Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests? On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back? But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included reference to the recent United Nations Migration Pact and other issues related to refugees and migration. Outside Alberta, yellow vest-inspired rallies have appeared across the country, but are much smaller than their French counterparts. A Yellow Vest rally in Toronto for example, drew less than 100 people. Are all Yellow Vesters alike? Will the movement take on the status of the French protesters? The speaker will speculate on the deeper meaning of the Yellow Vest movement and whether it will have lasting implications , if any, upon provincial and federal politics/elections Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta. His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, March 7, 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

Inspired by, or at least imitating, the protests of France’s Gilets Jaunes, a Yellow Vest movement has similarly made headlines the past few months, especially in Alberta. In what ways does this movement echo the one in France – or even past movement in Canada? How, more broadly, should we understand the Yellow Vest protests? On the surface, the concerns seem clear enough: stalled pipeline projects and fury over a federal and provincial the carbon tax. Economic concerns are understandable. Canada, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has been hit hard by the slump in oil prices and a lack of pipelines to move its product to markets. Several companies have layed off workers and fears of widespread job losses in oil-rich province like Alberta and Saskachewan is growing. Close to 50,000 jobs were lost during the last oil market crash of 2014. However, will those jobs ever come back? But the Yellow Vest protests, while focusing on energy issues like pipelines, Bill C-69 and tanker bans, have also included reference to the recent United Nations Migration Pact and other issues related to refugees and migration. Outside Alberta, yellow vest-inspired rallies have appeared across the country, but are much smaller than their French counterparts. A Yellow Vest rally in Toronto for example, drew less than 100 people. Are all Yellow Vesters alike? Will the movement take on the status of the French protesters? The speaker will speculate on the deeper meaning of the Yellow Vest movement and whether it will have lasting implications , if any, upon provincial and federal politics/elections Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison Dr. Trevor Harrison is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Director of Parkland Institute. He was born and raised in Edmonton. He holds a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, an M.A. from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Alberta. His broad areas of specialty include political sociology, political economy, and public policy. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Harrison is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books. His op-ed columns frequently appear in both local and national newspapers. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, March 7, 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

“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford) EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why?? This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy. Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more folks should be driving them. By-and-large, the most important thing we can do to promote EVs is to educate ourselves and others on what it means to own one, which I call EV Ownership. We will finish off the formal presentation with some stories about EV ownership. Bring your own questions as well, and we will answer them after the break. Speaker: Jim Steil Although a certified-genius (MENSA), funnily-enough, Jim hated Electrical-Engineering School - preferring people to numbers. After his Engineering Degree, he embarked on a 10-year world-tour teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. Singing, storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on experience were his tools of choice. He proudly says his students never used a textbook in 10 years of teaching. Jim then came back to Canada and spent 10 years Directional Drilling - so has paid his dues in Alberta’s Oil Patch. Then, after being laid-off in 2016, Jim felt compelled to convert his classic Volvo into an Electric Vehicle (the “E-Volvo”). This enthusiasm soon mixed with his entrepreneurial spirit and he co-founded GoElectric, where they import EVs for re-sale, and convert Classic cars into EVs. In his spare time, Jim fly-fishes, spends time with his girlfriend, Gail and “likes to make things.” Moderator: Mark Goettel Date: Thursday, February 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

