Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The City of Lethbridge Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, is a plan that identifies required capital projects and provides a planning schedule and financing plan. The City of Lethbridge is currently in the process of planning for its next CIP (2018-2027) and has identified there is only $5.5 million available for community projects. The Performing Arts Centre Advocacy Group (PACAG) is working to ensure the Performing Arts Centre remains on the next CIP. Since Lethbridge’s beginnings there has been a need to build a suitable performance venue for both performers and audiences alike. The 488-seat Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, while not a theatre but an auditorium, was built in 1966 when the population was 37,000. It is the only major community performance venue in Lethbridge. The Sterndale Bennett Theatre is a 180-seat black box theatre. The University of Lethbridge has two theatres and a recital hall which are used primarily for student productions. Lethbridge currently has less than 1000 traditional theatre seats for a populations nearing 100,000. We are slated to lose half of those seats once the Yates closes for renovations. A Performing Arts Centre will increase the number of seats available for events, providing access to existing community groups and touring acts to book in Lethbridge. Lethbridge would be viewed as a regional hub for cultural experiences, attracting visitors from southeast British Columbia, northern Montana and southwestern Saskatchewan. And, as the community continues to grow, this project would provide community space to a myriad of events. The speaker will discuss the rich history of performing arts in Lethbridge, the vibrancy of our arts community, future growth and economic benefits a Performing Arts Centre would bring to Lethbridge. Speaker: Dawn Leite Dawn Leite is a member of the PACAG and the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at the Allied Arts Council. Dawn has worked in arts administration in Lethbridge for nearly 15 years, and is an active and passionate member of the performing arts community. Dawn is committed to the development of our community, being a member of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge, Heart of Our City, and Vice-President of the newly established Lethbridge & District Music & Speech Arts Festival Society. She is also a member of the Lethbridge Community Band Society. Moderator: Christina Cuthbertson Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Have you ever wondered what some of the big issues in southwestern Alberta are? With its annual Vital Signs report, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta presents important issues, topics, and themes in six key impact areas. The Community Foundation uses Vital Signs to build local knowledge, set strategic priorities, inform granting, and connect donors with causes close to their hearts. One of the issues identified in this year’s report is the high rate of interpersonal violence in Alberta, the highest in the country, and the resulting demand on local women’s emergency shelters, which are increasingly forced to turn away women and children in distress due to a lack of space. Other issues include the impact of Alberta’s economic downturn on local food banks across our region, the cost of sport in Alberta, and the low percentage of high school completion rates. The speaker will address these and other issues identified in the 2016 Vital Signs report. Vital Signs is an initiative of the Community Foundations of Canada, and is published annually by community foundations across Canada. Founded in 1966, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta currently has just under $25 million in assets. Thanks to the financial support of generous donors, the Community Foundation awards over $700,000 in grants annually to registered charities across the region. Speaker: Charleen Davidson Charleen Davidson joined the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta as Executive Director in April 2016 after working for the Alberta Museums Association, where she was the Director of Operations and the Project Manager for the Museum Flood Funding Program. A 14-year resident of Lethbridge, Davidson has also worked extensively in the not-for profit sector in the community. She was earlier the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection Society and volunteered as a city-appointed member of the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives Board of Directors, among other community service interests. Davidson has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto. Her passion for history and archaeology has taken her world-wide, from nearby Taber, AB, to Israel and across Canada. Her passion for community led her to the Community Foundation, and she is very proud to be its Executive Director. Moderator:   Dianne King Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Have you ever wondered what some of the big issues in southwestern Alberta are? With its annual Vital Signs report, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta presents important issues, topics, and themes in six key impact areas. The Community Foundation uses Vital Signs to build local knowledge, set strategic priorities, inform granting, and connect donors with causes close to their hearts. One of the issues identified in this year’s report is the high rate of interpersonal violence in Alberta, the highest in the country, and the resulting demand on local women’s emergency shelters, which are increasingly forced to turn away women and children in distress due to a lack of space. Other issues include the impact of Alberta’s economic downturn on local food banks across our