Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law. This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy. Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University. He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nord (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Dr. Byers is the author, most recently, of International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press), which won the 2013 Donner Prize. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail newspaper. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, Jan 31, 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

Who owns Outer Space? Could Elon Musk become President of Mars? How would one negotiate a treaty with aliens? Space is becoming a very busy place, with 90 orbital launches occurring in 2017 alone. Many of the governance challenges that currently exist on Earth will soon exist in Space. Yet the unique conditions of Space, including extremes of danger, distance and time, will necessarily require fundamental changes to the conduct of international relations and the content of international law. This talk will focus on the current or readily foreseeable issues of Space debris, Space Mining, and the establishment of settlements on Mars Speaker: Dr. Michael Byers Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. His work focuses on Outer Space, the Arctic, climate change, armed conflict, and Canadian foreign and defence policy. Dr. Byers has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, and a Professor of Law at Duke University. He has also taught as a visiting professor at the Universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nord (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Dr. Byers is the author, most recently, of International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press), which won the 2013 Donner Prize. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail newspaper. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, Jan 31, 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

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta’s Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 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

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta’s Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 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 May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of Alberta and the election will prove to be a more important one than the 2015 one was. Speaker: Hon. Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment, Parks and Climate Change Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 5, 2015 representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks. On February 2, 2016, Ms. Phillips was also named the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office. Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, she worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a not for profit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women. In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta. Together with her two sons Ms. Phillips resides in Lethbridge, Alberta. Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Jan 17, 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 May 2015 the people of Alberta were faced with a choice at the ballot box and they surprised the pundits by choosing an NDP government, despite all the predictions that the Progressive Conservatives would add to their 44 year term in office. Now, almost four years later, the Premier has indicated that she will hold the election in the Spring of 2019 and again ask the people of Alberta for their vote. Current polls show that the United Conservative Party and the New Democrat Party are the two contenders for government, with the New Democrats trailing in many of those polls. The former government’s party, the Progressive Conservatives, no longer exist but other parties intending to run for seats, if not government include the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Freedom Conservative Party and the Green Party of Alberta. With so many parties vying for the voters, what will structure the vote choice? The speaker will contend that the 2019 election will provide a clear choice between two visions of Alberta and the election will prove to be a more important one than the 2015 one was. Speaker: Hon. Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment, Parks and Climate Change Shannon Phillips was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 5, 2015 representing the constituency of Lethbridge-West. On May 24, 2015, Ms. Phillips was sworn in to cabinet as Minister of Environment and Parks. On February 2, 2016, Ms. Phillips was also named the Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office. Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, she worked with the Alberta Federation of Labour as a policy analyst for five years. She also spent five years as a member of the board of directors for the Womanspace Resource Centre, a not for profit organization that provides resources, referrals and education to the community and to individual women. In 1999 she received a bachelor of arts with honours in political science and in 2002 she completed her master of arts, both at the University of Alberta. Together with her two sons Ms. Phillips resides in Lethbridge, Alberta. Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Jan 17, 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

Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries. A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more? These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event. Speaker: Joe Gunn Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). He worked in Latin American refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children in Nicaragua. For over ten years, Joe worked with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he developed policy and coordinated work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. He served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace. Joe coordinated the Make Poverty History campaign, and engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy on national and international issues. After engaging Canadian faith communities in speaking out on climate justice, Joe was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for "exemplary service and commitment to the betterment of the community”. In 2012. In June 2013, He was awarded a "Certificate of Honour" from Development and Peace for "commitment to the cause of social justice and efforts to improve living conditions for the poorest of the poor in the Global South". Saint Paul University granted Joe the Eugène de Mazenod Medal in April, 2017. The Medal “honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of human capital in their community.” Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, Jan 10, 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

