Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs

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 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

The Fine Print of Alberta Separation?

Speaker: Trevor Lewington
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Albertans have been told that leaving Canada would mean greater freedom, lower taxes, more control and a more prosperous future. It is an appealing promise, especially for a province that has often felt ignored, misunderstood or taken for granted. But what happens after the slogans end? What currency would Albertans use? What happens to pensions, federal debt, treaty obligations, borders, trade agreements, national parks, airports, water, electricity and access to international markets?

What are the common barriers to healthy aging?

Speaker: Jamie Sawatzky
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Flyer to come soon

Recent Sessions

SACPA Annual General Meeting 2026

Speaker: chaired by Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 1:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

SACPA’s AGM is scheduled immediately following the final 2025 – 2026 session featuring Vicki Hegedus and Glenn Klassen who will explore the enduring community value of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra (LSO). Members in good standing are eligible to vote. Date/time: Thursday June 24, 2026, 1:15 pm. Location**:** Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) Dining Room, 500-11 Street S, Lethbridge, AB

Why Does Live Symphonic Music Still Matter in a Digital World?

Speaker: Vicki Hegedus and Glenn Klassen, Executive Director of LSO and Music Director of LSO
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

In its 65th year, the speakers will explore the enduring community value of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra (LSO). They aim to increase awareness that Lethbridge has a symphony orchestra, highlight its work and celebrate the LSO’s 65-year history and its role in the city’s cultural identity. The positive impact of live music, including community connection, wellbeing, and civic pride will be discussed while demonstrating that the symphony serves a broad and diverse cross-section of the community highlighted by its economic benefits, such as jobs, entertainment, visitor attraction, and downtown activity.

Are referendums or "direct democracy" the best way to determine Alberta’s future?

Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Albertans will vote on 10 referendum questions on October 19, 2026, covering separation, immigration, and constitutional reform. The questions focus on three main areas: provincial independence, immigration control, and constitutional changes. Question 10 (Separation): Whether to start the process for a binding referendum on separating from Canada. Questions 1–5 (Immigration & Sovereignty): Proposals to increase provincial control over immigration, limit access to services for non-permanent residents, and require proof of citizenship to vote.

What problem is Bill 28 trying to solve, and how is it likely to affect libraries and library users across Alberta?

Speaker: Terra Plato and Robin Hepher, CEO of the Lethbridge Public Library and CEO of Chinook Arch Regional Library System
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

With the recent introduction of Bill 28, also known as The Municipal Affairs and Housing Statutes Amendment Act, the Government of Alberta is dramatically altering the landscape of public library governance and accountability. The Bill, which grants significant new powers to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, presents philosophical and practical challenges for all public library boards in Alberta. This presentation will explore the consequences of this new legislation, and how it stands to alter a robust and long-standing model based on local governance and community accountability.

How Can Everyday Observation Become Conservation Action?

Speaker: Brook Skagen, P.Biol., RTAg., AWB®, Owner and Principal Ecologist of Larkfir Conservation Services
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

Southern Alberta’s grasslands are among the most biodiverse and most endangered ecosystems in the world. Yet they are often perceived as familiar, quiet, or even unremarkable. In landscapes like these, ecological change can unfold gradually and largely unnoticed, allowing species and habitats to decline without broad public awareness. This presentation explores how everyday observation plays a critical role in conservation. Using a local example from southern Alberta, the talk introduces the foundations of ecology, the study of living things and their interactions, and demonstrates how small, consistent acts of noticing can reveal meaningful ecological patterns.

Alberta's Future - Is Post-Secondary Education the Answer?

Speaker: Brad Lafortune, Public Interest Alberta
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 12:00 PM
Venue: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization

This Presentation will make the case for Alberta’s future prosperity, founded on strong post-secondary institutions and accessible higher education. It will include an overview of how post-secondary institutions benefit communities and the economy. The presentation will also suggest that the current UCP government’s actions downplay the value of a well-rounded post-secondary education. Speaker: Brad Lafortune Brad Lafortune is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta and lives in Edmonton on Treaty 6 territory with his daughter.