Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Since the dramatic election results of May 5th swept the NDP into power after the 44-year long reign of the Progressive Conservative Party, there have been a multitude of changes in the government and in Alberta. The NDP brought in political financing changes, announced the protection of the Castle area, and restored funding to education and health, among many other things. But for some, who have...

For more than a century the foothills and Front Range Mountains of western Alberta have been recognized as being vital to the water supply for western Canada. Virtually all the water that sustains communities, ecosystems and the economy of prairie Canada comes from this narrow strip of land arrayed along the Continental Divide. For all its importance, however, water management decisions affecting...

For more than a century the foothills and Front Range Mountains of western Alberta have been recognized as being vital to the water supply for western Canada. Virtually all the water that sustains communities, ecosystems and the economy of prairie Canada comes from this narrow strip of land arrayed along the Continental Divide. For all its importance, however, water management decisions affecting...

Hailed as “a myth-destroying blockbuster book” by Ralph Nader, Gordon Laxer’s latest book, “After the Sands” outlines a vision and road map to transition Canada to a low- carbon society: a plan lacking within all of Canada’s major political parties. Despite its oil abundance, Canada is woefully unprepared for the next global oil supply crisis. Canada imports 40 percent of its oil, yet—unlike twent...

When the Liberal Party won the 1968 Canadian election, Pierre Elliot Trudeau rode a popular personal wave called “Trudeaumania” to victory. At the recent October 19 Federal Election, his son Justin Trudeau, appears to have used some of the same “magic”, enabling the Liberals to win a majority and reducing the governing Conservative Party to opposition status along with the NDP, Bloc and Greens. No...

When the Liberal Party won the 1968 Canadian election, Pierre Elliot Trudeau rode a popular personal wave called “Trudeaumania” to victory. At the recent October 19 Federal Election, his son Justin Trudeau, appears to have used some of the same “magic”, enabling the Liberals to win a majority and reducing the governing Conservative Party to opposition status along with the NDP, Bloc and Greens. No...

The Alberta Provincial government under Rachael Notley is committed to tackling several issues related to energy. Corporate taxes have already been raised. A royalty review is taking place and several proposed initiatives related to the environment may also affect the petroleum industry. The Wildrose party has raised several concerns about the direction of these measures and Leela Sharon Aheer, th...

The Alberta Provincial government under Rachael Notley is committed to tackling several issues related to energy. Corporate taxes have already been raised. A royalty review is taking place and several proposed initiatives related to the environment may also affect the petroleum industry. The Wildrose party has raised several concerns about the direction of these measures and Leela Sharon Aheer, th...

Think Globally Act Locally, is a common term, but what does it really mean when discussing food security? Canada and particularly Southern Alberta produce an abundance of quality foods, yet, cost competitive imported foods are consumed year-round even when local products are seasonable available. Emphasis on buying local food is on the rise, but the sustainability of small family farms are at risk...

Think Globally Act Locally, is a common term, but what does it really mean when discussing food security? Canada and particularly Southern Alberta produce an abundance of quality foods, yet, cost competitive imported foods are consumed year-round even when local products are seasonable available. Emphasis on buying local food is on the rise, but the sustainability of small family farms are at risk...

In Early September, the Syrian refugee crisis came home to the world with the vivid picture of three year old Alan Kurdi lying face down on a beach at the Greek Island of Kos. However, several months earlier an ad hoc ‘coalition’ of Mennonite and United Church congregations had begun to plan and fundraise for the adoption of a Syrian refugee family. That family (of nine) is now close to clearing t...

In Early September, the Syrian refugee crisis came home to the world with the vivid picture of three year old Alan Kurdi lying face down on a beach at the Greek Island of Kos. However, several months earlier an ad hoc ‘coalition’ of Mennonite and United Church congregations had begun to plan and fundraise for the adoption of a Syrian refugee family. That family (of nine) is now close to clearing t...

The book by Yves Engler, Canada in Africa — 300 Years of Aid and Exploitation describing Canadian foreign policy in Africa will be analyzed in this presentation as well as the Canadian involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, “scramble for Africa”, missionary movement and European colonialism. The book also reveals Ottawa’s opposition to anticolonial struggles, support for apartheid South Afr...

Over the past decade, Canadians have witnessed an erosion of our national capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Apparent in communications restrictions on government scientists, funding cuts focused on public interest research, and a diminished role for evidence in policy decisions, this erosion threatens both our well-being as citizens and the health of our democracy. Evidence for Democrac...

Over the past decade, Canadians have witnessed an erosion of our national capacity for evidence-based decision-making. Apparent in communications restrictions on government scientists, funding cuts focused on public interest research, and a diminished role for evidence in policy decisions, this erosion threatens both our well-being as citizens and the health of our democracy. Evidence for Democrac...

To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.” Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with...

To quote from our new governments election platform, “we’ll reduce our province’s over-dependence on raw bitumen exports and create more jobs with more upgrading and processing here, rather than in Texas.” Previous Alberta governments have had experience with refining and upgrading projects. Professor Ted Morton points out in an article in Alberta Oil Magazine that the “path to hell is paved with...

The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty b...

The October 19, 2015 Federal Election promises to be an interesting contest. The SACPA forum will be conducted using both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues you consider important, by asking the candidates to explain their views and party policies on those topics. Please plan to attend this forum and please also exercise you democratic right and duty b...

The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controve...

The fossil fuel industry tout hydraulic fracturing, “fracking”, as a win-win, with slick promises of energy independence, greenhouse gas reduction, and benefits to local communities. Yet the questionable technology, which blasts massive volumes of water, sand, and chemicals into rock and coal formations, has sparked a huge public outcry. The speaker will describe why fracking is, at best, controve...

In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we expe...

In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician assisted dying and decided the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In keeping with Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, the decision could reshape how we expe...

Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500...

Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500...