Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

The Alberta economy is booming. People from across the country and

abroad are pouring into the province. Yet, we still face labour

shortages. House prices are going through the roof. Despite our huge

resources of oil and natural gas, the cost to Alberta consumers is

skyrocketing.

How long can the can the boom last?

And what about the quality of life for Albertans?

There are still no clear plans for health care. The affordability of

post-secondary education is still a serious concern. Are we really

committed to preserving our environment for generations to come, or are

we hell-bent on reaping short-term economic gains, such as the

exploitation of the oil sands? Are we investing enough in non-polluting,

sustainable forms of energy? Will we ever be anything other than an oil

province?

With the Ralph Klein era over, we have a rare opportunity to address the

issues that Albertans care about. Will our new political leaders seize it?

Speaker: Dave Hancock

Dave Hancock is in his third term as the MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud. He

has served as Minister of Advanced Education and as Government House

Leader, Vice Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and

Employment, and as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee and

the Treasury Board.

Mr. Hancock has also served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General,

and as Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs.

Born in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., Dave Hancock is a lawyer by profession.

He was a partner with Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors

before entering public service. He received his law degree from the

University of Alberta in 1979.

Missile Defence is back on the international radar screen. This week NATO unveiled a plan for Europe, which reportedly is almost identical to the Pentagon’s planned shield for North America. Thus far, Canada has resisted overtures from the United States to join its North American shield. But will Canada, under a new Conservative government, reverse its position? After all, it is a member of both NATO and NORAD.

Politics aside, does the bullet-to-bullet technology of a missile defence shield actually work? And how much would this questionable system cost the taxpayer?

Which countries would we be defending ourselves against? Who would be likely to be aiming ballistic missiles at Canada?

But world order is changing. More and more countries will acquire nuclear weapons technology and long-range ballistic missiles. Can Canada afford to sit on the fence? By joining a North American or European shield would we, in effect, be drawing fire aimed at one of our allies? Is participation in a missile defence shield in the national interest?

Speaker: David Bercuson

Dr. Bercuson earned his PhD in history in 1971 at the University of Toronto. His academic areas of concentration include modern Canadian politics, Canadian defence and foreign policy, and Canadian military history. He is well-known nationally as commentator on political and defence issues.

Dr. Bercuson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1989 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003. In 1997, he was appointed Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at The University of Calgary. He is an Honorary Lt. Colonel in the 33rd Field Engineer Squadron, 41st Brigade, Canadian Army Reserves. Last year, Dr. Bercuson was appointed to the Canadian government’s Advisory Council on National Security.

Dr. Bercuson has written, co-authored or edited more than 35 books and contributes articles to national newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, National Post and the Toronto Star.

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN ORGANIZED IN ASSOCIATION WITH LETHBRIDGE UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE

Missile Defence is back on the international radar screen. This week NATO unveiled a plan for Europe, which reportedly is almost identical to the Pentagon’s planned shield for North America. Thus far, Canada has resisted overtures from the United States to join its North American shield. But will Canada, under a new Conservative government, reverse its position? After all, it is a member of both NATO and NORAD.

Politics aside, does the bullet-to-bullet technology of a missile defence shield actually work? And how much would this questionable system cost the taxpayer?

Which countries would we be defending ourselves against? Who would be likely to be aiming ballistic missiles at Canada?

But world order is changing. More and more countries will acquire nuclear weapons technology and long-range ballistic missiles. Can Canada afford to sit on the fence? By joining a North American or European shield would we, in effect, be drawing fire aimed at one of our allies? Is participation in a missile defence shield in the national interest?

Speaker: David Bercuson

Dr. Bercuson earned his PhD in history in 1971 at the University of Toronto. His academic areas of concentration include modern Canadian politics, Canadian defence and foreign policy, and Canadian military history. He is well-known nationally as commentator on political and defence issues.

Dr. Bercuson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1989 and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003. In 1997, he was appointed Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at The University of Calgary. He is an Honorary Lt. Colonel in the 33rd Field Engineer Squadron, 41st Brigade, Canadian Army Reserves. Last year, Dr. Bercuson was appointed to the Canadian government’s Advisory Council on National Security.

