Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Brain and behavioural development is a prolonged process that can be influenced by events occurring both before and after birth. Early-life events can have direct effects, including a range of neurological conditions such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Early-life events also manifest indirectly in child developmental disorders such as learning disabilities, hyperactivity, and developmental delay.

Speaker: Dr. Bryan Kolb, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge

Professor in the Department Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Bryan Kolb’s recent work has focused on how neurons of the cerebral cortex change in response to various factors including hormones, experience, drugs, neurotrophins, and injury, and how these changes are related to behaviour. Dr. Kolb has published 5 books, including two textbooks with Ian Whishaw (Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, Fifth Edition; Introduction to Brain and Behavior, Second Edition), and over 275 articles and chapters. He was recipient of the Hebb Prize for Distinguished Scientific Achievement from both the Canadian Society for Brain, Behavior (CSBBCS), and Cognitive Science and Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). He is currently a fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research in the Experience-Based Brain Development program.

Moderator: Marc Sabourin

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

Session moderated by  Marc Sabourin.

Animals are capable of suffering, and some of them appear to be concerned about the suffering of others. Severely impaired humans are incapable of doing either. Why do we feel justified in treating animals in ways we would not treat humans? In particular, why is it almost always wrong to kill humans, but almost never wrong to kill animals? As species lines blur through genetic engineering, what, if anything, makes some species morally special?

Speaker: Dr. Michael Stingl, Department of Philosphy, University of Lethbridge

Michael Stingl began teaching at University of Lethbridge in 1989. He is currently Chair of the Philosophy Department and Editorial Board Coordinator of the Canadian Journal of Philosophy. His research interests in Ethical Philosophy encompass a range of issues including evolution and ethics, the just distribution of healthcare services and the lines of ethical distinction between human and non-human animals.

Moderator: Susan Lingle

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

Animals are capable of suffering, and some of them appear to be concerned about the suffering of others. Severely impaired humans are incapable of doing either. Why do we feel justified in treating animals in ways we would not treat humans? In particular, why is it almost always wrong to kill humans, but almost never wrong to kill animals? As species lines blur through genetic engineering, what, if anything, makes some species morally special?

Speaker: Dr. Michael Stingl, Department of Philosphy, University of Lethbridge

Michael Stingl began teaching at University of Lethbridge in 1989. He is currently Chair of the Philosophy Department and Editorial Board Coordinator of the Canadian Journal of Philosophy. His research interests in Ethical Philosophy encompass a range of issues including evolution and ethics, the just distribution of healthcare services and the lines of ethical distinction between human and non-human animals.

Moderator: Susan Lingle

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

When the agricultural research centre was founded 100 years ago, one of the first priorities was planting trees. This visual essay looks back over that century, using tree planting as a metaphor for the goals pursued. In looking back, it also poses questions about the future of agricultural research. How does agricultural science alter the local landscape? What can the community and researchers learn from each other in exploring how best to manage our lands? What do we want our landscape to look like, some decades from now, and how do we best envision that together?

Speaker: Dr. H. Henry Janzen

Henry is a Senior Research Scientist (Soil Scientist) at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre here in Lethbridge. His research focuses on how farming practices affect the permanence of farmlands and adjacent environments. In recent years, he has contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, looking at ways to reduce emissions.

Moderator: Dr. Hans-Henning Mündel     

Senior Research Scientist (Plant Breeder)

AAFC-Research Centre, Lethbridge

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

When the agricultural research centre was founded 100 years ago, one of the first priorities was planting trees. This visual essay looks back over that century, using tree planting as a metaphor for the goals pursued. In looking back, it also poses questions about the future of agricultural research. How does agricultural science alter the local landscape? What can the community and researchers learn from each other in exploring how best to manage our lands? What do we want our landscape to look like, some decades from now, and how do we best envision that together?

Speaker: Dr. H. Henry Janzen

Henry is a Senior Research Scientist (Soil Scientist) at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre here in Lethbridge. His research focuses on how farming practices affect the permanence of farmlands and adjacent environments. In recent years, he has contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, looking at ways to reduce emissions.

Moderator: Dr. Hans-Henning Mündel     

Senior Research Scientist (Plant Breeder)

AAFC-Research Centre, Lethbridge

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” (Dwight Eisenhower, 1961).

The North American Competitiveness Council met secretly in Banff five months ago.

