Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.” Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with good intentions. What started off as a low-cost, low-risk initiative to incentivize more upgrading of bitumen in Alberta has turned into the multibillion-dollar North West Sturgeon upgrader, a project that will leave Alberta taxpayers holding the bag if it doesn’t fly.” Professor Morton will discuss the risks and benefits for Albertans of in province bitumen processing. Speaker: Dr. Ted Morton Dr. Morton is currently an Executive-in-Residence at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment, at the Manning Foundation. In 2013, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Industry to the Board of Governors of the Council of Canadian Academies. He recently served as Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta (2011-12). Prior to that, he was the Minister of Finance (2010) and Minister of Sustainable Resources Development (2006-2009). In 2001, he was the Director of Policy and Research for the Office of the Official Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons. Dr. Morton is known for his expertise in the energy-environment interface in Alberta and federal-provincial relations. Prior to his public service, Dr. Morton taught political science at the University of Calgary since 1981. His publications include five books and over 50 scholarly articles. Dr. Morton holds a B.A. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Colorado College and MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Toronto. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)

To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.” Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with good intentions. What started off as a low-cost, low-risk initiative to incentivize more upgrading of bitumen in Alberta has turned into the multibillion-dollar North West Sturgeon upgrader, a project that will leave Alberta taxpayers holding the bag if it doesn’t fly.” Professor Morton will discuss the risks and benefits for Albertans of in province bitumen processing. Speaker: Dr. Ted Morton Dr. Morton is currently an Executive-in-Residence at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary and Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment, at the Manning Foundation. In 2013, he was appointed by the Federal Minister of Industry to the Board of Governors of the Council of Canadian Academies. He recently served as Minister of Energy for the Government of Alberta (2011-12). Prior to that, he was the Minister of Finance (2010) and Minister of Sustainable Resources Development (2006-2009). In 2001, he was the Director of Policy and Research for the Office of the Official Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons. Dr. Morton is known for his expertise in the energy-environment interface in Alberta and federal-provincial relations. Prior to his public service, Dr. Morton taught political science at the University of Calgary since 1981. His publications include five books and over 50 scholarly articles. Dr. Morton holds a B.A. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Colorado College and MA and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Toronto. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation only)

The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on October 19, 2015. Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Fritz Sick Senior Centre Gymnasium 420-11 Street South

The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty by voting in the advance polls or on October 19, 2015. Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Venue: Fritz Sick Senior Centre Gymnasium 420-11 Street South

The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controversial and tell the inspiring story of one woman’s stand to hold government and industry accountable for the damage fracking can leave in its wake. After energy giant Encana fracked numerous gas wells around her home and her well water turned to a flammable broth, Jessica Ernst started asking questions. When she put forward evidence that Encana had violated policies by fracturing her community's drinking water aquifer, Ernst was falsely tagged as a terrorist and visited by the government’s anti-terrorism squad. Frightened but undaunted, she uncovered an apparent history of liability, fraud, and intimidation, along with a willful denial of widespread groundwater contamination. Her remarkable story raises legitimate questions about big oil’s influence on Alberta’s energy regulator, AER. Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for many years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books, among them, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. Andrew’s book, Empire of the Beetle, is a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer and was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. The Energy of Slaves, 2012, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change. His latest book, Slick Water, asserts Jessica Ernst’s court battles for justice. Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)

The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controversial and tell the inspiring story of one woman’s stand to hold government and industry accountable for the damage fracking can leave in its wake. After energy giant Encana fracked numerous gas wells around her home and her well water turned to a flammable broth, Jessica Ernst started asking questions. When she put forward evidence that Encana had violated policies by fracturing her community's drinking water aquifer, Ernst was falsely tagged as a terrorist and visited by the government’s anti-terrorism squad. Frightened but undaunted, she uncovered an apparent history of liability, fraud, and intimidation, along with a willful denial of widespread groundwater contamination. Her remarkable story raises legitimate questions about big oil’s influence on Alberta’s energy regulator, AER. Speaker: Andrew Nikiforuk Andrew Nikiforuk has been writing about the oil and gas industry for many years and cares deeply about accuracy, government accountability, and cumulative impacts. He has won seven National Magazine Awards for his journalism since 1989 and top honours for investigative writing from the Association of Canadian Journalists. Andrew has also published several books, among them, Saboteurs: Wiebo Ludwig’s War Against Big Oil, won the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction in 2002. The Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, which considers the world’s largest energy project, was a national bestseller and won the 2009 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. Andrew’s book, Empire of the Beetle, is a startling look at pine beetles and the world’s most powerful landscape changer and was nominated for the Governor General’s award for Non-Fiction in 2011. The Energy of Slaves, 2012, gives a radical analysis of our master-and-slave relationship to energy and a call for change. His latest book, Slick Water, asserts Jessica Ernst’s court battles for justice. Moderator: Bobbi Cullum Date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)

In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we experience death and dying in the future. In July 2015, the Federal Government announced the launching of a national public consultation process to engage Canadians about their views on choice in dying. A three-member expert panel was appointed to review the findings and report back to Parliament. The speaker will review the legal and political steps that lead to the Supreme Court’s decision and will examine the steps Canadians can take to ensure that the spirit and the wording in the Carter case is implemented in new legislation so, in the future, we can choose how and when we die. Speaker: John Warren Until April of this year, John Warren was Vice President of Dying With Dignity, a 30 year old organization that is committed to help people achieve quality in dying. The organization also help people understand their end-of-life choices and works to improve those choices for all Canadians. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)

In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we experience death and dying in the future. In July 2015, the Federal Government announced the launching of a national public consultation process to engage Canadians about their views on choice in dying. A three-member expert panel was appointed to review the findings and report back to Parliament. The speaker will review the legal and political steps that lead to the Supreme Court’s decision and will examine the steps Canadians can take to ensure that the spirit and the wording in the Carter case is implemented in new legislation so, in the future, we can choose how and when we die. Speaker: John Warren Until April of this year, John Warren was Vice President of Dying With Dignity, a 30 year old organization that is committed to help people achieve quality in dying. The organization also help people understand their end-of-life choices and works to improve those choices for all Canadians. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)

Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500 per person, per year thereby putting an end to Alberta’s slanted election finances while closely resembling laws at the federal level and in many provinces. Such rule changes may help prevent any future political dynasty in Alberta. These democratic reform measures would mean that any future governments will not be able to use the tools and levers of government to promote and sustain their political party like the PCs, and before them, the Social Credit party, have done. Alberta’s political system could possibly grow into a mature mix of parties with competitive elections and regular rotation of governments. The speaker will give his perspective on this and other issues facing Alberta’s recently elected NDP Government. Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events. Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)

Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500 per person, per year thereby putting an end to Alberta’s slanted election finances while closely resembling laws at the federal level and in many provinces. Such rule changes may help prevent any future political dynasty in Alberta. These democratic reform measures would mean that any future governments will not be able to use the tools and levers of government to promote and sustain their political party like the PCs, and before them, the Social Credit party, have done. Alberta’s political system could possibly grow into a mature mix of parties with competitive elections and regular rotation of governments. The speaker will give his perspective on this and other issues facing Alberta’s recently elected NDP Government. Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt Duane Bratt is Chair and Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He was educated at the Universities of Windsor (BA 1991, MA 1992) and Alberta (Ph.D. 1996). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy, with specialty in the sub-field of Canadian foreign policy. His primary research interest is in the area of Canadian nuclear policy. Recent publications include: Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press: Montreal and Kingston, 2012) and co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 2nd edition (Oxford University Press: Toronto, 2011). Duane is also a regular commentator on political events. Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015 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: $11.00 (includes lunch) or $2.00 (includes coffee/tea at the presentation)