Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement. This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare. Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians. Speaker: Auburn Phillips Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high school curricula for girls. She also has conducted research with First Nations post-secondary students, and has done research in and advocated for the ending of violence against women. Auburn currently works as the School of Graduate Studies Program Specialist at the University of Lethbridge.

This talk will consider women’s status in Canada, beginning with a brief history of the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada. There will be a focus on the Western Canadian provinces and their early embracing of women’s advancement. This will be followed by a discussion of the present status of women in Canada, including such important aspects as the persistent presence of violence against women, the under-representation of women in politics, and issues surrounding childcare. Finally, in light of our history and present situation, future directions to achieve women’s full equality will be discussed. The talk will close with a discussion about the strong potential educating youth about issues of gender inequality has for creating a promising future for all Canadians. Speaker: Auburn Phillips Auburn Phillips recently completed her MA in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge. She conducted research with adolescent girls, examining the relevance and importance of women-specific high school curricula for girls. She also has conducted research with First Nations post-secondary students, and has done research in and advocated for the ending of violence against women. Auburn currently works as the School of Graduate Studies Program Specialist at the University of Lethbridge.

In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria). In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon. Speakers: Doug Colwell Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Doug’s research focuses on the production aspects of parasitism in livestock, but his collaborations span the vast arena of parasitology from parasite manipulation of neurochemicals in mice to the influence of parasitic infection on populations of howler monkeys in Panama.

In everyday terms, parasites make their living off other unsuspecting organisms. Traditionally researchers, veterinarians and medical doctors have focused on the disease aspects of parasitism. These aspects are certainly not trivial and are deserving of the attention (e.g., malaria). In the last decade, it has been observed that there are much more subtle and far reaching effects of parasitism that have real consequences. There are numerous examples of parasites taking control of their hosts and making them do very strange things. Two very surprising examples will illustrate this phenomenon. Speakers: Doug Colwell Doug Colwell is a Principal Research Scientist at the Lethbridge Research Centre. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Lethbridge, a M.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph. Colwell is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge and in the Department of Production Animal Health at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Doug’s research focuses on the production aspects of parasitism in livestock, but his collaborations span the vast arena of parasitology from parasite manipulation of neurochemicals in mice to the influence of parasitic infection on populations of howler monkeys in Panama.

Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many. While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy. Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As one of the founding members of the campus pro-life club, Maaike was involved in bringing the debate to campus on many occasions and served as Students for Life's Vice President and President for several years. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2009 and has since worked as Lethbridge & District Pro-Life's community liaison. Dr. Bryson Brown was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and the United States, studying Philosophy at Trent University and went on to an M.A. and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Bryson has two children, a son who died of Cancer in 1996 and a daughter working in Montreal as a tutor and ESL instructor. Bryson Brown has taught at the University of Lethbridge since 1986. His research has focused on logic, history and the philosophy of science. He has also written on ethical issues

Canada is one of the few countries in the world with no legal restrictions on abortion, although regulations and accessibility vary according to provinces. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau’s government had brought in liberalized abortion laws, but in 1988 that law was struck down (in Regina versus Morgentaler) by the Supreme Court, and no government since then has brought forward a new law. Pro-choice advocates argue that the matter should be a private one between woman and doctor. Critics claim that for every 100 live births, over 30 abortions occur and that this is far too many. While the federal conservative government claims it does not intent to re-open the abortion debate, for many, including some MP’s, that debate is already raging. Our two speakers will each express their views on this ongoing controversy. Speaker: Maaike Rosendal and Bryson Brown Maaike Rosendal, originally from the Netherlands, has been an advocate for the pro-life position since she enrolled at the University of Lethbridge. As one of the founding members of the campus pro-life club, Maaike was involved in bringing the debate to campus on many occasions and served as Students for Life's Vice President and President for several years. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary in 2009 and has since worked as Lethbridge & District Pro-Life's community liaison. Dr. Bryson Brown was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He grew up in Canada and the United States, studying Philosophy at Trent University and went on to an M.A. and PhD at the University of Pittsburgh. Bryson has two children, a son who died of Cancer in 1996 and a daughter working in Montreal as a tutor and ESL instructor. Bryson Brown has taught at the University of Lethbridge since 1986. His research has focused on logic, history and the philosophy of science. He has also written on ethical issues

