Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

With recent financial support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) at Lethbridge College has a goal of “Community Capacity Building for Wind Energy Development.” The IWEA is engaging southern Albertans to take advantage of the emerging economic opportunities, including quality jobs, associated with the development and operation of large and small wind energy projects. Are subsidies necessary for wind energy to succeed? Is wind and renewable energy receiving infrastructure support from governments similar to that of the non renewable energy sector? What are the relative arguments facing wind power in terms of bats, birds, noise and no breeze? These issues and others facing wind power will be put in perspective by the speaker, while he attempts to cut through the clutter of false information. Speaker: Kris Hodgson Kris Hodgson is a Wind Energy Community Liaison with the IWEA, which is advocating for building wind energy in southern Alberta and beyond through education and demonstration sites. An extension of the highly successful Wind Turbine Technician Training Program at Lethbridge College is also on Hodgson’s radar. Previously, Kris worked to attract investment in renewable energy while employed with Economic Development Lethbridge. He has a professional designation in Economic Development (Ec.D) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.

As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par. Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem.. Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have more dependable and predictable sources of funding in future. Speaker: Glenn Taylor Glenn Taylor is the leader of the Alberta Party. He settled in Hinton, Alberta in 1986, and is a three-term Mayor of the town. Glenn has served as Vice-President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association chairing its Municipal Governance Committee. He has also served as Board Chair of the Grande Alberta Economic Region as well as the Rural Alberta Development Fund. He is a past director of the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Board and the Foothills Research Institute.

As Alberta’s population continues to go up, the quality of life in many of its towns and cities is going down. Many municipalities struggle to build and maintain adequate roads and sidewalks and cope with the increased pressure that larger populations put on garbage collection, recycling, snow removal and policing; let alone ensure that our leisure and sports facilities remain up to par. Glenn Taylor says that the problem is not just a shortage of funds. He believes that the way in which core infrastructure and services are funded, as well as the diminished role that our locally elected officials play in the decision making process, are all part of the problem.. Mr. Taylor argues that Alberta needs to shorten the distance between the taxpayer and the spender. He wants municipalities to keep the education portion of our property tax, and the province to provide full funding for education from general revenue. He says that changes to the Municipal Government Act are needed so that Alberta municipalities have more dependable and predictable sources of funding in future. Speaker: Glenn Taylor Glenn Taylor is the leader of the Alberta Party. He settled in Hinton, Alberta in 1986, and is a three-term Mayor of the town. Glenn has served as Vice-President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association chairing its Municipal Governance Committee. He has also served as Board Chair of the Grande Alberta Economic Region as well as the Rural Alberta Development Fund. He is a past director of the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Board and the Foothills Research Institute.

Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions. The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed. Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Water Resources David Hill is the Executive Director of Water Resources for Energy and Environment Solutions (Alberta Innovates). He has more than 35 years’ experience in water management in Alberta, crossing the broadest spectrum of water issues and water companies. David has taken a lead role in the development of tools, policies and processes to promote increased water use efficiency in the agricultural sector, and has been a founding member of a number of regionally based water stakeholder organizations. He has been involved with the Alberta Water Council since its inception, representing irrigated agriculture first and then the science and research community since the fall of 2007. This experience provides David Hill with a broad understanding of water’s integrating importance related to sustainable, social, environmental and economic benefits. At one point in his career he served locally as Executive Director of Alberta Irrigation Projects Association in Lethbridge.

