Food Banks: Why are they Needed in Our Affluent Society?
Kelsey Janzen and Dr. John Usher ,
Thursday, December 19, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Low income is at the root of more than three decades of food bank use in Canada. Though the circumstances that send someone through the doors of a food bank are diverse – the loss of a job, family breakup, sudden health problems, barriers related to race, disability, or mental illness, among others – it is the widespread lack of income to cushion hard times that is the key factor making Canadian food banks so necessary, particularly for low income families with children.
Cuts to Post-Secondary Education in Alberta
Robert Sutherland ,
Thursday, December 12, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Alberta’s March 7 provincial budget featured a seven percent cut to basic operational grants for post-secondary institutions, compounded by revocation of an earlier promise of a 2% increase.
Is the Federal Governments Proposed First Nations Education Act Underfunded and Too Paternalistic?
Sheena Jackson ,
Thursday, December 5, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Many First Nations people are reacting with anger and disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that recently was released by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt.
The kids may not be speaking your language, but they're still alright
Nicole Rosen ,
Thursday, November 28, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Since the dawn of time, people have complained about how ‘young people’ speak. Look in the comments section of any website, especially on an article dealing with language or grammar, and you’ll find ‘purist-and-proud-of-it’ commenters who insist that proper language is necessary for proper comprehension and communication, that the English language as we know it is in a serious state of endangerment.
No science, No evidence, No truth, No democracy
Katie Gibbs ,
Monday, November 25, 2013 12:00 PM
University of Lethbridge
There have been drastic changes to science in Canada in recent years. These changes have happened in three distinct ways: reduction in the ability of government scientists to communicate their research to the public, the erosion of our science capacity - especially with respect to fundamental research and environmental monitoring, and a reduction in the role of evidence in policy decisions.
Municipal politics in Alberta: wards, financing, and the developers.
Paul Fairie ,
Thursday, November 21, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
In the last municipal election in Lethbridge fewer than 30% of the population bothered to vote despite a staggering 29 candidates vying for the 8 council positions.
Is the Idle No More Movement Still Active? – Should We Care?
Lori Brave Rock ,
Thursday, November 14, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
One year ago, four women in Saskatchewan began exchanging emails about the Harper Governments omnibus budget Bill C-45, better known as the Jobs and Growth Act, which had just been introduced in Ottawa.
Immunization and Vaccines: What are the Benefits and Risks?
Vivien Suttorp ,
Thursday, November 7, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials are asking residents of southern Alberta to get their children immunized as the best way to defend against a potential measles outbreak.
Has the Grinch Also Stolen Halloween?
Austin Fennel ,
Thursday, October 31, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Dr. Seuss composed the children’s story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” in which a mean old critter attempted to steal Christmas from a family, only to have a change of heart.
Talking About Dying Won't Kill You: Should We Have a Choice at the End of Life?
Wanda Morris ,
Thursday, October 24, 2013 1:00 PM
University of Lethbridge
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2013 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: Room PE264, 1st Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge
Talking About Dying Won't Kill You: Should We Have a Choice at the End of Life?
Wanda Morris ,
Thursday, October 24, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
It’s a topic we’re really not comfortable discussing, but it’s just not going away. With a constitutional court challenge in BC and legislation pending in Quebec, the question of whether Canadians should be able to choose medical help to die when they are at the end of life is one of the most significant civil rights issues of our time.
How independent are juries in coming to their verdicts? How constrained are they by the law? What happens if a jury refuses to find an obviously guilty defendant not guilty?
Gary Bauslaugh ,
Thursday, October 17, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The answers to these questions are clear but not widely known. Juries are completely free to return any verdict they wish to return.
Early Child Development Mapping Initiative
Chantelle Uhrbach and Lance Chong ,
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 1:00 PM
Galt Museum
The Early Child Development (ECD) Mapping Initiative, led by Alberta Education, is a five year research and community development activity that includes implementation of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in kindergarten classes across the province.
Lethbridge Hurricanes: What are the Challenges Managing a Junior Hockey Club?
Brian McNaughton and Brian Wichers ,
Thursday, October 10, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Lethbridge Hurricanes Western Hockey League (WHL) franchise began in Winnipeg 45 years ago as the Winnipeg Jets. The franchise stayed in Winnipeg until the conclusion of the 1976-1977 season, along the way changing its name to the Winnipeg Clubs and later, the Winnipeg Monarchs.
Election forum - mayoral
mayoral candidates ,
Thursday, October 3, 2013 1:00 PM
Lethbridge Public Library
The 2013 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with an expected large number of councillors and several mayoral candidates running for City Council.
Drilling for Oil and Gas within the Corporate Boundaries of a Municipality: What are the Issues?
Tim Robillard and David Hill ,
Thursday, October 3, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Resource development inside municipal boundaries might sound strange, but given Alberta’s geological landscape it is rare to find municipalities that don’t have some type of energy project affecting lands within their corporate boundaries.
