Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Conservative Government of Alberta arguably has a history of fabricating crises in Medicare. From full frontal assault in 1994, through Bill 11 in 2000, past the Third Way in 2005 to the Super Board in 2009; closing beds, jeopardizing the health of our seniors and tossing the mentally ill into an already overloaded community network on the way; the agenda seems similar: Create a crisis and then try selling privatization as a solution.

More than 80% of Albertans consistently affirm their desire to keep Medicare public, universal and accessible to all. The speaker will argue Medicare is affordable and that Government fear-mongering is an attempt to question the affordability of public healthcare.

Premier Stelmach’s appointed Health Minister openly admits that he is tougher than his predecessors and that he has the ‘mettle’ and the organization to push this agenda on reluctant Albertans. Why is he doing this; in whose interests and what monstrosity lurks over the horizon?

James will outline the patterns and motivation of this agenda and describe some actions and options to defeat it once again.

Speaker: James Moore

James Moore is an advocate for a healthy and informed society. He lives in Lethbridge with his spouse Arlene and sons Kevin and Julius. James is a part time Instructor in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College. He also works in computer communications, instructional design and on-line learning through his Lethbridge business Distancedge Communications

The Conservative Government of Alberta arguably has a history of fabricating crises in Medicare. From full frontal assault in 1994, through Bill 11 in 2000, past the Third Way in 2005 to the Super Board in 2009; closing beds, jeopardizing the health of our seniors and tossing the mentally ill into an already overloaded community network on the way; the agenda seems similar: Create a crisis and then try selling privatization as a solution.

More than 80% of Albertans consistently affirm their desire to keep Medicare public, universal and accessible to all. The speaker will argue Medicare is affordable and that Government fear-mongering is an attempt to question the affordability of public healthcare.

Premier Stelmach’s appointed Health Minister openly admits that he is tougher than his predecessors and that he has the ‘mettle’ and the organization to push this agenda on reluctant Albertans. Why is he doing this; in whose interests and what monstrosity lurks over the horizon?

James will outline the patterns and motivation of this agenda and describe some actions and options to defeat it once again.

Speaker: James Moore

James Moore is an advocate for a healthy and informed society. He lives in Lethbridge with his spouse Arlene and sons Kevin and Julius. James is a part time Instructor in the School of Justice Studies at Lethbridge College. He also works in computer communications, instructional design and on-line learning through his Lethbridge business Distancedge Communications

12-1:30pm

Across Canada, including Lethbridge, there is definite convergence of both short and long term visions for more sustainable communities. For instance, in 2006, the City of Lethbridge invested in its public transit system by purchasing 16 new buses, developing levels of service standards through community consultation, and redesigning transit services. At the same time, sustainability became the focus of City Council’s 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, “Towards a Sustainable Future” and Lethbridge Transit’s 2008-2011 Business Plan, “On the Road to Sustainability”. As well, the City’s recent “Plan Your City” consultation process to update the City’s Municipal Development Plan suggests that the citizens of Lethbridge are looking for change in how the city grows and develops.

John King will build on these examples and discuss the Canada-wide long term vision for public transit - Transit Vision 2040 - and how it is applicable to smaller centres like Lethbridge. John will consider what all of this means for the community of Lethbridge and public transportation looking forward on the Road to Sustainability?

Speaker: John King, Transit Manager, City of Lethbridge

John King has been Transit Manager with the City of Lethbridge since 2005, and has over 30 years of planning, development, and management experience with transit systems in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and consulting experience across Canada. He is an active and involved member of CUTA - on the Board of Directors, as a Master Trainer, and on numerous committees. John holds a bachelor and a master’s degree in applied science.

12-1:30pm

Across Canada, including Lethbridge, there is definite convergence of both short and long term visions for more sustainable communities. For instance, in 2006, the City of Lethbridge invested in its public transit system by purchasing 16 new buses, developing levels of service standards through community consultation, and redesigning transit services. At the same time, sustainability became the focus of City Council’s 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, “Towards a Sustainable Future” and Lethbridge Transit’s 2008-2011 Business Plan, “On the Road to Sustainability”. As well, the City’s recent “Plan Your City” consultation process to update the City’s Municipal Development Plan suggests that the citizens of Lethbridge are looking for change in how the city grows and develops.

John King will build on these examples and discuss the Canada-wide long term vision for public transit - Transit Vision 2040 - and how it is applicable to smaller centres like Lethbridge. John will consider what all of this means for the community of Lethbridge and public transportation looking forward on the Road to Sustainability?

Speaker: John King, Transit Manager, City of Lethbridge

John King has been Transit Manager with the City of Lethbridge since 2005, and has over 30 years of planning, development, and management experience with transit systems in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, and consulting experience across Canada. He is an active and involved member of CUTA - on the Board of Directors, as a Master Trainer, and on numerous committees. John holds a bachelor and a master’s degree in applied science.

12-1:30pm

Fort McMurray is often thought of as "the armpit of Alberta" -- complete with vast scarred land, ugly toxic ponds and a monster drug problem. The residents of this frontier city have another perspective, and see the situation quite differently. They would more likely say that theirs is a healthy community, and that the oil sands are a gift.

Terry Shillington will help us take a second look at what are the real problems and who are the bigger villains for Fort McMurray, based on his direct experiences there. While there ARE villains in this story, it may not be the huge oil corporations, as many would suggest. We need to take a closer look at the care of Alberta’s environment more generally.

Speaker: Terry Shillington

Terry Shillington is a semi-retired United Church minister who served the United Church in Fort McMurray from September 2008 to June 2009, after having served in Lethbridge for many years. He has returned to his long time home in Southern Alberta. Terry is also a committed environmentalist.

12-1:30pm

Fort McMurray is often thought of as "the armpit of Alberta" -- complete with vast scarred land, ugly toxic ponds and a monster drug problem. The residents of this frontier city have another perspective, and see the situation quite differently. They would more likely say that theirs is a healthy community, and that the oil sands are a gift.

Terry Shillington will help us take a second look at what are the real problems and who are the bigger villains for Fort McMurray, based on his direct experiences there. While there ARE villains in this story, it may not be the huge oil corporations, as many would suggest. We need to take a closer look at the care of Alberta’s environment more generally.

Speaker: Terry Shillington

Terry Shillington is a semi-retired United Church minister who served the United Church in Fort McMurray from September 2008 to June 2009, after having served in Lethbridge for many years. He has returned to his long time home in Southern Alberta. Terry is also a committed environmentalist.

12-1:30pm

After an 18 month creation period, in which time a twenty-six member committee obtained input from many internal and external constituents, the 2009-2013 Strategic plan of the University of Lethbridge was rolled out in January of 2009. The plan emphasizes the University’s continued commitment to advancing as a comprehensive institution that maintains and deepens its dedication to “a sense of community, engagement, diversity, and connection.” Five strategic directions have been articulated within the plan to shape the future of the University. However, with current worldwide economic conditions, it is both fair and reasonable to question the strength and durability of the strategic plan as a vehicle to move the University forward.

Dr. Andrew Hakin will discuss how potential funding cuts to post secondary education in Alberta impacts the durability of the U of L Strategic Plan and describes how the U of L plans to serve in the best interests of students.

SPEAKER: Andrew Hakin

Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.

In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.

Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.

12-1:30pm

After an 18 month creation period, in which time a twenty-six member committee obtained input from many internal and external constituents, the 2009-2013 Strategic plan of the University of Lethbridge was rolled out in January of 2009. The plan emphasizes the University’s continued commitment to advancing as a comprehensive institution that maintains and deepens its dedication to “a sense of community, engagement, diversity, and connection.” Five strategic directions have been articulated within the plan to shape the future of the University. However, with current worldwide economic conditions, it is both fair and reasonable to question the strength and durability of the strategic plan as a vehicle to move the University forward.

Dr. Andrew Hakin will discuss how potential funding cuts to post secondary education in Alberta impacts the durability of the U of L Strategic Plan and describes how the U of L plans to serve in the best interests of students.

SPEAKER: Andrew Hakin

Andrew Hakin became the Vice President (Academic) & Provost at University of Lethbridge in July of 2007 after serving for approximately 2 years as the Associate Vice President (Academic). After obtaining a BSc and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Leicester in England, Andrew joined the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow in 1987.

In 1989 Andrew joined the Chemistry Department at the University of Lethbridge as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2003. Andrew served as Chair of his department and was active in the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association where he served as President in 2001.

Andrew is a recipient of the University of Lethbridge Distinguished Teacher Award (2000) and the Stig Sunner Award for outstanding contributions to the field of thermo chemistry (2003). More recently he helped to create the Centre for the Advancement of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CAETL) at the University to further promote the importance of teaching within the academy.

12-1:30pm

Throughout human history, the concept of evil has often been used to explain human behaviour. For example, evil was used to explain disease and natural disaster in earlier centuries, the Holocaust of WWII, and of course there’s the recent use of the phrase “Axis of Evil” by George W Bush in 2002. An enduring question is whether evil is a permanent characteristic of some people or temporary behavior because of the situation they are in.

Using recent events such as reports of torture in war situations, Mark Sandilands will present a social psychological analysis of evil, showing how little-recognized external factors can lead ordinary people to commit acts that might be considered evil.

Speaker: Mark Sandilands, PhD (Professor Emeritus, Dept of Psychology, University of Lethbridge)

Mark came to the University in 1968, the second year of its existence, and took early retirement in 2000 after 32 years. His areas of interest include general, social, and environmental psychology, personality factors in social behaviour, social and environmental factors in institutional care of the elderly, and family violence research.

Mark was a candidate for the NDP in the provincial elections of 2001 and 2004, and the federal election of 2008. He also ran for a seat on the board of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital in 2001. He is a frequent contributor to the letters section of the Lethbridge Herald and other publications.

12-1:30pm

Throughout human history, the concept of evil has often been used to explain human behaviour. For example, evil was used to explain disease and natural disaster in earlier centuries, the Holocaust of WWII, and of course there’s the recent use of the phrase “Axis of Evil” by George W Bush in 2002. An enduring question is whether evil is a permanent characteristic of some people or temporary behavior because of the situation they are in.

Using recent events such as reports of torture in war situations, Mark Sandilands will present a social psychological analysis of evil, showing how little-recognized external factors can lead ordinary people to commit acts that might be considered evil.

Speaker: Mark Sandilands, PhD (Professor Emeritus, Dept of Psychology, University of Lethbridge)

Mark came to the University in 1968, the second year of its existence, and took early retirement in 2000 after 32 years. His areas of interest include general, social, and environmental psychology, personality factors in social behaviour, social and environmental factors in institutional care of the elderly, and family violence research.

Mark was a candidate for the NDP in the provincial elections of 2001 and 2004, and the federal election of 2008. He also ran for a seat on the board of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital in 2001. He is a frequent contributor to the letters section of the Lethbridge Herald and other publications.