Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Escherichia coli, usually called E. coli, refer to a large group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless; however, some strains, such as E. coli O157:H7 can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and very occasionally kidney failure or even death. Food can become contaminated with E. coli when animals are slaughtered or processed, even if precautions are taken. In processed or ground meat, the bacteria can be spread throughout the meat. Food can also be contaminated if handled by a person infected with E. coli, or from cross-contamination because of unsanitary food handling practices. Raw fruits and vegetables as well can become contaminated with E. coli while in the field by improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife or poor hygiene by farm workers. E. coli infections can also spread easily from person to person. The speaker will explain the various myths and facts related to E. coli contamination and food safety, while being mindful of the many challenges facing food processors and inspectors working in a high volume environment. Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research Centre. McAllister works in multiple areas including ruminant nutrition, microbial ecology and measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ruminants. His work on E. coli O157:H7 has focused on the ecology of this bacterium in cattle and their environment as well as looking at using various approaches to lower the presence of this human pathogen in the cattle host. Work on the use of viruses (bacteriophage) that are specific for killing E. coli O157:H7 has been one of McAllister’s labs key accomplishments. His group has identified strains that are highly adept at killing E. coli O157:H7 and were the first to publish the genome sequence of a .T-5 like phage with these characteristics. His team’s most recent interest is in defining the role that “Super Shedder Cattle” play in the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 from farm to fork

Results of three documents issued by the City of Lethbridge indicate that the river valley, albeit a beautiful force of nature, greatly reduces the ability for people to cross it other than by vehicle. The solution, already mentioned in two of the documents is to build a crossing that would span the coulees and eliminate the steep grades required to transit the valley. The Coulee Corridor Committee has already made a presentation to City Council to further explore this possibility. They have also discussed the project with several bridge designers, project managers, and the Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the US, who has a strong focus on Livable Communities and the role of Pedestrian Bridges. Possible site locations have been identified along with concepts to incorporate transit into a plan that outlines the many benefits Lethbridge citizens could enjoy. This exciting venture to build such an iconic structure that ultimately would be the highest and longest pedestrian bridge in Canada ought to stir a lot of discussion. The question is not can it be done……but rather, will it be done? Will the citizens of Lethbridge absorb the vision and embrace the concept? Speaker: Ron Bain Ron Bain is the former owner of Runner’s Soul and has been a longtime proponent of healthy living and lifestyles. Over the years he has been an advocate for a pedestrian bridge that would eliminate the need to navigate the steep grades and one that would be accessible to all citizens regardless of age or physical ability. Ron is a past president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. A passionate organizer and supporter of numerous running events in Lethbridge, among them the annual Moonlight Run, Ron earned Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductee status in 2007.

Results of three documents issued by the City of Lethbridge indicate that the river valley, albeit a beautiful force of nature, greatly reduces the ability for people to cross it other than by vehicle. The solution, already mentioned in two of the documents is to build a crossing that would span the coulees and eliminate the steep grades required to transit the valley. The Coulee Corridor Committee has already made a presentation to City Council to further explore this possibility. They have also discussed the project with several bridge designers, project managers, and the Deputy Secretary of Transportation for the US, who has a strong focus on Livable Communities and the role of Pedestrian Bridges. Possible site locations have been identified along with concepts to incorporate transit into a plan that outlines the many benefits Lethbridge citizens could enjoy. This exciting venture to build such an iconic structure that ultimately would be the highest and longest pedestrian bridge in Canada ought to stir a lot of discussion. The question is not can it be done……but rather, will it be done? Will the citizens of Lethbridge absorb the vision and embrace the concept? Speaker: Ron Bain Ron Bain is the former owner of Runner’s Soul and has been a longtime proponent of healthy living and lifestyles. Over the years he has been an advocate for a pedestrian bridge that would eliminate the need to navigate the steep grades and one that would be accessible to all citizens regardless of age or physical ability. Ron is a past president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. A passionate organizer and supporter of numerous running events in Lethbridge, among them the annual Moonlight Run, Ron earned Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductee status in 2007.

The May 2011 Wildfires in the Slave Lake area brought international attention to a rural area that was devastated from the aftermath of some of the worst fires in our provincial history. Who could forget the images of the burnt basements, destroyed vehicles and residents living in evacuation centres? Such a disaster invites us to ask ourselves if we are ready for catastrophes of this magnitude in our own community and what role should public policy play in mitigating the effects. This presentation focuses on what we have found out about the human impacts of fires based upon information collected in the Slave Lake area. In particular, highlights of the effects on families and children and the communities in general will be discussed. Lessons learned from the event with key messages for other communities will also be discussed in order to stimulate the audience to think about their own preparedness for such disasters evidenced by several large grass fires that recently forced evacuations in Lethbridge and other communities in the area. Speaker: Judith C. Kulig Dr. Judith Kulig is a Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Her research program is focused on rural health issues, which has included examining the human costs of wildfires. She is senior co-editor of Health in Rural Canada, the only comprehensive book of its kind in Canada that examines rural health issues in our country.

