Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Alberta Biochar Initiative (ABI) was established on December 15, 2011 to develop and demonstrate technologies that will enable the large scale commercial deployment of biochar products and applications for the benefit of Albertans. Significant progress has been made including CFIA approval for Air Terra supplied biochar as a soil supplement, and the development of value added products including activated carbons from biochar. Biochar has particular benefits including the improvement of marginal soils, the reclamation of soils damaged by human activity, and its affinity to adsorb toxic organic extractive compounds from oil sands tailings water and the potential to capture mercury from coal fired power generating stations. It also sequesters carbon when applied to the soil. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) has been at the forefront of biochar research efforts and continues to lead the research and networking activities of the ABI after the successful conclusion of the WD funded project in J

The Alberta Biochar Initiative (ABI) was established on December 15, 2011 to develop and demonstrate technologies that will enable the large scale commercial deployment of biochar products and applications for the benefit of Albertans. Significant progress has been made including CFIA approval for Air Terra supplied biochar as a soil supplement, and the development of value added products including activated carbons from biochar. Biochar has particular benefits including the improvement of marginal soils, the reclamation of soils damaged by human activity, and its affinity to adsorb toxic organic extractive compounds from oil sands tailings water and the potential to capture mercury from coal fired power generating stations. It also sequesters carbon when applied to the soil. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF) has been at the forefront of biochar research efforts and continues to lead the research and networking activities of the ABI after the successful conclusion of the WD funded project in J

Early in April the Alberta Progressive Conservative Caucus launched an initiative, “ENGAGE – A Conversation with Albertans”. ENGAGE will invite Albertans into a conversation about budget, finances and where our province is heading. With low oil prices, increasing budgetary pressures, and job losses in industries across the province, Alberta is experiencing many challenges.   ENGAGE will seek public input on a variety of policy issues facing Alberta. Ric McIver will address these issues, and invite response as to future directions for our province. We will hear an update on what he is hearing from Albertans in the early stages of this conversation. He will also address the recent provincial budget, the PC response to it and offer some ideas about where he would lead Albertans. Speaker: Alberta P.C. party leader, Ric McIver Ric McIver is the MLA for Calgary-Hays and Interim leader of PC Alberta. He currently serves as a member of Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and as critic for Treasury

Early in April the Alberta Progressive Conservative Caucus launched an initiative, “ENGAGE – A Conversation with Albertans”. ENGAGE will invite Albertans into a conversation about budget, finances and where our province is heading. With low oil prices, increasing budgetary pressures, and job losses in industries across the province, Alberta is experiencing many challenges.   ENGAGE will seek public input on a variety of policy issues facing Alberta. Ric McIver will address these issues, and invite response as to future directions for our province. We will hear an update on what he is hearing from Albertans in the early stages of this conversation. He will also address the recent provincial budget, the PC response to it and offer some ideas about where he would lead Albertans. Speaker: Alberta P.C. party leader, Ric McIver Ric McIver is the MLA for Calgary-Hays and Interim leader of PC Alberta. He currently serves as a member of Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and as critic for Treasury

The speaker will be discussing the current global refugee crisis and its implications for Canada. What are the root causes of the refugee crisis and how are governments responding? What are the limitations of the current government's announcement to welcome Syrian refugees? What are the systemic barriers to inclusion, access, permanent residency and full rights and dignity for all migrants, refugees, and migrant workers in Canada?  How can we oppose all forms of displacement and affirm the inherent human right to stay, freedom to move, and right to return. Speaker: Harsha Walia Harsha Walia is a South Asian author and activist, currently residing in Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territories. Harsha is a cofounder of the migrant justice group, No One Is Illegal and the progressive South Asian network Radical Desis. She attended law school at UBC and currently works at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Haesha is the author of Undoing Border Imperialism, which is currently in its second print r

The speaker will be discussing the current global refugee crisis and its implications for Canada. What are the root causes of the refugee crisis and how are governments responding? What are the limitations of the current government's announcement to welcome Syrian refugees? What are the systemic barriers to inclusion, access, permanent residency and full rights and dignity for all migrants, refugees, and migrant workers in Canada?  How can we oppose all forms of displacement and affirm the inherent human right to stay, freedom to move, and right to return. Speaker: Harsha Walia Harsha Walia is a South Asian author and activist, currently residing in Vancouver, on unceded Coast Salish territories. Harsha is a cofounder of the migrant justice group, No One Is Illegal and the progressive South Asian network Radical Desis. She attended law school at UBC and currently works at the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre. Haesha is the author of Undoing Border Imperialism, which is currently in its second print r

Because the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated that the Crown must negotiate and sign treaties with the indigenous people before land could be ceded to a colony, the Numbered Treaties were negotiated in most parts of the Prairie Provinces. The Government of the Colony of British Columbia however, largely failed to negotiate treaties and as a result, most of the province's land is not covered by treaties. The Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties) are a series of eleven treaties signed between the Aboriginal peoples in Canada (or First Nations) and the reigning monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. Today, these agreements are managed by the Government of Canada, administered by Canadian Aboriginal law and overseen by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. What are the myriad of issues related to the upholding of these treaties and how are non-treaties being viewed in the context of Canadian law? The speaker will paint a picture of the historical and current negotiation process and how First Nations P

