Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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

The terrestrial biosphere is under increasing pressure as a result of climatic changes, human disturbance, and secondary effects of these, including fire and pathogen/insect outbreaks. In many regions, land surface changes may be occurring more rapidly than expected. The Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS) is dedicated to the characterization of process feedbacks through the 3D environment in both space and time, and from plant to region. The fusion of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research, spectral and active remote sensing tools, in situ measurements, and long-term environmental monitoring of ecosystems provides process-based understanding at scales that are relevant for making decisions. With an emphasis on fire and water issues, the speakers will explain how advancements in 3D monitoring technologies improve our ability to forecast and prepare for some of the natural resource and hazard challenges faced by Albertans. Speakers: Dr. Chris Hopkinson and Dr. Laura Chasmer Dr. Chris Hopkinson founded the ARTeMIS Lab in 2013, when he joined the University of Lethbridge after working as an Environmental Research Scientist with CSIRO in Canberra, Australia. Prior to this, he directed the airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research operations and outreach of the Canadian Consortium for LiDAR Environmental Applications Research (C-CLEAR), while employed as a Research Scientist and Lecturer at the Applied Geomatics Research Group in Nova Scotia.  With a background in engineering and geography, Chris' earliest and still active research interests are water and forest resources and how they change through time. Chris is interested in the integration of in situ, high-resolution remote sensing, spatial and temporal data sources to better understand hydrological and biological process dynamics in mountain and northern environments. Dr. Laura Chasmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge and member of the ARTeMiS Lab. She did her Ph.D. in hydro-meteorology and remote sensing at Queen's University as part of the Canadian Carbon Program. Laura has worked with airborne and terrestrial LiDAR data since 2000, and with leading researchers in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Laura's research integrates ecosystem processes in ecology, hydrology and meteorology with an advanced understanding of spatial and temporal remote sensing data analysis. Her research focus has gradually shifted towards wildfires as a result of her Boreal Forest field sites being destroyed in the Slave Lake Fire of 2011. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 12, 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 Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

The terrestrial biosphere is under increasing pressure as a result of climatic changes, human disturbance, and secondary effects of these, including fire and pathogen/insect outbreaks. In many regions, land surface changes may be occurring more rapidly than expected. The Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS) is dedicated to the characterization of process feedbacks through the 3D environment in both space and time, and from plant to region. The fusion of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research, spectral and active remote sensing tools, in situ measurements, and long-term environmental monitoring of ecosystems provides process-based understanding at scales that are relevant for making decisions. With an emphasis on fire and water issues, the speakers will explain how advancements in 3D monitoring technologies improve our ability to forecast and prepare for some of the natural resource and hazard challenges faced by Albertans. Speakers: Dr. Chris Hopkinson and Dr. Laura Chasmer Dr. Chris Hopkinson founded the ARTeMIS Lab in 2013, when he joined the University of Lethbridge after working as an Environmental Research Scientist with CSIRO in Canberra, Australia. Prior to this, he directed the airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) research operations and outreach of the Canadian Consortium for LiDAR Environmental Applications Research (C-CLEAR), while employed as a Research Scientist and Lecturer at the Applied Geomatics Research Group in Nova Scotia.  With a background in engineering and geography, Chris' earliest and still active research interests are water and forest resources and how they change through time. Chris is interested in the integration of in situ, high-resolution remote sensing, spatial and temporal data sources to better understand hydrological and biological process dynamics in mountain and northern environments. Dr. Laura Chasmer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge and member of the ARTeMiS Lab. She did her Ph.D. in hydro-meteorology and remote sensing at Queen's University as part of the Canadian Carbon Program. Laura has worked with airborne and terrestrial LiDAR data since 2000, and with leading researchers in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Laura's research integrates ecosystem processes in ecology, hydrology and meteorology with an advanced understanding of spatial and temporal remote sensing data analysis. Her research focus has gradually shifted towards wildfires as a result of her Boreal Forest field sites being destroyed in the Slave Lake Fire of 2011. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 12, 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 Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

One of Bryan Kolb’s most memorable talks was a public lecture in Lac La Biche, AB, attended by many First Nations elders. Kolb spoke about how stress and abuse during childhood can cause certain genes in the brain to be turned on or off, and how these changes can be passed from one generation to another — altering the behaviour of the offspring. Through this explanation, the elders began to see the problem of residential schools in an entirely new light. Dr. Kolb will explain how severe stress, for example in residential schools, can cross generations and cause all kinds of problems later. Thanks to institutions like U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, it is now recognized that childhood stress and abuse has many consequences. But the wide-ranging societal implications of the ongoing research, being conducted by Kolb at the University of Lethbridge, suggests the most important work — actually reversing the neurological effects of early adversity — is still to come. Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb Dr. Bryan Kolb has played a founding role in the study of neuroscience. As a neuroscientist at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) in Lethbridge, Kolb’s primary interests are in brain development, brain plasticity, and brain changes over time, including after injury. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Kolb has published seven books and more than 400 articles and chapters. In the process, Kolb and a pioneering faculty and research team, has helped turn the University of Lethbridge, a relatively young institution that just celebrated its 50th anniversary, into a hotbed for neuroscience research. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 5, 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