Election Forum - councillors
council candidates ,
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 1:00 PM
Lethbridge Public Library
The video for this can be seen at: http://www.lethlib.ca/detail/recorded-municipal-election-forums The 2013 Lethbridge Municipal Election promises to be hotly contested with an expected large number of councillors and several mayoral candidates running for City Council.
Should Public Dollars be used to Support the Restoration of Private Historic Buildings?
Belinda Crowson ,
Thursday, September 26, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Private ownership is one of the cornerstones of our system. Each person is responsible for the care, maintenance and development of their own land, house or business.
Secularism, Multiculturalism, Democracy and the Philosophy of Science: What's the Relationship?
Sandra Harding ,
Thursday, September 19, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Recently, lively debates have emerged in the social sciences about how to think about the unexpected return of religion to the public sphere.
Change a River, Change a Community? Factoring in the 'People Equation', What Can be Done to Minimize Serious Flood Damage?
Tom Johnston ,
Thursday, September 12, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
During the disastrous June 2013 Southern Alberta floods, thousands of people were displaced and entire communities were affected by flooding that brought dramatic change to how people live, work and interact with each other.
Why does federal politics remain the domain of men?
Melanee Thomas ,
Thursday, September 5, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Despite the growing gender balance in provincial premiers, elected politics remains the domain of men. According to the 2012 Global Gender Gap Report, Canadian women’s position in politics is 20% of men’s.
Annual General Meeting
various speakers ,
Thursday, June 20, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
2013 Annual General Meeting of Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs WELCOME APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY ADOPTION OF MINUTES – JUNE 21, 2012
Is it Justifiable for Governments to Muzzle Publicly Funded Scientists?
Mark Goettel ,
Thursday, June 13, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Increasingly, the federal Government has been tightening its leash on its scientists and science in general. For instance, most publicly funded research must now have an industrial component.
Should the Recent Scandals in the Canadian Senate be a Catalyst for Reform of the Upper Chamber?
Daniel Hays ,
Thursday, June 6, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Parliament of Canada has two houses, the elected lower house (the House of Commons) and the appointed upper house (the Senate).
Is it Finally Time to Quit Debating Evolution?
Dan Johnson ,
Thursday, May 30, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
When the topic of evolution comes up it is often to discuss the debate, to choose sides, and to balance the arguments, but is it time to quit debating evolution?
The Blanket Exercise
Julie Graham ,
Friday, May 24, 2013 1:00 PM
University of Lethbridge
The Blanket Exercise Date: Friday, May 24, 2013 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm Location: University of Lethbridge, 1st Choice Saving Centre, Room PE264
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Why Does it Matter to Us?
Julie Graham and Mike Frank ,
Thursday, May 23, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
In 2008, Prime Minister Harper apologized for the shared government and church-run Indian Residential School System. As part of that apology, an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission was struck, using a model practiced by only a handful of countries worldwide.
Doping in Sports: Who Wins and Who Loses?
Tim Takahashi ,
Thursday, May 16, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The practice of enhancing physical performance with ingested substances has been around since ancient times. The Greeks were known to use a form of opium; other cultures have used mushrooms and even strychnine.
Another political party? The Alberta Green Party re-emerges
Janet Keeping ,
Thursday, May 9, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Progressive Conservative Party has been the governing party for more than four decades in Alberta for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that there has rarely been a viable alternative party with enough support to move from the Opposition to the Government benches.
The Human Brain, Environments, Genes, Health and Behaviour?
Bryan Kolb ,
Thursday, May 2, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Our understanding of brain development and function has fundamentally changed in the past decade. Brain development embody much more than just the simple unfolding of a genetic blueprint but rather represents a complex dance of genetic and environmental events that interact to adapt the brain to fit a particular environmental context.
Is a Provincial Sales Tax or a Revised Tax System in Alberta Inevitable?
Ron Liepert ,
Thursday, April 25, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Economists agree almost unanimously that a consumption tax could help level out the peaks and valleys of our provincial revenue now tied to the price of fossil fuel.
How have these works of fiction changed the world?
Jason Donev ,
Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Science fiction and science are deeply intertwined. From the space race to nanotechnology scientists are following the predictions of science fiction.
Should Taxpayers Support the Redevelopment Plan at Lethbridge Exhibition Park?
Rudy Friesen ,
Thursday, April 11, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Board of Directors of Lethbridge and District Exhibition approved a development plan for Exhibition Park that represents 3 years of comprehensive examination, including a financial review, facility condition audit of all buildings, needs and market assessments, and a multiple accounts evaluation framework study to arrive at the preferred site for redevelopment.
Are Recent Cuts to Alberta Post-Secondary Education Justifiable?
various speakers ,
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 1:00 PM
Lethbridge Public Library
Special Session in partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library Tuesday April 9th from 7-9pm at Lethbridge Public Library Alberta’s March 7 provincial budget featured a 6.