Alberta’s government has made some major organizational changes related to research and development. Five new organizations have been formed which encompass the activities of many predecessors in the research and innovation community. The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority have replaced the Alberta Science and Research Authority and four “Alberta Innovates” corporations have been created within its auspices. The former Alberta Water Research Institute and the Alberta Energy Resource Institute have become Alberta Innovates, Energy and Environment Solutions. The speaker will provide an overview of the current “Alberta Innovates” system of corporations and their respective roles. He will also explain how Energy and Environment Solutions will integrate the former “Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability” into this new organization. Important issues regarding water research, past investments and future directions will also be discussed. Speaker: David Hill, Executive Director, Water Resources David Hill is the Executive Director of Water Resources for Energy and Environment Solutions (Alberta Innovates). He has more than 35 years’ experience in water management in Alberta, crossing the broadest spectrum of water issues and water companies. David has taken a lead role in the development of tools, policies and processes to promote increased water use efficiency in the agricultural sector, and has been a founding member of a number of regionally based water stakeholder organizations. He has been involved with the Alberta Water Council since its inception, representing irrigated agriculture first and then the science and research community since the fall of 2007. This experience provides David Hill with a broad understanding of water’s integrating importance related to sustainable, social, environmental and economic benefits. At one point in his career he served locally as Executive Director of Alberta Irrigation Projects Association in Lethbridge.

Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands. The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for Alberta. The AEMP concluded that only an independent, science-based monitoring authority, at arms-length from government and industry, could establish the necessary credibility in gathering data, carrying out analyses and making recommendations regarding local and long-term environmental effects. The final report was completed on time and released to the public by the Minister on July 5, 2011. The speaker, who was co-chair of the Panel, will review the issues and speculate on how and when we might expect action. Speaker: Dr. Howard Tennant Howard Tennant and his wife, Sharon, reside in Lethbridge. He is a Professor of Management and President emeritus at University of Lethbridge, where he continues to teach. Tennant’s current involvements include: Alberta Research & Innovation Authority; Audit Committee of National Research Council; Kainai Chieftainship of the Blood Indian Reserve (Past President); and on the board of several private sector companies. He formerly served as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 18th Air Defence Regiment, RCA; Board Member, National Centre of Excellence - Canadian Water Network; The Advisory Board of Statistics Canada; and Chair of the Governing Council of the National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. Tennant is a member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Management. In 2008 he was awarded the ASTech prize for outstanding leadership in science and technology. He has received two honorary degrees.

Many people in Canada, including David Schindler, a respected environmental scientist at the University of Alberta, have for many years questioned the government sponsored environmental monitoring data of the oil sands as being inadequate. Last year, politicians and the general public in the United States began making critical remarks about “Canada’s dirty oil” threatening Canada’s reputation and possibly a portion of its export markets. This attention raised public concern to a new level resulting in both the federal and Alberta governments taking action. Several major initiatives, including work by the Royal Society of Canada, were started in the fall of 2010. These initiatives have now reached completion, and have presented governments with a wide array of analyses and recommendations for the management of the oil sands. The Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel (AEMP) was appointed by Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner in January 2011 to develop a world class environmental monitoring, evaluation and reporting system for Alberta. The AEMP concluded that only an independent, science-based monitoring authority, at arms-length from government and industry, could establish the necessary credibility in gathering data, carrying out analyses and making recommendations regarding local and long-term environmental effects. The final report was completed on time and released to the public by the Minister on July 5, 2011. The speaker, who was co-chair of the Panel, will review the issues and speculate on how and when we might expect action. Speaker: Dr. Howard Tennant Howard Tennant and his wife, Sharon, reside in Lethbridge. He is a Professor of Management and President emeritus at University of Lethbridge, where he continues to teach. Tennant’s current involvements include: Alberta Research & Innovation Authority; Audit Committee of National Research Council; Kainai Chieftainship of the Blood Indian Reserve (Past President); and on the board of several private sector companies. He formerly served as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 18th Air Defence Regiment, RCA; Board Member, National Centre of Excellence - Canadian Water Network; The Advisory Board of Statistics Canada; and Chair of the Governing Council of the National Research Council and the Alberta Research Council. Tennant is a member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Management. In 2008 he was awarded the ASTech prize for outstanding leadership in science and technology. He has received two honorary degrees.

Alberta is facing many problems as the next boom approaches. Besides environmental and infrastructure challenges, it can be argued that this boom will once again benefit the wealthy and the larger corporations while most other people in Alberta will gain little in terms of quality lifestyle. In the past, Alberta has witnessed many booms and busts, but still realized long-term growth in the size of the economy and a dramatic increase in wealth, particularly for well to do individuals and large multi-national corporations, who receive sizeable subsidies and pay little or, in some cases, no taxes. Quality of life indicators such as income security, personal disposable income, Food Bank non-dependency, housing affordability, leisure and family time, and educational attainment show that middle and low-income Albertans are struggling to keep the status quo and many are being left behind. Funding for health care, education and essential social services arguably suffer more at every bust cycle, begging the question: What is the Alberta Advantage? That being said, who is to blame for this inequality? If governments act according to who elects them, it can be assumed that people vote against their own best interest since the overwhelming majority of us are in the middle to low-income bracket. The speaker will speculate on the causes of and remedies to such behaviour. Speaker: Rachel Notley MLA Rachel Notley grew up in Fairview, Alberta as one of three children born to former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was elected MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in the 2008 provincial election. Prior to being elected, Notley pursued a lengthy legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues, including eight years in British Columbia. In 2002, Notley returned to Edmonton and has since held positions with the National Union of Public and General Employees, Athabasca University, and as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta. Rachel lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.

Alberta is facing many problems as the next boom approaches. Besides environmental and infrastructure challenges, it can be argued that this boom will once again benefit the wealthy and the larger corporations while most other people in Alberta will gain little in terms of quality lifestyle. In the past, Alberta has witnessed many booms and busts, but still realized long-term growth in the size of the economy and a dramatic increase in wealth, particularly for well to do individuals and large multi-national corporations, who receive sizeable subsidies and pay little or, in some cases, no taxes. Quality of life indicators such as income security, personal disposable income, Food Bank non-dependency, housing affordability, leisure and family time, and educational attainment show that middle and low-income Albertans are struggling to keep the status quo and many are being left behind. Funding for health care, education and essential social services arguably suffer more at every bust cycle, begging the question: What is the Alberta Advantage? That being said, who is to blame for this inequality? If governments act according to who elects them, it can be assumed that people vote against their own best interest since the overwhelming majority of us are in the middle to low-income bracket. The speaker will speculate on the causes of and remedies to such behaviour. Speaker: Rachel Notley MLA Rachel Notley grew up in Fairview, Alberta as one of three children born to former Alberta NDP leader Grant Notley and his wife Sandy. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was elected MLA for Edmonton Strathcona in the 2008 provincial election. Prior to being elected, Notley pursued a lengthy legal career focused on labour law, workers' compensation advocacy and workplace health and safety issues, including eight years in British Columbia. In 2002, Notley returned to Edmonton and has since held positions with the National Union of Public and General Employees, Athabasca University, and as a labour relations officer with the United Nurses of Alberta. Rachel lives in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, along with her husband Lou and their two children Ethan and Sophie.

Over the last few months the news has been filled with stories of stalemates and showdowns in the halls of the United States Congress. Sometimes it has seemed as though the country was on the brink of collapse. For Canadians, the specter of American politics can appear very confusing, even if it does dominate our media airwaves. As the United States prepare for the November 2012 elections, interested outsiders have many questions about American politics and the structure of an American government that often see party politics work against the common good of the country. The speaker is a political scientist and seasoned observer of American politics for many decades. He will consider the historical backdrop to today’s events in Congress and the Senate and why Americans find themselves in stalemate after stalemate. Is the US Constitution so difficult to amend that change is unlikely? What needs to happen before Americans get a government that can efficiently deal with the current impasse? And, more broadly, are we witnessing the decline of American hegemony in a world where emerging economic superpower China is competing for that leadership role? Speaker: Dr. Ed Webking Dr. Ed Webking grew up in the western United States and earned his BA at Pepperdine; his MA in Government at California State University at Los Angeles, and his PhD in Government at Claremont Graduate School and University Centre. He has been an Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1973. As well, he is the President of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre and was the recipient of the Province of Alberta Human Rights Award in 1994. Though now retired from the University, Dr. Webking remains deeply interested in the politics of the United States and in human rights and international law.