Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are fair. The Harper Government says it will boost penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud and empower political parties, as opposed to Elections Canada, to drive voter turnout. For many voters, it will be harder to cast a ballot because vouching for someone will no longer be an option, a system the government argues is too vulnerable to fraud. Elections Canada will not, as in the past, be able to run advertising campaigns encouraging people to vote, while political donation limits are set to go up. Also among proposals in the Fair Elections Act; sitting MP’s would be selecting election workers at polling stations in their riding. The speaker will assess the overall fairness of the proposed legislation and speculate on whether some of the suggestions from opposition parties and the Senate panel will be included in the act before it is finally passed into law. Speaker: Duane Bratt, Ph.D. 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. Moderator: Keith McLaughlin Date: Thursday, May 1, 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)

Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are fair. The Harper Government says it will boost penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud and empower political parties, as opposed to Elections Canada, to drive voter turnout. For many voters, it will be harder to cast a ballot because vouching for someone will no longer be an option, a system the government argues is too vulnerable to fraud. Elections Canada will not, as in the past, be able to run advertising campaigns encouraging people to vote, while political donation limits are set to go up. Also among proposals in the Fair Elections Act; sitting MP’s would be selecting election workers at polling stations in their riding. The speaker will assess the overall fairness of the proposed legislation and speculate on whether some of the suggestions from opposition parties and the Senate panel will be included in the act before it is finally passed into law. Speaker: Duane Bratt, Ph.D. 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. Moderator: Keith McLaughlin Date: Thursday, May 1, 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)

Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity. Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards reducing use of fossil fuels and mitigating detrimental effects of greenhouse gases. Lethbridge lies well within the sun belt of Canada with approximately 2,500 hours of bright sunlight annually in comparison with for instance, Vancouver’s1,900. However, Lethbridge lags behind the rest of the province and even Canada in the installation of photovoltaic arrays. Why is this? The speaker will outline his and others experiences in installing photovoltaic arrays in Lethbridge. How does one go about getting it done? What are the systems available and what are their differences? What are the obstacles, costs, benefits and rewards? Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D. Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations. He is an avid world traveler, gardener, naturalist and “mister fix it.” Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, April 24, 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)

Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity. Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards reducing use of fossil fuels and mitigating detrimental effects of greenhouse gases. Lethbridge lies well within the sun belt of Canada with approximately 2,500 hours of bright sunlight annually in comparison with for instance, Vancouver’s1,900. However, Lethbridge lags behind the rest of the province and even Canada in the installation of photovoltaic arrays. Why is this? The speaker will outline his and others experiences in installing photovoltaic arrays in Lethbridge. How does one go about getting it done? What are the systems available and what are their differences? What are the obstacles, costs, benefits and rewards? Speaker: Mark Goettel Ph.D. Mark is the Editor-in-Chief, Biocontrol Science & Technology and a presenter for Scientists in School, Southern Alberta Region. He is also a Jinshan Scholar, Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Ecology and Research, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China. He was employed at the Lethbridge Research Centre for 21 years as an Insect Pathologist studying insect pathogens and their role in managing pest insect populations. He is an avid world traveler, gardener, naturalist and “mister fix it.” Mark earned his B.Sc. in Biology (Honors) at Concordia University 1975, his M.Sc. in Insect Eco-physiology at the University of Ottawa 1977 and his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Alberta 1987. He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in 1987 & 1988 and spent a year on work study leave in France at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, April 24, 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 federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31. The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge (ACL) co-ordinates the activities of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Lethbridge and helps various organizations, including school districts and women’s and children’s organizations, access funding. The speakers will argue many programs are in limbo and that lack of funding is already affecting several community initiatives negatively. The ACL may not be able to continue in its present capacity. Speakers: Linda Many Guns and Jacinda Weiss Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development in Canada. Jacinda Weiss earned her BA in psychology at the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Since 2008, she has been the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge which includes the Aborignal Opportunities Employment Centre and the Aboriginal Diversity Support Program, targeting human rights, racism and discrimination. The goal of ACL is to bring the community together to support and address key issues affecting Aboriginal people Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 17, 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 federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31. The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge (ACL) co-ordinates the activities of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Lethbridge and helps various organizations, including school districts and women’s and children’s organizations, access funding. The speakers will argue many programs are in limbo and that lack of funding is already affecting several community initiatives negatively. The ACL may not be able to continue in its present capacity. Speakers: Linda Many Guns and Jacinda Weiss Linda Many Guns received her Ph. D. from Trent University Faculty of Indigenous Sturdies in 2013. Previously, she had earned her MA at Carleton University and her BA at Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick as well as a Baccalaureate of Laws (LLB) in 1996 at Common Law University of Ottawa. Linda Many Guns has been teaching at the University of Lethbridge since 2008 in the Native American Studies Department. Her areas of expertise are: Indians & the Criminal Justice System, Native American Women, Family and Community Development, Aboriginal Law and Aboriginal Development in Canada. Jacinda Weiss earned her BA in psychology at the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Since 2008, she has been the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge which includes the Aborignal Opportunities Employment Centre and the Aboriginal Diversity Support Program, targeting human rights, racism and discrimination. The goal of ACL is to bring the community together to support and address key issues affecting Aboriginal people Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 17, 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)

Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers at Canada's railways and suggesting the companies — CN and CP — have not done everything they can to meet the demand for rail cars. The speaker will address these issues and the long term opportunities & challenges for Canadian grain producers. He will also outline the role of the Grain Growers of Canada in marketing the crop and who the main grain exporters in Canada are now that the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly has ended. Where are the main export markets for Canadian grain? Are farmers benefitting from more competition among grain handling companies? What are some of the options Provincial and Federal Governments can use in assisting farmers generally, but more particularly, in marketing their grain? Speaker: Gary Stanford Gary Stanford is the President of Grain Growers of Canada. He is the also the Director Representative for the Alberta Wheat Commission and has enjoyed participating in agriculture policy development through farm associations since 1996. Gary is just back from the Global Grain Asia conference in Singapore where he presented the Canadian grain market outlook to delegates from numerous countries. Gary is a proponent of sustainability practices related to soil stewardship which are helpful on his farm, since he lives in the dry and windy climate of southern Alberta. Many of these sustainability practices have been followed traditionally on Gary’s farm since the time of his grandfather who in 1903 was the first farmer to grow winter wheat in Alberta. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 10, 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)

Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers at Canada's railways and suggesting the companies — CN and CP — have not done everything they can to meet the demand for rail cars. The speaker will address these issues and the long term opportunities & challenges for Canadian grain producers. He will also outline the role of the Grain Growers of Canada in marketing the crop and who the main grain exporters in Canada are now that the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopoly has ended. Where are the main export markets for Canadian grain? Are farmers benefitting from more competition among grain handling companies? What are some of the options Provincial and Federal Governments can use in assisting farmers generally, but more particularly, in marketing their grain? Speaker: Gary Stanford Gary Stanford is the President of Grain Growers of Canada. He is the also the Director Representative for the Alberta Wheat Commission and has enjoyed participating in agriculture policy development through farm associations since 1996. Gary is just back from the Global Grain Asia conference in Singapore where he presented the Canadian grain market outlook to delegates from numerous countries. Gary is a proponent of sustainability practices related to soil stewardship which are helpful on his farm, since he lives in the dry and windy climate of southern Alberta. Many of these sustainability practices have been followed traditionally on Gary’s farm since the time of his grandfather who in 1903 was the first farmer to grow winter wheat in Alberta. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, April 10, 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 Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed. The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most Albertans and municipalities as the Conservatives continue to jack up debt while failing to provide adequate funding for vital programs and services. The speaker calls it the “Over-Under Budget” as everyday hardworking Albertans continue to be overtaxed and underserved. The speaker will argue that the Liberal Party has plans to deal with classrooms that are overcrowded, patients that endure long health care wait times, post-secondary education that is underfunded and the lack of affordable drugs and living accommodations for many senior’s. Public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights and responsible resource development, including proposed urban drilling in Lethbridge, will also be discussed. Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal Opposition Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on March 3, 2008. He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008 until November 22, 2010. In September 2011, Dr. Sherman became the Leader of the Official Opposition Liberals. He was re-elected MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012 and continue to serve as Leader of the Alberta Liberal Opposition in the current Legislature. In July 2011, Dr. Sherman was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. He continues to practice medicine on week-ends and is a keynote speaker and panelist at national health conferences. Dr. Sherman is also a clinical lecturer at University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and is a past member of the U of A Senate. Moderator: Mark Nelson Date: Thursday, April 3, 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 Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed. The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most Albertans and municipalities as the Conservatives continue to jack up debt while failing to provide adequate funding for vital programs and services. The speaker calls it the “Over-Under Budget” as everyday hardworking Albertans continue to be overtaxed and underserved. The speaker will argue that the Liberal Party has plans to deal with classrooms that are overcrowded, patients that endure long health care wait times, post-secondary education that is underfunded and the lack of affordable drugs and living accommodations for many senior’s. Public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights and responsible resource development, including proposed urban drilling in Lethbridge, will also be discussed. Speaker: Dr. Raj Sherman, Leader of the Liberal Opposition Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on March 3, 2008. He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008 until November 22, 2010. In September 2011, Dr. Sherman became the Leader of the Official Opposition Liberals. He was re-elected MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012 and continue to serve as Leader of the Alberta Liberal Opposition in the current Legislature. In July 2011, Dr. Sherman was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. He continues to practice medicine on week-ends and is a keynote speaker and panelist at national health conferences. Dr. Sherman is also a clinical lecturer at University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and is a past member of the U of A Senate. Moderator: Mark Nelson Date: Thursday, April 3, 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)