Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The argumentative exchange of reasons is often seen as the most equality-affirming, respectful way in which parties can engage with each other’s minds. But for argumentation to fulfill this promise, we often have to invest extra effort.

One of the places where such extra effort may be required is when we try to understand the reasons that the person we are arguing with is trying to communicate to us. This can be difficult, especially when they are not very good speakers, or when we strongly disagree with their worldview. To capture this, we often say that arguing requires us to interpret the other charitably. But what does that mean? And is charity always helpful, or can it even be harmful to the person we are trying to understand? In this talk, we will explore all the ways that charity can go wrong … and what is required for it to go right.

Speaker: Dr. Katharina Stevens

Katharina Stevens has worked in the Ethics of Argument for seven years. She is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge, where she holds a Board of Governors Research Chair on the Ethics of Argumentation. She is also a co-editor of the Argumentation journal Informal Logic. She is developing a non-ideal role-ethics for argumentation and a textbook on ethical arguing and has published in virtues of argumentation and the role of adversariality in argument.

The speaker, a game warden with 38 years of experience in Alberta, will share stories about his work in protecting the region’s fish and wildlife. He will highlight the delicate balance between humans and nature, the diverse wildlife in Alberta, and the challenges faced by conservation efforts. This presentation will showcase the dedication required to safeguard these natural resources and provide insight into the tireless work of individuals committed to conservation.

Speaker: Jim Mitchell

Jim Mitchell is a retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officer, commonly known around the world as a Game Warden. Jim retired in Lethbridge, 2019 after 38 plus years of dedicated service for the Alberta Government. After retiring, he worked at the Lethbridge College for three years, instructing Conservation Enforcement classes he had taken at the college 40 years prior..

Jim was stationed in 5 different districts throughout the province, finishing his career as the Superintendent for Southern Alberta, in Lethbridge. During Jim’s career he was a Predator Response specialist, Firearms Instructor and a Surveillance Team member for Justice and Solicitor General, along with all his other duties as a district officer. Jim is married to his wife Joyanne, who retired the same date from the Advancement section at Lethbridge College and their daughter Kaitlyn, who is an educator in Calgary.

Jim enjoys travelling, hikes in the mountains, fishing and staying busy on their 3 acres on Glen Lake, near Eureka Montana. After retiring, Jim spent 5 years writing a book, Alberta Game Warden - Behind the Batch of 172 which contains 34 short true stories housed within 8 chapters about his often very exciting and challenging career as an Alberta Game Warden. In his book he talks about his role in Conservation and stories involving all aspects of his career.

Albertans are no strangers to disruptive restructuring of our health care system. Decades of austerity have left us with reduced services, creeping privatization, and worse care conditions. None of this, however, can fully prepare us for the harm that may be caused by the provincial government’s ongoing dismantling of Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Danielle Smith’s government is undertaking a massive restructuring of health care delivery. As the government continues to roll out their plan, it has become increasingly clear that this isn’t actually about improving patient care or local input, but arguably, a systematic overhaul designed to benefit the profits of the government’s private sector friends.

The speaker will argue we do not have to succumb to this ploy. As we begin to better understand what this restructuring will mean for our health care, it’s on us to stop the destruction and push for better. One of the most powerful responses we have is to work together and establish certainty amidst the chaos. We CAN rebuild our public health care system. There are solutions to our challenges if we choose to build the collective power to make them happen.

Speaker: Chris Gallaway

Chris Gallaway (he/him) is an experienced community organizer and advocate for public health care. Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, he has since spent most of his adult life living on Treaty 6 territory, first in Saskatoon, and for the last decade living in Edmonton. His past experience includes working for the Alberta Federation of Labour, in three provincial legislative assemblies, and for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work Chris is an active volunteer and community member engaged in social justice and the arts.

