Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Back when colonization was in vogue, European explorers, looking for the sea route to China, stumbled upon the “New World,” which was new to them but whose citizens (why not call them Americans?) had lived there for centuries. In the name of and with the approval and support of the governments that had sent them out, these explorers systematically imposed their will and their rule on these first Americans.

The societies and cultures they encountered were swept aside in favour of the culture and agenda of the colonizers. Through a very deliberate campaign of domination and exploitation, in which the lives of the Americans did not matter, the newcomers killed them by the millions. Some scholars estimate that over one hundred million Americans died in the colonization of the “New World.”

The Americans who inhabited our part of the world, prior to the arrival of the Europeans, were the plains Indians, more specifically, the Blackfoot, or by their own name, the Niitsitapi. Their population was subsequently decimated during less than one hundred years of European influence and today they struggle for survival in the sub-standard living conditions historically allotted to them by the colonizers.

Who dares to admit that these Americans were the victims of genocide? What does their future hold?

Speaker: Roy Davidson

Roy Davidson is a lawyer, born and raised in Lethbridge, who now lives in Pincher Creek. He has recently completed a novel on Blackfoot history, the first in a series. His interest in human rights has taken him to the Guatemala City dump, to the streets of Bolivia and to Brocket. He has been a director of the Napi Friendship Society and the Horse Spirit Youth Society.

Biogas, like solar and wind, has the potential to provide a significant sustainable energy source for southern Albertans. Livestock manure and organic resources from agriculture and food processing, plentiful in the Lethbridge region, can be used to produce biogas which is then used to generate electricity. Biogas systems have a proven track record in Germany and Denmark as well as locally in the City of Lethbridge waste water treatment plant.

Proponents of biogas plants in southern Alberta face significant challenges in obtaining the required government approvals needed to proceed. Environmental regulators are striving to understand the technology and the rules that should apply. Residents have concerns about effects on enjoyment of property that must be addressed. Obtaining access to the provincial energy grid is a complex process.

What are the costs and benefits of generating electricity from biogas compared to other forms of sustainable energy? Can the challenges for proponents of biogas plants be overcome? Should southern Albertans seize the opportunity for new energy generation using biogas?

Speakers: Thane Hurlburt and Stefan Michalski, ECB Enviro North America Inc.

Thane Hurlburt is president of ECB Enviro North America Inc., a southern Alberta company focusing on development of integrated waste management systems. Thane was born in Lethbridge and currently lives in Fort Macleod. He has deep roots in the agricultural community. Building on his past business success, Thane has been working on a proposal for a biogas plant/cogeneration facility near Lethbridge since 2001.

Stefan Michalski is an industrial engineer from Germany and has specialized in project management of biogas and biodiesel plants in Europe and Asia for the past 15 years. Since moving to southern Alberta he has applied his well-respected knowledge and experience towards developing bioenergy in Canada.

Biogas, like solar and wind, has the potential to provide a significant sustainable energy source for southern Albertans. Livestock manure and organic resources from agriculture and food processing, plentiful in the Lethbridge region, can be used to produce biogas which is then used to generate electricity. Biogas systems have a proven track record in Germany and Denmark as well as locally in the City of Lethbridge waste water treatment plant.

Proponents of biogas plants in southern Alberta face significant challenges in obtaining the required government approvals needed to proceed. Environmental regulators are striving to understand the technology and the rules that should apply. Residents have concerns about effects on enjoyment of property that must be addressed. Obtaining access to the provincial energy grid is a complex process.

What are the costs and benefits of generating electricity from biogas compared to other forms of sustainable energy? Can the challenges for proponents of biogas plants be overcome? Should southern Albertans seize the opportunity for new energy generation using biogas?

Speakers: Thane Hurlburt and Stefan Michalski, ECB Enviro North America Inc.

Thane Hurlburt is president of ECB Enviro North America Inc., a southern Alberta company focusing on development of integrated waste management systems. Thane was born in Lethbridge and currently lives in Fort Macleod. He has deep roots in the agricultural community. Building on his past business success, Thane has been working on a proposal for a biogas plant/cogeneration facility near Lethbridge since 2001.

