Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Alberta Party is a political movement dedicated to transforming government through citizen engagement. Instead of representing a particular segment of the traditional political spectrum, the Alberta Party seeks out the best ideas regardless of whether they are perceived to be from the left or the right. As a result, they are attracting thousands of Albertans from all regions, urban and rural, of all ideological backgrounds including those who have never been involved in a political party. Traditional parties arguably focus on what divides Albertans. The Alberta Party focusses on the common ground that unites them so they can build a stronger economy and society for all. Many Albertan worry about public spending, deficits and a growing debt. Does balancing the books in Alberta hinge on building pipelines to tidewater or are there other ways to achieve that goal? Are the present provincial Government’s budget predictions unrealistic? The speaker will articulate his and the Alberta Party views on deficits, pipelines, economic development and Alberta politics. Speaker: Stephen Mandel Stephen Mandel has been leader of the Alberta party since February 27, 2018. He is an experienced political leader, business person and community volunteer. Before entering public service, he built and ran a successful business. As President of the Mandel Group, he led the company’s activities in residential and commercial real estate development and construction. Stephen served as Edmonton’s mayor from 2004 to 2013. During this time, he positioned Edmonton for the future by building new infrastructure, renewing older neighbourhoods, and spurring investment in the city. Stephen worked collaboratively with council, other orders of government, the social sector, and businesses to get things done. He led initiatives to fast-track LRT expansion, road improvements, and the construction of new libraries and community recreation facilities and helped to bring billions of dollars of new development into Edmonton’s downtown. Organizing efforts to address homelessness and community safety, expand seniors housing, and promote engagement with multicultural communities was also dear to Stephen and under his leadership, the Capital Region’s 25 municipalities united for the first time under a common growth management plan. He served as a Progressive Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud from 2014-2015 and was appointed Minister of Health on September 15, 2014. Moderator: Michelle Day Date: Thursday, May 24, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Seventy years after Israel’s establishment as an independent state, its accomplishments in high tech, medical research and innovation has far exceeded expectations of a country its size. Some might be surprised to learn that Israel consistently ranks in the top 15 countries on the “Happiness Index.” All this despite the fact that Israel has been at war with its neighbours since its inception – and the threats to its security are as real today as they were in 1948. In this talk, the speakers will describe the complex and long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beginning with the longing of the Jewish people for a state, the emergence of the Zionist movement, the British Mandatory period and the Arab world’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist. In the absence of diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbours, wars have played a significant role in determining borders. Hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the 1990s resulted in peace agreements with the Egyptians and Jordanians, but a settlement with the Palestinians remains illusive. Questions to be explored are: Where are we today? What are the barriers to peace? Is there hope for a two-state solution? Speakers: Judy Shapiro, Associate Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation Jared Shore, Chair, Community Relations Committee, Calgary Jewish Federation Jeffrey Smith, Board Member, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Moderator: Trevor Page Date: Thursday, May 17, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Seventy years after Israel’s establishment as an independent state, its accomplishments in high tech, medical research and innovation has far exceeded expectations of a country its size. Some might be surprised to learn that Israel consistently ranks in the top 15 countries on the “Happiness Index.” All this despite the fact that Israel has been at war with its neighbours since its inception – and the threats to its security are as real today as they were in 1948. In this talk, the speakers will describe the complex and long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beginning with the longing of the Jewish people for a state, the emergence of the Zionist movement, the British Mandatory period and the Arab world’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist. In the absence of diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbours, wars have played a significant role in determining borders. Hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the 1990s resulted in peace agreements with the Egyptians and Jordanians, but a settlement with the Palestinians remains illusive. Questions to be explored are: Where are we today? What are the barriers to peace? Is there hope for a two-state solution? Speakers: Judy Shapiro, Associate Executive Director, Calgary Jewish Federation Jared Shore, Chair, Community Relations Committee, Calgary Jewish Federation Jeffrey Smith, Board Member, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Moderator: Trevor Page Date: Thursday, May 17, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

