Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Although the earliest schools in Canada were religious, public education has been dominant for much of our history. But, as in other sectors, the private sector has been encroaching in the public domain. What has been happening to the funding of public education and is its quality under threat?

Former Alberta Education Minister, David King, argues that public school education is unlike any other social system for three reasons: It is inclusive as a matter of conviction and by design; and it is a deliberate model of a civil democratic community. It is also an “organic” life-system of the community in which it works, and so it cannot be understood apart from the community in which it functions.

These characteristics, says David King, are vital to the community, both in terms of the quality of education, and the well-being of the community. He also believes that the local self-government of education is of vital interest to the community.

Speaker: David King

David King is a politician and public education policy activist. He is a former Progressive Conservative Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. He was Alberta’s Minister of Education from 1979 to 1986. Since 1990, Mr. King has served as Executive Director of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta. He holds a B.A in Political Science and History from the University of Alberta.

Economic downturn, recession or depression – where are we headed and how long will it last? Exports account for two-thirds of Canada’s industrial output and over 85% of our exports go to the USA. But Americans, caught in the credit-crunch that is paralyzing the industrial world, are buying less. Belts are being tightened. Inventories of goods are building. Factories are closing. The ranks of the unemployed are swelling to alarming levels, both in America and here at home.

As the economies of Canada and the USA are intricately intertwined, it behooves our respective political leaders to coordinate their approach to the crisis. But cries of “Buy American” ring out in the U.S. Congress. How will President Obama deal with this? He’ll be in Canada all of 5hours on February 19th. And what should Prime Minister Harper be saying to him? Is it time to rethink the wisdom of putting all our eggs in the American basket?

Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison, Ph.D.

Dr. Trevor Harrison is best known for his studies of populist politics in Canada and the political culture of Alberta and the Canadian west in particular. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, he is the author, co-author, or co-editor of seven books, including most recently, Twenty-First Century Japan: A New Sun Rising (Black Rose, 2008). His op-ed columns frequently appear in several national newspapers, as well as the Lethbridge Herald.

Dr. Harrison is currently Professor and Chair of the department of sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Interim Director of the university’s Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics. Previously, he was a visiting professor at the University of Alberta where he also co-founded the Parkland Institute and was its first Research Director.

Economic downturn, recession or depression – where are we headed and how long will it last? Exports account for two-thirds of Canada’s industrial output and over 85% of our exports go to the USA. But Americans, caught in the credit-crunch that is paralyzing the industrial world, are buying less. Belts are being tightened. Inventories of goods are building. Factories are closing. The ranks of the unemployed are swelling to alarming levels, both in America and here at home.

As the economies of Canada and the USA are intricately intertwined, it behooves our respective political leaders to coordinate their approach to the crisis. But cries of “Buy American” ring out in the U.S. Congress. How will President Obama deal with this? He’ll be in Canada all of 5hours on February 19th. And what should Prime Minister Harper be saying to him? Is it time to rethink the wisdom of putting all our eggs in the American basket?

Speaker: Dr. Trevor Harrison, Ph.D.

Dr. Trevor Harrison is best known for his studies of populist politics in Canada and the political culture of Alberta and the Canadian west in particular. In addition to numerous journal articles and book chapters, he is the author, co-author, or co-editor of seven books, including most recently, Twenty-First Century Japan: A New Sun Rising (Black Rose, 2008). His op-ed columns frequently appear in several national newspapers, as well as the Lethbridge Herald.

Dr. Harrison is currently Professor and Chair of the department of sociology at the University of Lethbridge and Interim Director of the university’s Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economics. Previously, he was a visiting professor at the University of Alberta where he also co-founded the Parkland Institute and was its first Research Director.

Does your doctor treat you while "under the influence"? It may be truer than you think - not alcohol or drugs, but the influence of Big Pharma.

The Pharmaceutical Industry (aka Big Pharma) is one of the most profitable industries in modern history. Industry spokespeople are quick to say how profits are what inspires innovation, with much of their earnings used to reinvest in research, and the development of new life-saving medicines. Despite this noble, selfless claim, what is the reality?

