Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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

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