Because the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated that the Crown must negotiate and sign treaties with the indigenous people before land could be ceded to a colony, the Numbered Treaties were negotiated in most parts of the Prairie Provinces. The Government of the Colony of British Columbia however, largely failed to negotiate treaties and as a result, most of the province's land is not covered by treaties. The Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties) are a series of eleven treaties signed between the Aboriginal peoples in Canada (or First Nations) and the reigning monarch of Canada from 1871 to 1921. Today, these agreements are managed by the Government of Canada, administered by Canadian Aboriginal law and overseen by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. What are the myriad of issues related to the upholding of these treaties and how are non-treaties being viewed in the context of Canadian law? The speaker will paint a picture of the historical and current negotiation process and how First Nations P

The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College are now partners in a project designed to further cooperation between the institutions in the delivery of agriculture-related programming. The agreement is a commitment between the university and college to collectively advance learning, research and innovation opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness, including the development of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Agribusiness Innovation (CARAI) and the implementation of the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program. It also calls for the formalization of initiatives that will bring together the mandates of other agencies and organizations in the region, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as relevant producer and agriculture industry companies and organizations. How will new programs benefit learners and the future of the agricultural industry? What will be the main focus of such research and innovation? Will the emphasis be mainly on l

The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College are now partners in a project designed to further cooperation between the institutions in the delivery of agriculture-related programming. The agreement is a commitment between the university and college to collectively advance learning, research and innovation opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness, including the development of the Centre for Agricultural Research and Agribusiness Innovation (CARAI) and the implementation of the Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program. It also calls for the formalization of initiatives that will bring together the mandates of other agencies and organizations in the region, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry as well as relevant producer and agriculture industry companies and organizations. How will new programs benefit learners and the future of the agricultural industry? What will be the main focus of such research and innovation? Will the emphasis be mainly on l

At some point in the life of every Albertan they are touched by mental illness and addiction. Released in February 2016, an Alberta report (co-authored by Dr. David Swann) on addictions and mental health, highlights the system changes which are critically needed to reduce wait times, improve quality care, and reduce the cost of our current systems of care. Psychiatrists do play a vital role dealing with severe mental illness along with teams of supporting professionals. However, it’s clear that the great majority of mental health and addictions issues could and should be handled by other professionals, including psychologists, family physicians, and their teams. Furthermore, to improve patient outcomes, there must be a shift of resources upstream into prevention efforts with individuals, families, and communities at risk. Without a dramatic shift in the planning and allocation of resources to identify and reduce risk factors earlier and prevent breakdown, the human and financial toll will continue to rise in

At some point in the life of every Albertan they are touched by mental illness and addiction. Released in February 2016, an Alberta report (co-authored by Dr. David Swann) on addictions and mental health, highlights the system changes which are critically needed to reduce wait times, improve quality care, and reduce the cost of our current systems of care. Psychiatrists do play a vital role dealing with severe mental illness along with teams of supporting professionals. However, it’s clear that the great majority of mental health and addictions issues could and should be handled by other professionals, including psychologists, family physicians, and their teams. Furthermore, to improve patient outcomes, there must be a shift of resources upstream into prevention efforts with individuals, families, and communities at risk. Without a dramatic shift in the planning and allocation of resources to identify and reduce risk factors earlier and prevent breakdown, the human and financial toll will continue to rise in

It is conventional wisdom in Alberta that bringing in a sales tax would be political suicide, but there is nothing unusual about sales taxes. They are part of the fiscal fabric everywhere else in Canada, many U.S. states, and throughout Europe. A provincial sales tax of five percent could net Alberta $5 billion yearly and still be one of the lowest taxed provinces. The Alberta Taxpayer Protection Act, introduced by Premier Ralph Klein in 1995, states that a referendum must be held before a Provincial Sales Tax can be introduced. However, previous governments have shown that they have no problem sweeping away old laws like this one. In 2009, the PC government amended their much touted Fiscal Responsibility Act which prohibited deficit budgets in order to pass a deficit budget. What are the sources of opposition in Alberta and what impact would a sales tax have on the politics and finances of the province? The speaker will analyze these questions and assert that relying on a boom-bust economy with a real la

It is conventional wisdom in Alberta that bringing in a sales tax would be political suicide, but there is nothing unusual about sales taxes. They are part of the fiscal fabric everywhere else in Canada, many U.S. states, and throughout Europe. A provincial sales tax of five percent could net Alberta $5 billion yearly and still be one of the lowest taxed provinces. The Alberta Taxpayer Protection Act, introduced by Premier Ralph Klein in 1995, states that a referendum must be held before a Provincial Sales Tax can be introduced. However, previous governments have shown that they have no problem sweeping away old laws like this one. In 2009, the PC government amended their much touted Fiscal Responsibility Act which prohibited deficit budgets in order to pass a deficit budget. What are the sources of opposition in Alberta and what impact would a sales tax have on the politics and finances of the province? The speaker will analyze these questions and assert that relying on a boom-bust economy with a real la