region, the cost of sport in Alberta, and the low percentage of high school completion rates. The speaker will address these and other issues identified in the 2016 Vital Signs report. Vital Signs is an initiative of the Community Foundations of Canada, and is published annually by community foundations across Canada. Founded in 1966, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta currently has just under $25 million in assets. Thanks to the financial support of generous donors, the Community Foundation awards over $700,000 in grants annually to registered charities across the region. Speaker: Charleen Davidson Charleen Davidson joined the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta as Executive Director in April 2016 after working for the Alberta Museums Association, where she was the Director of Operations and the Project Manager for the Museum Flood Funding Program. A 14-year resident of Lethbridge, Davidson has also worked extensively in the not-for profit sector in the community. She was earlier the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection Society and volunteered as a city-appointed member of the Sir Alexander Galt Museum and Archives Board of Directors, among other community service interests. Davidson has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto. Her passion for history and archaeology has taken her world-wide, from nearby Taber, AB, to Israel and across Canada. Her passion for community led her to the Community Foundation, and she is very proud to be its Executive Director. Moderator:   Dianne King Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Many factors played into the 1968 decision to build U of L’s new campus in what is now West Lethbridge. University administration, faculty, students and the City of Lethbridge all agreed the west-side location was well suited and autonomous from their temporary Junior College campus home. The Provincial Government however, did not agree and instead proposed a City referendum to determine where the university campus should be build. Student activists in particular fought that idea and took to the streets protesting in front of Lethbridge’s MLA. Police got involved and arrested two students, (without charging them) but the battle lines had been drawn and two days later another demonstration occurred following U of L’s first (1968) convocation ceremony in Southminster Church. With the pressure on, the Provincial Government finally relented and ratified the plans to build the new campus on the west-side. Arguable, it is the vision of these early university leaders that caused west Lethbridge to grow and flourish around the new campus in such a short time span. And certainly, the City of Lethbridge leadership was visionary in providing plenty of land for such an undertaking. The speaker will discuss the history of U of L since its inception 50 years ago. He will also describe the 1968 controversy regarding the university’s location and introduce the key players and arguments that were instrumental in positioning the U of L campus where it is today. Speaker: Michael Perry Michael Perry is the archivist at the University of Lethbridge and has been on staff there for over 20 years. His research interest is exploring the University’s history while preserving and making it accessible through the University’s Archives. Michael’s current research interests include the history of the U of L architecture and the beginnings of U of L’s liberal arts education. He has also worked on the First Generation Oral History Project with Dr. James Tagg. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science, a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Education. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, January 5,2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Many factors played into the 1968 decision to build U of L’s new campus in what is now West Lethbridge. University administration, faculty, students and the City of Lethbridge all agreed the west-side location was well suited and autonomous from their temporary Junior College campus home. The Provincial Government however, did not agree and instead proposed a City referendum to determine where the university campus should be build. Student activists in particular fought that idea and took to the streets protesting in front of Lethbridge’s MLA. Police got involved and arrested two students, (without charging them) but the battle lines had been drawn and two days later another demonstration occurred following U of L’s first (1968) convocation ceremony in Southminster Church. With the pressure on, the Provincial Government finally relented and ratified the plans to build the new campus on the west-side. Arguable, it is the vision of these early university leaders that caused west Lethbridge to grow and flourish around the new campus in such a short time span. And certainly, the City of Lethbridge leadership was visionary in providing plenty of land for such an undertaking. The speaker will discuss the history of U of L since its inception 50 years ago. He will also describe the 1968 controversy regarding the university’s location and introduce the key players and arguments that were instrumental in positioning the U of L campus where it is today. Speaker: Michael Perry Michael Perry is the archivist at the University of Lethbridge and has been on staff there for over 20 years. His research interest is exploring the University’s history while preserving and making it accessible through the University’s Archives. Michael’s current research interests include the history of the U of L architecture and the beginnings of U of L’s liberal arts education. He has also worked on the First Generation Oral History Project with Dr. James Tagg. Michael has earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science, a Master of Library and Information Studies and a Master of Education. Moderator: Knud Petersen Date: Thursday, January 5,2017 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM (30 minutes each for presentation, lunch and Q & A) Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Christmas is a big deal. In the religious pluralism of multicultural Canada, it is the dominant winter holiday. There are tensions between secular and religious aspects of Christmas, as well as debates about the merits of the more inclusive greeting, “Happy Holidays,” rather than “Merry Christmas,” but Buddhist festivities are not poised to replace Christmas in seasonal plays, pageants and concerts. In fact, there is no culture war raging between Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism is quite tolerant of festivals and cultural practices from other religious traditions. Despite overlapping values of generosity and compassion, there are Buddhist teachings that are certainly wary of the rampant consumerism that many associate with Christmas. Critiques of the commercialization of the holiday are not new, but Buddhist critiques revolve more around the links between suffering, desire, and attachment rather than concerns about the loss of Christian specific teachings. In this talk, the speaker will share some Buddhists’ views about Christmas in Canada along with instances of overlapping symbols, contrasting cultural understandings, a pop culture portrayal of competition between Buddhism and Christmas, and a few reflections on connections and tensions in the relationship between Buddhism and Christmas. Speaker: Dr. John Harding John Harding (B.A. in Asian Studies, University of Puget Sound; Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania) joined the University of Lethbridge in 2003 where he is an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and the Coordinator of Asian Studies. His primary areas of interest include Japanese Buddhism and the cross-cultural exchange between Asia and the West that has shaped the development of modern Buddhism worldwide. Dr. Harding has co-authored two works on the academic study of religion and is the author or editor of four books on Buddhism with particular focus on Buddhism in the West and on “The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective,” which is the title of his five-year collaborative SSHRC research project. Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea)

Christmas is a big deal. In the religious pluralism of multicultural Canada, it is the dominant winter holiday. There are tensions between secular and religious aspects of Christmas, as well as debates about the merits of the more inclusive greeting, “Happy Holidays,” rather than “Merry Christmas,” but Buddhist festivities are not poised to replace Christmas in seasonal plays, pageants and concerts. In fact, there is no culture war raging between Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism is quite tolerant of festivals and cultural practices from other religious traditions. Despite overlapping values of generosity and compassion, there are Buddhist teachings that are certainly wary of the rampant consumerism that many associate with Christmas. Critiques of the commercialization of the holiday are not new, but Buddhist critiques revolve more around the links between suffering, desire, and attachment rather than concerns about the loss of Christian specific teachings. In this talk, the speaker will share some Buddhists’ views about Christmas in Canada along with instances of overlapping symbols, contrasting cultural understandings, a pop culture portrayal of competition between Buddhism and Christmas, and a few reflections on connections and tensions in the relationship between Buddhism and Christmas. Speaker: Dr. John Harding John Harding (B.A. in Asian Studies, University of Puget Sound; Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania) joined the University of Lethbridge in 2003 where he is an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and the Coordinator of Asian Studies. His primary areas of interest include Japanese Buddhism and the cross-cultural exchange between Asia and the West that has shaped the development of modern Buddhism worldwide. Dr. Harding has co-authored two works on the academic study of religion and is the author or editor of four books on Buddhism with particular focus on Buddhism in the West and on “The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective,” which is the title of his five-year collaborative SSHRC research project. Moderator: Tad Mitsui Date: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea)

Lethbridge is nearing 100,000 residents which offers us a unique moment to reflect on how we grow, protect the environment, celebrate our past and plan for the next 10, 20 and even 30 years. 100k+ conversations is a way of starting thoughtful discussions that will help us understanding the growing needs of our diverse community. We're growing up and it's time to talk about our future. 100K+ Conversations feed into the on-going review and update of the City’s Master Plan (the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan / Municipal Development Plan or ICSP/MDP). The ICSP/MDP is the City’s highest-level Statutory Plan, and establishes a community vision for the next 40 years. Apart from being an engagement strategy for the next ICSP/MDP, 100K+ conversations is a tool to link together other on-going planning projects (e.g. Master Plans, Area Structure Plans) and community milestones (e.g., facility openings) and events together into a larger conversation about growth and the future of our City. The speakers will articulate what the plans may include as well as highlight the importance of public input and how such info is helping future planning by our City. Speakers: Andrew Malcolm and Perry Stein Andrew Malcolm is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2011. Andrew has an active role in the short and long term planning of the city specifically with interests in mature neighbourhoods, heritage planning, and transportation planning.  