The United States has repeatedly indicated that a key tension in NAFTA renegotiations is Canada’s continued protection of dairy, poultry and egg producers. These protectionist policies, known as supply management, were also an irritant in the Trans-Pacific free trade negotiations. The question for Canadians is why broad trade agreements, which benefit almost all Canadians, are being jeopardized to continue to protect a small subset of farmers in Canada—estimated at 13,500 nationwide. Supply management is a set of government-imposed production quotas and structured prices to limit domestic supply while impeding consumer access to foreign imports through tariffs. The outcome arguable is, reduced choice and higher prices for consumers, and higher revenues for producers. The speaker will contend that an often overlooked aspect of this protectionism is that it disproportionately affects the poor. Policies that raise prices of milk, cheese, eggs and chicken affect low-income families, and those with children, to a greater degree than higher income families. He will further argue that producers having to purchase very expensive and compulsory production quotas, ties up a lot of money that otherwise could be invested in more productive endeavours within their farming operation. Speaker: Dr. Danny Le Roy Danny Le Roy is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lethbridge. He received his B.A. (Honours) in Economics in 1992 from Carleton University and his MSc and PhD in Agricultural Economics in (1994 and 2002, respectively) from the University of Guelph. He teaches courses in agricultural systems modeling, commodity marketing, agricultural policy and micro-economics. ??The focus of Dr. Le Roy's research is on livestock production, marketing and trade, emerging markets for irrigation water in Southern Alberta, and the impact of renewable energy policies on Canadian agriculture. He has been involved in numerous studies involving systems modelling of farms in Canada and assessments of agricultural policy and trade alternatives. ??Le Roy has served as an executive member of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association and the Tiffin Conference Organizing Committee. He has published in and reviewed several papers for the Canadian Journal of Economics, Current Agriculture, Food and Research Issues, Canadian Public Policy and the Western Economic Forum. He has been nominated twice for the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Lethbridge, and in 2004 and in 2008, he received the Agricultural Students Association Distinguished Teaching Award.  Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 10, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

The United States has repeatedly indicated that a key tension in NAFTA renegotiations is Canada’s continued protection of dairy, poultry and egg producers. These protectionist policies, known as supply management, were also an irritant in the Trans-Pacific free trade negotiations. The question for Canadians is why broad trade agreements, which benefit almost all Canadians, are being jeopardized to continue to protect a small subset of farmers in Canada—estimated at 13,500 nationwide. Supply management is a set of government-imposed production quotas and structured prices to limit domestic supply while impeding consumer access to foreign imports through tariffs. The outcome arguable is, reduced choice and higher prices for consumers, and higher revenues for producers. The speaker will contend that an often overlooked aspect of this protectionism is that it disproportionately affects the poor. Policies that raise prices of milk, cheese, eggs and chicken affect low-income families, and those with children, to a greater degree than higher income families. He will further argue that producers having to purchase very expensive and compulsory production quotas, ties up a lot of money that otherwise could be invested in more productive endeavours within their farming operation. Speaker: Dr. Danny Le Roy Danny Le Roy is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lethbridge. He received his B.A. (Honours) in Economics in 1992 from Carleton University and his MSc and PhD in Agricultural Economics in (1994 and 2002, respectively) from the University of Guelph. He teaches courses in agricultural systems modeling, commodity marketing, agricultural policy and micro-economics. ??The focus of Dr. Le Roy's research is on livestock production, marketing and trade, emerging markets for irrigation water in Southern Alberta, and the impact of renewable energy policies on Canadian agriculture. He has been involved in numerous studies involving systems modelling of farms in Canada and assessments of agricultural policy and trade alternatives. ??Le Roy has served as an executive member of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society, the Alberta Agricultural Economics Association and the Tiffin Conference Organizing Committee. He has published in and reviewed several papers for the Canadian Journal of Economics, Current Agriculture, Food and Research Issues, Canadian Public Policy and the Western Economic Forum. He has been nominated twice for the Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Lethbridge, and in 2004 and in 2008, he received the Agricultural Students Association Distinguished Teaching Award.  Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 10, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Basic income in Canada has been debated since at least the 1930s during the Social Credit movement, but as in other parts of the western world, the discussion has increased during the last decades. Different models can be considered such as a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI), Social Dividend or Basic Income. William Aberhart, Premier of Alberta, was inspired by Major C. H. Douglas Social Credit theory and tried to implement a basic income for Albertans during the 1930s but was thwarted in his attempts by the Federal Government. The (GAI) model was tested in Manitoba in the 1970s in what was called the Mincome experiment. It allowed every participating family unit to receive a minimum cash benefit, with every dollar earned over the benefit amount taxed back at varying (experimented) levels. There are some obvious impediments to the implementation of a (GAI) in Canada. For example, how would such a program impact work incentives? What would the program cost? What model is likely to be politically acceptable? Would a GAI benefit the national economy? And would it ultimately benefit low income (or non-income) workers? The speaker will explain the different options of income support that is available through a GAI program and the results of such in places where it has been applied. More broadly, he will examine the pros and cons of GAI programs as a means of combatting inequality. Finally, he will speculate on the likelihood of such a program’s adoption in Canada and elsewhere. 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. He worked on Manitoba’s Guaranteed Annual Income experiment in the 1970s.??