Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge West constituency Date: Friday, March 29, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Lethbridge Senior Centre (LSCO) Gymnasium, 500 – 11 Street South The April 16, 2019 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 April 16, 2019 Moderator: Bonnie Farries Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.

SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge West constituency Date: Friday, March 29, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Lethbridge Senior Centre (LSCO) Gymnasium, 500 – 11 Street South The April 16, 2019 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 April 16, 2019 Moderator: Bonnie Farries Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.

Each year, in mid-December, the federal government releases its calculation for what each province is entitled to receive as equalization. The numbers show Alberta’s recession lowered its ability to raise revenues. They show Ontario has graduated to “have” status, but (interestingly) will still receive equalization payments. They also set the stage for the upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial discussions over the soon-to-expire formula. And on top of all this, budget challenges in oil rich provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador put equalization payments front and centre in provincial political debates, where misleading claims are unfortunately all too common. Equalization is complicated, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Equalization is a federal program that transfers federal funds to provinces with below average capacities to raise revenues. Provinces with stronger economies, and with high income households and businesses, raise more revenue for any given tax rate than provinces with lower incomes. This is true not just of personal and business income taxes, but also of sales and property taxes. Importantly, resource revenues like oil and gas royalties also go into the formula, but only 50% count in the formula to preserve the incentive to develop a province’s resources. With all this in mind, equalization asks a simple question: How much revenue would each province raise with tax rates equal to the national average? This is a province’s “fiscal capacity”. If a province would raise less than the average amount, per person, the federal government tops it up. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on the future of equalization. Speaker: Dr. Trevor Tombe Dr. Tombe is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and a Research Fellow at The School of Public Policy. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2012, he was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He received his BBA (Finance) from Simon Fraser University, and his MA and PhD (Economics) from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on a broad range of topics from international trade and public finance to energy and environmental policy. Currently his main focus is on economic integration in Canada, from estimating the size and consequences of interprovincial trade costs to exploring the implications of fiscal transfers between provinces (such as through equalization). In addition to his academic work, he regularly promotes the public understanding of economics and policy issues through his numerous public policy papers through the School, active social media presence, and general interest writings in various media outlets, including regular contributions to CBC Calgary. Moderator: Michelle Day Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Each year, in mid-December, the federal government releases its calculation for what each province is entitled to receive as equalization. The numbers show Alberta’s recession lowered its ability to raise revenues. They show Ontario has graduated to “have” status, but (interestingly) will still receive equalization payments. They also set the stage for the upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial discussions over the soon-to-expire formula. And on top of all this, budget challenges in oil rich provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador put equalization payments front and centre in provincial political debates, where misleading claims are unfortunately all too common. Equalization is complicated, but the basics are fairly straightforward. Equalization is a federal program that transfers federal funds to provinces with below average capacities to raise revenues. Provinces with stronger economies, and with high income households and businesses, raise more revenue for any given tax rate than provinces with lower incomes. This is true not just of personal and business income taxes, but also of sales and property taxes. Importantly, resource revenues like oil and gas royalties also go into the formula, but only 50% count in the formula to preserve the incentive to develop a province’s resources. With all this in mind, equalization asks a simple question: How much revenue would each province raise with tax rates equal to the national average? This is a province’s “fiscal capacity”. If a province would raise less than the average amount, per person, the federal government tops it up. The speaker will elaborate and offer thoughts on the future of equalization. Speaker: Dr. Trevor Tombe Dr. Tombe is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and a Research Fellow at The School of Public Policy. Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 2012, he was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. He received his BBA (Finance) from Simon Fraser University, and his MA and PhD (Economics) from the University of Toronto. His research focuses on a broad range of topics from international trade and public finance to energy and environmental policy. Currently his main focus is on economic integration in Canada, from estimating the size and consequences of interprovincial trade costs to exploring the implications of fiscal transfers between provinces (such as through equalization). In addition to his academic work, he regularly promotes the public understanding of economics and policy issues through his numerous public policy papers through the School, active social media presence, and general interest writings in various media outlets, including regular contributions to CBC Calgary. Moderator: Michelle Day Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge East constituency Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Royal Canadian Legion hall, 324 Mayor Magrath Drive South The April 16, 2019 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 April 16, 2019 Moderator: Bonnie Farries Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.

SACPA presents the 2019 Alberta Provincial all candidates Election Forum for the Lethbridge East constituency Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Time: 6:30 – 9 pm Venue: Royal Canadian Legion hall, 324 Mayor Magrath Drive South The April 16, 2019 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 April 16, 2019 Moderator: Bonnie Farries Free event, the public is encouraged to attend.