Canadian churches have made a huge impact on key justice issues over the past 50 years on education, economics, refugee sponsorship, the environment, domestic violence, public health care, women’s rights, and the cancellation of the debts of Global South countries. A new book from Citizens for Public Justice’s Joe Gunn features interviews with ten key people who have been active in social justice struggles across Canada for many years. How did Christians from varied ecumenical backgrounds work together to help end apartheid, admit refugees from Chile and Indochina, defend Indigenous Peoples’ rights, promote economic justice, and more? These wonderful stories from tireless labourers for justice present relevant lessons for today. Their words and experience inspire a direction and model for faith-based action for social and ecological justice today - and in the years ahead. His book will be available for purchase at the event. Speaker: Joe Gunn Joe Gunn is the executive director at Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ). He worked in Latin American refugee camps and served as a Country Director for Canadian Save the Children in Nicaragua. For over ten years, Joe worked with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he developed policy and coordinated work in areas of social justice, missions, and Aboriginal peoples. He served as the founding vice-chair of KAIROS-Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and has been active in the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission for Justice and Peace. Joe coordinated the Make Poverty History campaign, and engaged in research, public speaking and advocacy on national and international issues. After engaging Canadian faith communities in speaking out on climate justice, Joe was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for "exemplary service and commitment to the betterment of the community”. In 2012. In June 2013, He was awarded a "Certificate of Honour" from Development and Peace for "commitment to the cause of social justice and efforts to improve living conditions for the poorest of the poor in the Global South". Saint Paul University granted Joe the Eugène de Mazenod Medal in April, 2017. The Medal “honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of human capital in their community.” Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, Jan 10, 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

The Canine Unit is an integral part of the Lethbridge Police Service. Agility, obedience, tracking, building searches, compound/area searches, evidence searches, criminal apprehension and drug detection are the main components of training a PSD (Police Service Dog) for the Lethbridge Police Service. They provide an element to police work that you can’t get anywhere else and in some cases, the PSD’s have the first interaction with subjects engaging in criminal activity, taking on a dangerous role for their human partners. Come and learn more about the role the Canine Unit plays within the Lethbridge Police Service, the deep bond and special relationship between the police officer and the dog, and the tremendous amount of training that goes into becoming a police dog and canine officer. Speaker: Constable James DeMone and PSD Arco James DeMone played 55 games with the Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose in the 2005-06 season, and retired from professional hockey in 2007. He is now in his 11th years as a member of the Lehbridge Police Service and is currently a constable with the LPS Canine Unit. PSD Arco is a Belgian Malinios who has served the Lethbridge Police along side Cst. DeMone for 7 years. Moderator: Curtis Goodman Date: Thursday, Dec 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, followed by Q&A , buffet lunch 1:00 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

Since 1982 the Lethbridge Food Bank has been operated in the community of Lethbridge and serving the surrounding area with a “food share” program. Lethbridge, is home to nearly 100,000 people and growing, making the Lethbridge Food Bank an important part of a vibrant community to ensure a food security resource for families in need. As a non-profit organization, donations from individuals and businesses are essential. During the fall of 2017, The Lethbridge Food Bank, in partnership with My City Care, began the Mindful Munchies program, providing students in need, nutritional food items to help them succeed in the classroom. The program started with 11 schools and agencies and 600 lunches a week. However, within a few months, that number grew to 16 schools/agencies and close to 1,100 lunches a week. As of September 2018, the numbers were 19 schools/agencies with 1400 lunches a week. Child poverty in Canada is no illusion and Lethbridge Food Bank is trying to help remove barriers to learning by aiding children and youth with food. Within the food bank numbers, out of the approximately 1600 individuals served on a monthly bases, 40% are children. The speaker will detail the myriad of services food banks provide and highlight the need to support children and youth with an opportunity to succeed and for people to support agencies who are investing in children’s future. Speaker: Maral Kiani Tari Maral Kiani Tari graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in Law & Society and furthered her education at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, completing her Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2014. Mrs. Kiani Tari moved to Lethbridge in fall of 2015 to be closer to her family. Mrs. Kiani Tari became the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Food Bank on October 17, 2016 and has enjoyed every moment giving back to the community and establishing the lunch program. Christmas is her favorite time of the year and she enjoys every moment of the festive spirit with her husband and beautiful three-year-old daughter named Aurora. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, Dec 13, 2018 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 Donations of non-perishable food items will gratefully be received by SACPA for Lethbridge food banks