Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source.

Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region.

The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA.

Speaker: Richard Burke

Richard Burke is a retired journalist/journalism instructor who most recently wrote a weekly column called Infinite Outdoors for the Lethbridge Herald. He has been involved with the Oldman River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada for 20 years, the past 10 as co-chair, helping them in establishing two conservation leases on Crown land along the Crowsnest River.

Richard is also an Oldman Watershed Council board member and previously served as a Lethbridge Public School Board member and chairman.

The Pincher Creek Fish and Game Association and Alberta Wilderness Association urged in 1968 – the same year SACPA was formed – that the Castle area of Southern Alberta be protected. Today, the 1036 square kilometer Castle Special Place appears to be even more in need of protection, yet the provincial government apparently sees it as little more than a lumber source.

Planned clear-cut logging threatens to further degrade the area, potentially impacting rare plants, wildlife and one of Southern Alberta’s primary water sources, as well as making it much less attractive for recreational purposes. Arguably, alternatives to logging have the potential to offer more sustainable economic benefits for the region.

The speaker continues to work with a broad-based group of Southern Albertans who see an urgent need to legislate protection for the Castle Special Place, a designation given by the province a dozen years ago, but now disputed by both the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development and the area’s MLA.

Speaker: Richard Burke

Richard Burke is a retired journalist/journalism instructor who most recently wrote a weekly column called Infinite Outdoors for the Lethbridge Herald. He has been involved with the Oldman River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada for 20 years, the past 10 as co-chair, helping them in establishing two conservation leases on Crown land along the Crowsnest River.

Richard is also an Oldman Watershed Council board member and previously served as a Lethbridge Public School Board member and chairman.

Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative.

Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior.

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Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D.

Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related to violence in sport. He has published numerous books and papers, including books on risk and injury in sport, the Olympic Games and aspects of violence on and off the field of play. His teaching focuses mostly on Criminology and Sociology of Sport. Recently, Kevin's research on sport as a vehicle for social development and peace has taken him to several African and Asian countries.

Kevin grew up in the north of England, where he became a passionate soccer fan. He played varsity rugby on both sides of the Atlantic and continues to dabble, often injured,

in a number of recreational sports.

Moderator:Knud Petersen

Date:Monday, September 20, 2010

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S

Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted

Despite over a century of public and occasionally legal attention, there is more than enough evidence to suggest that Canadian attitudes to hockey violence have been passive, contradictory and even exploitative.

Acknowledging that the game has been, and is, enmeshed in multiple genuine attempts to make it safer for children and adults, it is argued that Canadians continue to quibble over what “hockey violence” is, that the causes and effects of hockey violence extend well beyond the sport and that few sports are as simultaneously policed and un-policed as ice hockey. That said, the speaker will also address issues concerning violence in some other sports and discuss remedies that could discourage such behavior.

.

Speaker: Kevin Young Ph.D.

Kevin Young completed his Ph.D. at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He is an internationally recognized expert in the Sociology of Sport and on matters particularly related to violence in sport. He has published numerous books and papers, including books on risk and injury in sport, the Olympic Games and aspects of violence on and off the field of play. His teaching focuses mostly on Criminology and Sociology of Sport. Recently, Kevin's research on sport as a vehicle for social development and peace has taken him to several African and Asian countries.

Kevin grew up in the north of England, where he became a passionate soccer fan. He played varsity rugby on both sides of the Atlantic and continues to dabble, often injured,

in a number of recreational sports.

Moderator:Knud Petersen

Date:Monday, September 20, 2010

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery, 810 – 5 Ave S

Cost:Free, donations gratefully accepted

Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy.

The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies.

While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective.

Speaker: Russ Smith

Russ Smith is the City of Medicine Hat's Energy Sustainability Manager. He has worked for the City of Medicine Hat the past fifteen years in a variety of roles including extensive financial and strategic planning within the City’s Energy division. Russ earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1991.

Medicine Hat’s Energy Sustainability Department is focused on providing its citizens with energy conservation and renewable energy education, incentives and leadership through a variety of “Hat Smart” initiatives. The mission of the department is to help Medicine Hat reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and position itself to thrive in the post carbon economy.

The speaker strongly believes municipal energy strategies should include energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy, as they will play a critical role in the sustainability of all communities in the 21st century. Leadership from provincial and federal governments is also needed and will ultimately be paramount to the success of such strategies.

While Lethbridge and Medicine Hat have been friendly rivals for well over a century, they often try to outdo each other. Could it be that Lethbridge is being left in the dust regarding sustainable energy policies? The speaker will explain the issues and offer his perspective.

Speaker: Russ Smith

Russ Smith is the City of Medicine Hat's Energy Sustainability Manager. He has worked for the City of Medicine Hat the past fifteen years in a variety of roles including extensive financial and strategic planning within the City’s Energy division. Russ earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary in 1991.

