Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Scientists are often so focussed on measuring the evidence required to determine how things work that they either forget or do not have time for the needs of public education, and the directions the nation will take in applying the knowledge gained by science. James Hoggan and Richard Littlemore have recently produced a book entitled “Climate Cover-Up”, in which they examine the powerful public relations forces brought to bear against mainstream climate science, physics and chemistry, in order to blunt the message that we need to take steps to avoid future harm.

As a PR professional himself, Hoggan felt a strong need to keep the work of PR honest, and he recognized the methods that were used in the attacks on the science findings. He says “it is infuriating, as a public relations professional, to watch my colleagues use their skills, their training and their considerable intellect to poison the international debate on climate change.” Some of the arguments of the self-appointed skeptics are lacking in both common sense and modern science, but other tactics and campaigns are skillfully designed to appear to show debate among informed physical scientists regarding whether there is an effect caused by atmospheric change at all.

Hoggan and Littlemore track the funds and describe the motives behind the campaigns, noting that “few PR offences have been so obvious, so successful and so despicable as the attack on the scientific certainty of climate change.” They call the unprecedented PR attack “a triumph of disinformation – one of the boldest and most extensive PR campaigns in history”.

Speaker: Richard Littlemore

Richard has spent 20 years in daily newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen, the Winnipeg Tribune and the Vancouver Sun), before turning his hand in 1995 to freelance journalism and public affairs. He wrote the David Suzuki Foundation’s first public information package on climate change in 1996 was vice-chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District''s Air Quality Committee in 1996 and 1997 and sat as a delegate to the Canadian government''s (failed) Kyoto Implementation Process from 1997 to 1999.

In addition to his DeSmog endeavors, Richard is a regular speech writer for many business and academic leaders and is a senior counselor and the lead writer at James Hoggan and Associates.

Most importantly, he is a parent to three teenage boys who, like all children of their generation, deserve to inherit a world uncompromised by climate change.

Moderator: Dan Johnson

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: Room PE 250 University of Lethbridge 1st Choice Saving Centre

Cost: Free to everyone, refreshment supplied

Scientists are often so focussed on measuring the evidence required to determine how things work that they either forget or do not have time for the needs of public education, and the directions the nation will take in applying the knowledge gained by science. James Hoggan and Richard Littlemore have recently produced a book entitled “Climate Cover-Up”, in which they examine the powerful public relations forces brought to bear against mainstream climate science, physics and chemistry, in order to blunt the message that we need to take steps to avoid future harm.

As a PR professional himself, Hoggan felt a strong need to keep the work of PR honest, and he recognized the methods that were used in the attacks on the science findings. He says “it is infuriating, as a public relations professional, to watch my colleagues use their skills, their training and their considerable intellect to poison the international debate on climate change.” Some of the arguments of the self-appointed skeptics are lacking in both common sense and modern science, but other tactics and campaigns are skillfully designed to appear to show debate among informed physical scientists regarding whether there is an effect caused by atmospheric change at all.

Hoggan and Littlemore track the funds and describe the motives behind the campaigns, noting that “few PR offences have been so obvious, so successful and so despicable as the attack on the scientific certainty of climate change.” They call the unprecedented PR attack “a triumph of disinformation – one of the boldest and most extensive PR campaigns in history”.

Speaker: Richard Littlemore

Richard has spent 20 years in daily newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen, the Winnipeg Tribune and the Vancouver Sun), before turning his hand in 1995 to freelance journalism and public affairs. He wrote the David Suzuki Foundation’s first public information package on climate change in 1996 was vice-chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District''s Air Quality Committee in 1996 and 1997 and sat as a delegate to the Canadian government''s (failed) Kyoto Implementation Process from 1997 to 1999.

In addition to his DeSmog endeavors, Richard is a regular speech writer for many business and academic leaders and is a senior counselor and the lead writer at James Hoggan and Associates.

Most importantly, he is a parent to three teenage boys who, like all children of their generation, deserve to inherit a world uncompromised by climate change.

Moderator: Dan Johnson

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: Room PE 250 University of Lethbridge 1st Choice Saving Centre

Cost: Free to everyone, refreshment supplied

International Banks Squeeze on Canadian Non Bank ABCP Owners?

Did international banks attempt to extort $60 billion from the Quebec Caisse Pension Fund and the Alberta, Ontario and Federal Governments? Public money ultimately provided $5 billion of emergency funding in Dec. 2008, in order to bring the ABCP Restructuring Plan to a close. Canadian bankruptcy laws were changed after the Non Bank ABCP market froze, giving international banks undue bargaining power in the ABCP restructuring process.

The speaker will explain that Canadian banks were spared liability for their wholly owned investment dealer’s distribution of the toxic ABCP. Court-sanctioned legal release removed the ABCP owners'' right to sue for damages caused by the banks alleged negligence and fraud in the design and distribution of ABCP. Canadian bank regulations permitted use of a market disruption clause in the liquidity agreements that allowed international banks to walk away from their obligations to repurchase the ABCP from the Canadian investors.