“If, instead of building the automobile, had I asked folks what they wanted, the answer would have been… [just] a faster horse.” (Henry Ford) EVs are touted as the next world-wide disruption, yet unlike the transition from the horse and buggy, physically owning and driving one is hardly disruptive at all. EVs are a timely and much-better version of what we already own and drive – a faster and better horse – so where are they all, and why?? This SACPA Session will be a lively presentation about EVs, and what is holding-back EV adoption: Price? Availability? Charging? Range? Or something-else? The answer is multi-faceted, including a personally-disruptive component to owning an EV, but not what you might think. To get there, we will talk a bit about the advent of electric cars, how they work, some of the latest tech (mostly batteries), the automotive industry, and government policy. Electric vehicles are here, and whether it is a matter of conscience, economy or likely a combination of both, more folks should be driving them. By-and-large, the most important thing we can do to promote EVs is to educate ourselves and others on what it means to own one, which I call EV Ownership. We will finish off the formal presentation with some stories about EV ownership. Bring your own questions as well, and we will answer them after the break. Speaker: Jim Steil Although a certified-genius (MENSA), funnily-enough, Jim hated Electrical-Engineering School - preferring people to numbers. After his Engineering Degree, he embarked on a 10-year world-tour teaching High School Physics and Chemistry. Singing, storytelling, demonstrations and hands-on experience were his tools of choice. He proudly says his students never used a textbook in 10 years of teaching. Jim then came back to Canada and spent 10 years Directional Drilling - so has paid his dues in Alberta’s Oil Patch. Then, after being laid-off in 2016, Jim felt compelled to convert his classic Volvo into an Electric Vehicle (the “E-Volvo”). This enthusiasm soon mixed with his entrepreneurial spirit and he co-founded GoElectric, where they import EVs for re-sale, and convert Classic cars into EVs. In his spare time, Jim fly-fishes, spends time with his girlfriend, Gail and “likes to make things.” Moderator: Mark Goettel Date: Thursday, February 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

Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option? Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else. It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing. With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs are eligible for official party status. That impacts research funding, the right to sit on legislative committees and the process of asking questions in the legislature, making it difficult for Independent MLA’s and new political parties to gain influence. The speakers will elaborate on their own experiences and argue that partisan politics and ideology often gets in the way of good ideas coming to the fore. Too often, they will ague, free thinking MLA’s are “thrown under the bus” for party dissent and in the process, innovative and collaborative action is discouraged. Speaker: Richard Strankman, MLA for the Drumheller Stettler constituency Rick Strankman was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in April of 2012 and again in 2015 in the Drumheller Stettler constituency. He was one of only five Wildrose MLAs that did not cross the floor in 2014. Rick has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. He increasingly became involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulations in the agriculture industry, including legislation regarding the CWB in which he played a part, getting it repealed. Rick has recently been encouraged by people from across Alberta to run in the next provincial election as an independent candidate. Moderator: Larry Elford Date: Thursday, February 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 Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Alberta’s Partisan Politics and Ideology: Would Independent MLA’s with No Party Affiliation be a better Option? Canada’s NorthWest Territories has a consensus government, in which all members are Independent and do not belong to a political party caucus. This form of government has been in place for over 40 years. The direct democratic governance model used in the North West Territories has allowed their Legislative Members the innate ability to put their constituents’ needs singularly ahead of all else. It is often argued that regardless of who people vote for, Left, Right or Center, their representative MLA will be forced to toe the party line and put the best interests of the party ahead of the best interests of those they’re supposed to be representing. With a new funding formula that was unanimously approved during an Alberta Legislature members’ services committee meeting recently, Independent Alberta MLA’s will arguably be served poorly. Under the new rules, only caucuses with at least four MLAs are eligible for official party status. That impacts research funding, the right to sit on legislative committees and the process of asking questions in the legislature, making it difficult for Independent MLA’s and new political parties to gain influence. The speakers will elaborate on their own experiences and argue that partisan politics and ideology often gets in the way of good ideas coming to the fore. Too often, they will ague, free thinking MLA’s are “thrown under the bus” for party dissent and in the process, innovative and collaborative action is discouraged. Speaker: Richard Strankman, MLA for the Drumheller Stettler constituency Rick Strankman was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in April of 2012 and again in 2015 in the Drumheller Stettler constituency. He was one of only five Wildrose MLAs that did not cross the floor in 2014. Rick has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. He increasingly became involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulations in the agriculture industry, including legislation regarding the CWB in which he played a part, getting it repealed. Rick has recently been encouraged by people from across Alberta to run in the next provincial election as an independent candidate. Moderator: Larry Elford Date: Thursday, February 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 Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor. The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families. If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating sites rather than in-person interviews, but it might also be a good idea to go back to more traditional means. The speaker will talk about her experience with on-line dating and also explain how modern matchmaking can make use of a personal touch along with technology, to be successful. Speaker: Sandra Juell Sandra Juell was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León México, in 1969. After getting married, she later divorced and raised her two sons while going to Law School. She also finished a Masters of Education and was a Spanish teacher for over 15 years in Mexico. Sandra met her Canadian husband online ten years ago and moved to Lethbridge, AB. She worked as an Educational Assistant for 4 years and finished the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lethbridge College. She created the “Forever Love Agency” in 2016 and later opened an office in downtown Lethbridge. Sandra loves what she does, because she wants every single person to find the "Right One", like she did. Moderator: Mary Shillington Date: Thursday, February 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

In today’s world, matchmaking tends to refer to apps and internet sites that we use to do the dirty work of sorting out good candidates for relationships, but for much of human history, the matchmaker was a person. Choosing a life partner was often viewed as far too complicated a decision for young people on their own, and from the Aztec civilization to ancient Greece and China, their elders (often women) intervened to make sure they had the "right" kind of suitor. The matchmaker as a figure appears often in popular culture; think of the Fiddler On The Roof song Matchmaker, Make Me A Match or Mulan's disastrous encounter with a snooty matchmaker who declares she'll never bring her family honor. It also remains a pertinent part of several societies; in Japan, for example, the process of omiai involves two young people being matched by a matchmaker, or nak?do, who sets up meetings and sends pictures and messages between prospective families. If you are looking for love, today's matchmaking may involve dating sites rather than in-person interviews, but it might also be a good idea to go back to more traditional means. The speaker will talk about her experience with on-line dating and also explain how modern matchmaking can make use of a personal touch along with technology, to be successful. Speaker: Sandra Juell Sandra Juell was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León México, in 1969. After getting married, she later divorced and raised her two sons while going to Law School. She also finished a Masters of Education and was a Spanish teacher for over 15 years in Mexico. Sandra met her Canadian husband online ten years ago and moved to Lethbridge, AB. She worked as an Educational Assistant for 4 years and finished the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lethbridge College. She created the “Forever Love Agency” in 2016 and later opened an office in downtown Lethbridge. Sandra loves what she does, because she wants every single person to find the "Right One", like she did. Moderator: Mary Shillington Date: Thursday, February 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

On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019. Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings. Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge to keep hens. The speaker will elaborate and offer examples of many successful endevours of limited production of eggs, veggies and fruit within cities throughout Canada and indeed the world. Speaker: Kelti Baird Kelti is a 2012 graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, her particular focus was architectural history specializing in settlement architecture in Western Canada. She is the founding co-owner of Theoretically Brewing Company, here in the city, as well as an environmental enthusiast. Kelti’s short time working for Environment Lethbridge, along with interactions with the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and Homestead Show & Market in Fort MacLeod, sprouted an interest in urban agriculture and environmentalism. In September 2018, Kelti introduced a request to City Council for an Urban Hen Pilot project, and is pursuing a change to Bylaw 3383 to allow the same. Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky Date: Thursday, February 7, 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

On September 17, 2018, City Council was asked to consider a one year pilot project for the keeping of up to 4 egg-laying hens on urban properties with suitable yard space. Council voted to investigate further and to have public consultations, with a decision to follow in late March 2019. Bylaw 3383 prohibits the raising of poultry within the City of Lethbridge and it has not been amended since 1983. Is the Bylaws out of date? Would allowing for the adaptation of proper urban agricultural practices and food sustainability be appropriate? Other cities in Alberta have already adopted successful pilot programs and bylaws to allow for the keeping of backyard hens in urban settings. Should Lethbridge join cities such as Red Deer, Edmonton, Guelph, and Victoria to allow the keeping of back-yard hens in support of urban agriculture and food sustainability? Arguably, it would compliment the Strategic Plan the city has produced to establish a pilot program that allow interested residents in the City of Lethbridge to keep hens. The speaker will elaborate and offer examples of many successful endevours of limited production of eggs, veggies and fruit within cities throughout Canada and indeed the world. Speaker: Kelti Baird Kelti is a 2012 graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, her particular focus was architectural history specializing in settlement architecture in Western Canada. She is the founding co-owner of Theoretically Brewing Company, here in the city, as well as an environmental enthusiast. Kelti’s short time working for Environment Lethbridge, along with interactions with the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and Homestead Show & Market in Fort MacLeod, sprouted an interest in urban agriculture and environmentalism. In September 2018, Kelti introduced a request to City Council for an Urban Hen Pilot project, and is pursuing a change to Bylaw 3383 to allow the same. Moderator: Jennifer Tarnowsky Date: Thursday, February 7, 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