Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Over the past year we have heard much of the possibility of nuclear energy in the small town farming country of northern Alberta. To date, public discussion has been dominated by entrepreneurs proposing the construction of nuclear plants to provide energy for oil sands development and Alberta’s general electricity needs, as well as by those adamantly opposing the use of nuclear energy. Is there middle ground?

Eric Williams lived and worked with nuclear energy for 35 years at the Bruce Nuclear Power Generating Station in rural Ontario, some 200km from Toronto on the shores of Lake Huron. The Bruce nuclear power complex is the world’s second biggest consisting of eight reactor units with total generating capacity of 6200 MWe. Recently retired, Eric will present his perspective on the benefits and problems associated with nuclear energy.

What are the lessons for Albertans from past nuclear projects? What opportunities and challenges lie ahead?

Speakers: Eric Williams, President, Canadian Nuclear Society

Eric is a Professional Engineer (Ontario), and holds a Master of Applied Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He is the President of the Canadian Nuclear Society, which is dedicated to the exchange of information in the field of applied nuclear science and technology. Society members are individuals directly involved in or interested in the use and development of nuclear science and technology.

Eric is also a Lay Reader for the Anglican Church of Canada, an active Scouts Canada leader, and an ardent canoe tripper and past president of Paddle Canada. He and his wife of 40 years continue to live near the Bruce Nuclear site and have two children, now grown up and away.

Moderator: Duane Pendergast

Date/Time: Thursday, 25 October 2007, Noon - 1:30 PM

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

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Obesity has become a popular topic of concern in recent years, and with good reason - experts agree that North America is experiencing a “fat epidemic” with nearly half of our population tipping the scales in the wrong direction.

Come and join local health promotion specialists and hear the latest research surrounding the issue of obesity for both adults and children. We’ll explore the causes of our expanding waistlines and examine the resulting implications of this disease in our population.

How bad is the problem and what’s to blame?

How can we as family and community members influence our local environments to make the healthy choice the easy choice?

We’ll raise awareness about what we can all do in our community to be positive role models and look at what can be done to reverse these trends through healthy eating and active living.

Speakers: Margaret Banmann and Lyndsey Robinson

Margaret Banmann is a professional nutritionist and Lyndsey Robinson is a professional kinesiologist. Both are Health Promotion Specialists with Chinook Health and are part of the new Healthy Weights Initiative for Alberta.

Moderator: Austin Fennell

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)

Obesity has become a popular topic of concern in recent years, and with good reason - experts agree that North America is experiencing a “fat epidemic” with nearly half of our population tipping the scales in the wrong direction.

Come and join local health promotion specialists and hear the latest research surrounding the issue of obesity for both adults and children. We’ll explore the causes of our expanding waistlines and examine the resulting implications of this disease in our population.

How bad is the problem and what’s to blame?

How can we as family and community members influence our local environments to make the healthy choice the easy choice?

We’ll raise awareness about what we can all do in our community to be positive role models and look at what can be done to reverse these trends through healthy eating and active living.

Speakers: Margaret Banmann and Lyndsey Robinson

Margaret Banmann is a professional nutritionist and Lyndsey Robinson is a professional kinesiologist. Both are Health Promotion Specialists with Chinook Health and are part of the new Healthy Weights Initiative for Alberta.

Moderator: Austin Fennell

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)

Building a Better Place: Lethbridge’s Pathway to a Liveable City

Following the 2004 Municipal Election, Lethbridge City Council collectively created an integrated strategic plan entitled “Working Together for Tomorrow”. The plan defines priorities, desired outcomes and actions towards achieving our vision to be a healthy, attractive and economically viable city. The stated intent in the strategic plan is that City Hall’s Corporate Plan, Business Unit Plans and three-year budget will align resources (physical, human and financial) with Council priorities. What progress has been made?

Mayor Bob Tarleck has led implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan and will continue to lead for another three years. Mayor Tarleck’s presentation will provide an update on the actions completed at City Hall in support of Council’s strategic plan. He will reflect on how we together are creating a dynamic place in which to live, work and play, and consider some of the key challenges that lie ahead.

