Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall. The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school boards in the province, including Lethbridge, despite increased student enrolments. The speaker will outline the many tax incentives provided to large industrial property owners that are hidden in the Province’s regulated assessment process and explain how this affects you as a taxpayer. Speaker: Stan Dilworth Stan Dilworth is currently the Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Department for the City of Lethbridge. He moved to Lethbridge in 2009 from Edmonton, his home for 35 years. He is responsible for the annual valuation of the City’s assessment base of 13.8 billion

Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall. The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school boards in the province, including Lethbridge, despite increased student enrolments. The speaker will outline the many tax incentives provided to large industrial property owners that are hidden in the Province’s regulated assessment process and explain how this affects you as a taxpayer. Speaker: Stan Dilworth Stan Dilworth is currently the Manager of the Assessment and Taxation Department for the City of Lethbridge. He moved to Lethbridge in 2009 from Edmonton, his home for 35 years. He is responsible for the annual valuation of the City’s assessment base of 13.8 billion

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library presents: To Pray or Not to Pray: What are the Ramifications of the Recent SCC Ruling on Prayers at Municipal Council Meetings? Ideally, Canada does not discriminate on grounds of religion although many people complain that it falls short in practice. In ruling against the Saguenay city council’s recitation of prayer before its meetings the Supreme Court of Canada recently declared that a religiously neutral state may not "favour or hinder any particular belief or non-belief under the guise of cultural or historical reality or heritage." Following that ruling, many municipalities have discontinued similar practices with some deciding instead to sing the national anthem or observe a moment of silence. Others continue with prayer traditions or are waiting for further reviews. The speaker will weigh in on the implications of the SCC ruling putting it in a broader context of views on the role of religion and religious tradition in Canadian society and def

The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a healthy community: They build mistrust, limit dialogue, and hinder the ability to build powerful alliances between those with experience and those with fresh ideas. Deconstructing these stereotypes would foster trusting and empowering relationships between youth and their elders; the kind of relationships which encourage sense of community, empathy, and a passion for knowledge. The speakers will discuss the disconnect between youth and the older generations, the kinds of issues this disconnect creates and the ways in which youth-focused programs, such as those at Lethbridge’s Boys & Girls Club and 5th on 5th, can

The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a healthy community: They build mistrust, limit dialogue, and hinder the ability to build powerful alliances between those with experience and those with fresh ideas. Deconstructing these stereotypes would foster trusting and empowering relationships between youth and their elders; the kind of relationships which encourage sense of community, empathy, and a passion for knowledge. The speakers will discuss the disconnect between youth and the older generations, the kinds of issues this disconnect creates and the ways in which youth-focused programs, such as those at Lethbridge’s Boys & Girls Club and 5th on 5th, can

Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age. We now know that such an interpretation has been a misreading of religious trends. A new comprehensive national survey carried out in March of this year by Angus Reid in partnership with Reginald Bibby has found that the religious situation is characterized not by relentless secularization but by polarization. A solid core of Canadians continue to embrace faith, a growing core reject it, and a sizable segment of the population locate themselves between the two inclinations. What’s more, immigration from Asian countries in particular is having a revitalizing impact on religion. By 2050, demographers tell us, the market for religion in Canada will remain significant. The g

Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age. We now know that such an interpretation has been a misreading of religious trends. A new comprehensive national survey carried out in March of this year by Angus Reid in partnership with Reginald Bibby has found that the religious situation is characterized not by relentless secularization but by polarization. A solid core of Canadians continue to embrace faith, a growing core reject it, and a sizable segment of the population locate themselves between the two inclinations. What’s more, immigration from Asian countries in particular is having a revitalizing impact on religion. By 2050, demographers tell us, the market for religion in Canada will remain significant. The g

Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too often. Mainstream media is no longer able to ignore the ongoing violence against indigenous people and more specifically the targeting of indigenous women, transgender and two-spirited people. The Canadian government has consistently refused demands for a public inquiry, which would acknowledge the gravity of the crisis. The speakers will argue that an inquiry could establish a public record and examine more than the root causes that are already known. An inquiry could also shed light on why many reports with hundreds of recommendations on this subject have never been acted upon. Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns a

Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too often. Mainstream media is no longer able to ignore the ongoing violence against indigenous people and more specifically the targeting of indigenous women, transgender and two-spirited people. The Canadian government has consistently refused demands for a public inquiry, which would acknowledge the gravity of the crisis. The speakers will argue that an inquiry could establish a public record and examine more than the root causes that are already known. An inquiry could also shed light on why many reports with hundreds of recommendations on this subject have never been acted upon. Speaker: Dr. Linda Many Guns a

