Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

James Lovelock, scientist and originator of the Gaia hypothesis, said in 2007 that; "Before this century is over, billions of us will die and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic." Recently, as reported in the Daily Mail, he said; “The problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago. That led to some alarmist books – mine included – because it looked clear-cut, but it hasn’t happened.” “We were supposed to be halfway toward a frying world now.” How could a reputable scientist have been so far off track? How can the rest of us separate fact from fantasy? Alarming climate change announcements seemingly go far beyond the fundamental scientific postulate that increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will change the radiative heat transfer properties of the earth sufficiently to cause significant warming. Establishing confirmatory evidence is difficult and may be far from conclusive. The speaker will present his opinion on how deception was achieved, the motive, the inadequacies of the data and the methods used to achieve a premeditated result. Speaker: Tim Ball, Ph.D. Dr. Ball retired from the University of Winnipeg in 1996 to pursue his long time interest in climate change. He is skeptical of some aspects of developing climate change science and policy. He maintains a website where details are presented. He is also a featured speaker with the International Climate Science Coalition. His public presentations have been enthusiastically received by some professional societies, business conferences, public forums and a wide variety of public, private and non-profit organizations. Dr. Ball studied at the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba receiving his B.A and M.A. from them, respectively, in 1970 and 1971. He earned his Ph.D. from Saint Mary’s College of the University of London in 1982 with a specialization in climatology. Moderator: Duane Pendergast Date: Thursday, May 31, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

In 1995 Premier Ralph Klein and the Progressive Conservative party began the restructuring of electricity in Alberta with the introduction of "The Electrical Utilities Act". In 2001 a fully deregulated electricity market was opened. The only province in Canada with a deregulated market in electricity, Alberta is said by many to have one of the highest electricity rates in Canada. Voices on both sides of this have debated the gains and losses of this deregulation. The speaker knows something about this, as owner of Lethbridge Iron Works, an industry which uses a considerable amount of electricity. He will give some background on deregulation, what its impact has been, and what he sees as a possible solution. Speaker: John Davies John Davies is a Professional Engineer and President and co-owner of Lethbridge Iron Works. He graduated from the U of A with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He is also the Secretary and Treasurer of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta (IASA). John was born and raised in Lethbridge and has called it home for most of his life. He became very involved in electricity deregulation during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the process unfolded. John has been a vocal critic of the process. He served on several government committees and has been widely quoted in the media on the issue. Lethbridge Iron Works spends up to $250,000 per month on electricity and has seen their competitiveness eroded due to the electricity costs in Alberta now being substantially higher than in other jurisdictions. Moderator: Van Christou Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

In 1995 Premier Ralph Klein and the Progressive Conservative party began the restructuring of electricity in Alberta with the introduction of "The Electrical Utilities Act". In 2001 a fully deregulated electricity market was opened. The only province in Canada with a deregulated market in electricity, Alberta is said by many to have one of the highest electricity rates in Canada. Voices on both sides of this have debated the gains and losses of this deregulation. The speaker knows something about this, as owner of Lethbridge Iron Works, an industry which uses a considerable amount of electricity. He will give some background on deregulation, what its impact has been, and what he sees as a possible solution. Speaker: John Davies John Davies is a Professional Engineer and President and co-owner of Lethbridge Iron Works. He graduated from the U of A with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He is also the Secretary and Treasurer of the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta (IASA). John was born and raised in Lethbridge and has called it home for most of his life. He became very involved in electricity deregulation during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the process unfolded. John has been a vocal critic of the process. He served on several government committees and has been widely quoted in the media on the issue. Lethbridge Iron Works spends up to $250,000 per month on electricity and has seen their competitiveness eroded due to the electricity costs in Alberta now being substantially higher than in other jurisdictions. Moderator: Van Christou Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Emerging super-power or developing country? Communist dictatorship or economic miracle of free-market enterprise? What’s happening in China and what’s been going on since Chairman Mao’s successor Deng Xiaoping declared in 1985, that “it’s okay for some people to get rich first”? Is the country opening up politically as well as economically? How free are ordinary Chinese? What do they talk about around the kitchen table? Although Canada established diplomatic relations with China in 1970, a year before it occupied a seat at the United Nations, Prime Minister Harper got off to a rocky start with the Chinese leadership. Relations appear to have improved since then and this year’s visit resulted in the loan of two giant pandas. Why the change of heart? And what more is in the offing? Speaker: Trevor Page Trevor Page is a retired United Nations official, settled in Lethbridge. He served in China as the head of the U.N. World Food Programme from 1986 – 1990, when the country had just started opening up to the outside world. Since retirement, Trevor and his wife Jan Gong, a former official of China’s central government, visit the country almost every year. They have family in China and try to keep abreast of what is going on in the country.

