Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall. The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school bo...

Lethbridge homeowners may be facing an unexpected future tax hike. Cancellation of provincial grants linked to social housing will cost Lethbridge residents over $870,000 unless Alberta’s recently elected NDP government decide to reverse this shortfall. The Alberta government’s decision to download those costs on to city taxpayers came at the same time they cancelled increased funding to school bo...

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library presents: To Pray or Not to Pray: What are the Ramifications of the Recent SCC Ruling on Prayers at Municipal Council Meetings? Ideally, Canada does not discriminate on grounds of religion although many people complain that it falls short in practice. In ruling against the Saguenay city council’s recitation of prayer before its meetings the S...

The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a...

The generational gap presents the idea that understanding between different age groups is limited due to differences in experience and language. This concept has given rise to stereotypes at both ends of the spectrum: Youth are seen as “lazy” and “unpredictable”, whereas older generations are perceived as “stubborn”, “authoritative”, and “strict”. These perceptions are counteractive to building a...

Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age. We now know that such an interpretation has been a misread...

Since the 1960s, religion in Canada has been viewed by most observers as in a state of decline, as seen in attendance drop-offs and organizational retrenchment. It has been widely assumed that the secularization patterns found in Western Europe and other advanced settings have taken root here, the apparent price of a country coming of age. We now know that such an interpretation has been a misread...

Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too...

Canada may not be seen as a place where widespread human rights violations against their indigenous population occur on a regular basis by the international community. However, Canada's indigenous population is arguable over-policed and under-protected with both men and women incarcerated at rates much higher than the non-indigenous population and face police violence and deaths in custody all too...

The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds. In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Mu...

The recent occurrence of some violent events in the Muslim world, as well as the involvement of Muslim individuals in some terrorist attacks in Western Europe, North America, and Australia, has raised serious questions about the ability and/or willingness of Muslims to live in peace and harmony with people of other religious backgrounds. In a rush to answer those questions, various people, both Mu...

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurement...

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing our civilization. All major national and international efforts towards monitoring fluctuations in long-term climate normals involve the use of remote sensing science to provide Earth observation data to measure key climate variables. These data are the basis for many of the decisions made by governments. The quality of these measurement...

Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years. Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of...

Since 1971, Alberta has been ruled by a majority Progressive Conservative Government, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial level in Canada. When the PC’s replaced Social Credit in 1971, that party had been in power for 36 years. Under the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed, Alberta prospered, due to substantial growth in the resource sector coupled with an increased share of...

The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. 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...

The May 5, 2015 Alberta Provincial Election promises to be an interesting contest and ought to attract more attention than normally would be expected of such. 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...

Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North A...

Many municipalities and cities across Canada have detailed dog and cat bylaws, including spay and neutering programs. Arguable, there are many benefits to licensing cats and dogs with Animal & Bylaw Services. A pet’s licence can be their ticket home if they are ever lost. Likely because of pet licensing, Calgary, for example, has the highest return to owner and lowest euthanization rate in North A...

Learning to harness fusion in a controlled way – recreating the sun on earth, as a clean source of energy – is the holy grail of international energy programs. According to Dr. Allan Offenberger “A sustained fusion burn is no longer an academic dream but will be realized in the near future.” Dr. Offenberger will outline several quite promising options and update us on their progress and status. Dr...

Learning to harness fusion in a controlled way – recreating the sun on earth, as a clean source of energy – is the holy grail of international energy programs. According to Dr. Allan Offenberger “A sustained fusion burn is no longer an academic dream but will be realized in the near future.” Dr. Offenberger will outline several quite promising options and update us on their progress and status. Dr...

From a trans point of view, what are the structural oppressions and barriers cissexism put before trans lives? How can we change structures so that they become more accepting and welcoming of trans and gender non-conforming individuals? How do we make environments safer for trans and gender non-conforming youth? How can we define trans history? What are its roots in civil rights movements? Is the...

From a trans point of view, what are the structural oppressions and barriers cissexism put before trans lives? How can we change structures so that they become more accepting and welcoming of trans and gender non-conforming individuals? How do we make environments safer for trans and gender non-conforming youth? How can we define trans history? What are its roots in civil rights movements? Is the...

In announcing the severing of Canada’s formal diplomatic relations with the government of Iran in 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird described the Persian country of about 80 million people at the crossroads of Eurasia as "the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world". Iranian diplomats in Ottawa were declared “personae non gratae” and compelled to vacate their amba...

In announcing the severing of Canada’s formal diplomatic relations with the government of Iran in 2012, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird described the Persian country of about 80 million people at the crossroads of Eurasia as "the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world". Iranian diplomats in Ottawa were declared “personae non gratae” and compelled to vacate their amba...