Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs

SACPA acknowledges that our events takes place on the lands of the Blackfoot People and Metis Nation of Alberta, Region lll and we pay respect to their past, present and future cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship to the land. SACPA commits to assist reconciliation efforts by raising awareness of the ways past and present injustices can be reconciled.

Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) was founded in 1967. It is an independent forum, moderated by volunteers, meeting Thursdays at noon some 40 weeks a year and at occasional special sessions, to debate local, provincial, national, and international issues of concern to the residents of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.

SACPA sessions are now in person at the LSCO (Lethbridge Senior Citizen Organization) at 500 11 St. S. Lethbridge, lunch at 11:30 am, speaker 12:00 to 1:00 and made available on our YouTube channel for viewing and you are invited to explore them on our YouTube channel.

The rationale of the Council is that the strength of a political democracy is lodged in the freedom of citizens to assemble and freely discuss ideas and issues. SACPA seeks to promote a sense of community and citizenship amongst the public. It is strictly non-partisan in its political outlook and encourages the expression of divergent viewpoints. SACPA does not take sides on the issues debated at its sessions. The opinions expressed by speakers are their own and are not necessarily shared by the Board of Directors.

Upcoming Sessions

Can Social Prescribing help improve our health and well-being challenges?

Thursday, March 30, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Heather Bursaw and Rob Miyashiro ,

Social prescribing is a means for health-care providers to connect patients to a range of non-clinical services in the community, in order to improve their health and well-being.

Well-being Seniors Healthcare

Who is Minding Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife?

Thursday, April 6, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Lorne Fitch , P. Biol

Concerns have been raised about the fragmentation of the management of Alberta’s fish and wildlife resources to separate departments and non-government agencies.

Fish and Wildlife Alberta

The Blackfoot Perspective of the 153-year-old Battle of the Belly River

Thursday, April 13, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Camina Weasel Moccasin and Kris Hodgson-Bright ,

The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa, in partnership with Lethbridge College, Reconciliation Lethbridge, Lethbridge Historical Society and the City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office, are embarking on a project that will focus on and highlight Niitsitapi knowledge and perspectives of the event.

Alberta Battle of the Belly River Blackfoot

Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) - Track 2: A Daughter’s Perspective

Thursday, April 20, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Tania Stilson ,

In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Carter v. Canada that parts of the Criminal Code would need to change to satisfy the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Medical Assitance in Dying MAID

Recent Sessions

Climate, Energy, Sustainability. Where are we? Where do we go?

Thursday, March 23, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

James Byrne ,

Most of the global population recognizes we are in an accelerating transition to sustainable societies and environments. But what will that look like?

Sustainability Energy Climate

Challenges of First Nation Policing

Thursday, March 16, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Grant Buckskin and Rayan Najjar , Police Chief and Inspector

An on-reserve police service presents with many challenges, including funding, staffing, and retention. The First Nation members themselves face particular challenges as well as non-challenges.

policing

Are Albertans ready to move on from Governance by the NDP and UCP?

Thursday, March 9, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Barry Morishita , leader of the Alberta Party

A NDP majority was elected in 2015, and then in 2019 enough people voted for the UCP to give them a majority.

Provincial Elections Alberta Politics

What changes have been made since the Blood Tribe took over the Lethbridge Shelter?

Thursday, March 2, 2023 12:00 PM

Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Taatsiikiipoyii, Charles (Charlie) Weaselhead Jr. ,

The City of Lethbridge and Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) signed a Shelter lease agreement starting Jan 1, 2023 at the location of the former Lethbridge Shelter and Stabilization Centre on 2 Avenue North.

Shelter Homelessness

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