One of Bryan Kolb’s most memorable talks was a public lecture in Lac La Biche, AB, attended by many First Nations elders. Kolb spoke about how stress and abuse during childhood can cause certain genes in the brain to be turned on or off, and how these changes can be passed from one generation to another — altering the behaviour of the offspring. Through this explanation, the elders began to see the problem of residential schools in an entirely new light. Dr. Kolb will explain how severe stress, for example in residential schools, can cross generations and cause all kinds of problems later. Thanks to institutions like U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, it is now recognized that childhood stress and abuse has many consequences. But the wide-ranging societal implications of the ongoing research, being conducted by Kolb at the University of Lethbridge, suggests the most important work — actually reversing the neurological effects of early adversity — is still to come. Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb Dr. Bryan Kolb has played a founding role in the study of neuroscience. As a neuroscientist at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) in Lethbridge, Kolb’s primary interests are in brain development, brain plasticity, and brain changes over time, including after injury. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Kolb has published seven books and more than 400 articles and chapters. In the process, Kolb and a pioneering faculty and research team, has helped turn the University of Lethbridge, a relatively young institution that just celebrated its 50th anniversary, into a hotbed for neuroscience research. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 5, 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 Honourable Premier Rachel Notley has graciously made herself available to Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) for a speaking event. After 50 years of trying, SACPA is very happy to finally host a sitting Premier of Alberta. Rachel previously spoke at SACPA in 2011 and 2014 as an MLA. Premier Notley will explain some of the items in last week’s Alberta budget and the importance of pipelines and transportation in getting Alberta resources to tidewater. She will also give the audience her view of Alberta’s political landscape. The Honourable Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge West and Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office will introduce the Premier. Dr. Leroy Little Bear will bring greetings from the Blackfoot Nation Speaker: The Honourable Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta Rachel Notley was sworn in as Alberta’s 17th Premier on May 24, 2015. She grew up in Fairview, Alberta, and is the daughter of former Alberta ND leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Having grown up in a passionate political family that believed in the importance of building a fairer, more inclusive society, Rachel was naturally drawn to work to make her home province better, and first ran for election for the Alberta New Democrats in Edmonton-Strathcona in 2008. She was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2015. Rachel holds a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Alberta, and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She has worked for a variety of labour unions in both Alberta and British Columbia and served as a ministerial advisor to British Columbia's Attorney General in the 1990s. Rachel's work during her legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues. Rachel lives in Edmonton's Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie. Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, March 29, 2018 Time: 12 noon presentation, Q & A to follow at 12:30 pm Location: Southminster United Church, 1011 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge Cost: Free admission, everyone welcome

There are several significant shifts underway in Alberta’s electricity sector including: the phase-out of coal power plants, the Renewable Energy Program, development of micro and community generation, the design of the capacity market, changes to the regulated rate option (RRO) including a price cap, and banning of door-to-door energy sales. In addition, rapid technological change continues to impact all aspects of the electricity sector from generation to transmission and distribution, to how consumers use their electricity. Chris Hunt leads the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) which has a mandate to educate, advocate, and mediate for Alberta’s residential, farm, and small business electricity and natural gas consumers. Chris will provide an overview of Alberta’s electricity sector and emerging trends, and factors residential, small business, and farm consumers should consider when making choices about their electricity and natural gas services. Speaker:     Chris Hunt Chris joined the Alberta Public Service following a 14 year career as an armoured corps officer in the Regular Canadian Army. He served on operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as here in Canada, and he continues to serve in the Army Reserve part-time. Since joining the Alberta Public Service 10 years ago, Chris has held several Director and Senior Management roles with the Government of Alberta, particularly in the Departments of Energy and Environment. He has worked on a wide variety of policy, legislation, and regulatory projects related to energy development and environmental management. Since his appointment as Utilities Consumer Advocate three years ago, Chris directed the creation and implementation of the UCA Consumer Education Program, including its website and social media channels, and the UCA’s Regulatory Affairs team has submitted evidence cited in Alberta Utility Commission decisions that saved consumers over $300 million. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required