YWCA Lethbridge & District has been rooted in Lethbridge for 75 years, continuously adapting to the needs of the community. In 2024, the organization continues to play a crucial role in addressing the escalating social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable women, children, and youth. With rising housing and rental costs, many families are unable to secure affordable, stable housing, driving them to YWCA services. The rising cost of living further deepens financial instability, leaving individuals at greater risk of homelessness and domestic violence.

In the face of many challenges, including an ever-evolving political landscape, the YWCA remains one of the few organizations offering comprehensive, gender-focused services that address the intersectional nature of these complex issues. The speaker will discuss how the organization is navigating these current challenges, preparing for the future, and YWCA staff members will share first-hand experiences about the organization’s evolution and the direct impact its services have on individuals’ lives.

Speaker: Jill Young

Jill Young is an innovative leader with a diverse background that spans the non-profit sector as well as sports, science, and the entertainment industry. Joining YWCA in 2022, her career is distinguished by the seamless integration of her experiences across these various sectors, all driven by a commitment to community empowerment and engagement. As the CEO of the YWCA, Jill leverages this wealth of experience to drive impactful change.

Jill is particularly passionate about addressing issues related to domestic & gender-based violence, homelessness, and social inequality. With over 20 years in management and leadership positions, she can be characterized by a collaborative approach, ensuring that after 75 years in Lethbridge, the YWCA remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

There’s a whole new vehicle technology out there - electric vehicles. When you’re in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle a question arises. Is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) right for you?

This presentation looks at the pluses and minuses of fully electric vehicles. Amid the flood of information and disinformation out there, we’ll pick out some of the more important things you need to know about BEVs.

Speaker: Tom Moffat

Tom Moffat is a retired Information Technology Manager, where he spent lots of time investigating new technologies. Prior to landing in the computer field, he worked in a large variety of industries, including oil and gas, mining and tax assessing for the Canada Revenue Agency.

Since retiring, he’s been following his passions, such as novel writing, presenting concerts with the Lethbridge Folk Club, travel, and exploring the new world of electric vehicles.

The speaker will present the latest strategies for reducing methane emissions in cattle, focusing on how advancements in rumen microbiome research and optimized nutrition can lower environmental impact. He will highlight new data and technologies that improve feed efficiency and sustainability in cattle production.

Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister, Lethbridge Research and Development Research Centre

Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist at AAFC’s Lethbridge Research Centre. His research focuses on microbiology, nutrition and beef production and on food and environmental safety issues related to livestock production, strategies for mitigation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, prion inactivation within the environment, antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in feedlots and investigating the discovery and characterization of fibrolytic enzymes from rumen microbes. He also has extensive research experience in GHG emissions within animals from manure and the impact of manure handling procedures, such as composting, on emissions. He is the author or co-author of over 950 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 90 reviews, as well as over 1200+ abstracts and conference proceedings.

A continued focus on strengthening research partnerships and strong performance in federal grant agency support sees ULethbridge among Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities spurred by a second-place ranking amongst all undergraduate universities in the growth of research income as it relates to industry partnerships.

The partnerships forged in recent years highlight the fact that ULethbridge researchers are helping solve important issues facing small and big businesses, industrial partners, agri-food, tech and many other sectors. ULethbridge have long excelled in fundamental research, something that continues to earn strong support from federal granting partners, and more recently have garnered the attention of valuable partners who recognize researchers have answers to issues they need addressed.

The speaker will define the flow of different research funding streams at ULethbridge and argue for the importance of collaboration between post-secondary institutions, governments and businesses.

Speaker: Dr. Dena McMartin

Dr Dena McMartin is the Vice President (Research) at the University of Lethbridge. She is a leading researcher focused on rural, agricultural, and industrial water resources management and treatment, as well as impacts of freshwater climate extremes on communities and economies. Dena joined ULethbridge in 2021, having previously served in academic leadership and faculty roles at both University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina.

For the past several months, Kathleen Ganley, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Sarah Hoffman and Naheed Nenshi have been battling it out to see who will replace Rachel Notley as leader of Alberta’s NDP.

