Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Most of the global population recognizes we are in an accelerating transition to sustainable societies and environments. But what will that look like? Will life be more challenging; more comfortable; perhaps a combination? Dr. Byrne will discuss the society of the future. What do we have to do with energy and sustainability to achieve reasonably stable regional and global environments. Speaker: James Byrne James Byrne is Professor Emeritus, University of Lethbridge. He continues an active research program in climate, change solutions, renewable energy, transitions, and society scale sustainability.

An on-reserve police service presents with many challenges, including funding, staffing, and retention. The First Nation members themselves face particular challenges as well as non-challenges. Non-First Nation officers have their own unique challenges, as well as the “culture shock” that accompanies policing a First Nation area. Our presenters will touch on all of these issues based on their own policing experience. Speakers: Police Chief Grant Buckskin and Inspector Rayan Najjar Grant Buckskin is Interim Chief of Police with the Blood Tribe Police Service, a position he has held since September, 2022. He is a member of the Blood Tribe and started his career with the Police Service in 1990. After 7 1/2 years, he left to serve with other police services in Central and Northern Alberta as well as Manitoba, before returning to the Blood Reserve in 2007 where he has since remained. Over the course of this extensive policing career, Chief Buckskin has served in many positions in the Community Policing Division an

A NDP majority was elected in 2015, and then in 2019 enough people voted for the UCP to give them a majority. Elections in different jurisdictions have shown that after each opposite direction election, many voters are left hanging with no home. Recent polls have shown that the UCP is having a hard time keeping voters, but not all are ready to vote NDP, so where do they go? The speaker will contend that at some point, Albertans may become tired of the instability of this back-and-forth undoing what the previous government did, only to have that repeat in the following election. The Alberta Party arguably occupies the center of Alberta politics, which is not far from the sentiment of most Albertans. Speaker: Barry Morishita, leader of the Alberta Party A long serving councilor and Mayor in the City of Brooks, Barry Morishita is well known in municipal government across the province having spent 7 years on the Board and Executive of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association becoming the association’s longest

The City of Lethbridge and Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) signed a Shelter lease agreement starting Jan 1, 2023 at the location of the former Lethbridge Shelter and Stabilization Centre on 2 Avenue North. The speaker will give some background info on how this agreement came to be, followed by an account of the current Shelter situation and the overall continuum of care plan and vision by BTDH on the issue of opioid addiction and recovery. Speaker: Taatsiikiipoyii, Charles (Charlie) Weaselhead Jr. Charles Weaselhead, former Blood Tribe Chief and Treaty 7 Grand Chief, was born on the Blood Indian Reserve in 1949. Since the early 1980’s, Charles Weaselhead has worked hard to advance many health initiatives to improve the health care outcomes for the People, as Director of the treatment Centre Napi Lodge and Poundmaker’s Lodge; Director of the Blood Indian Hospital in the early 90’s; and as Chief Executive Officer for the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc., a post he held until his successful election

Some people may be under the impression that with the Paris Accord of 2015, and subsequent agreements made at a series of “Conference of the Parties” (COP) meetings, the problem of climate change is well on its way to being solved. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth. I will summarize some recent scientific findings that everyone needs to know about and discuss their implications for climate policy. Speaker: Kent Peacock Moderator: Mark Goettel Kent Peacock is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. He works on the philosophy of science, logic, and (most recently) sustainability and climate change.

Mr. Schow will give some insight into the provincial budget for 2023, and recap important provincial investments over the last 3 years. Speaker: HONOURABLE JOSEPH SCHOW, ECA Minister Without Portfolio, Government House Leader, United Conservative Caucus, MLA for Cardston-Siksika Moderator: Bev Muendel- Atherstone Joseph Schow was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Cardston-Siksika, on April 16, 2019. He was appointed Government House Leader on October 24, 2022. He previously served as Deputy Government House Leader and Deputy Government Whip. He also served on several committees of the Legislative Assembly, including as Chair for the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and the Select Special Committees on Democratic Accountability and the Child and Youth Advocate Search. He was Deputy Chair for the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and the Standing Committees on Private Bills and Private Members’ Public Bills and Privileges and Elections, Stand

With an Alberta election on the way this spring, Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP are promising to be a stable, caring, and competent government, focused on addressing the issues that matter to Lethbridge like lowering the cost of living and rebuilding public health care. With Danielle Smith’s government in a state of chaos, MLA Shannon Phillips will provide an alternative vision for a stronger Lethbridge and what she would prefer to see for her constituents and fellow Albertans. Speaker: Shannon Phillips, MLA, Lethbridge West Moderator: Dylon Purcell Shannon Phillips was elected MLA for Lethbridge West as a member of Alberta’s New Democrats in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. She has been nominated by her party for the 2023 election again. MLA Phillips served as Minister of Environment and Parks from 2015-2019 and now chairs the Public Accounts Committee and serves as Opposition Critic for Treasury Board and Finance. She lives in Lethbridge with her two sons.

