Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

For many years, local residents have benefited from critical comments on the City of Lethbridge’s management of public finances by retired lawyer, Robert Babki.

According to Babki, by year-end Dec. 31, 2007, City of Lethbridge officials have stated that the City has invested funds on hand of approximately $150 million, holdings that have increased dramatically over the decade. The City derives its funds from various levels of government, but most of it comes from City residents through property taxes and various fees and charges. Many citizens feel that the take by the City is excessive.

Robert Babki will present some analysis and review of the records from the perspective of citizens. He is a critic of what he believes is an unhealthy failure of City Council to keep citizens informed, and to temper an insatiable demand for revenue from an expanding City administration.

Speaker: Robert Babki

Robert Babki was born and raised in Lethbridge, earning his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan and practiced law in Lethbridge (including Supreme Court of Canada appearances) from 1969 to his retirement in 1994. Active with several athletic and community organizations, he was Chairman of the Board of the Lethbridge Community College and politically involved by serving as the Southern Alberta Regional Director of the Alberta PC Association Executive in the 1970’s.

TILMA is the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement between Alberta and British Columbia. It provides for a virtual economic union between the two provinces. Both governments agreed to consult with stakeholders during a two-year transition period ending on April 1, 2009, after which the agreement comes into full effect.

The speaker intends to highlight the benefits that the TILMA is expected to bring once it''s fully implemented on April 1, 2009. He will also argue that the TILMA is having a positive effect on improving trade, employment and investment opportunities for Albertans and British Columbians in other markets in Canada.

Speaker: Shawn Robbins

Shawn Robbins is Director of Internal Trade Policy in the Alberta Ministry of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations. He is responsible for policy issues related to interprovincial trade within Canada and management of the Agreement on Internal Trade. Most recently, he was Alberta’s Chief Negotiator for the TILMA agreement.

Previously, Mr. Robbins worked on government procurement policy and operations. He led the province-wide implementation of the AIT, extending the agreement’s application to Municipalities, Academic Institutions, Schools and Hospitals.

TILMA is the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement between Alberta and British Columbia. It provides for a virtual economic union between the two provinces. Both governments agreed to consult with stakeholders during a two-year transition period ending on April 1, 2009, after which the agreement comes into full effect.

The speaker intends to highlight the benefits that the TILMA is expected to bring once it''s fully implemented on April 1, 2009. He will also argue that the TILMA is having a positive effect on improving trade, employment and investment opportunities for Albertans and British Columbians in other markets in Canada.

Speaker: Shawn Robbins

Shawn Robbins is Director of Internal Trade Policy in the Alberta Ministry of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations. He is responsible for policy issues related to interprovincial trade within Canada and management of the Agreement on Internal Trade. Most recently, he was Alberta’s Chief Negotiator for the TILMA agreement.

Previously, Mr. Robbins worked on government procurement policy and operations. He led the province-wide implementation of the AIT, extending the agreement’s application to Municipalities, Academic Institutions, Schools and Hospitals.

TILMA is the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement between Alberta and British Columbia. The agreement was signed in 2006 without public consultation or debate in any legislature. It provides for a virtual economic union between the two provinces. Both governments agreed to consult with stakeholders during a two-year transition period ending on April 1, 2009, after which the agreement comes into full effect.

The speaker will compare TILMA to a “mini-NAFTA”, the North American Free Trade Agreement. He believes that potentially, it could interfere with the ability of various levels of government to make laws to protect the environment, local business, hiring practices, local education and health programs by imposing huge financial penalties. 

Speaker: Ken Collier

Ken Collier retired in 2005 from a career in social work and university administration. Since then he became the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Red Deer and Area, Council of Canadians, the Board Chair of Friends of Medicare (Alberta) and continues to write for progressive activist and research publications.

He completed his PhD in Economics and Applied Social Studies from the University of Wales. His latest books are “Social Work with Rural Peoples” and “After the Welfare State”, both published by New Star Books in Vancouver.

TILMA is the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement between Alberta and British Columbia. The agreement was signed in 2006 without public consultation or debate in any legislature. It provides for a virtual economic union between the two provinces. Both governments agreed to consult with stakeholders during a two-year transition period ending on April 1, 2009, after which the agreement comes into full effect.

The speaker will compare TILMA to a “mini-NAFTA”, the North American Free Trade Agreement. He believes that potentially, it could interfere with the ability of various levels of government to make laws to protect the environment, local business, hiring practices, local education and health programs by imposing huge financial penalties. 

Speaker: Ken Collier

Ken Collier retired in 2005 from a career in social work and university administration. Since then he became the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Red Deer and Area, Council of Canadians, the Board Chair of Friends of Medicare (Alberta) and continues to write for progressive activist and research publications.

He completed his PhD in Economics and Applied Social Studies from the University of Wales. His latest books are “Social Work with Rural Peoples” and “After the Welfare State”, both published by New Star Books in Vancouver.

At the last Alberta general election, only 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote – an historical low for the province. Although those that voted gave the Stelmach government a massive majority of 86 percent of the seats at the Legislature, the mandate, in fact, came from less than one-quarter of the electorate.

This questions the health of democracy in Alberta. Low turnout at the polls is symptomatic of a serious lack of commitment by the electorate. Voter apathy may have been helped by years of domination of Conservative governments and a perceived lack of viable alternatives.

If informed public debate is the lifeblood of democracy, the time may have come to consider reforming our political process. How can we ensure that issues of concern to Albertans are subjected to rigorous debate at the Legislature before they become the law of the land?

Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA

Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. She currently serves as a member of the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee and as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Health. In addition, she serves as the Official Opposition Deputy Whip, the Shadow Minister for Seniors and Community Supports, the Shadow Minister for International and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs. Ms. Pastoor is also Deputy Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Bridget served as an alderwoman on Lethbridge City Council from 1998 to 2004.

Ms Pastoor began her career with Air Canada. After raising three children, she returned to school and graduated from Lethbridge College as a registered nurse, later qualifying as a geriatric specialist from Grant MacEwan. Bridget worked as an RN at the Edith Cavell care centre from 1990 to 2004.

At the last Alberta general election, only 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote – an historical low for the province. Although those that voted gave the Stelmach government a massive majority of 86 percent of the seats at the Legislature, the mandate, in fact, came from less than one-quarter of the electorate.

This questions the health of democracy in Alberta. Low turnout at the polls is symptomatic of a serious lack of commitment by the electorate. Voter apathy may have been helped by years of domination of Conservative governments and a perceived lack of viable alternatives.

If informed public debate is the lifeblood of democracy, the time may have come to consider reforming our political process. How can we ensure that issues of concern to Albertans are subjected to rigorous debate at the Legislature before they become the law of the land?

Speaker: Bridget Pastoor MLA

Bridget Pastoor was elected to her second term as the MLA for Lethbridge-East on March 3, 2008. She currently serves as a member of the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee and as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Health. In addition, she serves as the Official Opposition Deputy Whip, the Shadow Minister for Seniors and Community Supports, the Shadow Minister for International and Intergovernmental Relations, and the Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs. Ms. Pastoor is also Deputy Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Bridget served as an alderwoman on Lethbridge City Council from 1998 to 2004.

Ms Pastoor began her career with Air Canada. After raising three children, she returned to school and graduated from Lethbridge College as a registered nurse, later qualifying as a geriatric specialist from Grant MacEwan. Bridget worked as an RN at the Edith Cavell care centre from 1990 to 2004.

Worried about gas prices, food costs and the credit crunch? Will health care be affordable in our old-age? Who do you trust to look after our interests and our country? Question the candidates on the issues important to you.

Candidates running for election as the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge will present the position of their Party on some of the main issues and answer questions prepared by SACPA and those asked directly from the audience.

Speakers: Candidates

Moderator: Trevor Page Timekeeper: Knud Petersen

Date: Monday, October 6, 2008

Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Venue: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery)

810 – 5 Avenue South

Cost: Admission free, donations gratefully received

Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Worried about gas prices, food costs and the credit crunch? Will health care be affordable in our old-age? Who do you trust to look after our interests and our country? Question the candidates on the issues important to you.

Candidates running for election as the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge will present the position of their Party on some of the main issues and answer questions prepared by SACPA and those asked directly from the audience.

Speakers: Candidates

Moderator: Trevor Page Timekeeper: Knud Petersen

Date: Monday, October 6, 2008

Time: 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Venue: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery)

810 – 5 Avenue South

Cost: Admission free, donations gratefully received

Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Recent polls suggest another minority government in Canada after the October 14th vote, albeit the demographics of Parliament may change. Initially, environmental issues were high on the campaign agenda, arguably for good reason. However, the US-led world economic woes have come into play in Canada and shifted the focus towards our economy.

The Liberal “Green Shift” may partly be a victim of the looming economic downturn in Canada. However, the speaker believes that Liberal Party problems could go deeper, with roots attached to previous leaders Jean Cretian and Paul Martin. Stephane Dion, he feels, has not managed to gain the trust of Canadian voters. His leadership ratings are low, according to the latest opinion polls.

More election goodies are bound to be announced and a majority Government is still a possibility. But voter apathy, performances at the Leadership Debate and the ability of candidates to refrain from making controversial statements are all influencing factors.

The speaker will explore several election scenarios and make fearless predictions.

Speaker: Peter McCormick

Dr. Peter McCormick is a professor and the Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Lethbridge, where he teaches Canadian Government Politics and Constitutional Law. He holds degrees from the University of Alberta (BA 68), the University of Toronto (MA 69) and the London School of Economics (PhD 74). Dr. McCormick is heard regularly on CBC radio and is often quoted in the national news media.

Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008

Time: 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)