Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Held 12:00 - 1:30pm.

Canada’s current role in Afghanistan began in late 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Over the years Canada’s contribution has evolved in this United Nations mandated, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led effort of 37 NATO and non-NATO countries. Canada’s special government website, titled “Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan” indicates primary priorities are to help establish a secure environment, provide humanitarian assistance, and build Afghanistan’s institutions to support democratic processes and foster a sustainable peace. Rick Casson, M.P., Lethbridge, will discuss Canada’s progress toward these goals as well as implications to Canadians - in particular the impacts on Canadians serving in Afghanistan.

Speaker: Rick Casson,

Mr. Casson has been the Member of Parliament for the Lethbridge riding since 1997 when he was first elected as an Opposition MP. He was sworn in as a Member of the Government of Canada following the January 2006 election and for a second time following the 2008 election.

Mr. Casson is Chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan. He has twice traveled to Afghanistan – in January 2007 and May 2008 on a Canadian Forces fact-finding mission related to his previous position as Chair of Canada’s Standing Committee on National Defence. He is also the Canadian Co-Chair of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; a Canadian-American advisory body established in 1940, by PM Mackenzie King and US President F.D. Roosevelt. In addition he is Chair of the Alberta Caucus.

Raised in Southern Alberta, Rick credits 20 years of municipal government involvement as his initial training ground for federal politics. First elected to grassroots government in 1977, he served as a Picture Butte town councilor for nine years and mayor of the municipality for nine more years.

Held 12:00 - 1:30pm.

Canada’s current role in Afghanistan began in late 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Over the years Canada’s contribution has evolved in this United Nations mandated, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led effort of 37 NATO and non-NATO countries. Canada’s special government website, titled “Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan” indicates primary priorities are to help establish a secure environment, provide humanitarian assistance, and build Afghanistan’s institutions to support democratic processes and foster a sustainable peace. Rick Casson, M.P., Lethbridge, will discuss Canada’s progress toward these goals as well as implications to Canadians - in particular the impacts on Canadians serving in Afghanistan.

Speaker: Rick Casson,

Mr. Casson has been the Member of Parliament for the Lethbridge riding since 1997 when he was first elected as an Opposition MP. He was sworn in as a Member of the Government of Canada following the January 2006 election and for a second time following the 2008 election.

Mr. Casson is Chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan. He has twice traveled to Afghanistan – in January 2007 and May 2008 on a Canadian Forces fact-finding mission related to his previous position as Chair of Canada’s Standing Committee on National Defence. He is also the Canadian Co-Chair of the Permanent Joint Board on Defence; a Canadian-American advisory body established in 1940, by PM Mackenzie King and US President F.D. Roosevelt. In addition he is Chair of the Alberta Caucus.

Raised in Southern Alberta, Rick credits 20 years of municipal government involvement as his initial training ground for federal politics. First elected to grassroots government in 1977, he served as a Picture Butte town councilor for nine years and mayor of the municipality for nine more years.

Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.

In the past few years, alternative dispute resolution approaches have taken their place in the justice system along side more traditional methods, such as litigation through the courts. Mediation and conflict resolution practices bring people together to resolve their disputes rather than facing them off in stressful adversarial processes. The underlying belief is that conflict or anticipated conflict can be managed more effectively through a process that is aimed at the development of understanding among the participants of their respective concerns, needs, beliefs, fears and expectations.

With the help of highly skilled experts through local organizations such as Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS), more and more community members are engaging in less confrontational approaches to resolving a wide range of issues and situations, ranging from complaints between neighbours to dealing with young offenders. Benefits of community-based approaches to conflict resolution include the preservation of relationships, avoidance of costly legal action and strengthened coping skills and sense of empowerment for all participants.

Speaker: Betty Lynn-Benson

Betty is the Executive Director of Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS) in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has over 10 years experience with RCMP-based victims services programs, and five years as a Restorative Justice Mediator in the Saskatchewan Alternative Measures Program. Betty believes much more can be gained through efforts directed towards healing rather than punishing, and advocates for Alternative Measures programs and Restorative Justice.

Held from 12:00 - 1:30pm.

In the past few years, alternative dispute resolution approaches have taken their place in the justice system along side more traditional methods, such as litigation through the courts. Mediation and conflict resolution practices bring people together to resolve their disputes rather than facing them off in stressful adversarial processes. The underlying belief is that conflict or anticipated conflict can be managed more effectively through a process that is aimed at the development of understanding among the participants of their respective concerns, needs, beliefs, fears and expectations.

With the help of highly skilled experts through local organizations such as Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS), more and more community members are engaging in less confrontational approaches to resolving a wide range of issues and situations, ranging from complaints between neighbours to dealing with young offenders. Benefits of community-based approaches to conflict resolution include the preservation of relationships, avoidance of costly legal action and strengthened coping skills and sense of empowerment for all participants.

Speaker: Betty Lynn-Benson

Betty is the Executive Director of Community Conflict Resolution Services (CCRS) in Lethbridge, Alberta. She has over 10 years experience with RCMP-based victims services programs, and five years as a Restorative Justice Mediator in the Saskatchewan Alternative Measures Program. Betty believes much more can be gained through efforts directed towards healing rather than punishing, and advocates for Alternative Measures programs and Restorative Justice.

When Michelle Obama planted the first White House vegetable garden in 60 years she wanted to spark a discussion about food and food production in America. While food security and the production of food in urban settings has been a topic of discussion for small groups of people, the First Lady’s garden has sparked interest and discussion about urban food production and has renewed people’s interest in growing their own food and knowing more about food production.

In Canada, the popularity of local eating – also called the 100 mile diet – has brought discussions of food and food policy to municipal, provincial, and federal decision makers. In Calgary a group of citizens has formed a pressure group to change bylaws restricting urban livestock so that Calgarians can raise chickens in their back yards. The University of Lethbridge recently opened its first cooperative garden, which strives to grow both a stronger community and tasty produce.

The growing demands for sustainable food production and reduced carbon emissions in the production of that food has policy makers discussing food security. What about you - are you ready to share your neighborhood with your neighbour’s livestock? What do you think a progressive food policy should look like? How do we meet the growing demands for Food Security, Food Democracy, and Food Justice?

Paul Hughes is the Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, a grassroots, citizen-driven initiative that aims to advocate and educate on matters of food health and sustainability, with the goal of lobbying Calgary City Council to adopt food policy that is healthy for people and the environment. Paul is also a conceptualist with Paulinate, an abstract expressionist artist, a high performance hockey coach, an urban farmer and an expert in Food Policy.

When Michelle Obama planted the first White House vegetable garden in 60 years she wanted to spark a discussion about food and food production in America. While food security and the production of food in urban settings has been a topic of discussion for small groups of people, the First Lady’s garden has sparked interest and discussion about urban food production and has renewed people’s interest in growing their own food and knowing more about food production.

In Canada, the popularity of local eating – also called the 100 mile diet – has brought discussions of food and food policy to municipal, provincial, and federal decision makers. In Calgary a group of citizens has formed a pressure group to change bylaws restricting urban livestock so that Calgarians can raise chickens in their back yards. The University of Lethbridge recently opened its first cooperative garden, which strives to grow both a stronger community and tasty produce.

The growing demands for sustainable food production and reduced carbon emissions in the production of that food has policy makers discussing food security. What about you - are you ready to share your neighborhood with your neighbour’s livestock? What do you think a progressive food policy should look like? How do we meet the growing demands for Food Security, Food Democracy, and Food Justice?

Paul Hughes is the Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, a grassroots, citizen-driven initiative that aims to advocate and educate on matters of food health and sustainability, with the goal of lobbying Calgary City Council to adopt food policy that is healthy for people and the environment. Paul is also a conceptualist with Paulinate, an abstract expressionist artist, a high performance hockey coach, an urban farmer and an expert in Food Policy.

In a democracy, elected officials of all stripes are generally expected to primarily represent their constituents. However party policy sometimes makes it difficult to perform that task, particularly when their party form the government

Progressive Conservative MLAs in Alberta often find themselves having to make a choice of either speaking for their constituents, or act, which arguably is the norm, as the government’s mouthpiece to the constituents.

In July 2009, Guy Boutilier, at the time a P.C. MLA for Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo, spoke up on behalf of the people he represents, regarding an earlier promised, but postponed Long Term Care facility in Ft. McMurray and was promptly ejected from the P.C. caucus. The speaker will express his views on several issues and explain the events leading to him now serving Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo as an Independent MLA at the Alberta Legislature.

Speaker: Guy Boutilier

Guy Boutilier has a rare combination of Private, Public and Academic experience. He worked in the Oil Sands Industry for Syncrude Canada as a Financial Analyst 1978-83.

Mr. Boutilier served as Fort McMurray’s youngest mayor after two terms on city Council, before successfully entering provincial politics in 1997. Responsibilities the past 12 years includes: Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Environment and Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal relations. Guy chaired the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, when he addressed the U.N. COPs 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina on that topic.

Mr. Boutilier currently also teaches part-time at the School of Business at University of Alberta. He has a MPA Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, a BBA Business degree from St.F.X. University and a B.Ed Education degree with honors from St Mary’s University in Halifax. Guy and his wife Gail have a 2 year old son Marc.

Moderator: Knud Petersen

In a democracy, elected officials of all stripes are generally expected to primarily represent their constituents. However party policy sometimes makes it difficult to perform that task, particularly when their party form the government

Progressive Conservative MLAs in Alberta often find themselves having to make a choice of either speaking for their constituents, or act, which arguably is the norm, as the government’s mouthpiece to the constituents.

In July 2009, Guy Boutilier, at the time a P.C. MLA for Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo, spoke up on behalf of the people he represents, regarding an earlier promised, but postponed Long Term Care facility in Ft. McMurray and was promptly ejected from the P.C. caucus. The speaker will express his views on several issues and explain the events leading to him now serving Ft. McMurray-Wood Buffalo as an Independent MLA at the Alberta Legislature.

Speaker: Guy Boutilier

Guy Boutilier has a rare combination of Private, Public and Academic experience. He worked in the Oil Sands Industry for Syncrude Canada as a Financial Analyst 1978-83.

Mr. Boutilier served as Fort McMurray’s youngest mayor after two terms on city Council, before successfully entering provincial politics in 1997. Responsibilities the past 12 years includes: Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Environment and Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal relations. Guy chaired the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change, when he addressed the U.N. COPs 10 in Buenos Aires, Argentina on that topic.

Mr. Boutilier currently also teaches part-time at the School of Business at University of Alberta. He has a MPA Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, a BBA Business degree from St.F.X. University and a B.Ed Education degree with honors from St Mary’s University in Halifax. Guy and his wife Gail have a 2 year old son Marc.

Moderator: Knud Petersen

Evidence of the earliest domestication of rice has been found in China in about 7500 B.C. China''s development of farming over the centuries has played a key role in supporting what is now the world’s largest population. Nevertheless, famines occurred periodically throughout China''s history, including during the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. And Chairman Mao Zedong’s belief that “man can conquer nature” led to the implementation of many irrational agriculture policies and production practices.

Since China’s open door policy which started more than 30 years ago, the economy and agricultural production has expanded rapidly. This has caused many environmental and ecological problems. If China continues along this path, a catastrophic agriculture production failure is waiting to happen. Can a young country like Canada assist an old country like China improve its current agricultural production practices?

Speaker: Chi Chang

Chi Chang was born in Guizhou, China. He moved to Taiwan with his parents in 1949 where he grew up and was educated. Moving to Canada in 1969, he completed his post-graduate study obtaining a PhD from the University of Manitoba in 1976.

Dr Chang has worked at Lethbridge Research Centre since 1978 as a Research Scientist. His areas of research are soil and the environment. He has been involved in several international projects: one in Sudan in 1982, and two CIDA projects in China (1991 – 2002 and 2006 – 2008). He just returned to Lethbridge after working for two years in Chengdu, China.

Evidence of the earliest domestication of rice has been found in China in about 7500 B.C. China''s development of farming over the centuries has played a key role in supporting what is now the world’s largest population. Nevertheless, famines occurred periodically throughout China''s history, including during the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. And Chairman Mao Zedong’s belief that “man can conquer nature” led to the implementation of many irrational agriculture policies and production practices.

Since China’s open door policy which started more than 30 years ago, the economy and agricultural production has expanded rapidly. This has caused many environmental and ecological problems. If China continues along this path, a catastrophic agriculture production failure is waiting to happen. Can a young country like Canada assist an old country like China improve its current agricultural production practices?

Speaker: Chi Chang

Chi Chang was born in Guizhou, China. He moved to Taiwan with his parents in 1949 where he grew up and was educated. Moving to Canada in 1969, he completed his post-graduate study obtaining a PhD from the University of Manitoba in 1976.

Dr Chang has worked at Lethbridge Research Centre since 1978 as a Research Scientist. His areas of research are soil and the environment. He has been involved in several international projects: one in Sudan in 1982, and two CIDA projects in China (1991 – 2002 and 2006 – 2008). He just returned to Lethbridge after working for two years in Chengdu, China.