An account of what was learned about city finances and financial oversight during 8 years of service on Lethbridge City Council will be presented. Speaker: Chris Spearman, Former Mayor of Lethbridge Moderator: Mark Goettel Chris Spearman was a Lethbridge resident from 1981 to 2022. He had more than 40 years ofbusiness experience, including 33 years as Manager of Accounting and Administration at the Black Velvet Distilling Company in Lethbridge. Chris served for 18 years on the Holy Spirit School Board and 8 years as the mayor of Lethbridge.

Find out why the Village Stirling embarked on a journey to net zero with the deployment of community-owned solar microgeneration beginning in 2018. More importantly, learn about this southern Alberta community’s plans to continue its leadership in energy sustainability and financial responsibility. The Village of Stirling is one of just three communities in Canada designated as a National Historic Site and is the largest village in Alberta by population with 1,269 residents as of the 2019 municipal census. While Stirling is proud of its past, the community is also preparing for the future with high-speed fibre optic broadband internet service connected to more than 90% of households as well as solar arrays on public buildings to offset municipal power consumption needs resulting in Canada’s first electrically “net zero” Village for municipal purposes. The innovative community where families thrive continues to innovate with the start-up of a municipally controlled corporation in Ridge Utilities Ltd. to market

Christian churches faced several significant challenges in the Covid-19 pandemic to attend to the spiritual needs of our community, and their post-crisis recovery continues to be very rocky.  This discussion will explore the various obstacles faith communities have faced since 2020, how they navigated those obstacles, and new pressures they are now facing.  Speaker:    Reverend Taylor Croissant Moderator:  Terry Shillington The Reverend Taylor Croissant is an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada, currently serving at Southminster United Church in downtown Lethbridge.  He is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, and after earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Studies, he completed a Masters of Divinity at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon.  Before coming to Lethbridge, Taylor served several churches in northern Alberta, as well as a two-year appointment with The United Church’s global partner church in South Korea, The Presbyterian Church in The Republic of Korea.  He is the editor of Building

Lethbridge Housing Authority – building healthy families and sustainable communities with appropriate and affordable homes. Lethbridge Housing Authority (LHA) is a Housing Management body established by Ministerial Order in 1995. Its purpose is to provide affordable housing to seniors, individuals and families through the operations and administration of funding and properties owned by the Province of Alberta. Recognizing that housing is more than just the bricks and mortar of a building, LHA is a respected partner engaged in building vibrant communities through strong partnerships. We currently partner with several organization in order to address the complex social issues behind housing stability and homelessness in Lethbridge. We will explore the role Lethbridge Housing plays in the housing continuum, what more can be done to keep our most vulnerable citizens safely and affordability housed and what are we missing in Lethbridge to achieve a reduction in homelessness. Speaker: Robin James Moderator: Knud Pe

Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl will provide an overview of the City of Lethbridge’s heritage program. Why should we protect Lethbridge’s heritage? How does the City’s heritage program work today? And how will the upcoming new Heritage Management Plan change things? Speaker: Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl George Kuhl is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with professional roots in urban and regional planning. As a planner with the Oldman River Regional Planning Commission, George worked on City of Lethbridge projects and an array of rural and small-town projects for over 21 years providing him with invaluable community development experience. He became Senior Development Officer for the City of Lethbridge in 1997 and led the Planning Department for nearly 7 years before becoming the Downtown Revitalization Manager. In 2004, George was advisor to City Council’s Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee (DRSC); his role evolved to becoming the Heart of Our City Master Plan Project Manager. George continues

For nearly 60 years, L’Arche has transformed the lives of people with and without intellectual disabilities around the world. Beginning in France in 1964, at a time when countless people with disabilities in the Western Hemisphere still languished in institutions, separated from their families and cast off from society, L’Arche founders dared to proclaim that people with developmental disabilities had essential gifts to contribute to society. Since then, across Canada and around the world, L’Arche has been creating communities of friendship and belonging, inviting people both with and without intellectual disabilities to live, work, learn, and grow together in homes, day programs and social enterprises. L’Arche demonstrates that when persons with intellectual disabilities take their place at the table, they contribute to a more just, compassionate, and vibrant world for all. L’Arche Lethbridge is a member of L’Arche International and is comprised of three homes in the city. Our speaker will outline how the m