There are several significant shifts underway in Alberta’s electricity sector including: the phase-out of coal power plants, the Renewable Energy Program, development of micro and community generation, the design of the capacity market, changes to the regulated rate option (RRO) including a price cap, and banning of door-to-door energy sales. In addition, rapid technological change continues to impact all aspects of the electricity sector from generation to transmission and distribution, to how consumers use their electricity. Chris Hunt leads the Office of the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) which has a mandate to educate, advocate, and mediate for Alberta’s residential, farm, and small business electricity and natural gas consumers. Chris will provide an overview of Alberta’s electricity sector and emerging trends, and factors residential, small business, and farm consumers should consider when making choices about their electricity and natural gas services. Speaker:     Chris Hunt Chris joined the Alberta Public Service following a 14 year career as an armoured corps officer in the Regular Canadian Army. He served on operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as here in Canada, and he continues to serve in the Army Reserve part-time. Since joining the Alberta Public Service 10 years ago, Chris has held several Director and Senior Management roles with the Government of Alberta, particularly in the Departments of Energy and Environment. He has worked on a wide variety of policy, legislation, and regulatory projects related to energy development and environmental management. Since his appointment as Utilities Consumer Advocate three years ago, Chris directed the creation and implementation of the UCA Consumer Education Program, including its website and social media channels, and the UCA’s Regulatory Affairs team has submitted evidence cited in Alberta Utility Commission decisions that saved consumers over $300 million. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (below The Keg restaurant) 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South Cost: $11 lunch (hearty soup & bun, desert & coffee/tea) or $2 coffee/tea. RSVP not required

Please note that this is a special Tuesday session at the Royal Canadian Legion The Alberta Cannabis Framework has outlined what Albertans can expect when cannabis becomes legal in Canada on July 1, 2018. After months of engagement with Albertans, stakeholders and partners, extensive research of other jurisdictions, and consideration of existing liquor and tobacco laws, the framework sets the stage for the responsible use of cannabis in Alberta . Aspects of this framework will be implemented through various pieces of legislation introduced during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, including substantive changes to the Gaming and Liquor Act that will address oversight, distribution and licensing for non-medical cannabis. To properly reflect this, the amendments will include renaming the act to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act. Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis: Privately run retail stores and government-operated online sales. Physical retail locations will be subject to government regulations and the terms of licenses granted by the AGLC. Consumers will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.  Though cannabis cafes and lounges will not be permitted on July 1, 2018, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these forms of establishments should the government decide to allow them at a later date. The speaker will explain the many regulation scenarios related to retail sales of cannabis in Alberta. Speaker: Mack Andrews Mack Andrews is a Calgary native and Queen’s University alumnus (BASc) taking a material role in Canada’s Cannabis industry. After a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, he turned his focus to the blooming cannabis industry in early 2017 Upon identifying a gap in the industry, Mack co-founded the Alberta Cannabis Collective (‘ABCC’), the leading association for above board cannabis retail in Alberta. The ABCC’s mission is to foster a functional, safe, and flourishing cannabis industry. Currently, Mack occupies the position of Vice-President of the ABCC and his main focus is collaboration with future cannabis retailers and all levels of Government in Alberta. In addition to an active role with the ABCC, Mack is involved with an organization establishing retail locations in Calgary. Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Time: 12 noon to 1:30 pm, doors open at 11:30 am, buffet lunch after presentation at 12:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Please note that this is a special Tuesday session at the Royal Canadian Legion The Alberta Cannabis Framework has outlined what Albertans can expect when cannabis becomes legal in Canada on July 1, 2018. After months of engagement with Albertans, stakeholders and partners, extensive research of other jurisdictions, and consideration of existing liquor and tobacco laws, the framework sets the stage for the responsible use of cannabis in Alberta . Aspects of this framework will be implemented through various pieces of legislation introduced during the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, including substantive changes to the Gaming and Liquor Act that will address oversight, distribution and licensing for non-medical cannabis. To properly reflect this, the amendments will include renaming the act to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act. Albertans will have two options for purchasing recreational cannabis: Privately run retail stores and government-operated online sales. Physical retail locations will be subject to government regulations and the terms of licenses granted by the AGLC. Consumers will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.  Though cannabis cafes and lounges will not be permitted on July 1, 2018, the legislation also gives the authority to regulate these forms of establishments should the government decide to allow them at a later date. The speaker will explain the many regulation scenarios related to retail sales of cannabis in Alberta. Speaker: Mack Andrews Mack Andrews is a Calgary native and Queen’s University alumnus (BASc) taking a material role in Canada’s Cannabis industry. After a career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, he turned his focus to the blooming cannabis industry in early 2017 Upon identifying a gap in the industry, Mack co-founded the Alberta Cannabis Collective (‘ABCC’), the leading association for above board cannabis retail in Alberta. The ABCC’s mission is to foster a functional, safe, and flourishing cannabis industry. Currently, Mack occupies the position of Vice-President of the ABCC and his main focus is collaboration with future cannabis retailers and all levels of Government in Alberta. In addition to an active role with the ABCC, Mack is involved with an organization establishing retail locations in Calgary. Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018 Time: 12 noon to 1:30 pm, doors open at 11:30 am, buffet lunch after presentation at 12:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required