Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests? On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back? But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included

Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests? On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back? But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included

“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford) EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why?? This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy. Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more fo

“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford) EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why?? This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy. Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more fo

Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option? Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else. It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing. With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs

Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option? Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else. It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing. With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs

In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor. The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families. If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating

In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor. The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families. If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating

On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019. Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings. Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge t

On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019. Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings. Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge t

Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law. This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy. Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University.

Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law. This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy. Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University.

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmaca

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmaca

In May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of A

In May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of A

Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries. A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more? These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event. Speaker: Joe Gunn Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Just

Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries. A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more? These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event. Speaker: Joe Gunn Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Just

The Canine Unit is an integral part of the Lethbridge Police Service. Agility, obedience, tracking, building searches, compound/area searches, evidence searches, criminal apprehension and drug detection are the main components of training a PSD (Police Service Dog) for the Lethbridge Police Service. They provide an element to police work that you can’t get anywhere else and in some cases, the PSD’s have the first interaction with subjects engaging in criminal activity, taking on a dangerous role for their human partners. Come and learn more about the role the Canine Unit plays within the Lethbridge Police Service, the deep bond and special relationship between the police officer and the dog, and the tremendous amount of training that goes into becoming a police dog and canine officer. Speaker: Constable James DeMone and PSD Arco James DeMone played 55 games with the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose in the 2005-06 season, and retired from professional hockey in 2007. He is now in his 11th years

Since 1982 the Lethbridge Food Bank has been operated in the community of Lethbridge and serving the surrounding area with a “food share” program. Lethbridge, is home to nearly 100,000 people and growing, making the Lethbridge Food Bank an important part of a vibrant community to ensure a food security resource for families in need. As a non-profit organization, donations from individuals and businesses are essential. During the fall of 2017, The Lethbridge Food Bank, in partnership with My City Care, began the Mindful Munchies program, providing students in need, nutritional food items to help them succeed in the classroom. The program started with 11 schools and agencies and 600 lunches a week. However, within a few months, that number grew to 16 schools/agencies and close to 1,100 lunches a week. As of September 2018, the numbers were 19 schools/agencies with 1400 lunches a week. Child poverty in Canada is no illusion and Lethbridge Food Bank is trying to help remove barriers to learning by aiding childr