Our official K-12 school curriculum embodies the state’s answer to the question: What must children learn so they can function appropriately as adults in our society? Answering this question is always complicated because it is an expression of what we, as a society, value. The past decade, however, has seen public and professional discussion around curriculum reform descend into ideologically-driven, partisan conflict in Alberta. This talk will address what makes curriculum development complex and how and why the process has become so contentious in the past decade. Finally, it will suggest how we might move forward to ensure that Alberta students get the high-quality curriculum they deserve.   Speaker:    Amy von Heyking Moderator:  Beverly Muendel-Atherstone   Amy von Heyking is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. Her PhD in Educational Policy Studies focused on the history of Alberta school curriculum, particularly citizenship education. She is the author of 

The speaker will discuss the importance of having this conversation now, while sharing some of her own experience.  She will identify some of the statistics (reported cases, non-reported cases, hospitalizations, deaths, affected children) and what research shows would be a huge step to stop domestic violence before it starts – looking at Mental Health and resilience, stable and positive parenting. The speaker will review what warning signs indicate a possible abusive relationship; why someone being victimized by domestic violence finds it difficult or impossible to leave, and what you can do to be part of the solution   Speaker:    Maria Fitzpatrick Moderator:  Mary Shillington   Maria was born and raised in St. John’s, NL.  She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a conjoint degree in Education and Physical Education.  She is a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother. Maria has worked all across Canada as well as in the United States for 45 years. She has been a teacher, recreation super

Alona will recount how she escaped Ukraine two weeks after Russia invaded her country. She fled with her two teenage boys from Dnipro to Kyiv where she had to make several arduous trips by train to Poland to arrange for visas under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program which is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study, and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. Once authorization was obtained, she and her sons were bused to France where arrangements were made for her family to come and settle in Lethbridge with the help of Lethbridge’s Project Sunflower Aid Society. Speaker:   Alona Sinchuk        Moderator: Mark Goettel Alona was born in Vinnytsia Ukraine and lived in several cities before settling in Dnipro. She has two teenage boys, Stepan, 14, and Arsenii, 12.    She obtained a degree

Danielle Smith is the new leader of the United Conservative Party and premier of Alberta. She is a well-known politician and media personality, but who actually is she? How did she become the UCP’s leader? What does she believe? And where are her political beliefs likely to take the province? These are but a few of the questions the talk will attempt to answer.   Speaker:   Trevor Harrison Moderator:   Colleen Quintal   Trevor W. Harrison is a professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He is the 2022 recipient of the U of L Speaker Research Award and former director of the Parkland Institute (2011–2021), of which he was also a founding member. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books, numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports, and a frequent contributor to public media, including radio and television.

A recent report by SHENLA highlights that child and family poverty is an important issue in Lethbridge and area. This report was funded by the City of Lethbridge and the Government of Canada and prepared by HelpSeeker in collaboration with SHENLA. While rates of poverty have declined somewhat over the last twenty years, children 0-5 years of age continue to experience higher rates of low income across age groups. This presentation will explore which groups of children are differentially affected by poverty in our community, the impacts of poverty, and why action is needed. Child poverty is associated with a cascade of negative impacts over the life course, and a variety of negative impacts at a community level.  Recommendations for urgent action are identified. What is the City of Lethbridge’s strategy to address poverty? The speaker will argue that a collective impact approach with broad community participation and municipal support is required to address and end child and family poverty in our community. Sp

Like many other communities across the country, the City of Lethbridge is seeing an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Without adequate shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing in the city, an increase in encampments is being identified throughout the city.  Many questions, ideas, concerns, and comments have been provided over the last several months regarding the solution to encampments and homelessness. Homelessness is a complex social issue, which requires collaboration from stakeholders across the city, the province and the country. Although affordable housing and homelessness supports are the responsibility of the Provincial Government, Lethbridge City Council recently authorized additional funding allocations to provide more services, outreach support and resources to help the vulnerable population in the city.  The speaker will explain the complexity of this issue, the jurisdiction of housing, what the city is currently doing and what the public can do to be part of the s

Mandy will provide an overview of the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and all of their hands-on grassroot initiatives as they relate to local food security, sustainability, community building, and reducing waste. The speaker will offer suggestions for simple ways of engaging our local food supporting initiatives, businesses, and organizations. She will discuss the importance of relationships and how this fundamental caring for one another increases our community ability to feed ourselves better while increasing our resiliency to the changing climate and political world instability. During a time where we are seeing food prices and inflation skyrocketing, we want to know that we have agency in where and how our food comes to us. Mandy will point to many local examples of projects, and groups who are making traction towards a more community secure food system.   Speaker:     Mandy Sandbach - Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and SOULfully SOIL             Mandy Sandbach is an ally, student and