Citizen Journalism: Unaccredited, Uncertified, Illegitimate . . . and Popular
Kim Siever ,
Thursday, April 4, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The face of news is changing. It is estimated that 46% of people get their news online at least three times a week and almost every news entity has turned to virtual media to keep up with the demand.
Where Will the Roman Catholic Church Be Heading Under Pope Francis?
Erin Phillips ,
Thursday, March 28, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
In February, Pope Benedict surprised the Church and the world with his resignation. Now the Church has met and named Pope Francis as the new Pope.
From Source to Tap: What are the Solutions to Big Challenges in Our Headwaters?
Shannon Frank ,
Thursday, March 21, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Though only 30km wide and 24% of the area of the Oldman watershed, the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains provides 90% of the water - they are our headwaters - the source of water that feeds our streams, lakes and groundwater.
Why is Disparity Running Rampant in Alberta?
David Campanella ,
Thursday, March 14, 2013 1:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Alberta is blessed with abundant and lucrative natural resources. The province is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in quality of life and wellbeing.
Idle No More: What are the Main Issues Behind the Movement?
Natoamiskapiakii (Faye Morning Bull) ,
Thursday, March 7, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Idle No More movement began late in 2012 after the Harper Government passed their massive omnibus budget Bill C-45. Four women, Nina Wilson, Sheelah Mclean, Sylvia McAdam and Jessica Gordon all shared a vision in which people can help protect Mother Earth, her lands, waters and people.
Alberta's Health Inquiry: Can Public Trust be Restored?
Raj Sherman ,
Thursday, February 28, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
During January’s Alberta Health Services (AHS) Preferential Access Inquiry in Calgary it was revealed that private patients jumped the line for taxpayer-funded cancer screening tests, thereby prompting a review of how AHS work with private clinics.
Is it time to Reconsider the Indian Act?
Tom Flanagan ,
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 12:00 PM
University of Lethbridge
Part 1 of the Audio of this speech is available courtesy of an audience member here: http://snd.sc/XHjXez NOTICE OF SPECIAL SESSION
Why Will Albertans be Facing a Deficit in the Next Budget?
Brian Mason ,
Thursday, February 21, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Premier Alison Redford has given Albertans to understand that there will be some belt tightening and cuts in the next Provincial budget expected later this winter.
Proposed Federal Constituency Boundary Changes: Are They Fair?
LaVar Payne ,
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
SPECIAL SESSION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19 at NOON at Country Kitchen Catering A government-appointed commission’s latest ideas were put forth recently following a series of public hearings in the fall.
Why We Need an Alberta Constitution
Tom Sindlinger ,
Thursday, February 14, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Voter turnout has dropped in almost every advanced industrial country but Alberta’s voter turnout has dropped even more precipitously. According to the speaker, the reduced voter turnout is a symptom of a larger problem: people have become disengaged from government, and they have to be reconnected.
Supporting Sustainable Food – Good, Clean and Fair Food: Panel & Reception
Wade Nelson, Tony Legault, Jill Cairns ,
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 12:00 PM
Southern Alberta Art Gallery
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Location: Southern Alberta Art Gallery, 601 - 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge
Are Urgent and Pressing Medicare Issues Facing Albertans in 2013?
Sandra Azocar ,
Thursday, February 7, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Some may think medicare issues have gone away with the election of a more liberal Tory Premier. Are things going just fine with health care in Alberta?
Should public dollars be used to fund private schools?
Kent Hehr ,
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Public Library
SACPA and the Lethbridge Public Library present a special evening session of the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs on Tuesday Feb 5, 2013 from 7-9pm
In Majority Governments, What Can the Opposition do to Affect Legislation?
Danielle Smith ,
Thursday, January 31, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Wildrose Party became the official opposition in the 87 seat Alberta Legislature on April 23, 2012. Despite capturing 34 % of the vote, only 17 Wildrose MLA’s managed to get elected including party leader Danielle Smith.
Climate and Energy: Does Canada need an Energy Strategy?
Kent Peacock & Cosmos Voutsinos ,
Thursday, January 24, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Energy drives life. Energy use has been a great advantage to our species. However, we are moving toward a compelling predicament as our societies thrive and our population grows.
Petro States: Oil and the New Servitude
Andrew Nikiforuk ,
Thursday, January 17, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
Ancient civilizations routinely relied on shackled human muscle. It took the energy of slaves to plant crops, clothe emperors, and build cities.
Does a Northern Gateway Pipeline Make Sense?
Barry Robinson ,
Thursday, January 10, 2013 12:00 PM
Country Kitchen Catering
The Federal Government and Alberta’s Provincial Government are advocating that a new pipeline to the Pacific Ocean is essential to growth of the petroleum industry in Alberta.