It will further be argued that Canadian securities regulators permitted the toxic ABCP into the public markets and how such regulators continue to provide minimal inspections of investment products. Unless banks, investment dealers and credit rating agencies are held responsible for the delivery of toxic investment products on inflated credit ratings, they will continue to deliver such products into the marketplace.

Speaker: Diane Urquhart

Diane Urquhart is a top-ranked independent financial services analyst with over 30 years experience in the investment field. She was head of equity research at a predecessor of BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Diane will speak from her experience as the financial advisor, appointed by Justice Colin Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to advise the retail ABCP owners. Ms. Urquhart and legal counsel, Henry Juroviesky, succeeded in obtaining, for individuals owning less than $1 million of the toxic ABCP, a full cash settlement from their investment dealers.

International Banks Squeeze on Canadian Non Bank ABCP Owners?

Did international banks attempt to extort $60 billion from the Quebec Caisse Pension Fund and the Alberta, Ontario and Federal Governments? Public money ultimately provided $5 billion of emergency funding in Dec. 2008, in order to bring the ABCP Restructuring Plan to a close. Canadian bankruptcy laws were changed after the Non Bank ABCP market froze, giving international banks undue bargaining power in the ABCP restructuring process.

The speaker will explain that Canadian banks were spared liability for their wholly owned investment dealer’s distribution of the toxic ABCP. Court-sanctioned legal release removed the ABCP owners'' right to sue for damages caused by the banks alleged negligence and fraud in the design and distribution of ABCP. Canadian bank regulations permitted use of a market disruption clause in the liquidity agreements that allowed international banks to walk away from their obligations to repurchase the ABCP from the Canadian investors.

It will further be argued that Canadian securities regulators permitted the toxic ABCP into the public markets and how such regulators continue to provide minimal inspections of investment products. Unless banks, investment dealers and credit rating agencies are held responsible for the delivery of toxic investment products on inflated credit ratings, they will continue to deliver such products into the marketplace.

Speaker: Diane Urquhart

Diane Urquhart is a top-ranked independent financial services analyst with over 30 years experience in the investment field. She was head of equity research at a predecessor of BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Diane will speak from her experience as the financial advisor, appointed by Justice Colin Campbell of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to advise the retail ABCP owners. Ms. Urquhart and legal counsel, Henry Juroviesky, succeeded in obtaining, for individuals owning less than $1 million of the toxic ABCP, a full cash settlement from their investment dealers.

7-9pm in Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery

Alberta may have been the location of the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history, namely the Brost and Sorenson Ponzi Fraud, but other provinces have had their share of toxic investment schemes as well. Despite such, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are not planning to support Ottawa’s plan for a national securities regulator.

Effective policing of financial fraud is a necessary ingredient for the stability of Canada''s financial system. Canadian and global financial systems have been rocked by systemic fraud in subprime mortgages and structured credit products sold by the securities industry. The essence of financial fraud is deceit and it is difficult to believe that sophisticated industry players did not know they had packaged credit products with toxic ingredients that would eventually harm their customers.

The financial crisis in Canada is wreaking havoc on many through job losses, pensions underfunding and savings lost. Broad national issues regarding the fight against financial fraud will be addressed by the speaker and the audience will hear about the reception her group received in Ottawa on their call for a more a vigorous battle by government, securities commissions and police against white collar crime.

Speaker: Diane Urquhart

Diane Urquhart graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a degree in Math and Economics. Her resume includes being head of equity research at predecessors to BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Now an independent financial analyst promoting better investor protection laws and enforcement in Canada, Diane is currently assisting former workers of bankrupted Nortel, battling for pension benefits from the trustees.

Ms. Urquhart also conducts research and prepares communication for federal and provincial legislators, the media, police forces, Canadian and U.S. securities, accounting regulators and citizen associations. A member of CFA Institute and Toronto CFA Society, Diane has also won many scholarships and awards, including a Canada Council Special M.A. Scholarship and the Hurd Medal for Honors in Economics at McMaster University.

7-9pm in Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery

Alberta may have been the location of the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history, namely the Brost and Sorenson Ponzi Fraud, but other provinces have had their share of toxic investment schemes as well. Despite such, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are not planning to support Ottawa’s plan for a national securities regulator.

Effective policing of financial fraud is a necessary ingredient for the stability of Canada''s financial system. Canadian and global financial systems have been rocked by systemic fraud in subprime mortgages and structured credit products sold by the securities industry. The essence of financial fraud is deceit and it is difficult to believe that sophisticated industry players did not know they had packaged credit products with toxic ingredients that would eventually harm their customers.

The financial crisis in Canada is wreaking havoc on many through job losses, pensions underfunding and savings lost. Broad national issues regarding the fight against financial fraud will be addressed by the speaker and the audience will hear about the reception her group received in Ottawa on their call for a more a vigorous battle by government, securities commissions and police against white collar crime.

Speaker: Diane Urquhart

Diane Urquhart graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a degree in Math and Economics. Her resume includes being head of equity research at predecessors to BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Now an independent financial analyst promoting better investor protection laws and enforcement in Canada, Diane is currently assisting former workers of bankrupted Nortel, battling for pension benefits from the trustees.

Ms. Urquhart also conducts research and prepares communication for federal and provincial legislators, the media, police forces, Canadian and U.S. securities, accounting regulators and citizen associations. A member of CFA Institute and Toronto CFA Society, Diane has also won many scholarships and awards, including a Canada Council Special M.A. Scholarship and the Hurd Medal for Honors in Economics at McMaster University.

Renaissance religious art poses two questions: In depicting Biblical personalities, why is there no nude female and why aren’t all the Jewish male figures circumcised? Obviously, it appears to show male chauvinism and anti-Semitism by the Christian church that lasted many centuries. Is this no longer a problem today?

It will be argued that religions have been guilty of provoking and perpetuating xenophobia and racism for a long time. The Christian church is no exception. There is a problem of homophobia among some Christians, which is as problematic as the threat posed by Al-Qaida and Taliban. It is important to question the misinterpretations of teachings from the founders of major religions in today’s reality, when religious extremism is a serious thread to our civilization.

The speaker will examine Renaissance religious art to expose the way the church used artists to perpetuate the doctrines, thereby excluding certain groups of people.

Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui

Tadashi Mitsui (Tad) is a retired United Church minister residing in Lethbridge since 2001. He was born and lived in Japan until 1957 when he immigrated to Canada. He was trained in theology and obtained BD in Tokyo, STM in Vancouver, and STD in Montreal.

Tad worked in Vancouver, Lesotho in Southern Africa, Geneva in Switzerland, Toronto and Montreal, as a pastor and university teacher. He also managed development programs and was an ecclesiastic administrator.

Renaissance religious art poses two questions: In depicting Biblical personalities, why is there no nude female and why aren’t all the Jewish male figures circumcised? Obviously, it appears to show male chauvinism and anti-Semitism by the Christian church that lasted many centuries. Is this no longer a problem today?

It will be argued that religions have been guilty of provoking and perpetuating xenophobia and racism for a long time. The Christian church is no exception. There is a problem of homophobia among some Christians, which is as problematic as the threat posed by Al-Qaida and Taliban. It is important to question the misinterpretations of teachings from the founders of major religions in today’s reality, when religious extremism is a serious thread to our civilization.

The speaker will examine Renaissance religious art to expose the way the church used artists to perpetuate the doctrines, thereby excluding certain groups of people.

Speaker: Tadashi Mitsui

Tadashi Mitsui (Tad) is a retired United Church minister residing in Lethbridge since 2001. He was born and lived in Japan until 1957 when he immigrated to Canada. He was trained in theology and obtained BD in Tokyo, STM in Vancouver, and STD in Montreal.

Tad worked in Vancouver, Lesotho in Southern Africa, Geneva in Switzerland, Toronto and Montreal, as a pastor and university teacher. He also managed development programs and was an ecclesiastic administrator.

12-1:30pm

Under The Electric Statutes Amendment Act (formerly Bill 50) passed into law in December 2009, the Government of Alberta is responsible for approving the need for critical transmission infrastructure.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for identifying the need for transmission system development, within a market system intended to provide competitive electricity supply to customers throughout the province. Governed by an independent board that provides advice and direction for market participants, the AESO is a not-for-profit entity.

The speaker will briefly explain the mandate of the AESO and how it works. She will also focus on the role of the transmission system and long term development plans, including the perceived need for proposed billion dollar upgrades over the next several years.

Speaker: Leanne Dawkins

Leanne works in the AESO Corporate Communications group as a community relations advisor. She looks after public outreach, community support, the regional advisor program and government relations.

She began with the Power Pool in 2001 and then joined the AESO when it was officially formed on June 2, 2003. Taking a brief break from the organization in 2006 to explore the oil and gas industry, Leanne returned to the AESO in 2008.

12-1:30pm

Under The Electric Statutes Amendment Act (formerly Bill 50) passed into law in December 2009, the Government of Alberta is responsible for approving the need for critical transmission infrastructure.

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for identifying the need for transmission system development, within a market system intended to provide competitive electricity supply to customers throughout the province. Governed by an independent board that provides advice and direction for market participants, the AESO is a not-for-profit entity.

The speaker will briefly explain the mandate of the AESO and how it works. She will also focus on the role of the transmission system and long term development plans, including the perceived need for proposed billion dollar upgrades over the next several years.

Speaker: Leanne Dawkins

Leanne works in the AESO Corporate Communications group as a community relations advisor. She looks after public outreach, community support, the regional advisor program and government relations.

She began with the Power Pool in 2001 and then joined the AESO when it was officially formed on June 2, 2003. Taking a brief break from the organization in 2006 to explore the oil and gas industry, Leanne returned to the AESO in 2008.