US President Trump recently declared a national emergency in a bid to fund his promised wall on the US – Mexico border without the approval of Congress on the heels of signing a bipartisan government spending bill that would prevent another partial government services closure following a historic 35-day shutdown in December and January. That shutdown was caused by Trump’s demand that Congress provide him with $5.7 billion in wall funding as part of legislation to fund certain government agencies. The Republican president’s move, circumventing Congress and legal scrutiny, seeks to make good on a 2016 presidential campaign promise to build a border wall that Trump contend is needed to stop migrants from entering the US and bringing with them, crime and drugs. Signing the new spending bill represented a legislative defeat for him since it contained even less money for his proposed wall. The speaker will look more broadly at the dysfunctional crisis of American governance (at the national level), and the precedence for this that can be found in American history, ending with special attention being paid to the last fifty years of American governance. He will also detail some of the constitutional powers afforded US presidents and whether such powers are too often abused in the context of present day politics and the extreme partisanship dividing democrats and republicans in Congress. Speaker: Dr. James Tagg Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

US President Trump recently declared a national emergency in a bid to fund his promised wall on the US – Mexico border without the approval of Congress on the heels of signing a bipartisan government spending bill that would prevent another partial government services closure following a historic 35-day shutdown in December and January. That shutdown was caused by Trump’s demand that Congress provide him with $5.7 billion in wall funding as part of legislation to fund certain government agencies. The Republican president’s move, circumventing Congress and legal scrutiny, seeks to make good on a 2016 presidential campaign promise to build a border wall that Trump contend is needed to stop migrants from entering the US and bringing with them, crime and drugs. Signing the new spending bill represented a legislative defeat for him since it contained even less money for his proposed wall. The speaker will look more broadly at the dysfunctional crisis of American governance (at the national level), and the precedence for this that can be found in American history, ending with special attention being paid to the last fifty years of American governance. He will also detail some of the constitutional powers afforded US presidents and whether such powers are too often abused in the context of present day politics and the extreme partisanship dividing democrats and republicans in Congress. Speaker: Dr. James Tagg Dr. Tagg joined the University of Lethbridge in 1969. He received his PhD in History from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1973. For almost 35 years, he taught the sweep of American History, initiated the first southern Alberta history course and helped establish a program in Liberal Education at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Tagg's research interests have been related to the Early Republic of the United States (1789-1815), with an emphasis on early American politics and journalism. Currently, Dr. Tagg is working on a kind of "anti-biography" of Gouverneur Morris-- the man who wrote the U.S. constitution -- giving attention and importance to his grandiose psychological make-up and his sex life. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, March 21, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location:Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably as many people believe that one means the other. In fact, the distinction between the two diseases often causes confusion for the persons living with dementia, their families and caregivers. Alzheimer’s and some types of dementias remain a mystery in many ways. Therefore, the similar changes in the brain are often mixed up in every day conversation and understanding. According to National Institute on Aging, Dementia is a brain disorder that affects communication and performance of daily activities and Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that specifically affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory. It is a term that is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging. However, issues other than Alzheimer’s can cause dementia. Other types of dementia are Vascular, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The speaker will explain how those living with a diagnosis can still live a quality life with the right supports. Public awareness and understanding is needed to remove the stigma associated with dementia. Further research of what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will help to clear much of the confusion & stigma. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia. Speaker: Shari Remus, Regional Lead, Community Relations Shari Remus is the Regional Lead of Community Relations for The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and North West Territories, Lethbridge area. In March of 2017, Shari joined the Alzheimer Society from Calgary’s fast paced corporate world where she wore many hats including corporate fundraising, communications and graphic design. Keeping busy is what Shari likes to do best, and with the IG Wealth Management’s Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event held each June, the annual Fall Coffee Break promotions, and January’s Alzheimer Awareness Month, she certainly does just that. Shari’s educational background includes Communications and Public Relations from the University of Calgary. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, March 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often used interchangeably as many people believe that one means the other. In fact, the distinction between the two diseases often causes confusion for the persons living with dementia, their families and caregivers. Alzheimer’s and some types of dementias remain a mystery in many ways. Therefore, the similar changes in the brain are often mixed up in every day conversation and understanding. According to National Institute on Aging, Dementia is a brain disorder that affects communication and performance of daily activities and Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that specifically affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory. It is a term that is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging. However, issues other than Alzheimer’s can cause dementia. Other types of dementia are Vascular, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The speaker will explain how those living with a diagnosis can still live a quality life with the right supports. Public awareness and understanding is needed to remove the stigma associated with dementia. Further research of what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will help to clear much of the confusion & stigma. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia. Speaker: Shari Remus, Regional Lead, Community Relations Shari Remus is the Regional Lead of Community Relations for The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and North West Territories, Lethbridge area. In March of 2017, Shari joined the Alzheimer Society from Calgary’s fast paced corporate world where she wore many hats including corporate fundraising, communications and graphic design. Keeping busy is what Shari likes to do best, and with the IG Wealth Management’s Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event held each June, the annual Fall Coffee Break promotions, and January’s Alzheimer Awareness Month, she certainly does just that. Shari’s educational background includes Communications and Public Relations from the University of Calgary. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, March 14, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required