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: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, May 3, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Basic income in Canada has been debated since at least the 1930s during the Social Credit movement, but as in other parts of the western world, the discussion has increased during the last decades. Different models can be considered such as a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI), Social Dividend or Basic Income. William Aberhart, Premier of Alberta, was inspired by Major C. H. Douglas Social Credit theory and tried to implement a basic income for Albertans during the 1930s but was thwarted in his attempts by the Federal Government. The (GAI) model was tested in Manitoba in the 1970s in what was called the Mincome experiment. It allowed every participating family unit to receive a minimum cash benefit, with every dollar earned over the benefit amount taxed back at varying (experimented) levels. There are some obvious impediments to the implementation of a (GAI) in Canada. For example, how would such a program impact work incentives? What would the program cost? What model is likely to be politically acceptable? Would a GAI benefit the national economy? And would it ultimately benefit low income (or non-income) workers? The speaker will explain the different options of income support that is available through a GAI program and the results of such in places where it has been applied. More broadly, he will examine the pros and cons of GAI programs as a means of combatting inequality. Finally, he will speculate on the likelihood of such a program’s adoption in Canada and elsewhere. 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. He worked on Manitoba’s Guaranteed Annual Income experiment in the 1970s.??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: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, May 3, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones at that time and arguably laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. However, since Donald Trump became US President last year, renegotiating NAFTA along with other trade deals, has been high on his agenda The original NAFTA took 14 months to negotiate and just as long to ratify. The current negotiations are into their eight month and of the roughly 30 chapters to complete, many are not agreed upon. That's too slow, current U.S. trade czar Robert Lighthizer, said at the close of a recent negotiating session in Mexico City. The Trump administration are hoping to complete negotiations by May, 2018 so the agreement can be ratified before the opposition Democrats have a chance to regain control of Congress and or the Senate in January 2019. Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could also hurt progress on a NAFTA deal if it’s not completed soon, should he be elected later this year. The speaker will untangle the web of possible scenarios surrounding NAFTA negotiations and speculate on its final outcome, including the potential of Canada getting caught up in a trade war with US Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt). Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, April 26, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones at that time and arguably laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising prosperity for Canada, the United States, and Mexico. However, since Donald Trump became US President last year, renegotiating NAFTA along with other trade deals, has been high on his agenda The original NAFTA took 14 months to negotiate and just as long to ratify. The current negotiations are into their eight month and of the roughly 30 chapters to complete, many are not agreed upon. That's too slow, current U.S. trade czar Robert Lighthizer, said at the close of a recent negotiating session in Mexico City. The Trump administration are hoping to complete negotiations by May, 2018 so the agreement can be ratified before the opposition Democrats have a chance to regain control of Congress and or the Senate in January 2019. Mexican presidential hopeful Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could also hurt progress on a NAFTA deal if it’s not completed soon, should he be elected later this year. The speaker will untangle the web of possible scenarios surrounding NAFTA negotiations and speculate on its final outcome, including the potential of Canada getting caught up in a trade war with US Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt). Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, April 26, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

The FASD Adult Justice Program was developed as a partnership under the umbrella of the South Alberta FASD Service Network and the 10-year strategic plan, in response to a need identified by the Alberta Government. The Program works collaboratively with a number of service providers, community agencies and professionals committed to effecting change within the Justice System for individuals and families affected by FASD. The FASD Justice Program operation model is based, in part on the FASD Youth Justice Project which has been operating successfully in South Western Alberta since 2000. Peak, the organization that oversees the Adult FASD Justice Program, began providing services in 1992. The original vision of Peak was to provide maximum vocational integration in the community. Peak Vocational and Support Services was established as an employment placement agency that now provides, full time day program supports, residential, employment, outreach and complex needs supports including supports in the Justice System. Changes have taken place over the years to expand services and now the agency accommodates individuals with different types of goals for their lives. Peak believes that all people in this world have the right to have goals, to have dreams and to be able to fulfill them to greatest extent that they are able to. The speaker will describe the variable roles Peak can play in helping individuals who live with an FASD achieve fulfilment in their daily lives as well as what that looks like in terms of a social return on investment. Speaker: Sabrina Hacker Sabrina Hacker Is the FASD Adult Justice and Community Outreach Program Coordinator at Peak Vocational and Support Services.  Sabrina worked in local law enforcement as the Dangerous Dog Officer for 11 years becoming a certified member of NACA level three and was recognized as being the highest trained officer in Canada. In 2004 Sabrina went back to school majoring in Justice Studies/Corrections. Upon graduating, Sabrina was approached to create a diversionary Justice Program that would identify the struggles FASD clients face in main stream Justice. Once identified, the program develops a case plan, connects with community partners and works collaboratively to reduce recidivism. Moderator: Ross Samuel Date: Thursday, April 19, 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 desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required