The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan.

In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term.

Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi MacDonald

Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Sociology Professor at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. Dr. McDaniel also serves on the National Statistics Council of eminent Canadians which advises the federal government on data collection/analysis. She has advised on the Census for almost two decades.

Dr. Heidi MacDonald has served as a History Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1999 and was Chair of the History Department from 2004-09. She is currently a member of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. Dr. MacDonald received her PhD in History from the University of New Brunswick in 2000. She studies and teaches Canadian history and is currently working on a book on coming of age during the Great Depression in Canada. Over her career, she has been a frequent user of the Census of Canada both in her own research and in teaching undergraduate and graduate students.

The Federal Governments decision to replace the 2011 Canadian mandatory Census long form with a voluntary “National Household Survey” has been a hotly debated issue since Canada’s minister of industry Tony Clement announced the change earlier this summer. Despite widespread criticism and weak public support for the change, it appears likely that the Harper Government will follow through on their controversial plan.

In the past, the mandatory Canadian Census has been held every five years with 80 percent of the households receiving the short form and 20 percent the long form. Under the new proposal, all households would receive the mandatory Census short form and one month later, one third of those would be asked to voluntarily complete the long form survey. The speakers will explain the importance of the Census long form information and evaluate the possible consequences of the voluntary vs. mandatory aspect of the proposed changes, regarding both near and long term.

Speakers: Susan McDaniel and Heidi MacDonald

Dr. Susan McDaniel is the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, Director of the Prentice Institute and Sociology Professor at the University of Lethbridge. She relocated to Lethbridge in the summer of 2009 from the University of Utah where she was Professor and Senior Investigator in the Institute for Public & International Affairs. Dr. McDaniel is an internationally known sociologist/social demographer, the author of many books and research articles. She is a frequent advisor on social and science policies both in Canada and elsewhere. Dr. McDaniel also serves on the National Statistics Council of eminent Canadians which advises the federal government on data collection/analysis. She has advised on the Census for almost two decades.

Dr. Heidi MacDonald has served as a History Professor at the University of Lethbridge since 1999 and was Chair of the History Department from 2004-09. She is currently a member of the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors. Dr. MacDonald received her PhD in History from the University of New Brunswick in 2000. She studies and teaches Canadian history and is currently working on a book on coming of age during the Great Depression in Canada. Over her career, she has been a frequent user of the Census of Canada both in her own research and in teaching undergraduate and graduate students.

“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point.

Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP

Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the second New Democrat MP ever from the province of Alberta, and the only non-Conservative to represent the province in the 40th Parliament. She serves as the Environment Critic within the NDP Caucus. Linda is a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Conservation and Biodiversity.

Before her election to Parliament, Linda worked as an international environmental law consultant based in Edmonton. She was senior legal advisor regarding effective environmental enforcement to the Canadian International Development Agency, World Bank and Asian Development Bank in Jamaica, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Linda has also held senior government positions as the Head of Law & Enforcement Cooperation for the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Assistant Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources for the Yukon government, and Chief of Enforcement for Environment Canada. She was a professor of Environmental Law at Dalhousie Law School and, in the early 1980s, the founding Executive Director of the Alberta Environmental Law Centre.

“Think globally, act locally” is a catch-phrase commonly used by those striving to achieve economic sustainability and healthy community based on ecological sustainability. Since the 1970s, all levels of government have played a role in translating global knowledge into local action. However, the past two federal budgets have eroded environmental protection laws with resulting threats to healthy, sustainable economy and democracy. Linda Duncan, federal NDP Environment Critic, will address these retrogressive changes and explain how her private members bill, the Environmental Bill of Rights, can deliver the transparency and participation rights once promised by the Harper government. Her recent motion, supported by all MPs, for a public review of the adequacy of federal regulation of environmental and safety impacts of unconventional oil and gas development is a case in point.

Speaker: Linda F. Duncan MP

Linda Duncan was elected Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona in October 2008, becoming the second New Democrat MP ever from the province of Alberta, and the only non-Conservative to represent the province in the 40th Parliament. She serves as the Environment Critic within the NDP Caucus. Linda is a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Conservation and Biodiversity.

Before her election to Parliament, Linda worked as an international environmental law consultant based in Edmonton. She was senior legal advisor regarding effective environmental enforcement to the Canadian International Development Agency, World Bank and Asian Development Bank in Jamaica, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Linda has also held senior government positions as the Head of Law & Enforcement Cooperation for the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Assistant Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources for the Yukon government, and Chief of Enforcement for Environment Canada. She was a professor of Environmental Law at Dalhousie Law School and, in the early 1980s, the founding Executive Director of the Alberta Environmental Law Centre.