Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risks of the entire energy sector. Speaker: Jason Donev Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the Chair of the Western Branch of the Canadian Nuclear Society. Moderator:   Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risks of the entire energy sector. Speaker: Jason Donev Dr. Jason Donev is a professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Calgary. He studies how people learn science and teaches about energy issues, especially nuclear power. A long time geek he has enjoyed seeing the interplay between science fact and science fiction. Dr. Donev is also the Chair of the Western Branch of the Canadian Nuclear Society. Moderator:   Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole. This panel discussion will attempt to shed light from different perspectives on the many issues involved and also touch upon to what degree relationships with previous land renters should be considered in the context of signing new agreements. Panel members: Rep. from Blood Tribe Chief and Council, Lois Frank and Eugene Fox No bio available for the representative from the Blood Tribe Chief and Council Lois V. Frank, B.Sc. M.A. Ph.D. Candidate – Gonzaga University is a member of the Blood Tribe and is completing a Ph.D. in Environmental Justice from Gonzaga University in Washington. Lois has worked as a Lecturer in the Native American Studies Dept. at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to that, she taught in the Criminal Justice Program at Lethbridge College. Lois has received many certificates for her achievements including the Alberta Jubilee Medallion from the Alberta Solicitor General and is a past Chairperson for the Blood Tribe Police Commission. In 2011, Lois received the Environmental Activist of the Year Award from the Council of Canadians and is currently a National Board member of that organization. She was recently part of a group that won a Federal Court decision regarding land occupant rights on the Blood Reserve. Eugene Fox is a fourth-generation farmer who started farming in 1960s with his father Floyd Fox on the Blood Reserve prairie land acquired from other Blood Reserve land occupants. From the 1960s until 2013, Eugene and his father developed land & engaged in farming grain products and hay production. In February 2013 Floyd Fox passed away and Eugene continued to occupy and farm the land in accordance with his father's wishes. Concurrent with farming operations, Eugene established Fox Trucking in 1982, a trucking business in which he and his father worked together until 2013. From 2004-08, Eugene Fox hauled crude oil from wells on the Blood Reserve to terminals in southern Alberta. Eugene Fox is a member of the Blood Band and the customary Many Children Clan and Many White Horses Band of Aaapaitsitapi (Weasel People), whose existence supercedes the Blood Band, a 1936 creation of the Indian Act. Moderator: Jim Byrne Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole. This panel discussion will attempt to shed light from different perspectives on the many issues involved and also touch upon to what degree relationships with previous land renters should be considered in the context of signing new agreements. Panel members: Rep. from Blood Tribe Chief and Council, Lois Frank and Eugene Fox No bio available for the representative from the Blood Tribe Chief and Council Lois V. Frank, B.Sc. M.A. Ph.D. Candidate – Gonzaga University is a member of the Blood Tribe and is completing a Ph.D. in Environmental Justice from Gonzaga University in Washington. Lois has worked as a Lecturer in the Native American Studies Dept. at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to that, she taught in the Criminal Justice Program at Lethbridge College. Lois has received many certificates for her achievements including the Alberta Jubilee Medallion from the Alberta Solicitor General and is a past Chairperson for the Blood Tribe Police Commission. In 2011, Lois received the Environmental Activist of the Year Award from the Council of Canadians and is currently a National Board member of that organization. She was recently part of a group that won a Federal Court decision regarding land occupant rights on the Blood Reserve. Eugene Fox is a fourth-generation farmer who started farming in 1960s with his father Floyd Fox on the Blood Reserve prairie land acquired from other Blood Reserve land occupants. From the 1960s until 2013, Eugene and his father developed land & engaged in farming grain products and hay production. In February 2013 Floyd Fox passed away and Eugene continued to occupy and farm the land in accordance with his father's wishes. Concurrent with farming operations, Eugene established Fox Trucking in 1982, a trucking business in which he and his father worked together until 2013. From 2004-08, Eugene Fox hauled crude oil from wells on the Blood Reserve to terminals in southern Alberta. Eugene Fox is a member of the Blood Band and the customary Many Children Clan and Many White Horses Band of Aaapaitsitapi (Weasel People), whose existence supercedes the Blood Band, a 1936 creation of the Indian Act. Moderator: Jim Byrne Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow. Typically, a high percentage of a city’s seniors (65 and older) own and live in their own homes. Approximately four out of five have paid off the mortgage. These older seniors may be reaching the point of having to decide whether to move into a care facility or stay in their homes. It can be assumed that most would prefer to do the latter, and research shows that may be the least costly alternative. However, elderly seniors may not be able to live independently in their own homes and remain healthy without considerable help. The speaker will highlight two residences that are designed to be barrier free for aging-in-place and also outline several challenges that have to be overcome before it truly can be a desirable option for many seniors. What are the costs and who will bear the financial responsibility? Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers. Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non-physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated in writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow. Typically, a high percentage of a city’s seniors (65 and older) own and live in their own homes. Approximately four out of five have paid off the mortgage. These older seniors may be reaching the point of having to decide whether to move into a care facility or stay in their homes. It can be assumed that most would prefer to do the latter, and research shows that may be the least costly alternative. However, elderly seniors may not be able to live independently in their own homes and remain healthy without considerable help. The speaker will highlight two residences that are designed to be barrier free for aging-in-place and also outline several challenges that have to be overcome before it truly can be a desirable option for many seniors. What are the costs and who will bear the financial responsibility? Speaker: Dr. Austin Mardon Austin Mardon was born in Edmonton but raised in Lethbridge where he finished his degree at the University of Lethbridge. While an undergraduate geography student, he was accepted as a field scientist on the ASMET NSF/NASA sponsored Antarctic meteorite recovery expedition. His descent into mental illness slowly started after he returned from Antarctica suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was able to complete two additional graduate degrees in the USA before suffering a complete breakdown, and was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia. The first thing Austin was told after being diagnosed was that his life was over. However it was not, as he continued on to finish a distance PhD and then established Prosper Place Clubhouse in Edmonton, a place where adults with mental illness can safely learn to live with their illness. He has also served on numerous committees and boards. Currently he serves on the Premier’s Council on the status of persons with disabilities and the Alberta College of social workers. Dr. Mardon received the order of Canada in 2007 and has received high awards from SSC and CMHA. This year he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta and the Medal of Honor, highest award for a non-physician, from the CMA. Austin Mardon and his father Ernest have collaborated in writing several books on Alberta's history. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Catherine and his Bassett hound Gandy. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts. We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum risks to our health and the health of the environment. There is substantial evidence that this assumption of low health risk is often false and there are in fact significant risks associated with extensive use of pesticides. The speaker will present and evaluate some of this recent evidence, explain the mechanisms of action and potential health impacts of key pesticides used in Southern Alberta, and introduce the process used in Risk Assessment for pesticides. New discoveries which might improve the use and efficacy of pesticides in the future will also be discussed. Speaker: Dr. Alice Hontela Dr. Hontela is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Water Institute of Sustainable Environments (WISE) University of Lethbridge, where she teaches toxicology and animal physiology, and conducts research in toxicology of pesticides and metals and their effects on aquatic species. She is particularly interested in the health effects of chronic exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of pollutants. Dr. Hontela’s most recent area of research are the effects of mixtures on fish species and the influence of temperature and anoxia on the toxicity of pollutants. Dr. Hontela completed her PhD at the University of Alberta and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, then worked as a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She was appointed a Canada Research chair in Ecotoxicology at the University of Lethbridge in 2003. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Toxicology and has contributed toxicological data to Environment Canada and other groups of environmental managers. Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts. We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum risks to our health and the health of the environment. There is substantial evidence that this assumption of low health risk is often false and there are in fact significant risks associated with extensive use of pesticides. The speaker will present and evaluate some of this recent evidence, explain the mechanisms of action and potential health impacts of key pesticides used in Southern Alberta, and introduce the process used in Risk Assessment for pesticides. New discoveries which might improve the use and efficacy of pesticides in the future will also be discussed. Speaker: Dr. Alice Hontela Dr. Hontela is a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, Water Institute of Sustainable Environments (WISE) University of Lethbridge, where she teaches toxicology and animal physiology, and conducts research in toxicology of pesticides and metals and their effects on aquatic species. She is particularly interested in the health effects of chronic exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of pollutants. Dr. Hontela’s most recent area of research are the effects of mixtures on fish species and the influence of temperature and anoxia on the toxicity of pollutants. Dr. Hontela completed her PhD at the University of Alberta and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, then worked as a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She was appointed a Canada Research chair in Ecotoxicology at the University of Lethbridge in 2003. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Toxicology and has contributed toxicological data to Environment Canada and other groups of environmental managers. Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, May 22, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector. Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost revenues of $17 billion per year or more according to estimates. That loss affects shareholders, oil-workers, pension plans and government revenues across Canada. Other challenges facing Canada's oil export market are surging production in the U.S.; protectionist attacks against Canadian oil by competitors; and increasingly powerful opposition from activists and aboriginal communities in both Canada and the United States. Pipelines, in particular, are facing intense opposition, mostly by forces outside of Alberta who do not care that without the export of Alberta's oil, Canada's economy may suffer, from coast to coast. Our speaker will discuss Canada's oil-export challenges, the risks and benefits of moving oil by other modes of transportation (such as rail and truck), and the risks to Canada's economy from inaction on infrastructure. Speaker: Kenneth Green Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth P. Green is Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies, at Canada’s Fraser Institute where he studies public policy relating to natural resources. His specialty areas are energy, mining, and environmental policy. He has been studying these policy areas for over 20 years at think tanks across North America. By training, Dr. Green is a biologist and environmental scientist, holding BS and MS degrees in general and molecular biology, as well as a Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering degree, awarded by the University of California, Los Angeles. Over his 20 years in public policy research, Ken has authored numerous policy studies and has testified before many branches of the US and Canadian governments, as well as state and provincial regulatory bodies in North America. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector. Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost revenues of $17 billion per year or more according to estimates. That loss affects shareholders, oil-workers, pension plans and government revenues across Canada. Other challenges facing Canada's oil export market are surging production in the U.S.; protectionist attacks against Canadian oil by competitors; and increasingly powerful opposition from activists and aboriginal communities in both Canada and the United States. Pipelines, in particular, are facing intense opposition, mostly by forces outside of Alberta who do not care that without the export of Alberta's oil, Canada's economy may suffer, from coast to coast. Our speaker will discuss Canada's oil-export challenges, the risks and benefits of moving oil by other modes of transportation (such as rail and truck), and the risks to Canada's economy from inaction on infrastructure. Speaker: Kenneth Green Ph.D. Dr. Kenneth P. Green is Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies, at Canada’s Fraser Institute where he studies public policy relating to natural resources. His specialty areas are energy, mining, and environmental policy. He has been studying these policy areas for over 20 years at think tanks across North America. By training, Dr. Green is a biologist and environmental scientist, holding BS and MS degrees in general and molecular biology, as well as a Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering degree, awarded by the University of California, Los Angeles. Over his 20 years in public policy research, Ken has authored numerous policy studies and has testified before many branches of the US and Canadian governments, as well as state and provincial regulatory bodies in North America. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, May 15, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)