The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds. In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have offered responses that are overly simplistic, empirically inaccurate, and visibly biased. Some, for instance, have argued that the source of the problem should be found in the teachings of Islam, while others have argued that those committing the violent/terrorist acts are not true Muslims. In this presentation, some of these responses, and their shortcomings, will be discussed; and, an alternative perspective will be offered. Speaker:

The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds. In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have offered responses that are overly simplistic, empirically inaccurate, and visibly biased. Some, for instance, have argued that the source of the problem should be found in the teachings of Islam, while others have argued that those committing the violent/terrorist acts are not true Muslims. In this presentation, some of these responses, and their shortcomings, will be discussed; and, an alternative perspective will be offered. Speaker:

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurements is critical so that policy makers and other concerned stakeholders can rely on evidence-based scientific facts in support of efforts to manage our impacts on our planet’s climate system. The purpose of this talk is to outline a variety of ways that remote sensing is meeting the data needs for global Earth observation. Recent years have seen an unprecedented expansion of new and novel Earth Observation efforts. The speaker will present the major developments and coordination of efforts with respect to measurement of changes in three spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere (especially ocean), and biosphere.

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurements is critical so that policy makers and other concerned stakeholders can rely on evidence-based scientific facts in support of efforts to manage our impacts on our planet’s climate system. The purpose of this talk is to outline a variety of ways that remote sensing is meeting the data needs for global Earth observation. Recent years have seen an unprecedented expansion of new and novel Earth Observation efforts. The speaker will present the major developments and coordination of efforts with respect to measurement of changes in three spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere (especially ocean), and biosphere.

Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years. Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of revenues from oil and gas. Also established was the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a non-renewable resource fund designed to be of long-term benefit to Alberta. Sadly though, since Lougheed retired from politics in 1986, opportunities have arguably been squandered and the fund value has remained stagnant despite continued growth in fossil fuel production. However, forty some years of Tory rule has seen some notable successes such as limiting overall public debt and adapting to rapid economic and social growth. But over that time, governments have been unable to implement a tax regime that mitigates the effe

Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years. Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of revenues from oil and gas. Also established was the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a non-renewable resource fund designed to be of long-term benefit to Alberta. Sadly though, since Lougheed retired from politics in 1986, opportunities have arguably been squandered and the fund value has remained stagnant despite continued growth in fossil fuel production. However, forty some years of Tory rule has seen some notable successes such as limiting overall public debt and adapting to rapid economic and social growth. But over that time, governments have been unable to implement a tax regime that mitigates the effe

The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on May 5, 2015. Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2015 for Lethbridge EAST Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Country Kitchen Catering (downstairs at the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S

The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on May 5, 2015. Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2015 for Lethbridge EAST Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Country Kitchen Catering (downstairs at the Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S

Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North America. The revenue generated from licensing helps feed, shelter and care for the pets in facilities and supports cat and dog adoptions, school/educational and volunteer programs. In other words, when pets are licensed, not only are people protecting their own pet’s safety, they are helping the thousands of other animals who enter animal shelters. The speaker will elaborate on plans the Council Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee in Lethbridge are currently considering. Speaker: Rob Miyashiro, Lethbridge

Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North America. The revenue generated from licensing helps feed, shelter and care for the pets in facilities and supports cat and dog adoptions, school/educational and volunteer programs. In other words, when pets are licensed, not only are people protecting their own pet’s safety, they are helping the thousands of other animals who enter animal shelters. The speaker will elaborate on plans the Council Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee in Lethbridge are currently considering. Speaker: Rob Miyashiro, Lethbridge

Learning to harness fusion in a controlled way – recreating the sun on earth, as a clean source of energy – is the holy grail of international energy programs. According to Dr. Allan Offenberger “A sustained fusion burn is no longer an academic dream but will be realized in the near future.” Dr. Offenberger will outline several quite promising options and update us on their progress and status. Dr. Offenberger is particularly interested in getting Alberta researchers and industry involved in fusion development. He led an assessment team on behalf of the Alberta Council of Technologies Society (ABCtech) on visits to the major fusion programs around the world last year. He believes Alberta could be a strong contender for the location of the world’s first fusion power demonstration plant and subsequent use for “greener” oil sands applications. Speaker: Dr. Allan Offenberger Allan Offenberger is Professor Emeritus of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Alberta. He received his B