The May 2011 Wildfires in the Slave Lake area brought international attention to a rural area that was devastated from the aftermath of some of the worst fires in our provincial history. Who could forget the images of the burnt basements, destroyed vehicles and residents living in evacuation centres? Such a disaster invites us to ask ourselves if we are ready for catastrophes of this magnitude in our own community and what role should public policy play in mitigating the effects. This presentation focuses on what we have found out about the human impacts of fires based upon information collected in the Slave Lake area. In particular, highlights of the effects on families and children and the communities in general will be discussed. Lessons learned from the event with key messages for other communities will also be discussed in order to stimulate the audience to think about their own preparedness for such disasters evidenced by several large grass fires that recently forced evacuations in Lethbridge and other communities in the area. Speaker: Judith C. Kulig Dr. Judith Kulig is a Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Her research program is focused on rural health issues, which has included examining the human costs of wildfires. She is senior co-editor of Health in Rural Canada, the only comprehensive book of its kind in Canada that examines rural health issues in our country.

Considering Western Canada’s continued dependence on crude and semi-processed resource exports, it could be argued that Albertans ought to find more sustainable and profitable ways to process their natural resource wealth. The speaker will briefly consider regional development challenges in Western Canada before turning to Western Australia, a booming resource-based economy that shares much in common with Alberta. This presentation will explain how the Kwinana industrial complex on Cockburn Sound has been in operation for nearly 60 years. Initially based on an Anglo Iranian oil refinery which came on stream in 1955, Kwinana has become a large and densely-interconnected industrial zone with the largest harbour on Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline. Just 30 km south of Perth, it features a wide range of large-scale resource-processing refineries and processing plants (oil, gas, nickel, alumina, titanium dioxide, chemicals, water and electrical power generation). The speaker will discuss the Kwinana success story in light of some relatively new theories of industrial ecology and symbiosis. This alternate explanatory framework has exciting implications in an age in which sustainability objectives are becoming increasingly important in the planning of industrial districts, particularly to Western Canada. It briefly considers the potential for industrial symbiosis on the prairies in projects as large and complex as “Alberta’s Industrial Heartland” (Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan and associated municipalities) and as small as Lethbridge’s industrial park. Speaker: Ian MacLachlen Ian was born and raised in Montreal and obtained his B.A. and M.A. from Carleton University in Ottawa. He completed his doctorate at the University of Toronto in 1990. Ian has taught in geography departments at University of Toronto at Mississauga (1985-86), University of Windsor (1986-88), and Carleton (1988-89) before joining the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge in 1989. In 1991, Ian taught International Studies on a faculty exchange with Hokkai Gakuen University, Sapporo, Japan. He was a Research Associate at the Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Autónoma de México during study leave, 1995-1996. In 2003-04, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Centre of Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh. On Ian’s most recent sturdy leave, he was at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Ian’s last presentation to SACPA was entitled “Lethbridge’s Beef Bonanza” on February 14, 2002.

Considering Western Canada’s continued dependence on crude and semi-processed resource exports, it could be argued that Albertans ought to find more sustainable and profitable ways to process their natural resource wealth. The speaker will briefly consider regional development challenges in Western Canada before turning to Western Australia, a booming resource-based economy that shares much in common with Alberta. This presentation will explain how the Kwinana industrial complex on Cockburn Sound has been in operation for nearly 60 years. Initially based on an Anglo Iranian oil refinery which came on stream in 1955, Kwinana has become a large and densely-interconnected industrial zone with the largest harbour on Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline. Just 30 km south of Perth, it features a wide range of large-scale resource-processing refineries and processing plants (oil, gas, nickel, alumina, titanium dioxide, chemicals, water and electrical power generation). The speaker will discuss the Kwinana success story in light of some relatively new theories of industrial ecology and symbiosis. This alternate explanatory framework has exciting implications in an age in which sustainability objectives are becoming increasingly important in the planning of industrial districts, particularly to Western Canada. It briefly considers the potential for industrial symbiosis on the prairies in projects as large and complex as “Alberta’s Industrial Heartland” (Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan and associated municipalities) and as small as Lethbridge’s industrial park. Speaker: Ian MacLachlen Ian was born and raised in Montreal and obtained his B.A. and M.A. from Carleton University in Ottawa. He completed his doctorate at the University of Toronto in 1990. Ian has taught in geography departments at University of Toronto at Mississauga (1985-86), University of Windsor (1986-88), and Carleton (1988-89) before joining the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge in 1989. In 1991, Ian taught International Studies on a faculty exchange with Hokkai Gakuen University, Sapporo, Japan. He was a Research Associate at the Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Autónoma de México during study leave, 1995-1996. In 2003-04, he was a Visiting Scholar at the Centre of Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh. On Ian’s most recent sturdy leave, he was at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Ian’s last presentation to SACPA was entitled “Lethbridge’s Beef Bonanza” on February 14, 2002.