Attendees included Generals and Admirals, top executives of the largest corporations in North America, including defense contractors like Lockheed- Martin, Canadian cabinet ministers, even the infamous Donald Rumsfeld, architect of the Iraq war. What is going on? Why is it going on? What are the implications for Canada and Canadians? Do we want this group making decisions about our future or should we make those decisions ourselves, democratically? Is this what Ike was warning us about?

Speaker: James Moore

James Moore has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of Winnipeg and a Master of Distance Education degree. He works in instructional design, online learning and tutoring through his business DistancEdge Communications.

James has always worked for social and economic justice. He has travelled and worked in North America, Europe and Central Asia, developing language skills and friendships along the way. He particularly treasures his friendships and projects with the Nehithawak of Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan although he doesn’t say it too loudly in Niitsitapii country.

James lives in Lethbridge with his wife Arlene and two sons.

Moderator: Cheryl Bradley

Cheryl is a professional biologist who volunteers her time and skills towards community efforts which will sustain environmental health.

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.” (Dwight Eisenhower, 1961).

The North American Competitiveness Council met secretly in Banff five months ago.

Attendees included Generals and Admirals, top executives of the largest corporations in North America, including defense contractors like Lockheed- Martin, Canadian cabinet ministers, even the infamous Donald Rumsfeld, architect of the Iraq war. What is going on? Why is it going on? What are the implications for Canada and Canadians? Do we want this group making decisions about our future or should we make those decisions ourselves, democratically? Is this what Ike was warning us about?

Speaker: James Moore

James Moore has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of Winnipeg and a Master of Distance Education degree. He works in instructional design, online learning and tutoring through his business DistancEdge Communications.

James has always worked for social and economic justice. He has travelled and worked in North America, Europe and Central Asia, developing language skills and friendships along the way. He particularly treasures his friendships and projects with the Nehithawak of Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan although he doesn’t say it too loudly in Niitsitapii country.

James lives in Lethbridge with his wife Arlene and two sons.

Moderator: Cheryl Bradley

Cheryl is a professional biologist who volunteers her time and skills towards community efforts which will sustain environmental health.

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

With an overheated booming provincial economy, key challenges face the new Conservative Stelmach Team, including:

The need for alternative energy programs,

Long term planning for royalties and when the resources run out,

Affordable housing for an expanding population,

Oil sands and Kyoto: is there any reconciliation of benefit to Alberta?, and

The democratic deficit: can we expect more of the same?

Brian Mason, leader of the provincial New Democratic Party, will provide his perspective on these issues and how they should be addressed.

Speaker: Brian Mason, MLA, Leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party

Brian Mason served as a City of Edmonton Councilor of Ward 3 for eleven years beginning in 1989. He was re-elected three times. In 2000 he was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly in a by-election. He is in his third term as representative of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Brian Mason became leader of the New Democrat Opposition in 2004.

Moderator: Sylvia Campbell

Retired high school teacher, environmentalist.

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

With an overheated booming provincial economy, key challenges face the new Conservative Stelmach Team, including:

The need for alternative energy programs,

Long term planning for royalties and when the resources run out,

Affordable housing for an expanding population,

Oil sands and Kyoto: is there any reconciliation of benefit to Alberta?, and

The democratic deficit: can we expect more of the same?

Brian Mason, leader of the provincial New Democratic Party, will provide his perspective on these issues and how they should be addressed.

Speaker: Brian Mason, MLA, Leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party

Brian Mason served as a City of Edmonton Councilor of Ward 3 for eleven years beginning in 1989. He was re-elected three times. In 2000 he was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly in a by-election. He is in his third term as representative of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Brian Mason became leader of the New Democrat Opposition in 2004.

Moderator: Sylvia Campbell

Retired high school teacher, environmentalist.

Location: Sven Ericksen’s Family Restaurant (lower level)

1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge, Alberta

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m. / Cost: $8.00 includes lunch

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

Alberta is booming – yet "guest workers" are being sought instead of training young Albertans. Now Alberta energy companies are proposing to ship raw bitumen out of the province for refining. Should Albertans be concerned about the future. McGowan thinks so.

Gil McGowan is President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, after 10 years as its Communications Director. Before joining the AFL, he was a journalist for Canadian Press and the Edmonton Journal. He has a B.A. in History from the University of Alberta, and a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University. McGowan is married with three children. He is a member of Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 1118 in Edmonton.

Thursday February 8, 2007.

Moderator Ian B. McKenna.