Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

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)

Ever since the hapless Polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, died at Vancouver International Airport last year after being zapped with Tasers by RCMP officers, a flood of outrage has swept across the country and around the world. Serious questions are now being asked about the use of this controversial weapon by those paid to keep us safe on our streets.

Our newspapers are full of reports about the use of Tasers in what would appear to be inappropriate circumstances: by transit cops in BC against passengers suspected of skipping their fare; by Toronto city police who zapped a suspected drug peddler after he had already been handcuffed and was lying face down on the floor. Alarmingly, the use of Tasers has been growing dramatically, according to a recent Canadian Press/CBC investigation.

Who says Tasers are safe? Most of the research has been funded by the manufacturer, Taser International, themselves. The RCMP claim Tasers save lives, however to date, at least 22 people in Canada and over 270 in the United States are believed to have died after being zapped with Tasers. Should the use of Tasers and other similar electroshock devices be suspended, pending a rigorous, independent and impartial study into their effects?

Speaker: Don Wright

Don Wright is a regional development coordinator with Amnesty International, Canada, with responsibility for BC/Yukon and Southern Alberta. He works with AI members and groups, as well as the public and media, to promote respect for human rights and end the violation of human rights around the world. Don has been on the staff of Amnesty International for six years and is based at its Pacific Regional Office in Vancouver. Part of his brief has been to follow the Braidwood Inquiry into the tragic incident at Vancouver International Airport where Robert Dziekanski died after being “tasered” by officers of the RCMP.

Don Wright has a Masters degree in Adult Education and a Provincial Instructor''s Diploma.

Our local and regional law enforcement agencies have been invited to make short presentations at the session about the “rules of engagement” for Tasers.

Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South

Cost: Free, donations gratefully accepted

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

Ever since the hapless Polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, died at Vancouver International Airport last year after being zapped with Tasers by RCMP officers, a flood of outrage has swept across the country and around the world. Serious questions are now being asked about the use of this controversial weapon by those paid to keep us safe on our streets.

Our newspapers are full of reports about the use of Tasers in what would appear to be inappropriate circumstances: by transit cops in BC against passengers suspected of skipping their fare; by Toronto city police who zapped a suspected drug peddler after he had already been handcuffed and was lying face down on the floor. Alarmingly, the use of Tasers has been growing dramatically, according to a recent Canadian Press/CBC investigation.

Who says Tasers are safe? Most of the research has been funded by the manufacturer, Taser International, themselves. The RCMP claim Tasers save lives, however to date, at least 22 people in Canada and over 270 in the United States are believed to have died after being zapped with Tasers. Should the use of Tasers and other similar electroshock devices be suspended, pending a rigorous, independent and impartial study into their effects?

Speaker: Don Wright

Don Wright is a regional development coordinator with Amnesty International, Canada, with responsibility for BC/Yukon and Southern Alberta. He works with AI members and groups, as well as the public and media, to promote respect for human rights and end the violation of human rights around the world. Don has been on the staff of Amnesty International for six years and is based at its Pacific Regional Office in Vancouver. Part of his brief has been to follow the Braidwood Inquiry into the tragic incident at Vancouver International Airport where Robert Dziekanski died after being “tasered” by officers of the RCMP.

Don Wright has a Masters degree in Adult Education and a Provincial Instructor''s Diploma.

Our local and regional law enforcement agencies have been invited to make short presentations at the session about the “rules of engagement” for Tasers.

Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Location: Lethbridge Public Library (Theatre Gallery) 810 – 5 Avenue South

Cost: Free, donations gratefully accepted

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

At the recent Alberta general election, a historically low 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote. Although those that did 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?

The SACPA debate on this topic began in May 2008 with a presentation by former MLA and Wildrose Alliance Party Leader, Paul Hinman. Liberal MLA Bridget Pastoor will provide her take on the topic next month. And it is hoped that PC MLA Greg Weadick will address the topic at SACPA before the year is out.

Speaker: Brian Mason, MLA and leader of the Alberta NDP.

Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for Human Resources, Finance and Agriculture.