Dr. Bercuson has written, co-authored or edited more than 35 books and contributes articles to national newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, National Post and the Toronto Star.

THIS SESSION HAS BEEN ORGANIZED IN ASSOCIATION WITH LETHBRIDGE UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE

In recent weeks, Canadians have witnessed the dangers that persist in Afghanistan. Alongside military dangers, Afghan women continue to face a perilous lack of personal security and basic human rights in their daily lives. Janice Eisenhauer, co-founder of Canadian Women for Women In Afghanistan, will examine the complex issues, challenges and successes for Afghan women and their families who are striving at a grassroots level to build peace and security in their country. Discussions will also address what we, as Canadians, can do to help.

Speaker: Janice Eisenhauer

Janice Eisenhauer is President, Treasurer and co-founder of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (www.w4wafghan.ca), a Canadian human rights organization that supports women-focused development projects in Afghanistan. Janice holds an honour’s degree (1999) in International Development Studies from the University of Calgary. Her thesis focused on the empowerment of women in Afghanistan. Janice has worked full time as a volunteer for Canadian Women for Women for over five years, coordinating the daily operation and development of this internationally recognized social justice organization. She has authored a number of published articles pertaining to peace and security issues for Afghan women.

In recent weeks, Canadians have witnessed the dangers that persist in Afghanistan. Alongside military dangers, Afghan women continue to face a perilous lack of personal security and basic human rights in their daily lives. Janice Eisenhauer, co-founder of Canadian Women for Women In Afghanistan, will examine the complex issues, challenges and successes for Afghan women and their families who are striving at a grassroots level to build peace and security in their country. Discussions will also address what we, as Canadians, can do to help.

Speaker: Janice Eisenhauer

Janice Eisenhauer is President, Treasurer and co-founder of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (www.w4wafghan.ca), a Canadian human rights organization that supports women-focused development projects in Afghanistan. Janice holds an honour’s degree (1999) in International Development Studies from the University of Calgary. Her thesis focused on the empowerment of women in Afghanistan. Janice has worked full time as a volunteer for Canadian Women for Women for over five years, coordinating the daily operation and development of this internationally recognized social justice organization. She has authored a number of published articles pertaining to peace and security issues for Afghan women.

Lethbridge can boast of being a cultural capital in Canada because of numerous professional, semi-professional and amateur groups dedicated to production and performance of music, theatre, dance and visual arts. City Council has recently developed an Arts Policy and is looking to strengthening partnerships with the Allied Arts Council in establishing priorities for the benefit of all citizens and visitors to Lethbridge.

Since 1968, the Arts have received only 7% of all capital money expended on facilities in Lethbridge. Facilities for sports and recreation as well as the new City hall have received the lion’s share of municipal capital funding. Many in the cultural community see an urgent need for a new Arts and Cultural Centre to replace the Yates which, built almost 40 years ago courtesy of a private donation, is considered worn and undersized for today’s demands. Opportunities for partnerships to build such a facility, including Alberta Centennial funding, have not been seized by the municipality.

Is a new Arts and Cutural Centre a priority for the community? Should more municipal funding be directed towards facilities for the Arts? Where should citizens of Lethbridge interested in advancing the Arts look for leadership?

Speakers: Ken Lewis and George Evelyn

Ken Lewis, a lawyer with Torry, Lewis and Abells, is a long- time trumpeter with the Gold Band and Lethbridge Community Band. He is past chair of the Lethbridge Community Foundation.

Dr. George Evelyn is a Professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge, frequent soloist with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, and founder and conductor of the University Singers.

Lethbridge can boast of being a cultural capital in Canada because of numerous professional, semi-professional and amateur groups dedicated to production and performance of music, theatre, dance and visual arts. City Council has recently developed an Arts Policy and is looking to strengthening partnerships with the Allied Arts Council in establishing priorities for the benefit of all citizens and visitors to Lethbridge.

