Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Are you a senior who is feeling lonely? Would you like someone to keep in touch? With Connie-Marie Riedlhuber

For many elderly folks, a call from a friend or an acquaintance once or twice a week can make a big difference in how they feel. Knowing that someone cares and is there to share stories and laugh with is comforting and meaningful in so many ways. The Volunteer Lethbridge Keep in Touch program connects people in our community with each other through a weekly telephone support system linking seniors to a friendly person with whom to chat and access resource information they may need.

 

Arguable, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major increase in loneliness and mental health issues, especially among seniors, and therefore more demand for programs such as Keep in Touch. The speaker will describe how the Keep in Touch program was developed by Volunteer Lethbridge. After successfully piloting the program in Lethbridge with funding from the COVID-19 Mental Health and Addiction Community Fund, the program is now gaining partners in other Alberta cities and rural communities.

 

Speaker: Connie-Marie Riedlhuber

 

Connie Marie is the Keep in Touch Senior’s Coordinator with Volunteer Lethbridge. The majority of her career and personal journey has centered around supporting and caring for aging seniors, building healthy families, workplaces, and communities. Connie-Marie is a Transition Specialist, Life Designer, Author and Presenter, and has training in Sacred Psychology, along with Marketing and Communications.

An Exodus of Young People: Is this Alberta’s Future? with Dr. David Finch

Today, a community's prosperity is linked to its ability to attract, retain, develop and mobilize talent. The future prosperity of Alberta is undoubtedly centered on people. The risk of young people leaving our province is real and extraordinarily complex. What drives young adults to “purchase” a city?  What are young Canadians’ perceptions of Alberta? What does Alberta need to do to once again make Alberta a magnet for young adults? In this discussion, Dr. David Finch of Mount Royal University's CityXLab will review insights from a year-long study that examined the drivers of talent mobility in Alberta and across Canada.

 

Speaker: Dr. David J Finch               

 

Dr. David J. Finch holds a PhD in management and is an active educator, scholar and practitioner. He currently holds several academic appointments including as a Professor at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, a Visiting Fellow at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading (UK), and the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. As a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity, Dr. Finch leads the Institute’s CityXLab. This Lab explores the intersection between a city’s learning, creative and active experiences; and its ability to attract, develop and retain human capital. Dr. Finch has authored over 50 scholarly papers and published in journals such as the Academy of Management Learning & Education, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Sport Management and the Corporate Reputation Review. His most recent book Understanding the Active Economy and Emerging Research on the Value of Sports, Recreation, and Wellness (Finch & Legg) explores the value of the active economy to community. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Finch held progressively senior roles in areas of corporate strategy in Canada, the U.S and the U.K.

Insights on Ecological Effects of Coal Development in the Eastern Slopes with Lorne Fitch

Five retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologists provided a submission to the Coal Policy Committee earlier this year (Insights on Coal Development from Five Retired Fish and Wildlife Biologists). The submission was grounded in our experience as provincial biologists and in ecological arguments. It was based on our collective experience, observations, monitoring and research on open-pit coal mining in the Eastern Slopes over nearly a 50-year timespan as well as relevant research references on the ecological effects of coal mining on the aquatic environment, fish and wildlife populations and native plant communities. The presentation is a summary of our conclusions. The submission touches on the processes involved in mine development, on a synoptic review of mine operations in the Eastern Slopes and on mine mitigation, compensation and reclamation. The most profound conclusion is the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rockies are not a frontier of unrealized possibilities—instead, they are a busy landscape where expectations already exceed the ability of the landscape to absorb these dreams.  The speaker will argue, there are no longer places in the Eastern Slopes where coal development can be safely, effectively and environmentally accommodated.

Speaker: Lorne Fitch- Professional Biologist 

Lorne has been a biologist for 50 years, working on many issues related to use of land and water. Lorne is a professional biologist, a retired provincial Fish and Wildlife biologist, was one of the co-founders of the stewardship initiative Cows and Fish and a former Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. Lethbridge is home, where he pens articles and essays on issues related to Alberta’s landscape and critters.

Can Solar Energy Breathe new life into Abandoned Oil Well Sites? With Speaker Keith Hirsche

Alberta has 170,000 plus inactive and abandoned oil wells and over 3000 orphan wells that have been abandoned by failed companies. It all adds up to a liability in excess of $30 billion against a total security deposit of less than $250 million. There is also a growing tax liability. In a survey, the Rural Municipalities Association of Alberta (RMA) found $245 million in unpaid property taxes owed by oil and gas companies in February 2021, a 200 percent increase from 2019. Lease arrears to land owners, are also in the millions.

The speaker will argue that an average of 750 kilowatts solar energy can be installed on abandoned oil well sites by converting those without further impact on the farmland, thus creating a long-term source of revenue in the form of taxation to municipalities and lease payments to land owners. He will detail the possibilities of such installations and further contend that local renewable energy production can minimize the need for, expensive to construct, high-voltage transmission lines. With support from Alberta’s Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, the M.D. of Taber and 3 irrigation districts (St. Mary River, Taber and Raymond), two 1 MW pilot projects are scheduled for construction in the Spring of 2022.

Speaker: Keith Hirsche               

Keith Hirsche is a fourth generation Albertan, second generation in the oil and gas industry and the originator of the RenuWell Project. Over the course of his career, he provided research support for in-situ oilsands production, managed software developments and played key roles in several consortia including Canada’s first CO2 sequestration/EOR project.

Keith was introduced to renewable energy technology in 2003 while visiting extended family in Denmark. Later that year, he founded Elemental Energy (2003 Alberta) Inc to explore how conventional and renewable energy systems could be combined for a more sustainable future. Since 2016, he has worked with key stakeholders to create economic, environmental and social benefits by repurposing Alberta’s legacy oil and gas infrastructure to be a foundation for renewable energy development. In addition to his technical experience, Keith is trained in group facilitation and conflict management.

Alberta‘s 2021 Municipal Elections: Did Partisan Politics Influence the Results? With Barry Morishita

In addition to the municipal and Senate candidate elections, two referendum questions were added by the Alberta Government to the 2021 Municipal Elections: (1) Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the constitution? (2) Do you want Alberta to adopt year-round Daylight-Saving Time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change our clocks twice a year? 

The first question can arguably be considered partisan in nature given the rhetoric around equalization provided by the governing UCP party and it may have enabled an altered focus of people running and voting on local issues. Besides that, what did the vote on equalization actually mean? Similarly, the vote for Senate appointments among the 13 candidates running may have been a futile exercise.   

Lethbridge added two extra questions on their ballot (1) Do you support using a ward system to elect City Councilors (other than the Mayor) starting with the 2025 municipal election? (2) Do you agree that city council should approve plans to construct a 3rd bridge prior to 2030 as a municipal capital project priority? These questions were front and center during election forums and will no doubt be hot items for Lethbridge City Council to wrestle with going forward.

Typically, partisan politics play a rather small role in municipal politics & the speaker will recount his extensive experiences and concerns. He will also estimate what the election results could mean for Alberta & speculate on the wisdom of allowing Political Action Committees (PAC's) & more money into municipal politics.  

 

Speaker:  Barry Morishita            

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 associations longest serving President. His experiences traveling throughout the Province in this capacity & his passion for building communities earned him the Honorary Lifetime Membership from the AUMA. He retired from municipal politics in 2021 & has moved into the provincial arena as the Leader of the Alberta Party. Barry is a proud Canadian of Japanese descent, married with two children & two grandchildren living in the City of 100 Hello’s, Brooks, Alberta.

Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Aquaponics with Michael Lavorato

Food security and sustainable agriculture are top of mind given the challenges of climate change.  The speaker will talk about a new aquaponics project happening in southern Alberta to tackle food security and climate change. He will discuss the challenges with food security in southern Alberta and why sustainable agriculture is important, and provide an overview of aquaponics and how it is a sustainable growing method. And finally, he will discuss the collaboration of the aquaponics project with schools and community stakeholders, and how it will enhance food security in schools and promote environmental leadership. 

Speaker: Michael Lavorato             

Michael Lavorato has been passionate about environmental sustainability all his life. He started working in aquaponics over the last five years to promote and enhance sustainable food systems. He has built over 40 aquaponics systems across Alberta in schools, libraries, and continuing care facilities. 

Student Affordability and Feed or Famine Food Drive with Amy Mendenhall

The past two years have been exceptionally challenging for all Alberta Post-Secondary students, and the Student body at the University of Lethbridge has been no exception.  Budget cuts by the Alberta government, with more anticipated, increasing tuition and education costs, housing issues, racism, Covid-19, online learning and transitioning back to on campus learning and employment uncertainty are but a few of the challenges experienced by Students.

In addition to these issues, Affordability and Food Scarcity challenges are an ever-present reality for far too many post-secondary Students.  The “Feed or Famine Food Drive” is one of the critical projects the University of Lethbridge Students Union (ULSU) sponsors to meet the nutritional needs of students.   The Speaker will discuss the Feed or Famine Food Drive project and share some insights as to how students are faring, along with other supports the ULSU Student Affairs undertakes to assist students to have a successful academic year.    

Speaker:     Amy Mendenhall – Vice President Student Affairs             

Amy Mendenhall is the Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Lethbridge Student Union.  As a fourth-year student in the Indigenous Studies and History programs, Amy serves the student body as a mature student, bringing a wealth of experience and history of community service and volunteerism beginning from the young age of thirteen.  A mother of three, Amy is originally from Red Deer, and began volunteering with the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Boys and Girls Club and Students & Teachers opposing Prejudice, Red Deer Food Bank, International Students Club, and a member of the first official Gay Straight Alliance Club in Alberta. 