Financial mismanagement by financial institutions and brokers is affecting individuals, municipalities, universities, retirement plans and pension funds in Canada. Seniors have been hardest hit since low interest rates have reduced their retirement investment income, forcing them into potentially risky investments. Arguably, there are systemic methods by which Provincial Securities Commissions violate or “exempt” Provincial Securities Act laws for the benefit of investment firms and brokers. This costs Canadians billions of dollars each year and has gone on for years without notice to the investing public. It is doing irreversible harm to our economy and to society. It also illustrates where government agencies and Provincial Securities Commissions are forgetting their mandate to protect Canadians. The speaker will show how regulators are willfully blind to thousands of industry registrants who are legally registered in the capacity of “dealing representatives”. (Salespersons) Thousands of such product s

Financial mismanagement by financial institutions and brokers is affecting individuals, municipalities, universities, retirement plans and pension funds in Canada. Seniors have been hardest hit since low interest rates have reduced their retirement investment income, forcing them into potentially risky investments. Arguably, there are systemic methods by which Provincial Securities Commissions violate or “exempt” Provincial Securities Act laws for the benefit of investment firms and brokers. This costs Canadians billions of dollars each year and has gone on for years without notice to the investing public. It is doing irreversible harm to our economy and to society. It also illustrates where government agencies and Provincial Securities Commissions are forgetting their mandate to protect Canadians. The speaker will show how regulators are willfully blind to thousands of industry registrants who are legally registered in the capacity of “dealing representatives”. (Salespersons) Thousands of such product s

How many times have you answered the phone only to hear a voice telling you that you have won something fabulous. You know it is a scam and you hang up. Fraudsters know that people are getting smarter, so they are becoming craftier and are fine tuning their methods to get our money. Constable Dan Shurtz will alert us to a variety of scams aimed to separate us from our hard earned money: Some of the things he will cover in his talk are: Phishing, Overpayment scams, the CRA scam, the Grandparent scam, the Microsoft scam and Lottery schemes. He will also talk about what to do if you have been a victim of fraud. Speaker: Constable Dan Shurtz Dan Shurtz is a university graduate with a degree in Japanese and Economics from the University of Alberta and also spent a year of post-graduate work in linguistics at Northern Arizona University. He has worked as an English teacher, computer technician and interpreter. Constable Shurtz began his law enforcement profession as a police officer in 2003 in Edmonton, w

How many times have you answered the phone only to hear a voice telling you that you have won something fabulous. You know it is a scam and you hang up. Fraudsters know that people are getting smarter, so they are becoming craftier and are fine tuning their methods to get our money. Constable Dan Shurtz will alert us to a variety of scams aimed to separate us from our hard earned money: Some of the things he will cover in his talk are: Phishing, Overpayment scams, the CRA scam, the Grandparent scam, the Microsoft scam and Lottery schemes. He will also talk about what to do if you have been a victim of fraud. Speaker: Constable Dan Shurtz Dan Shurtz is a university graduate with a degree in Japanese and Economics from the University of Alberta and also spent a year of post-graduate work in linguistics at Northern Arizona University. He has worked as an English teacher, computer technician and interpreter. Constable Shurtz began his law enforcement profession as a police officer in 2003 in Edmonton, w

The movement away from task-oriented care toward person-centered care (i.e., care based on residents’ individualized care needs and preferences) is considered by many to be essential to both the quality of care and quality of life of people residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially of those who have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia. The consistent provision of person-centered care is widely recognized as the goal of the residential care culture change movement. This talk will be explain why the attainment of this goal has remained elusive for the majority of LTC facilities, despite significant effort to alter practice. Intervention factors and organizational systems that support the uptake of practice and culture change initiatives will be described. Evidence for this discussion is derived from both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across multiple long-term care settings.  Speaker: Dr. Sienna Caspar Sienna Caspar has worked in long-term care facilities in both Can

The movement away from task-oriented care toward person-centered care (i.e., care based on residents’ individualized care needs and preferences) is considered by many to be essential to both the quality of care and quality of life of people residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially of those who have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia. The consistent provision of person-centered care is widely recognized as the goal of the residential care culture change movement. This talk will be explain why the attainment of this goal has remained elusive for the majority of LTC facilities, despite significant effort to alter practice. Intervention factors and organizational systems that support the uptake of practice and culture change initiatives will be described. Evidence for this discussion is derived from both quantitative and qualitative studies conducted across multiple long-term care settings.  Speaker: Dr. Sienna Caspar Sienna Caspar has worked in long-term care facilities in both Can