Stefan Michalski is an industrial engineer from Germany and has specialized in project management of biogas and biodiesel plants in Europe and Asia for the past 15 years. Since moving to southern Alberta he has applied his well-respected knowledge and experience towards developing bioenergy in Canada.

Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein made history this week by becoming the first nominee to the Supreme Court of Canada to appear before an all-party parliamentary committee to answer questions at a public hearing.

Supporters of this change in process tout it as a move towards openness and accountability. But critics warn that it runs the risk of politicizing the nation’s highest court.

Who should have the final say on the constitutionality of legislation, Parliament or the courts?

How relevant is the American experience of appointing Supreme Court judges?

Speaker: Cameron D. MacLennan, B.Sc, LLB, LLM

Mr. MacLennan is a partner in the firm Huckvale, Wilde, Harvie, MacLennan, LLP, Lawyers and Mediators, Lethbridge. He has been an active member of the Law Society of Alberta since 1985, and the Virginia State Bar in the United States since 1992.

Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein made history this week by becoming the first nominee to the Supreme Court of Canada to appear before an all-party parliamentary committee to answer questions at a public hearing.

Supporters of this change in process tout it as a move towards openness and accountability. But critics warn that it runs the risk of politicizing the nation’s highest court.

Who should have the final say on the constitutionality of legislation, Parliament or the courts?

How relevant is the American experience of appointing Supreme Court judges?

Speaker: Cameron D. MacLennan, B.Sc, LLB, LLM

Mr. MacLennan is a partner in the firm Huckvale, Wilde, Harvie, MacLennan, LLP, Lawyers and Mediators, Lethbridge. He has been an active member of the Law Society of Alberta since 1985, and the Virginia State Bar in the United States since 1992.

The publication of twelve cartoons last year lampooning the Prophet Muhammad has had huge impact around the world. Riots in many Muslim countries have caused deaths and destruction. Why are Muslims so angry and what are the issues?

Four University of Lethbridge professors will present their views on some aspects:

Dr. Bruce MacKay has a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto. He has studied Islam at Toronto and Harvard Universities and has lived in Jerusalem and traveled through Jordan, Egypt, Palestine and Israel. He has taught Islam at the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. MacKay will discuss key principles of Islam and the historical context behind the prohibition of images of Muhammad.

Dr. John von Heyking is Associate Professor of Political Science at the U of L and teaches courses in political philosophy and religion and politics. His PhD is from the University of Notre Dame. His publications include articles on religious freedom and the Charter, just war theory, deliberative democracy and Islamic politics.

Dr. von Heyking''s talk will cover the readiness for rational political discussion in Islamic and Western Post-Enlightenment contexts.

Dr. Tom Robinson has a PhD form McMaster University. He has taught at the U of L for twenty years. His research deals with orthodoxy and dissent in religious movements, and he has published various books on religion. His most recent book, co-authored with other members of the Religious Studies Department, is titled World Religions: a guide to the essentials (2006), for which he wrote several chapters, including the one on Islam.

Dr. Robinson''s talk will deal with religious orthodoxy and dissent, religious attitudes to art, and the value of free and protected speech in a diverse world.

Dr. Trudy Govier has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo and is the author on a number of books, including Forgiveness and Revenge (2002) and Dilemmas of Trust (1997). She has taught ethics, philosophy of law, and history of philosophy and is currently teaching political philosophy and logic at the U of L.

Dr. Govier will discuss conceptions of respect, freedom, and religious toleration.

Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery.

THIS SPECIAL SESSION HAS BEEN ATRRANGED IN ASSOCIATION WITH LETHBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The publication of twelve cartoons last year lampooning the Prophet Muhammad has had huge impact around the world. Riots in many Muslim countries have caused deaths and destruction. Why are Muslims so angry and what are the issues?

Four University of Lethbridge professors will present their views on some aspects:

Dr. Bruce MacKay has a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto. He has studied Islam at Toronto and Harvard Universities and has lived in Jerusalem and traveled through Jordan, Egypt, Palestine and Israel. He has taught Islam at the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. MacKay will discuss key principles of Islam and the historical context behind the prohibition of images of Muhammad.

Dr. John von Heyking is Associate Professor of Political Science at the U of L and teaches courses in political philosophy and religion and politics. His PhD is from the University of Notre Dame. His publications include articles on religious freedom and the Charter, just war theory, deliberative democracy and Islamic politics.

Dr. von Heyking''s talk will cover the readiness for rational political discussion in Islamic and Western Post-Enlightenment contexts.

Dr. Tom Robinson has a PhD form McMaster University. He has taught at the U of L for twenty years. His research deals with orthodoxy and dissent in religious movements, and he has published various books on religion. His most recent book, co-authored with other members of the Religious Studies Department, is titled World Religions: a guide to the essentials (2006), for which he wrote several chapters, including the one on Islam.

Dr. Robinson''s talk will deal with religious orthodoxy and dissent, religious attitudes to art, and the value of free and protected speech in a diverse world.

Dr. Trudy Govier has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Waterloo and is the author on a number of books, including Forgiveness and Revenge (2002) and Dilemmas of Trust (1997). She has taught ethics, philosophy of law, and history of philosophy and is currently teaching political philosophy and logic at the U of L.

Dr. Govier will discuss conceptions of respect, freedom, and religious toleration.

Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Lethbridge Public Library, Theatre Gallery.

THIS SPECIAL SESSION HAS BEEN ATRRANGED IN ASSOCIATION WITH LETHBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

According to the United Nations, some 2.6 billion people – half of the

developing world – live without improved sanitation. In sub-Saharan

Africa, coverage is a mere 36 percent.

The Rotary Club of Lethbridge and Rotary in the small West African

country of Togo have joined forces help create a healthier environment

at one of the country’s busy border crossings.

What are the challenges, rewards and barriers of helping in the

development of a water and comfort station in this far-away land?

What are the risks of becoming involved in an international project in a

foreign country?

Speaker: Bernie Carriere

Bernie Carriere joined Rotary in 1987 in Estevan, Saskatchewan. After

moving to Lethbridge, he joined the local Rotary Club in 1991. He was

Club President for the year 2003-2004. Mr. Carriere traveled to Togo in

2004 as part of the Rotary polio campaign and to assess the sanitation

project. He is the District Governor-elect of Rotary International.

According to the United Nations, some 2.6 billion people – half of the

developing world – live without improved sanitation. In sub-Saharan

Africa, coverage is a mere 36 percent.

The Rotary Club of Lethbridge and Rotary in the small West African

country of Togo have joined forces help create a healthier environment

at one of the country’s busy border crossings.

What are the challenges, rewards and barriers of helping in the

development of a water and comfort station in this far-away land?

What are the risks of becoming involved in an international project in a

foreign country?

Speaker: Bernie Carriere

Bernie Carriere joined Rotary in 1987 in Estevan, Saskatchewan. After

moving to Lethbridge, he joined the local Rotary Club in 1991. He was

Club President for the year 2003-2004. Mr. Carriere traveled to Togo in

2004 as part of the Rotary polio campaign and to assess the sanitation

project. He is the District Governor-elect of Rotary International.

The City of Lethbridge believes that Education Property Taxes should be

eliminated. City Council adopted this position at a public meeting on

October 31, 2005 although there had been no prior public consultation.

Mayor Tarleck outlined his views on the subject in his column in the

Lethbridge Herald of November 18, 2005.

City Council has passed a resolution urging the Alberta Urban

Municipalities Association to pressure the Alberta government to

eliminate the tax.

But not everyone believes the education property tax should be

eliminated. School boards believe that education needs a stable source

of funding. They also believe that local taxation supports local

accountability for the quality of our education systems.

Chris Spearman believes that education property taxes should be

maintained. He also believes that the whole issue needs greater public

consultation and discussion.

Speaker: Chris Spearman

Chris Spearman and his family have lived in

Lethbridge for 25 years. He served for 13 years on the Catholic school

board, first with Lethbridge Catholic, and since 1995 with the Holy

Spirit School Division, including two terms as chairman.

He has been involved with the Industrial Association of Southern Alberta

since 1983 and has been the chairman for the last 6 years. Together with

Lethbridge businessman, John Davis, Chris spoke out about the pitfalls

of electrical deregulation prior to its implementation in 2001.

Chris Spearman has also served as the spokesman for the Action Against

High Gas Prices group when local gasoline prices in Lethbridge

consistently exceeded prices in other communities.