatic implementation for a selection of the proposed options? What criteria should be used? Climate is a very complex and dynamic system and it is healthy for the “Greenies” and “Skeptics” to debate the issues of possible anthropogenic origin. This happens in science all the time. The problem is that the non scientific public has been divided into different camps on the basis of ideology. This division prevents the development of a flexible and comprehensive solution. The speaker will address the above questions and explore a solution that provides for sustainable energy in harmony with both our environment and our pockets. Speaker: Cosmos Voutsinos P.En

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing CO2 from point-source surface facilities and injecting it into subsurface geological formations, particularly depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline aquifers. It is a key technology being considered and implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In 2008 the government of Alberta committed $2B to accelerate CCS in the province, with the goal of having four CCS projects operating by 2015, each storing about 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Current targets are to have 50 million tonnes of CO2 stored in geological formations annually by 2020 and 139 million tonnes annually by 2050. Of paramount importance to CCS is the ability to track the injected CO2 plume in the storage formation and to verify safe and permanent storage of the CO2. These goals are vital for public acceptance of CCS particularly during early projects as the technology becomes implemented at commercial scale. A comprehensive range o

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing CO2 from point-source surface facilities and injecting it into subsurface geological formations, particularly depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline aquifers. It is a key technology being considered and implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In 2008 the government of Alberta committed $2B to accelerate CCS in the province, with the goal of having four CCS projects operating by 2015, each storing about 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Current targets are to have 50 million tonnes of CO2 stored in geological formations annually by 2020 and 139 million tonnes annually by 2050. Of paramount importance to CCS is the ability to track the injected CO2 plume in the storage formation and to verify safe and permanent storage of the CO2. These goals are vital for public acceptance of CCS particularly during early projects as the technology becomes implemented at commercial scale. A comprehensive range o