In September 2004, Brian Mason became leader of Alberta’s New Democrat party. He was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in November 2004, and to his fourth term in March 2008. In addition to his role as an MLA and party leader, Mr. Mason serves on several committees, including Resource and Environment.

At the recent Alberta general election, a historically low 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote. Although those that did 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?

The SACPA debate on this topic began in May 2008 with a presentation by former MLA and Wildrose Alliance Party Leader, Paul Hinman. Liberal MLA Bridget Pastoor will provide her take on the topic next month. And it is hoped that PC MLA Greg Weadick will address the topic at SACPA before the year is out.

Speaker: Brian Mason, MLA and leader of the Alberta NDP.

Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for Human Resources, Finance and Agriculture.

In September 2004, Brian Mason became leader of Alberta’s New Democrat party. He was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in November 2004, and to his fourth term in March 2008. In addition to his role as an MLA and party leader, Mr. Mason serves on several committees, including Resource and Environment.

Even before arriving in Lethbridge Gordon Campbell was an established Adult Educator, first in Regina and later as President of the College in Castlegar. Within his first year in Lethbridge, he was already pondering a possible gathering of citizens that would make a difference in the community. In typical Gordonesque manner, no sooner had the idea gelled, he had it up and running, albeit with a little help from his friends. Some of those friends from the early days of SACPA will speak at this special session. SACPA was Gordon’s conception. Forty years later it is alive and well and still carrying out its original mission - providing citizens an opportunity to engage in the democratic process.

This past winter, Gordon retired from the SACPA Board after a lifetime of continuous service and passionate commitment to the cause of public debate. Insiders know he has given countless hours to ensuring that, over the years, speakers at SACPA Thursday sessions were noted names from across the country and beyond. The people of Lethbridge are indebted to Gordon for this service. As for SACPA, it will always hold on to a piece of his heart.

Speakers: Van Christou and Leonard Haney

Van Christou is a founder member of SACPA. He is also a founder member of the Board of Governors at the University of Lethbridge and served as its Chancellor from 1975-79. Van and his late wife, Helen, started and have been instrumental in the development of U of L’s World-renowned art collection.

Leonard Haney is another founder member of SACPA. A highly respected member of the agricultural community, Len has served on school boards, the U of L Board of Governors and Senate and on a Royal Commission on Education. Len is a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Moderator: Terry Shillington

Date: Thursday, June 5, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr.

Cost: $10.00 (includes roast beef lunch and anniversary cake)

Even before arriving in Lethbridge Gordon Campbell was an established Adult Educator, first in Regina and later as President of the College in Castlegar. Within his first year in Lethbridge, he was already pondering a possible gathering of citizens that would make a difference in the community. In typical Gordonesque manner, no sooner had the idea gelled, he had it up and running, albeit with a little help from his friends. Some of those friends from the early days of SACPA will speak at this special session. SACPA was Gordon’s conception. Forty years later it is alive and well and still carrying out its original mission - providing citizens an opportunity to engage in the democratic process.

This past winter, Gordon retired from the SACPA Board after a lifetime of continuous service and passionate commitment to the cause of public debate. Insiders know he has given countless hours to ensuring that, over the years, speakers at SACPA Thursday sessions were noted names from across the country and beyond. The people of Lethbridge are indebted to Gordon for this service. As for SACPA, it will always hold on to a piece of his heart.

Speakers: Van Christou and Leonard Haney

Van Christou is a founder member of SACPA. He is also a founder member of the Board of Governors at the University of Lethbridge and served as its Chancellor from 1975-79. Van and his late wife, Helen, started and have been instrumental in the development of U of L’s World-renowned art collection.

Leonard Haney is another founder member of SACPA. A highly respected member of the agricultural community, Len has served on school boards, the U of L Board of Governors and Senate and on a Royal Commission on Education. Len is a recipient of the Order of Canada.

Moderator: Terry Shillington

Date: Thursday, June 5, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Country Kitchen Catering (lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr.

Cost: $10.00 (includes roast beef lunch and anniversary cake)

Alberta continues to experience rapid economic growth, particularly in the southern part of the province. The demands of that growth on the available water supply are becoming exceedingly difficult to manage. Public demands for new housing sub-divisions, commercial, agricultural and industrial development all require water. These competing demands have become even more prevalent now that most river basins in Southern Alberta are closed to the additional use of water. Yet, economic growth is dependant upon available water supplies, so balancing the demands on this resource is essential.

Kathleen Murphy will discuss how we balance the demand with the available water supplies. She will discuss the tools in legislation for the movement of water within basins, including the water allocation transfer process and the South Saskatchewan River Basin Management Plan.

Speaker: Kathleen Murphy P. Eng.

Kathleen Murphy is the Water Approvals Team Leader for Alberta Environment in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a Professional Engineer with Alberta Environment for 25 years she leads the team that is responsible for the management of all water licenses and approvals under the Water Act in the Oldman, Milk and South Saskatchewan River Basins. Her team also manages the approvals for municipal drinking water and waste water systems for Southern Alberta under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

Moderator: Alderman Barbara Lacey M.D.

DATE: Thursday, May 29, 2008

TIME: Noon – 1:30 p.m.

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

COST: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Alberta continues to experience rapid economic growth, particularly in the southern part of the province. The demands of that growth on the available water supply are becoming exceedingly difficult to manage. Public demands for new housing sub-divisions, commercial, agricultural and industrial development all require water. These competing demands have become even more prevalent now that most river basins in Southern Alberta are closed to the additional use of water. Yet, economic growth is dependant upon available water supplies, so balancing the demands on this resource is essential.

Kathleen Murphy will discuss how we balance the demand with the available water supplies. She will discuss the tools in legislation for the movement of water within basins, including the water allocation transfer process and the South Saskatchewan River Basin Management Plan.

Speaker: Kathleen Murphy P. Eng.

Kathleen Murphy is the Water Approvals Team Leader for Alberta Environment in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a Professional Engineer with Alberta Environment for 25 years she leads the team that is responsible for the management of all water licenses and approvals under the Water Act in the Oldman, Milk and South Saskatchewan River Basins. Her team also manages the approvals for municipal drinking water and waste water systems for Southern Alberta under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

Moderator: Alderman Barbara Lacey M.D.

DATE: Thursday, May 29, 2008

TIME: Noon – 1:30 p.m.

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

COST: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Ever since the hapless Polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, died at Vancouver International Airport last year after being zapped with Tasers by RCMP officers, a flood of outrage has swept across the country and around the world. Serious questions are now being asked about the use of this controversial weapon by those paid to keep us safe on our streets.

Our newspapers are full of reports about the use of Tasers in what would appear to be inappropriate circumstances: by transit cops in BC against passengers suspected of skipping their fare; by Toronto city police who zapped a suspected drug peddler after he had already been handcuffed and was lying face down on the floor. Alarmingly, the use of Tasers has been growing dramatically, according to a recent Canadian Press/CBC investigation.

Who says Tasers are safe? It would seem that most of the research behind this claim has been funded by the Taser manufacturers themselves. Under what circumstances should Tasers be used? Apparently, there is no uniformity in the rules and therefore the application varies. And just how effective is civilian oversight to ensure accountability that these potentially lethal weapons are not misused?

What are the rules of engagement in Lethbridge?

Speakers: Chief Tom McKenzie, Sgt. Jason Walper and Alex Hann

Tom McKenzie joined the Lethbridge Regional Police Service in 1976. Working his way through the ranks and experiencing nearly all aspects of law enforcement in Lethbridge, Tom was sworn in as Chief on January 1, 2007.

Jason Walper has been a member of the Lethbridge Regional Police Service for 11 years.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2006 and is presently in charge of the police training unit. Sgt. Walper has been a Taser instructor for several years.

Alex Hann is a member of the Lethbridge Regional Police Commission, presently serving as its Public Complaints Director. He served as Mayor of Coaldale for three terms in the 1990’s. Now a resident of Lethbridge, he has just been appointed to the U of L Senate.

Moderator: Patti Johnsen

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

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

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)