Each leadership candidate faced an entrance fee of $60,000 and a spending limit of $500,000. Initially, David Shepherd registered his candidacy early, but did not pursue it further. Rakhi Pancholi also announced her candidacy early, but withdrew from the leadership race shortly after Naheed Nenshi entered the race. She then endorsed Nenshi. Gil McGowan also announced his candidacy later in the campaign, but withdrew for financial reasons.

Our speaker will elaborate on the leadership campaign and speculate on the influence, power and support from within, the new Alberta NDP leader will be able to muster.

Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt

Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics.

Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.

The speaker will share his views on Bill 18, which deals with a potential limitation of municipal-federal agreements - an overview of the bill, its intentions, and the potential impacts on municipal autonomy, operations and how this bill could redefine the relationship between municipalities and the federal government, and what this can mean for local governance and decision-making.

Regarding Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, the speaker will examine the amendments proposed in this bill, their significance for municipal administration and highlight key changes. He will discuss how these amendments are designed to improve municipal governance, accountability, and service delivery.

How are these legislative changes expected to affect the Town of Coaldale? The speaker will analyze the potential challenges and opportunities that comes with adapting to new legislative frameworks. Insights on the steps Coaldale is taking to navigate these changes effectively will be given and from a local governance perspective the broader implications of Bills 18 and 20 will be discussed.

Speaker: Jack Van Rijn, Mayor of Coaldale

Jack Van Rijn was born in Taber, Alberta, and grew up on a family farm in the Readymade area before moving to Coaldale in 1966. As the youngest of 18 children and the only one born in Canada, Jack has made Coaldale his lifelong home, where he raised his three children:

Jack has dedicated over 40 years to volunteering with various organizations to enhance the quality of life in Coaldale. He firmly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and making a real difference. Jack is the former co-owner of Van Rijn Electric, a business he successfully ran with his brother Hank for over 35 years. He believes Coaldale is an ideal place to grow a business and has been an active promoter of local businesses through his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce for the past 38 years, currently serving as Vice President.

Jack’s volunteerism is extensive. He served as an active firefighter for 33 years, including 21 as Deputy Fire Chief, and worked as a Paramedic for Coaldale & District Emergency Services for 27 years. His contributions to the Kinsmen Club of Coaldale over 37 years have helped raise over $3 million for local projects, such as the Coaldale Community Centre, Kin Picnic Shelter, Skateboard Park, Spray Park, Cottonwood Estates Kinship Park, Eastview Park Revitalization, Mountain Bike Park, and he is currently chairing the new $1.2 million all-wheel skate park.

Jack served on the Coaldale Town Council from 2013 to 2017, bringing his commitment and passion for the community to the forefront of local governance. In 2021, he was elected Mayor of Coaldale, a role in which he continues to serve with dedication and enthusiasm.

The sense of isolation that Antarctica brings is achieved in part thanks to an international collaboration and treaty that sees Antarctica as an unowned land, open to science and discovery. It is closely and collectively monitored by protocols that visiting parties agree to follow and therefore, it’s a perfect stage for programs focused on leadership and sustainability.

Our speaker, who will account her experience, did her homework, and then some, before embarking on her 19-night tour of Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound global leadership initiative for women with a background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). And yet no amount of preparation could rival the experience of interacting with the beauty and remoteness that is the world’s fifth-largest and least-populated continent.

Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Copeland

Jennifer Copeland is an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Science and a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She completed a B.Sc. in Biology at Mount Allison University and attended graduate school at the University of New Brunswick where she earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology.

Copeland’s research interests focus on the effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on healthy aging. Her doctoral research focused on exercise physiology and she now uses a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to explore both the consequences and determinants of our daily movement behaviours.

A major goal of Dr. Copeland’s program is knowledge translation and she engages regularly in research collaborations with community partners and stakeholders. Her laboratory, the Active Healthy Aging Lab, has received funding from CIHR, CFI, PolicyWise for Children and Families, the Sport Science Association of Alberta, and other agencies.