A special session of SACPA will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2012 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S The event is free to the public and refreshments will be provided The Development of a Social Policy Framework: How to Move Forward? Social cohesion and an opportunity for all Albertans to be engaged members of our society are important to most. Achieving quality of life however means different things to different folks. The challenge for the government is to prioritize the needs and wishes of Albertans while being mindful of limited economic and human resources. The speaker will explain the governments plan for public consultation in the development of a Social Policy Framework for Alberta, building on previous principles. He will also suggest that moving forward; the framework ought to be flexible enough to enable sensible changes from time to time. Speaker: Dave Hancock, Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader Dave Hancock is in his fifth term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Whitemud. On May 8, 2012, he was appointed Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader. In addition, Dave currently serves as a member of the Operations Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety. Prior to his current appointment, Dave served as Minister of Education and vice-chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services. In his third term, Dave served as Minister of Health and Wellness and as Government House Leader. He was also appointed as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Committee, the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services. He has previously served as the Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and vice-chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment. During each of his terms in office, Dave has served as a member of Treasury Board and the Agenda and Priorities Committee. Dave is a lawyer by profession and was a partner with Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors, before entering public service. He received an arts degree in political science and economics and a law degree from the University of Alberta.

June 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. Since that time, there have been over 30 million deaths from AIDS-related causes, including 1,700,000 in 2011 alone. Currently, there are approximately 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these staggering numbers, there was great optimism at the 19th International AIDS Conference, Turning the Tide on Together, which ran in Washington, DC this past July that an AIDS free generation is within our reach. Certainly we have both the knowledge and the technology to end the pandemic, but when looking at the incidence rates, the prospect seems daunting and unattainable, and certainly not immediate. The speaker will discuss some of the highlights from the many sessions at the AIDS Conference and reveal some of the work that needs to be done to achieve an AIDS free generation and bring about the end of AIDS. Speaker: Charleen Davidson Charleen is the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection, a position she has held since the winter of 2008. Prior to joining the Connection, Charleen worked in British Columbia’s prison system, first as a Community Liaison Worker at the former Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women and later with victims of domestic violence through the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre. It was her desire to make a difference in the community that led Charleen to the Connection upon her relocation to Lethbridge in 2008. While Charleen has attended several provincial and national AIDS conferences, AIDS 2012 was her first time participating at the international level. She always welcomes opportunities to learn more about the AIDS movement, and especially appreciates occasions for sharing new knowledge and ideas. Outside the agency, Charleen has been teaching fitness for the past 13 years, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Galt Museum and Archives and the Board of Directors for the Alberta Community Council on HIV. Charleen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto.

June 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. Since that time, there have been over 30 million deaths from AIDS-related causes, including 1,700,000 in 2011 alone. Currently, there are approximately 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these staggering numbers, there was great optimism at the 19th International AIDS Conference, Turning the Tide on Together, which ran in Washington, DC this past July that an AIDS free generation is within our reach. Certainly we have both the knowledge and the technology to end the pandemic, but when looking at the incidence rates, the prospect seems daunting and unattainable, and certainly not immediate. The speaker will discuss some of the highlights from the many sessions at the AIDS Conference and reveal some of the work that needs to be done to achieve an AIDS free generation and bring about the end of AIDS. Speaker: Charleen Davidson Charleen is the Executive Director at the Lethbridge HIV Connection, a position she has held since the winter of 2008. Prior to joining the Connection, Charleen worked in British Columbia’s prison system, first as a Community Liaison Worker at the former Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women and later with victims of domestic violence through the Vancouver Pretrial Services Centre. It was her desire to make a difference in the community that led Charleen to the Connection upon her relocation to Lethbridge in 2008. While Charleen has attended several provincial and national AIDS conferences, AIDS 2012 was her first time participating at the international level. She always welcomes opportunities to learn more about the AIDS movement, and especially appreciates occasions for sharing new knowledge and ideas. Outside the agency, Charleen has been teaching fitness for the past 13 years, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Galt Museum and Archives and the Board of Directors for the Alberta Community Council on HIV. Charleen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto.