Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Aldermen The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with a large number of aldermanic candidates running for City Council. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights. The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Aldermen will be held on Thursday, October 7 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 – 9 pm Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm. Moderator:Trevor Page Dates:Thursday, October 7, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted Visit the SACPA website: http://www.s

Back to the Future: Why Alberta needs more pioneer-style collective action and less American-style conservative ideology. Job loss; declining quality and accessibility of public services; environmental impact of development; and cut throat competition from abroad are the kinds of challenges Alberta faces as it moves into the second decade of the 21st century. Will we be able to maintain our prosperity and quality of life in the face of these challenges? Will we adapt, innovate and develop better ways to support each other and our communities? Or will we see more and more of our neighbours tossed to the curb as the newly “globalized” economy picks winners and losers? Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will argue Alberta has the tools it needs to deal successfully with the challenges facing the province; all that’s missing is political vision and political will. McGowan believes that it’s time to reject American-inspired free-market conservatism that has dominated Alberta’s political and poli

2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election Forum for Aldermen The 2010 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with a large number of aldermanic candidates running for City Council. As in the past, SACPA is hosting election forums for Aldermen and Mayor on different nights. The SACPA Candidate’s Forum for Aldermen will be held on Thursday, October 7 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery 7 – 9 pm Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event. And…Don’t forget to vote on Monday, October 18, 2010 or at the advance voting at City Hall 910 - 4 Ave South (Culver Room) on October 2, 8, 9 or 14 between 10 am and 8 pm. Moderator:Trevor Page Dates:Thursday, October 7, 2010 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted Visit the SACPA website: http://www.s

Back to the Future: Why Alberta needs more pioneer-style collective action and less American-style conservative ideology. Job loss; declining quality and accessibility of public services; environmental impact of development; and cut throat competition from abroad are the kinds of challenges Alberta faces as it moves into the second decade of the 21st century. Will we be able to maintain our prosperity and quality of life in the face of these challenges? Will we adapt, innovate and develop better ways to support each other and our communities? Or will we see more and more of our neighbours tossed to the curb as the newly “globalized” economy picks winners and losers? Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will argue Alberta has the tools it needs to deal successfully with the challenges facing the province; all that’s missing is political vision and political will. McGowan believes that it’s time to reject American-inspired free-market conservatism that has dominated Alberta’s political and poli

Beethoven’s Third Symphony in Eb Major, the “Eroica” is one of the most influential works of the 19th century. It marked the beginning of the symphony as a new monumental art form, capable of a seriousness and depth of expression that was previously associated only with epic poetry. As far as Beethoven’s personal style is concerned, it also ushered in his “heroic” period of composition, the features of which have come to be accepted as the essence of the composer’s unique musical personality. Moreover, these features, which created the music’s great power, were in turn taken up as the guiding principles of symphonic writing by many later composers, continuing well into the twentieth century. The Symphony’s dynamism owes much to French revolutionary music and above all reflects the inspiration Beethoven drew from the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, to whom the Symphony was to be dedicated. However, when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, Beethoven tore out the dedication page in disgust and instead dedicate

As the municipal election in Lethbridge was beginning to gain steam this summer and candidates were coming forward, there was already a local group pressing one topic as an election issue: the building of a new skateboard park in Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Skateboard Association has managed to make their concern about the current crumbling and unsafe skateboard park one of the most talked about topics in this election. Most candidates are expressing support for a major investment of funds into a new skateboard park in a central location and the Lethbridge Skateboard Association has made itself a major player in the election through its involvement with online media. While skateboarding is one of the most popular sports for young people, it does not appear to be particularly well understood by either city council or administration. Average voters also struggle to understand why they should invest $500,000 to build a bunch of “graffiti-covered concrete hills” for skateboarders. The speaker will explain why sk

Beethoven’s Third Symphony in Eb Major, the “Eroica” is one of the most influential works of the 19th century. It marked the beginning of the symphony as a new monumental art form, capable of a seriousness and depth of expression that was previously associated only with epic poetry. As far as Beethoven’s personal style is concerned, it also ushered in his “heroic” period of composition, the features of which have come to be accepted as the essence of the composer’s unique musical personality. Moreover, these features, which created the music’s great power, were in turn taken up as the guiding principles of symphonic writing by many later composers, continuing well into the twentieth century. The Symphony’s dynamism owes much to French revolutionary music and above all reflects the inspiration Beethoven drew from the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, to whom the Symphony was to be dedicated. However, when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, Beethoven tore out the dedication page in disgust and instead dedicate

As the municipal election in Lethbridge was beginning to gain steam this summer and candidates were coming forward, there was already a local group pressing one topic as an election issue: the building of a new skateboard park in Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Skateboard Association has managed to make their concern about the current crumbling and unsafe skateboard park one of the most talked about topics in this election. Most candidates are expressing support for a major investment of funds into a new skateboard park in a central location and the Lethbridge Skateboard Association has made itself a major player in the election through its involvement with online media. While skateboarding is one of the most popular sports for young people, it does not appear to be particularly well understood by either city council or administration. Average voters also struggle to understand why they should invest $500,000 to build a bunch of “graffiti-covered concrete hills” for skateboarders. The speaker will explain why sk

The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source. Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region. The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA. Sp

The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source. Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region. The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA. Sp

Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative. Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior. . Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D. Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related t

Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative. Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior. . Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D. Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related t

Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy. The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies. While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective. Speaker: Russ Sm

Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy. The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies. While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective. Speaker: Russ Sm

The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan. In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term. Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi

The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan. In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term. Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi

“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point. Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the seco

“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point. Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the seco

12-1:30pm In the early 1990’s, each of the three Prairie Provinces held judicial inquiries into Aboriginal Justice. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples followed these inquiries with a National analysis. All of these important studies reviewed the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian Justice System. At present about 20% of federal offenders are Aboriginal. On the Prairies, provincial Aboriginal incarceration rates range from 35% in Alberta to 80% in Saskatchewan. In the words of Justice Cawsey from the Alberta Inquiry: “The only things that have worked for Natives have come from Natives”. There are consistent statistics demonstrating the decreased rate of reoffending or recidivism where Aboriginal offenders have gone through Aboriginal programming including healing lodges, ceremonies and opportunities to commune with Elders. Just this past winter, Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator for Correctional Services of Canada underlined these facts. Mr. Sapers emphas

12-1:30pm In the early 1990’s, each of the three Prairie Provinces held judicial inquiries into Aboriginal Justice. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples followed these inquiries with a National analysis. All of these important studies reviewed the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal peoples in the Canadian Justice System. At present about 20% of federal offenders are Aboriginal. On the Prairies, provincial Aboriginal incarceration rates range from 35% in Alberta to 80% in Saskatchewan. In the words of Justice Cawsey from the Alberta Inquiry: “The only things that have worked for Natives have come from Natives”. There are consistent statistics demonstrating the decreased rate of reoffending or recidivism where Aboriginal offenders have gone through Aboriginal programming including healing lodges, ceremonies and opportunities to commune with Elders. Just this past winter, Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator for Correctional Services of Canada underlined these facts. Mr. Sapers emphas