Andrew has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a certificate in Next Generation Transportation Planning from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Andrew is heavily involved with U of L Pronghorns Men’s Soccer team as their assistant coach.   Perry Stein is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2014. Perry has a background in community development and planning having worked in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities in Western Canada and Latin America. Perry has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a MA in Latin American Studies from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Perry enjoys traveling, being in nature, and flying airplanes and rocket ships with his three year old daughter Noa and new baby Julian.   Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Lethbridge is nearing 100,000 residents which offers us a unique moment to reflect on how we grow, protect the environment, celebrate our past and plan for the next 10, 20 and even 30 years. 100k+ conversations is a way of starting thoughtful discussions that will help us understanding the growing needs of our diverse community. We're growing up and it's time to talk about our future. 100K+ Conversations feed into the on-going review and update of the City’s Master Plan (the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan / Municipal Development Plan or ICSP/MDP). The ICSP/MDP is the City’s highest-level Statutory Plan, and establishes a community vision for the next 40 years. Apart from being an engagement strategy for the next ICSP/MDP, 100K+ conversations is a tool to link together other on-going planning projects (e.g. Master Plans, Area Structure Plans) and community milestones (e.g., facility openings) and events together into a larger conversation about growth and the future of our City. The speakers will articulate what the plans may include as well as highlight the importance of public input and how such info is helping future planning by our City. Speakers: Andrew Malcolm and Perry Stein Andrew Malcolm is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2011. Andrew has an active role in the short and long term planning of the city specifically with interests in mature neighbourhoods, heritage planning, and transportation planning.  Andrew has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a certificate in Next Generation Transportation Planning from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Andrew is heavily involved with U of L Pronghorns Men’s Soccer team as their assistant coach.   Perry Stein is a Community Planner with the City of Lethbridge, a position he has held since 2014. Perry has a background in community development and planning having worked in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities in Western Canada and Latin America. Perry has a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from the University of Lethbridge, and a MA in Latin American Studies from Simon Fraser University. In his spare time, Perry enjoys traveling, being in nature, and flying airplanes and rocket ships with his three year old daughter Noa and new baby Julian.   Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)

Governments are taking on assorted policies to reduce carbon emissions including regulations, green subsidies and carbon taxes. Assuming the desirability of reducing GHG emissions, what is Canada's appropriate policy response? Are governments spending sufficient effort to find least cost effective methods? Dr. Jack Mintz will challenge the current policy framework including that used in Alberta. Speaker:     Dr. Jack Mintz Dr. Jack M. Mintz is the President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary as of July 1, 2015 after serving as the Palmer Chair and Director since 2008. He also serves on the boards of Imperial Oil Limited, Morneau Shepell and is chair and Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. As of September 1 2015, he has been appointed as the National Policy Advisor for the accounting firm EY. Dr. Mintz previously held the positions of Professor of Business Economics at the Rotman School of Business from 1989-2007 and Department of Economics at Queen’s University, Kingston, 1978-89. He was a Scholar-in-Residence at Columbia Law School 2016; Visiting Professor, New York University Law School, 2007; President and CEO of the C. D. Howe Institute from 1999-2006; Clifford Clark Visiting Economist at the Department of Finance, Ottawa; and Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Management, University of Toronto, 1993 – 1995. Dr. Mintz has consulted widely with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, federal and provincial governments in Canada, and various businesses and non-profit organizations. Dr. Mintz became a member of the Order of Canada in 2015 and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for service to the Canadian tax policy community. Alberta Venture magazine has recognized him as one of the fifty most influential Albertans in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The Financial Post named him one of the five most influential Canadians in regulation in 2012. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, December 01, 2016 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $12.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea)