Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

On March 16, 2009, the Alberta Government announced an ambitious plan to end homelessness in this province, the first to make such declaration in Canada. This plan saw a shift from relying on emergency shelters to manage the problem and instead use Housing First principles to create not only housing stability but diversion from future homelessness. From a financial perspective, simply managing homelessness was projected to cost the Alberta Government more than six billion dollars over 10 years. This figure does not include the indirect costs of homelessness that tax payers absorb through the health, corrections and justice systems which conservatively is estimated at 100,000 dollars per homeless person per year. This is a far cry from the projected 3.16 Billion dollars that the implementation of the plan to end homelessness will cost over the same 10 year period. From a human stand point, healthier Canadians mean healthier homes and children which means a brighter future for Canada. The speaker will argue that from a moral and fiscal stand point, working until every Albertan and every Canadian has a home, just makes good sense. Speaker: Audrey Skoog In 1997 at age 17, Audrey became an unlikely advocate for social issues after having experienced youth homelessness. As a vocal consumer in the system, she was asked to speak in Ottawa on child poverty. Since then her experiences have led her to an education in psychology which led to even further adventures overseas and back here at home. In 2008 Audrey started a grassroots advocacy group to bring media attention, local awareness and raise funds for homeless initiatives. This group allowed those working in the social care system to make impacts in a way that they were restrained from in their normal agency settings. This group was able to garner media attention for the need for broader addictions services and was able to bring a human face to homelessness. Along with this, Audrey worked in the homeless continuum, first as a part of Alberta’s Outreach Initiative Pilot Project and then as one of the members of Medicine Hat’s first Housing First Team. Audrey now works as a manager at the emergency shelter and enjoys many community partnerships which are a direct result of Medicine Hat’s collective grass roots attitude, community inclusion and a willingness to work consistently with data and the truths that data brings when it comes to needed change. Moderator: Larry Elford Date: Thursday, January 29, 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 Canadian Government recently passed Bill C-36, the “Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act” in response to a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that found many parts of the existing law concerning prostitution in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and therefore unconstitutional. At first glance, the Government seems to have accomplished exactly what they intended with this controversial new law regarding prostitution, but many will argue the new legislation is less about policy and more about politics. Furthermore, some experts believe the bill will in fact worsen the situation for sex workers. It is believed Bill C-36 will also be challenged in the courts and that the new law will end up back before the Supreme Court. The speaker will weigh in on the legal aspects of the new legislation and speculate on its durability. Speaker: Wade Hlady Wade Hlady is an associate at the Lethbridge Law Firm, Connolly & Associates. He was born and raised two hours from Lethbridge in the town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Campus where he received a degree in English. Wade then went on to complete his law degree, where, in addition to his studies, he produced a variety show, the Legal Follies, in which law students showcase their talents in order to raise money for local charities. Wade is engaged in general law practice and has lectured at the University of Lethbridge on Constitutional law issues. Moderator: Michelle Day Date: Thursday, January 22, 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 Canadian Government recently passed Bill C-36, the “Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act” in response to a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that found many parts of the existing law concerning prostitution in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and therefore unconstitutional. At first glance, the Government seems to have accomplished exactly what they intended with this controversial new law regarding prostitution, but many will argue the new legislation is less about policy and more about politics. Furthermore, some experts believe the bill will in fact worsen the situation for sex workers. It is believed Bill C-36 will also be challenged in the courts and that the new law will end up back before the Supreme Court. The speaker will weigh in on the legal aspects of the new legislation and speculate on its durability. Speaker: Wade Hlady Wade Hlady is an associate at the Lethbridge Law Firm, Connolly & Associates. He was born and raised two hours from Lethbridge in the town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and attended the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Campus where he received a degree in English. Wade then went on to complete his law degree, where, in addition to his studies, he produced a variety show, the Legal Follies, in which law students showcase their talents in order to raise money for local charities. Wade is engaged in general law practice and has lectured at the University of Lethbridge on Constitutional law issues. Moderator: Michelle Day Date: Thursday, January 22, 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)

In December 2014 Danielle Smith and eight members of her caucus announced that they were crossing the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives and Premier Jim Prentice. The announcement elicited a great deal of vitriolic responses from the public and reignited calls for floor crossing to be banned or at least for floor crossers to require a by-election to sit as a member of another party. The speaker will argue that floor crossing is a necessary part of the parliamentary process and must not be limited but that the floor crossers from the Wildrose Party, especially leader Danielle Smith, need a strong lesson in another piece of parliamentary democracy: a loyal opposition. The history, and value, of opposition will be reviewed and the speaker will argue that Smith’s democratic breech was in dismissing the value of opposition in a parliamentary democracy, not in crossing the floor. Speaker: Lisa Lambert Lisa Lambert served as SACPA’s Administrative Manager from 2009-2014 while she conducted her doctoral research on political parties in Canada. She is now in the last months of writing her dissertation on the Green Party of Canada and environmentalists and will manage to graduate before her sons enter University. Lisa, a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, January 15, 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)

In December 2014 Danielle Smith and eight members of her caucus announced that they were crossing the floor to join the Progressive Conservatives and Premier Jim Prentice. The announcement elicited a great deal of vitriolic responses from the public and reignited calls for floor crossing to be banned or at least for floor crossers to require a by-election to sit as a member of another party. The speaker will argue that floor crossing is a necessary part of the parliamentary process and must not be limited but that the floor crossers from the Wildrose Party, especially leader Danielle Smith, need a strong lesson in another piece of parliamentary democracy: a loyal opposition. The history, and value, of opposition will be reviewed and the speaker will argue that Smith’s democratic breech was in dismissing the value of opposition in a parliamentary democracy, not in crossing the floor. Speaker: Lisa Lambert Lisa Lambert served as SACPA’s Administrative Manager from 2009-2014 while she conducted her doctoral research on political parties in Canada. She is now in the last months of writing her dissertation on the Green Party of Canada and environmentalists and will manage to graduate before her sons enter University. Lisa, a student of parliaments, loves to regale her family with tales of politics, procedures, and party structure. Mercifully for them, she has been able to channel her passion for politics into sessional work at the University of Lethbridge in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies since 2009. Moderator: Emma Ladouceur Date: Thursday, January 15, 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)

Russia’s annexation of Crimea has called into question the future of Arctic cooperation. After years of working together on pollution prevention, search and rescue, shipping and fisheries management, people are asking: Can we trust Russia to behave differently in the North than it is behaving in the South? Michael Byers has just returned from a term as a Visiting Professor at the University of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. His presentation will address the issue of Arctic sovereignty, peace and security in a time of geopolitical tension and rapidly advancing climate change. Speaker: Michael Byers A graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, a Professor of Law at Duke University, and a Visiting Professor at the universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nordland (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Michael's work focuses on Arctic security, the law of the sea, and Canada-US-Russia relations. He is a project leader with ArcticNet, a Canadian government-funded consortium of scientists from 30 universities. His most recent book is International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press, 2013). A well-known commentator on national and international news stories, Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea has called into question the future of Arctic cooperation. After years of working together on pollution prevention, search and rescue, shipping and fisheries management, people are asking: Can we trust Russia to behave differently in the North than it is behaving in the South? Michael Byers has just returned from a term as a Visiting Professor at the University of Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. His presentation will address the issue of Arctic sovereignty, peace and security in a time of geopolitical tension and rapidly advancing climate change. Speaker: Michael Byers A graduate of Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia. He has been a Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford University, a Professor of Law at Duke University, and a Visiting Professor at the universities of Cape Town, Tel Aviv, Nordland (Norway) and Novosibirsk (Russia). Michael's work focuses on Arctic security, the law of the sea, and Canada-US-Russia relations. He is a project leader with ArcticNet, a Canadian government-funded consortium of scientists from 30 universities. His most recent book is International Law and the Arctic (Cambridge University Press, 2013). A well-known commentator on national and international news stories, Michael is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star.

Those two simple greetings are the subject of much controversy and cause headaches for many at this time of the year. It is difficult enough dealing with the pressures of “getting ready” before relatives and friends arrive in late December, or going over one’s budget spending for presents and the host of other related holiday expenses. But these anxieties are compounded by not knowing how to greet each other at this time of year. Every year stories abound from around the country where someone takes exception to “Merry Christmas” or, more often, to “Happy Holidays”. Store employees are frequently instructed by well-meaning management to greet patrons with a generic and inoffensive “Happy Holidays,” only to end up offending those who were expecting a “Merry Christmas”. It does seem odd that the mood of joy, which is a cornerstone of hope at Christmas, can be undermined by a few words, often simply uttered off the cuff, and with the intention of making the recipient feel good. Why, indeed, does someone else’s greeting potentially threaten one’s seasonal enjoyment? The speaker will weigh in on this phenomenon, hoping to stimulate discussion, and will speculate on how long it will persist? Speaker: Dr. Hillary Rodrigues Hillary Rodrigues (B.Sc. in Chemistry, McGill), B.A. (summa), M.A., Ph.D. in Religious Studies, McMaster) is Professor of Religious Studies. He has travelled widely (North and South America, Europe, and Asia), and combines fieldwork and textual analysis in his research. He is an associate member of the Department of Anthropology (which he chaired for many years). Among his varied publications, Dr. Rodrigues has authored numerous university level textbooks. He has served as the Board of Governors Teaching Chair, and is the recipient of the university's Distinguished Teaching Award. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 18, 2014 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)

Those two simple greetings are the subject of much controversy and cause headaches for many at this time of the year. It is difficult enough dealing with the pressures of “getting ready” before relatives and friends arrive in late December, or going over one’s budget spending for presents and the host of other related holiday expenses. But these anxieties are compounded by not knowing how to greet each other at this time of year. Every year stories abound from around the country where someone takes exception to “Merry Christmas” or, more often, to “Happy Holidays”. Store employees are frequently instructed by well-meaning management to greet patrons with a generic and inoffensive “Happy Holidays,” only to end up offending those who were expecting a “Merry Christmas”. It does seem odd that the mood of joy, which is a cornerstone of hope at Christmas, can be undermined by a few words, often simply uttered off the cuff, and with the intention of making the recipient feel good. Why, indeed, does someone else’s greeting potentially threaten one’s seasonal enjoyment? The speaker will weigh in on this phenomenon, hoping to stimulate discussion, and will speculate on how long it will persist? Speaker: Dr. Hillary Rodrigues Hillary Rodrigues (B.Sc. in Chemistry, McGill), B.A. (summa), M.A., Ph.D. in Religious Studies, McMaster) is Professor of Religious Studies. He has travelled widely (North and South America, Europe, and Asia), and combines fieldwork and textual analysis in his research. He is an associate member of the Department of Anthropology (which he chaired for many years). Among his varied publications, Dr. Rodrigues has authored numerous university level textbooks. He has served as the Board of Governors Teaching Chair, and is the recipient of the university's Distinguished Teaching Award. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, December 18, 2014 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)

A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planet’s best wilderness locations. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Using humour and personal anecdotes and his own live-narrated video segments, he’ll take you into gin-clear ocean depths with unbelievable creatures, to deserts and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed and amazed. To conclude, he'll return to our own Canadian backyard, reconfirming the value of our wild spaces. This presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow. Speaker: Brian Keating Brian is an Honourary Conservation Advisor, Calgary Zoo Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology, U of Calgary. Brian previously held the position "Head of Conservation Outreach" at the Zoo, which enabled him to raise money and then spend it on environmental projects around the world. He’s been leading groups on nature based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet. He’s a weekly guest on both Calgary and Edmonton’s CBC Radio, and for many years, was a regular on the Discovery Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife filming. Brian is also the owner of www.goingwild.org He’s in high demand as an international speaker, presenting at some 50 events a year. His talks have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and special events. He's also written five children’s books celebrating nature. He's a pilot, a naturalist, scuba diver, and mountaineer. His wife, Dee, is a physician and keen naturalist who always joins him on his adventures. Together, they have explored nearly 50 countries on all seven continents in the last quarter century. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date:Thursday, December 11,2014 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)