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada first announced its intention of creating an Office of Religious Freedom during the federal election campaign of May 2011. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird subsequently reiterated this goal in a speech at the United Nations, where he cited the initiative as consistent with “core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” As a result, Canada vowed to protect these principles in the international community “whether it was popular, convenient, or expedient.” The decision to open an Office of Religious Freedom, however, raises a number of important questions related to both religion and Canada’s foreign relations. As a secular state, should Canada be pursuing religious objectives in its foreign policy? Is it realistic to think that Canada can have an impact on the treatment of religious groups in other states? Is the Office committed to multi-faith perspectives or simply Judeo-Christian views? The Office of Religious Freedom will open in 2012, but critics are already questioning its role and relevance. The answers to these questions will help determine if the Office represents a myth or reality in Canadian foreign policy. Speaker: Christopher J. Kukucha Christopher Kukucha is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge. His most recent publication is the second edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2011), co-edited with Duane Bratt. He is also the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy (UBC Press, 2008). In 2007, Chris served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh). He is past President of the International Studies Association of Canada and a book review editor for the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. His primary teaching and research areas include Canadian foreign policy, international political economy, international relations theory, and Canada’s global trade relations.

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada first announced its intention of creating an Office of Religious Freedom during the federal election campaign of May 2011. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird subsequently reiterated this goal in a speech at the United Nations, where he cited the initiative as consistent with “core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” As a result, Canada vowed to protect these principles in the international community “whether it was popular, convenient, or expedient.” The decision to open an Office of Religious Freedom, however, raises a number of important questions related to both religion and Canada’s foreign relations. As a secular state, should Canada be pursuing religious objectives in its foreign policy? Is it realistic to think that Canada can have an impact on the treatment of religious groups in other states? Is the Office committed to multi-faith perspectives or simply Judeo-Christian views? The Office of Religious Freedom will open in 2012, but critics are already questioning its role and relevance. The answers to these questions will help determine if the Office represents a myth or reality in Canadian foreign policy. Speaker: Christopher J. Kukucha Christopher Kukucha is an associate professor at the University of Lethbridge. His most recent publication is the second edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas (Oxford University Press, 2011), co-edited with Duane Bratt. He is also the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy (UBC Press, 2008). In 2007, Chris served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh). He is past President of the International Studies Association of Canada and a book review editor for the Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. His primary teaching and research areas include Canadian foreign policy, international political economy, international relations theory, and Canada’s global trade relations.

Last years massive grass fire came within a whisker of causing life-threatening and property damaging conditions in west Lethbridge. Only a fine effort by emergency response teams and some luck prevented a serious dissaster. Lethbridge and area has an emergency response plan specific to local concerns and is also included in a provincial/national plan dealing with larger emergencies. However, for these plans to be successful, public cooperation with officials are paramount and communication through the media, including social media, is also very important. The speaker will outline some details of the general plan, what worked and what didn’t in last November’s grass fire and relate how the public can best react during emergencies, be that fire, harardous material escape, floods, power outage, severe weather etc. Speaker: Brian Cornforth, Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Planning Brian Cornforth has been in this position with the City of Lethbridge since June 2002. Previously he held the position of Fire Chief in Airdrie after serving terms as Deputy Chief in both Coaldale and Jasper. Brian is also President of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and serves locally on the board of Safety City. He is very focused on the safety of emergency responders and ensuring that communities in Alberta are properly prepared for emergencies.

Last years massive grass fire came within a whisker of causing life-threatening and property damaging conditions in west Lethbridge. Only a fine effort by emergency response teams and some luck prevented a serious dissaster. Lethbridge and area has an emergency response plan specific to local concerns and is also included in a provincial/national plan dealing with larger emergencies. However, for these plans to be successful, public cooperation with officials are paramount and communication through the media, including social media, is also very important. The speaker will outline some details of the general plan, what worked and what didn’t in last November’s grass fire and relate how the public can best react during emergencies, be that fire, harardous material escape, floods, power outage, severe weather etc. Speaker: Brian Cornforth, Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Planning Brian Cornforth has been in this position with the City of Lethbridge since June 2002. Previously he held the position of Fire Chief in Airdrie after serving terms as Deputy Chief in both Coaldale and Jasper. Brian is also President of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association and serves locally on the board of Safety City. He is very focused on the safety of emergency responders and ensuring that communities in Alberta are properly prepared for emergencies.