This week''s speaker will outline evidence arguing that the reality is quite the opposite. He will explain how Big Pharma wields its mighty fortunes to shape the health care system to best suit its needs, influencing physicians to prescribe the latest, most expensive drugs. You will hear about strategies like the fabrication and funding of patient ''advocacy'' groups; an attempt to convince millions of health care ''consumers'' that they''re not as healthy as they think, and that the only real solution is with the pen and prescription pad. Hear how Big Pharma uses its hefty clout to lobby government for increased patent protection, weaker regulatory controls, and a system focused on ''disease'' care rather than health care.

Has Big Pharma''s influence gone too far? How does it affect prescribing behavior and the doctor-patient relationship? Should drug reps have access to doctors'' offices? How can the public help remove marketing bias from the care they receive?

Speaker: Dr. Tim Doty, MD CCFP

Dr. Tim Doty is a family physician practicing in Lethbridge and an advocate for a "patient vs. profits" point of view. He provides a fresh perspective on conflict of interest in family medicine and medical education. Dr. Doty has written papers on the influence of Big Pharma and gives workshops for rural preceptors on recognizing, reckoning with, and restructuring institutional marketing biases in their own practices, encouraging them to nurture a "healthy skepticism" in their student doctors.

Does your doctor treat you while "under the influence"? It may be truer than you think - not alcohol or drugs, but the influence of Big Pharma.

The Pharmaceutical Industry (aka Big Pharma) is one of the most profitable industries in modern history. Industry spokespeople are quick to say how profits are what inspires innovation, with much of their earnings used to reinvest in research, and the development of new life-saving medicines. Despite this noble, selfless claim, what is the reality?

This week''s speaker will outline evidence arguing that the reality is quite the opposite. He will explain how Big Pharma wields its mighty fortunes to shape the health care system to best suit its needs, influencing physicians to prescribe the latest, most expensive drugs. You will hear about strategies like the fabrication and funding of patient ''advocacy'' groups; an attempt to convince millions of health care ''consumers'' that they''re not as healthy as they think, and that the only real solution is with the pen and prescription pad. Hear how Big Pharma uses its hefty clout to lobby government for increased patent protection, weaker regulatory controls, and a system focused on ''disease'' care rather than health care.

Has Big Pharma''s influence gone too far? How does it affect prescribing behavior and the doctor-patient relationship? Should drug reps have access to doctors'' offices? How can the public help remove marketing bias from the care they receive?

Speaker: Dr. Tim Doty, MD CCFP

Dr. Tim Doty is a family physician practicing in Lethbridge and an advocate for a "patient vs. profits" point of view. He provides a fresh perspective on conflict of interest in family medicine and medical education. Dr. Doty has written papers on the influence of Big Pharma and gives workshops for rural preceptors on recognizing, reckoning with, and restructuring institutional marketing biases in their own practices, encouraging them to nurture a "healthy skepticism" in their student doctors.

One would not expect homelessness to be a problem in our rich and sparsely populated country. But over the last two decades, it has become a growing concern. Today, there are reportedly over half a million on our city streets or in emergency shelters. In 1998, homelessness was declared a national disaster by the big city mayor''s caucus. Housing advocates are concerned that a "homeless system" has emerged and that homelessness is becoming a way of life.

How many people are homeless in Lethbridge? Do we have the right approach to the problem in our city? Should we be increasing the number of beds in our shelters? Or do we need a new approach to homelessness; one that closes the front door to emergency shelters and helps those in need through appropriate housing and social support?

Speakers: Diane Randell and Deborah Chenery

Diane Randell is Manager of Community and Social Development for the City of Lethbridge. She has a background in healthcare and community development and has been actively involved in working on community and social issues for several years.

Deborah Chenery is the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta South Region. She has been a strong community advocate for the mentally ill for the past twenty years. She was recently named a distinguished alumnus of the University of Lethbridge for her outstanding community leadership.

One would not expect homelessness to be a problem in our rich and sparsely populated country. But over the last two decades, it has become a growing concern. Today, there are reportedly over half a million on our city streets or in emergency shelters. In 1998, homelessness was declared a national disaster by the big city mayor''s caucus. Housing advocates are concerned that a "homeless system" has emerged and that homelessness is becoming a way of life.

How many people are homeless in Lethbridge? Do we have the right approach to the problem in our city? Should we be increasing the number of beds in our shelters? Or do we need a new approach to homelessness; one that closes the front door to emergency shelters and helps those in need through appropriate housing and social support?

Speakers: Diane Randell and Deborah Chenery

Diane Randell is Manager of Community and Social Development for the City of Lethbridge. She has a background in healthcare and community development and has been actively involved in working on community and social issues for several years.

Deborah Chenery is the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta South Region. She has been a strong community advocate for the mentally ill for the past twenty years. She was recently named a distinguished alumnus of the University of Lethbridge for her outstanding community leadership.

The historically low voter turnout at Alberta''s general election last year is cause for concern about the health of democracy in our province. The ruling Progressive Conservatives increased their already commanding majority at the legislature, reducing the number of seats held by opposition parties to just eleven: 9 by the Liberals and 2 by the NDP. Can so few opposition MLAs ensure that the major concerns of all Albertans are subjected to rigorous debate in our 83-seat legislature before the ruling party decides what becomes the law of the land?

The Alberta Liberals have a new leader: David Swann, M.D. the MLA for Calgary Mountain-View. Will he be able to ensure that the government adopts a balanced policy between energy and the environment during economic recession? What is his long-term vision for our province? And does he have a strategy to bring about the change that many of the electorate seek?

The Alberta Liberals are strapped for cash; they are reported to have a $400,000-plus debt. They have a low membership base. Does David Swann and his team have the capacity to bring about a political revival in Alberta?

Speaker: David Swann, MLA

David Swann was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2004 and reelected in 2008. He currently holds the environment, sustainable resource development, and aboriginal relations portfolios within the Alberta Liberal Caucus. In December 2008, he was elected as the Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.MSc in 1971 and an M.D. in 1973. He received his FRCP(C) from the University of Calgary in 1988. He practiced as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004. He was honored with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

David Swann has been a long-time social activist, both at home and abroad.

The historically low voter turnout at Alberta''s general election last year is cause for concern about the health of democracy in our province. The ruling Progressive Conservatives increased their already commanding majority at the legislature, reducing the number of seats held by opposition parties to just eleven: 9 by the Liberals and 2 by the NDP. Can so few opposition MLAs ensure that the major concerns of all Albertans are subjected to rigorous debate in our 83-seat legislature before the ruling party decides what becomes the law of the land?

The Alberta Liberals have a new leader: David Swann, M.D. the MLA for Calgary Mountain-View. Will he be able to ensure that the government adopts a balanced policy between energy and the environment during economic recession? What is his long-term vision for our province? And does he have a strategy to bring about the change that many of the electorate seek?

The Alberta Liberals are strapped for cash; they are reported to have a $400,000-plus debt. They have a low membership base. Does David Swann and his team have the capacity to bring about a political revival in Alberta?

Speaker: David Swann, MLA

David Swann was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2004 and reelected in 2008. He currently holds the environment, sustainable resource development, and aboriginal relations portfolios within the Alberta Liberal Caucus. In December 2008, he was elected as the Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.MSc in 1971 and an M.D. in 1973. He received his FRCP(C) from the University of Calgary in 1988. He practiced as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004. He was honored with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

David Swann has been a long-time social activist, both at home and abroad.

Are the municipal taxes we pay on our property and our electricity bills too high? Do our elected representatives at City Hall exercise due diligence over expenditure and investments? Some citizens are critical of the way in which City Hall manages our money and accusations of gouging have even been made.

Yet despite the criticism of management, and that Council is a poor communicator, our three-term Mayor, Bob Tarleck, maintains that a culture of accountability prevails at City Hall. Mayor Tarleck is of the view that the City of Lethbridge has a financial system which is among the best in Canada in terms of accountability, openness, content and long-term sustainability.

What are the facts on local taxes and the process of overseeing expenditure? And is it certain that we only stand to lose a little on the investments that City Hall has made?

Speaker: Mayor Bob Tarleck

Since settling in Lethbridge in 1966, Bob Tarleck has been immersed in the community. He was first elected Mayor in 2001 and is now in his third term of office. He is the 27th mayor of the City of Lethbridge.

Mayor Tarleck served as Alderman on Lethbridge City Council for 18 years, from 1974 to 1992, and was the driving force behind the creation of the Lethbridge and District Community Futures Program and the Business Development Centre. For three years in the late 1990s, he was an elected trustee of the Lethbridge Regional Hospital Board.

Bob Tarleck has been an active volunteer – in many cases Chair or Board Member – with numerous community organizations. He is a long-time educator and a strong advocate of improving Alberta’s public schools. He is the recipient of the Alberta Human Rights award for work with the Aboriginal Community, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for work in education and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Honor by the Lions Club International Foundation.