Amy was awarded the Premiers Award of Excellence for her work with the successful passing of an Anti-Bullying Bylaw in Red Deer; and was also awarded the Young Citizen of the Year for Red Deer in 2006 for volunteer work.  Amy graduated from the Red Deer College with an Educational Assistant certification in 2013, and the New York Institute of Photography in 2017.    Through her continued activism, Amy strives to support U of L Students in their challenges at the University of Lethbridge.

Government’s plan for rural medicine: Do Not Resuscitate? With Sam Myhr Rural Medicine President with the AMA

Sustaining medical services in smaller communities is challenging at the best of times. Doctors have been working without an agreement for almost two years, and the unstable relationship with our government has made it nearly impossible to recruit and retain physicians to rural areas. The gaps in services are widening provincially, and instead of addressing the worsening underlying issues, government and AHS have dismissed the numerous closures as pandemic or vacation related. Dr. Myhr questions whether maintaining services for rural populations is a priority- especially in light of the February 2020 review of AHS that suggested reductions or closures would save the system money. Dr. Myhr will give an overview of the current crisis and why it should matter to everyone.

Speaker: Sam Myhr, Rural Medicine President for the Alberta Medical Association          

Sam Myhr is a family physician in Pincher Creek, where she and her colleagues are true generalists - a now endangered species in medicine. Together they run the clinic, hospital, emergency room, and surgical/obstetrical services for the surrounding area - all while training a constant complement of six medical students/residents. What started as a fight to maintain the broad services her group is proud to deliver has led to multiple regional and provincial advocacy roles. Sam is Vice President of Pincher Creek’s Attraction and Retention Committee, advises government on rural sustainability through various channels, and is the current President of the Section of Rural Medicine for the AMA.

The 2021 Canadian Federal Election: Did the Results Justify Calling It? With Melanee Thomas

The Liberal Party retained power in a close-run 2019 federal election where the Liberals won 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote, enough to form a minority government. The opposition Conservative Party won more votes, but far fewer seats. This was the first time since 1979 that the winner of the most seats wasn’t also the winner of the most votes. The NDP and separatist Bloc Quebecois parties both ended up holding the balance of power.

The speaker will unpack the results of the September 20, 2021 federal election and outline some of the main issues including why the Liberals called the election in the middle of this current 4th COVID pandemic wave. 

Speaker: Dr. Melanee Thomas                

Melanee Thomas is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality in Canada and other post-industrial democracies. She has published research in journals such as Politics & Gender, Electoral Studies, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Dr. Thomas earned her first degree at the University of Lethbridge and served as U of L Students’ Union President.

Municipal Elections 2021: What Will Determine the Outcome? With Maria Fitzpatrick

Lethbridge’s 2021 Municipal Elections has the potential to be very interesting.  For sure, the City will have a new Mayor and several fresh faces on Council.  Many issues are up for debate and there are questions on the ballot: Is there a need for a third Bridge and should Lethbridge adopt a ward system?  Additionally, the Province is asking Albertans for their opinion on equalization and daylight-saving time.  The speaker will give an overview of these and other pressing issues such as homelessness and the overdose crisis.  She will also supply information on what it takes to be a public servant and as well, provide a brief comparison between Bill 29: Local Authorities Election Amendment Act 2020, Bill 45: Local Authorities election Amendment Act 2020 (no. 2) and the previous Bill 23: An Act to Renew Local Democracy in Alberta from 2018.  What impact might these changes have on the current and future municipal elections? 

 

Speaker: Maria Fitzpatrick               

 

Maria was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland studying Education and Physical Education and taught with the Catholic School Board. She attended St. Francis Xavier University graduating with a diploma in Train the Trainer.  Maria worked with both the Federal Government & the Territorial Government working in the field of Corrections as a Recreation Supervisor, Teacher & Education Coordinator, Parole Officer (both in the institution & community) finishing that career working at National Headquarters in policy development & project management. Maria was elected Regional Vice President in the National Capital Region with the Union of Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), & was a member of the Board of Directors & the Alliance Executive Committee for PSAC. Maria served as a member of the Board of Directors United Way Ottawa.

Returning to Alberta in October 2012, Maria continued her career in Corrections retiring in 2015, and was elected as NDP MLA for Lethbridge East, serving her constituency & Alberta from 2015 to 2019. During that tenure she chaired the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, was a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, & was appointed to the Ministerial Panel on Child Intervention from 2017–2019, speaking out in the Legislature about her personal experience with Domestic Violence in support of Bill 204 (2015 Residential Tenancies-Safer Spaces for Victims of Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2015-Assented to 2015.)  Since 2019, Maria has remained an active constituent of Lethbridge working with various organizations and local & provincial initiatives.