Speaker: Mayor Bob Tarleck

Since moving to Lethbridge in 1966, Bob Tarleck has been tirelessly involved in the community. He successfully ran for Mayor in 2001 and will continue for a third term. Prior to being Mayor, Bob served as Alderman on Lethbridge City Council for 18 years (1974-1992) and was a driving force behind 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 also has served as an active volunteer (in many cases as chairman or board member) with innumerable community organizations: The Canadian Mental Health Association, The United Way, Lethbridge Habitat for Humanity, Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association, The Native Liaison Committee, Lethbridge Family Services and The Urban Parks Steering Committee. Bob is a long time educator and a strong advocate for improving Alberta’s public schools. He has received an Alberta Human Rights Award for his work with the Aboriginal Community.

Moderator: Gordon Campbell

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)

Building a Better Place: Lethbridge’s Pathway to a Liveable City

Following the 2004 Municipal Election, Lethbridge City Council collectively created an integrated strategic plan entitled “Working Together for Tomorrow”. The plan defines priorities, desired outcomes and actions towards achieving our vision to be a healthy, attractive and economically viable city. The stated intent in the strategic plan is that City Hall’s Corporate Plan, Business Unit Plans and three-year budget will align resources (physical, human and financial) with Council priorities. What progress has been made?

Mayor Bob Tarleck has led implementation of the City’s Strategic Plan and will continue to lead for another three years. Mayor Tarleck’s presentation will provide an update on the actions completed at City Hall in support of Council’s strategic plan. He will reflect on how we together are creating a dynamic place in which to live, work and play, and consider some of the key challenges that lie ahead.

Speaker: Mayor Bob Tarleck

Since moving to Lethbridge in 1966, Bob Tarleck has been tirelessly involved in the community. He successfully ran for Mayor in 2001 and will continue for a third term. Prior to being Mayor, Bob served as Alderman on Lethbridge City Council for 18 years (1974-1992) and was a driving force behind 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 also has served as an active volunteer (in many cases as chairman or board member) with innumerable community organizations: The Canadian Mental Health Association, The United Way, Lethbridge Habitat for Humanity, Lethbridge Handicapped Riding Association, The Native Liaison Committee, Lethbridge Family Services and The Urban Parks Steering Committee. Bob is a long time educator and a strong advocate for improving Alberta’s public schools. He has received an Alberta Human Rights Award for his work with the Aboriginal Community.

Moderator: Gordon Campbell

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)

LAST DAYS OF THE DYNASTY?

All signs point to the end of the Alberta Conservative dynasty. The Stelmach government is out of favour with most Albertans. The Liberals now have four seats in Calgary, long known as Tory town. All across the province the political landscape is shifting. But where are voters shifting to? Are they considering the Liberals? the NDs? Or are they waiting for the Conservatives to redeem themselves? Looks like the voters have taken power back into their hands which means the next provincial election could provide a lot of surprises.

Speaker: Gillian Steward

Gillian Steward is a Calgary author and journalist. She has written for the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Canadian Business Magazine and Report on Business magazine. She was the managing editor at the Calgary Herald (1987 - 1990), wrote a syndicated column for the Southam newspapers (1990 - 1992) – and until recently publisher of Alberta Views Magazine. In 2000 she co-authored with Kevin Taft, "Clear Answers: The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine".

Ms Stewart has also contributed several documentaries to CBC radio’s Ideas series. She was a visiting professor at the School of Journalism, University of Regina (2001 - 2004). Currently she writes a regular column on provincial politics for Fast Forward Weekly in Calgary.

Moderator: Terry Shillington

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

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

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

LAST DAYS OF THE DYNASTY?

All signs point to the end of the Alberta Conservative dynasty. The Stelmach government is out of favour with most Albertans. The Liberals now have four seats in Calgary, long known as Tory town. All across the province the political landscape is shifting. But where are voters shifting to? Are they considering the Liberals? the NDs? Or are they waiting for the Conservatives to redeem themselves? Looks like the voters have taken power back into their hands which means the next provincial election could provide a lot of surprises.

Speaker: Gillian Steward

Gillian Steward is a Calgary author and journalist. She has written for the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Canadian Business Magazine and Report on Business magazine. She was the managing editor at the Calgary Herald (1987 - 1990), wrote a syndicated column for the Southam newspapers (1990 - 1992) – and until recently publisher of Alberta Views Magazine. In 2000 she co-authored with Kevin Taft, "Clear Answers: The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine".

Ms Stewart has also contributed several documentaries to CBC radio’s Ideas series. She was a visiting professor at the School of Journalism, University of Regina (2001 - 2004). Currently she writes a regular column on provincial politics for Fast Forward Weekly in Calgary.

Moderator: Terry Shillington

Cost: $10.00 (includes lunch)

Time: Noon - 1:30 PM

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

1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S.

A new centre for the performing arts in Lethbridge is finally on the horizon. Earlier this month City Council approved that half a million dollars be put into the 2010 budget so that a plan for the center can be drawn up. But who will come up with the $50 million or so that the centre will cost to build and equip? What will the new centre look like and will it accommodate the needs of all the arts groups in the city?

The need for a new center for the performing arts has long been established. What gives cause for greater optimism now is that the centre has become a cornerstone of Lethbridge’s Heart of Our City master plan.

Speakers: Suzanne Lint and Christopher Babits

Suzanne Lint is the Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, a position she has held since 2002. She was the Arts and Culture representative and Executive Committee member of Economic Development Lethbridge and served for three terms as Chair of the local Catholic Separate School Board. Suzanne has also worked as a studio artist and as a marketing supervisor for News Canada Marketing.

Christopher Babits is a director on the Board of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and Chair of the Arts Facility Steering Committee. He is a registered architect and associate with Ferrari Westwood Architects. Christopher was a designer on Calgary Zoo’s Tropical Africa Pavilion and Safari Lodge. He is the design and project architect for the modernization of St. Catherine’s School in Picture Butte and the new 200-bed facility for St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge.

Moderator: James Moore

James Moore consults on distance learning and instructional design, and is a writer.

A new centre for the performing arts in Lethbridge is finally on the horizon. Earlier this month City Council approved that half a million dollars be put into the 2010 budget so that a plan for the center can be drawn up. But who will come up with the $50 million or so that the centre will cost to build and equip? What will the new centre look like and will it accommodate the needs of all the arts groups in the city?

The need for a new center for the performing arts has long been established. What gives cause for greater optimism now is that the centre has become a cornerstone of Lethbridge’s Heart of Our City master plan.

Speakers: Suzanne Lint and Christopher Babits

Suzanne Lint is the Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, a position she has held since 2002. She was the Arts and Culture representative and Executive Committee member of Economic Development Lethbridge and served for three terms as Chair of the local Catholic Separate School Board. Suzanne has also worked as a studio artist and as a marketing supervisor for News Canada Marketing.

Christopher Babits is a director on the Board of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and Chair of the Arts Facility Steering Committee. He is a registered architect and associate with Ferrari Westwood Architects. Christopher was a designer on Calgary Zoo’s Tropical Africa Pavilion and Safari Lodge. He is the design and project architect for the modernization of St. Catherine’s School in Picture Butte and the new 200-bed facility for St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge.

Moderator: James Moore

James Moore consults on distance learning and instructional design, and is a writer.

Since the 9/11 attack on the United States and the so called War on Terror, Afghanistan has been in our newspapers almost daily. For over five years, Canada’s largest commitment overseas has been in Afghanistan – not just militarily, but also on the foreign aid front. In fact, Afghanistan is the single largest recipient of Canadian bilateral aid with over $600 million allocated from 2001 to 2009.

Despite our 3-D approach to foreign affairs – Diplomacy, Defence and Development – the public knows little about Canada’s development assistance to Afghanistan and how well it is working. Last month, Ted Menzies, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation accompanied the minister to Kabul and Kandahar to assess progress.

So how well is our development assistance working in Afghanistan? Is it helping to win hearts and minds? Are we achieving our objectives?

Speaker: Ted Menzies, MP

Ted Menzies is the Member of Parliament for Macleod. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and served as the opposition critic for both international cooperation and international trade. Upon reelection in 2006, Mr. Menzies was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation, and in January 2007, was given the additional responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.

Mr. Menzies came to Parliament with a strong background in agriculture and international trade. He has worked with the Grain Growers of Canada, Western Canadian Wheat Growers, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance and the federal Agriculture, Food and Beverage Sectoral Advisory Group on International Trade.

Ted Menzies was born in Claresholm where, before being elected to Parliament, he and his wife operated a 5,000 acre farm.

Moderator: Trevor Page

Mr. Page is a retired United Nations Director