Since 1968, the Arts have received only 7% of all capital money expended on facilities in Lethbridge. Facilities for sports and recreation as well as the new City hall have received the lion’s share of municipal capital funding. Many in the cultural community see an urgent need for a new Arts and Cultural Centre to replace the Yates which, built almost 40 years ago courtesy of a private donation, is considered worn and undersized for today’s demands. Opportunities for partnerships to build such a facility, including Alberta Centennial funding, have not been seized by the municipality.

Is a new Arts and Cutural Centre a priority for the community? Should more municipal funding be directed towards facilities for the Arts? Where should citizens of Lethbridge interested in advancing the Arts look for leadership?

Speakers: Ken Lewis and George Evelyn

Ken Lewis, a lawyer with Torry, Lewis and Abells, is a long- time trumpeter with the Gold Band and Lethbridge Community Band. He is past chair of the Lethbridge Community Foundation.

Dr. George Evelyn is a Professor of Music at the University of Lethbridge, frequent soloist with the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, and founder and conductor of the University Singers.

The last century has not been kind to First Nations in Canada. The dawning of the 21st century finds First Nations peoples struggling to assert themselves in the nation’s economy.

Residential schools and policy brutality are a violent and sad legacy still affecting aboriginal youth.

What barriers are there to First Nations success in business? How can these barriers be addressed? What promising directions are there for settling land claims and for improved governance on and off reserves?

Speaker: Myron Wolf Child

Myron (MJ) Wolf Child is a third-year student at the University of Lethbridge working towards a law degree. He is recipient of the Bill Chapman Students’ Union Certificate of Distinction. Myron ran as an independent in the federal riding of Macleod and on January 23, 2006 achieved his goal of receiving over 1000 votes. He has dreams of one day being elected to the House of Commons and making the world a better place for aboriginal youth. Myron has served on numerous youth organizations throughout the province and has helped establish several successful First Nations youth groups in southern Alberta. He encourages youth to pursue their dreams. In the first few decades of his life, Myron has addressed not only many audiences in his community but also world leaders at the United Nations.

The last century has not been kind to First Nations in Canada. The dawning of the 21st century finds First Nations peoples struggling to assert themselves in the nation’s economy.

Residential schools and policy brutality are a violent and sad legacy still affecting aboriginal youth.

What barriers are there to First Nations success in business? How can these barriers be addressed? What promising directions are there for settling land claims and for improved governance on and off reserves?

Speaker: Myron Wolf Child

Myron (MJ) Wolf Child is a third-year student at the University of Lethbridge working towards a law degree. He is recipient of the Bill Chapman Students’ Union Certificate of Distinction. Myron ran as an independent in the federal riding of Macleod and on January 23, 2006 achieved his goal of receiving over 1000 votes. He has dreams of one day being elected to the House of Commons and making the world a better place for aboriginal youth. Myron has served on numerous youth organizations throughout the province and has helped establish several successful First Nations youth groups in southern Alberta. He encourages youth to pursue their dreams. In the first few decades of his life, Myron has addressed not only many audiences in his community but also world leaders at the United Nations.

"Getting tough on crime" is a perennially attractive political stance, which usually translates into calls for more policing dollars and tougher sentencing. But these alone don''t stop people from committing crimes in the first place, and they don''t address what happens after arrests, convictions and sentences are served.

Those who serve time in our jails come from communities in which they leave families, circumstances and associates behind, and they must eventually return to a community. When they do, things that the rest of us might take for granted can become impossible barriers.

The realities of life after jail are unknown to most citizens who have not experienced them first-hand. But the cost of these realities is not just paid by those who go to and return from jail. Failure to consider effective crime prevention strategies or effective reintegration hurts families, friends, co-workers and the larger community. It costs us all.

What are the "barriers" to public recognition of these costs, and of practical ways to do something pro-active about them? What are the public policy and community consequences of placing these matters "out of sight, out of mind?"

Speaker: Gordon Leigh

Gordon Leigh is Executive Director of the Lethbridge John Howard Society. He has many years of experience working first hand with those returning from prison to the community, as well as with changing policy and political priorities that have affected both prisoners and the communities they come from and return to. He has headed a number of local initiatives, including a Problem Gambling Prevention and Awareness Program for inmates and the Life Without Gambling program for the larger community. He is also the author of the best-selling The Law of the Land: A Criminal Code for Kids.