The SAAG, SACPA, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge Regional Police Service and OUTreach Southern Alberta Society are co-sponsoring the speaker Nate Phelps as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. MAY 17th from 7pm at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery. Few minority groups have been as discriminated against as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, two spirit and queer people . But major breakthroughs have occurred, and lgbttq people are stepping out of the shadows. From the outside, it could be construed that all problems have been solved. The media are sympathetic, public personalities come out, television shows feature more queer characters in scenes of everyday life. Nevertheless, the reality is quite different. Many individuals are unable to live openly and authentically and encounter difficulties if they do, or end up role-playing to protect themselves. The International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia belongs to no one individual. It’s about all people hoping for a prejudice-free world that can provide a place at the table for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Inspired by all world theme-days, the day set aside to fight homophobia & transphobia needs to be appropriated by all of those actively involved in civil society: queer community organizations, those organizations focusing on other types of sexual diversity, unions, employers, private businesses, governments, public administration, professional associations, and all individuals seeking equality. This event will a chance for all people to learn to recognize and respond to homophobia & transphobia in classrooms, the workplace, government policies, churches and communities. This year's event will feature excerpts from the "Report Homophobic Violence, Period. project," a prevention and awareness program by the Lethbridge Regional Police and OUTreach Southern Alberta in partnership. Our special guest for the evening will be Nate Phelps. Nate Phelps is the son of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, which gained infamy from their protests at Matthew Shepherd's funeral and the funerals of soldiers around the US. He is the sixth of 13 children and was taught his father’s extreme version of Calvinism from an early age. This was accompanied by extreme physical punishments and abuse, extreme dietary and health requirements, and other extreme expectations. Nate left home at midnight on his 18th birthday and moved to California, where he built a new life away from his family. He later moved to Canada and only recently began speaking out about his story after a chance encounter with a reporter while driving a cab in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Nate has now spoken about his story to many groups around North America and even returned home to Topeka in 2010 to tell his story to the people in his hometown. He is a vocal LGBT advocate and the Executive Director of the Centre for Inquiry in Calgary, where he now lives. Reception to follow.

Emerging super-power or developing country? Communist dictatorship or economic miracle of free-market enterprise? What’s happening in China and what’s been going on since Chairman Mao’s successor Deng Xiaoping declared in 1985, that “it’s okay for some people to get rich first”? Is the country opening up politically as well as economically? How free are ordinary Chinese? What do they talk about around the kitchen table? Although Canada established diplomatic relations with China in 1970, a year before it occupied a seat at the United Nations, Prime Minister Harper got off to a rocky start with the Chinese leadership. Relations appear to have improved since then and this year’s visit resulted in the loan of two giant pandas. Why the change of heart? And what more is in the offing? Speaker: Trevor Page Trevor Page is a retired United Nations official, settled in Lethbridge. He served in China as the head of the U.N. World Food Programme from 1986 – 1990, when the country had just started opening up to the outside world. Since retirement, Trevor and his wife Jan Gong, a former official of China’s central government, visit the country almost every year. They have family in China and try to keep abreast of what is going on in the country.

The front page headline in the Lethbridge Herald April 24 read, "Same Old Story". Was it really? Was this another automatic victory for the PCs? How did the Conservatives manage to win this one? How did the Wildrose manage to lose it? Did the pundits and pollsters miss something? What do the various parties have to learn – as they look back on this election? How has the Alberta electorate changed in the past few years – and what did the outcome say about Alberta in 2012? Our speaker will explore the layers and issues that affected the Provincial election outcome, and what we need to understand about it all. He will argue that underneath the surface there has been a major realignment in the party system. What does the party realignment say about Albertans and our politics? What will the next four years bring in terms of federal-provincial relationships and what must each of the parties do to attract more voters in 2016? Speaker: Harold Jansen Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian politics, Alberta politics, and political parties and elections with a particular emphasis on political party finance and the use of social media for political communication Moderator: Dianne King Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

The front page headline in the Lethbridge Herald April 24 read, "Same Old Story". Was it really? Was this another automatic victory for the PCs? How did the Conservatives manage to win this one? How did the Wildrose manage to lose it? Did the pundits and pollsters miss something? What do the various parties have to learn – as they look back on this election? How has the Alberta electorate changed in the past few years – and what did the outcome say about Alberta in 2012? Our speaker will explore the layers and issues that affected the Provincial election outcome, and what we need to understand about it all. He will argue that underneath the surface there has been a major realignment in the party system. What does the party realignment say about Albertans and our politics? What will the next four years bring in terms of federal-provincial relationships and what must each of the parties do to attract more voters in 2016? Speaker: Harold Jansen Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian politics, Alberta politics, and political parties and elections with a particular emphasis on political party finance and the use of social media for political communication Moderator: Dianne King Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library A Perspective on Children's Mental Health: From Childhood Trauma to Adult Wholeness Mental Health Awareness Week is May 7-11, 2012. In addition, in many parts of Canada and the United States May 9th is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. The week is dedicated to raising awareness of issues related to mental illness and mental health. One in five Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Our speaker will share his personal journey as he discusses the impact of experiencing the stigma of having a family member with mental illness, personally being bullied in school and suffering the effects of the early symptoms of schizophrenia. As an adult, how does one cope and go on to lead a fulfilling life of service? 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.

Lethbridge is a city that comes with many benefits including a small geographical footprint. Despite its small size it is largely a motorized vehicle culture. In light of rising costs for vehicle operation, health benefits from physical activity, and benefits in maintaining environmental integrity, very few citizens view bicycles as an effective mode of transportation. This presentation presents some perspectives on how public policy has influenced this perception. Speakers: Annabree Fairweather and Mark Pijl-Zieber Annabree Fairwweather has a Master of Science in Psychology. She works at the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association and she occasionally instructs at the university and at the Lethbridge College. Annabree’s experiences with cycling in Lethbridge have motivated her to join the board of BikeBridge Cycling Association. Her goal is to develop more efficient—and less ambiguous—cycling infrastructure for commuters in Lethbridge. Mark Pijl Zieber is a registered nurse and faculty member at the University of Lethbridge. He has been an avid cyclist all of his life and has made cycling an important part of his transportation profile. He is a founding member of the BikeBridge Cycling Association. This association is committed to promoting the use of bicycles as a means of transportation in Lethbridge. Moderator: Carly Adams Date: Thursday, May 3, 2012 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch) Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca