Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Saskatchewan’s uranium mining is at the front end of the global nuclear system. Dr. Jim Harding, author of Canada’s Deadly Secret, Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System, will reveal the negative impacts of nuclear mining on Aboriginal rights, human health and environment.

He will profile the effect of free trade and the willingness of corporations and governments to side-step social and environmental issues to ensure Saskatchewan and Canada play a pivotal role in nuclear proliferation.

Dr. Harding presents an alternative vision for a sustainable future that links energy, environment, health, peace and sovereignty.

Speaker: Jim Harding

Dr. Jim Harding is a retired professor of environmental and justice studies. He is a founding member of the Regina Group for a Non-Nuclear Society and International Uranium Congress and was director of research for Prairie Justice Research at the University of Regina, where he headed up the Uranium Inquiries Project. Jim also acted as Prairie Correspondent for Nuclear Free Press and consultant to the NFB award-winning film Uranium.

His book, Canada’s Deadly Secret, Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System, was published in October 2007.

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:20 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Dr. Jim Harding, also will be presenting in Lethbridge on Wednesday, April 16th at 7pm in the Community Room of the Public Library. That session is sponsored by Council of Canadians, Lethbridge and District Chapter, Kairos Lethbridge and Lethbridge Network for Peace.

Part II – A Creationist’s Viewpoint

Creationism is often defined as a religious belief that humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe were created in their original form by a deity (often the Abrahamic God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam) or deities, whose existence is presupposed.

The Community Bible Church and many other churches around the world, believes in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They advocate that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humanity and the Divine and final authority for what we believe and how we live.

Larry Dye will present a creationist’s viewpoint.

Speaker: Larry Dye

Larry Dye, ‘The Creation Guy’, is a graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the North American Baptist Divinity School. Now with the Community Bible Church, Larry has been in Christian ministry for 20 years and specializes in the “defence of the Christian faith”. He is a member and former director of the Sunridge Observatory (Medicine Hat Astronomy Club), and is, at the present time, the director of the Creation Discovery Centre located at Bow Island, Alberta. Larry is a spaceflight historian and often does presentations on the Mercury, Gemini

and Apollo space missions.

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (Lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Part II – A Creationist’s Viewpoint

Creationism is often defined as a religious belief that humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe were created in their original form by a deity (often the Abrahamic God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam) or deities, whose existence is presupposed.

The Community Bible Church and many other churches around the world, believes in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They advocate that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of humanity and the Divine and final authority for what we believe and how we live.

Larry Dye will present a creationist’s viewpoint.

Speaker: Larry Dye

Larry Dye, ‘The Creation Guy’, is a graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the North American Baptist Divinity School. Now with the Community Bible Church, Larry has been in Christian ministry for 20 years and specializes in the “defence of the Christian faith”. He is a member and former director of the Sunridge Observatory (Medicine Hat Astronomy Club), and is, at the present time, the director of the Creation Discovery Centre located at Bow Island, Alberta. Larry is a spaceflight historian and often does presentations on the Mercury, Gemini

and Apollo space missions.

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (Lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Evolution and Creationism

A two-part presentation

Part I – The Theory of Evolution

Since it was published by Charles Darwin nearly 150 years ago, the theory of evolution has been supported by a mounting body of scientific evidence. Today it is recognized by most as a likely explanation for the development of life on Earth from its beginnings and for the diversity of species. Evolution is taught as part of biology and science courses in numerous schools, colleges and universities around the world.

Dr. Brown will present a scientific perspective.

Speaker: Bryson Brown

Bryson Brown was born at Niagara Falls and after growing up in various places, he graduated from Trent University in 1977 with a BA in philosophy. Dr. Brown received his MA and PhD in philosophy from University of Pittsburg in 1979 and 1985. After visiting positions at Rice and Dalhousie Universities, he joined the Philosophy Department at U of L in 1986. Bryson Brown has published many books. The 2007 ‘Evolution: A Historical Perspective’ recounts how scientific understanding of evolution developed and the evidence supporting it.

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (Lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Evolution and Creationism

A two-part presentation

Part I – The Theory of Evolution

Since it was published by Charles Darwin nearly 150 years ago, the theory of evolution has been supported by a mounting body of scientific evidence. Today it is recognized by most as a likely explanation for the development of life on Earth from its beginnings and for the diversity of species. Evolution is taught as part of biology and science courses in numerous schools, colleges and universities around the world.

Dr. Brown will present a scientific perspective.

Speaker: Bryson Brown

Bryson Brown was born at Niagara Falls and after growing up in various places, he graduated from Trent University in 1977 with a BA in philosophy. Dr. Brown received his MA and PhD in philosophy from University of Pittsburg in 1979 and 1985. After visiting positions at Rice and Dalhousie Universities, he joined the Philosophy Department at U of L in 1986. Bryson Brown has published many books. The 2007 ‘Evolution: A Historical Perspective’ recounts how scientific understanding of evolution developed and the evidence supporting it.

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (Lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

At the recent Alberta provincial election, a historical low 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote. In that election, the Progressive Conservative government was re-elected with a massive majority, 72 of the legislature’s 83 seats.

Together, these two developments raise questions about the health of democracy in Alberta. The low turnout indicates a worrying level of disengagement with politics in the province, due possibly to apathy, or to despair or comfort with the government. At the same time, the sheer domination of the government in the legislature raises questions about the ability of our political system to hold the government accountable and a future for opposition and democratic deliberation in Alberta.

The election results indicate that it’s time to take a long hard look at our political practices in Alberta. Should we change the way the provincial legislature works? Is it time to join the ranks of other provinces that have considered changes to their electoral systems? Or should we consider making voting compulsory, as in Australia? Harold Jansen will examine some of the options.

Speaker: Harold Jansen

Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of

Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian and Alberta politics

including political parties and elections.

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

At the recent Alberta provincial election, a historical low 41% of registered voters exercised their right to vote. In that election, the Progressive Conservative government was re-elected with a massive majority, 72 of the legislature’s 83 seats.

Together, these two developments raise questions about the health of democracy in Alberta. The low turnout indicates a worrying level of disengagement with politics in the province, due possibly to apathy, or to despair or comfort with the government. At the same time, the sheer domination of the government in the legislature raises questions about the ability of our political system to hold the government accountable and a future for opposition and democratic deliberation in Alberta.

The election results indicate that it’s time to take a long hard look at our political practices in Alberta. Should we change the way the provincial legislature works? Is it time to join the ranks of other provinces that have considered changes to their electoral systems? Or should we consider making voting compulsory, as in Australia? Harold Jansen will examine some of the options.

Speaker: Harold Jansen

Harold Jansen is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of

Lethbridge. His teaching and research focus on Canadian and Alberta politics

including political parties and elections.

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

Location: Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level of The Keg)

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

In February, Albertans sleep-walked their way through a campaign that is

finally the answer to the question "What if they held an election and nobody

noticed?"

Meanwhile, Americans are mobilizing their electorate and fascinating the

world with one of the most exciting races for a Presidential nomination in

living memory.

So ­ what is happening? Where does an Obama come from, and how do such

people manage to push the political "reset" button?

What chance is there for a similar phenomenon to erupt in Canadian politics?

What would it really mean for someone like Obama to win not only the

Democratic nomination but also the Presidential election campaign that

technically has not even started yet? Are Americans getting real change, or

just the appearance of change?

As we watch what could be one of the great US elections of recent history,

we should reflect on what it is telling us about the realities of democratic

politics in a mass society in the twenty-first century.

Speaker: 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. Dr. McCormick

holds degrees from the University of Alberta (BA 68), the University of

Toronto (MA 69), and the London School of Economics (PhD 74).

COST: $10.00 (includes lunch)

In February, Albertans sleep-walked their way through a campaign that is

finally the answer to the question "What if they held an election and nobody

noticed?"

Meanwhile, Americans are mobilizing their electorate and fascinating the

world with one of the most exciting races for a Presidential nomination in

living memory.

So ­ what is happening? Where does an Obama come from, and how do such

people manage to push the political "reset" button?

What chance is there for a similar phenomenon to erupt in Canadian politics?

What would it really mean for someone like Obama to win not only the

Democratic nomination but also the Presidential election campaign that

technically has not even started yet? Are Americans getting real change, or

just the appearance of change?

As we watch what could be one of the great US elections of recent history,

we should reflect on what it is telling us about the realities of democratic

politics in a mass society in the twenty-first century.

Speaker: 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. Dr. McCormick

holds degrees from the University of Alberta (BA 68), the University of

Toronto (MA 69), and the London School of Economics (PhD 74).

COST: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Young animals of many species, including humans, devote up to 25% of their lives to play. Yet parents and institutions often discourage play, especially when it involves rough-housing, and instead encourage children to focus on what they view as more serious forms of enrichment. But is play simply a childish waste of time? The evidence from research on non-human animals suggests that for some species, such as rats and monkeys, the answer is no. The experience of rough-and-tumble play, in particular, is necessary for the proper development of the brain mechanisms that are essential for regulating competent social behaviour. Given that similar brain mechanisms are involved in the social behaviour of humans, it may well be that denying children the opportunity for such play could be deleterious to their cognitive and social development.

Speaker: Sergio Pellis

Dr. Sergio Pellis has been on the faculty of the University of Lethbridge since 1990 and currently holds a Board of Governor’s Research Chair in the Department of Neuroscience. He first began exploring the mysteries of play in Australian magpies thirty years ago. Since that time, he has made detailed studies of play in a multitude of species, including many rodents and many primates. He and his wife, Dr. Vivien Pellis, are currently completing a book that highlights their work in this field titled “Making a Playful Brain”.

Dr. Pellis is an Associate Editor of the journal Aggressive Behavior and a Consulting Editor for Journal of Comparative Psychology and International Journal of Comparative Psychology. His publications include 142 research papers in scientific journals with about half of those publications being on play behaviour.

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

Cost $10 (includes lunch)