Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Many Canadian provinces used to have upper chambers, known as provincial legislative councils; the last one to be abolished was Quebec’s in 1968. If Canadians made it clear they wanted to abolish the federal Senate, how could it be done and would it be wise? It is a particularly difficult question because, in order to be abolished, the Senate itself would have to agree to its own demise and as wel...

In 1967, Alberta became the first jurisdiction in North America and the tenth in the world to create an ombudsoffice. One of seven Legislative Officers for Alberta, the Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner reports directly to the Legislature and is meant to promote fairness in public administration and investigate complaints from individuals regarding unfair actions or decisions made by prov...

In 1967, Alberta became the first jurisdiction in North America and the tenth in the world to create an ombudsoffice. One of seven Legislative Officers for Alberta, the Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner reports directly to the Legislature and is meant to promote fairness in public administration and investigate complaints from individuals regarding unfair actions or decisions made by prov...

Since first coming to office in 2006, and especially since obtaining a majority in the 2011 federal election, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has steadfastly adopted a range of controversial policies on such things as climate change, crime, drugs, Aboriginal issues, electoral reform, information access, military procurement, statistics, surveillance, taxes, and more recently prostitu...

Since first coming to office in 2006, and especially since obtaining a majority in the 2011 federal election, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has steadfastly adopted a range of controversial policies on such things as climate change, crime, drugs, Aboriginal issues, electoral reform, information access, military procurement, statistics, surveillance, taxes, and more recently prostitu...

The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risk...

The greatest challenge to modern society comes from the twin problems of getting the energy needed to support life and the consequences of getting that energy. Many people are talking about these two issues separately, often because they only understand one small part of the problem. This talk will show why it is imperative for the world to have a better informed viewpoint on the benefits and risk...

Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole. This panel...

Two recent disputes about who are entitled to farm Blood Tribe agricultural land have ended up in Federal and Provincial Court respectively. Chief and Council of the Blood Band arguable has sole authority to decide who farm within the reserve, and on land that is “held in common” for all band members. Others argue that a more collaborative approach may better serve the Band as a whole. This panel...

Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow. Ty...

Aging-in-place is a concept that supports the choice of older adults to remain living in their preferred environment for as long as possible even if circumstances change. Physical environment, social and psychological support, and community resources affect aging-in-place. The concept is starting to gain attention and services and support to assist older adults to age-in-place continue to grow. Ty...

Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts. We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum ri...

Pesticides are chemicals of natural or synthetic origin, used to kill unwanted animals or plants including algae, weeds, insects, or rodents, organisms which may lower crop yields, cause or transmit diseases, damage structures and in general, have undesired impacts. We rely on the Risk/Benefit analysis for the use of pesticides, expecting to gain maximum benefits from pesticide use with minimum ri...

Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector. Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost rev...

Studies of Canada's economy largely demonstrate that Canada's economic well-being will be reliant on natural resource production, use, and export for decades to come. That well-being currently faces a variety of challenges, particularly in the oil transportation sector. Canadians are already paying a price for insufficient infrastructure: The discounted price Canada gets for its oil means lost rev...

Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are f...

Canada’s election laws may be about to change. A major government bill, the Fair Elections Act, is working its way through the House of Commons but has proven controversial. Pierre Poilievre, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform recently bought forth Bill C-23, which propose changes to the rules for voters, candidates, parties and the people whose job it is to make sure elections are f...

Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity. Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards redu...

Light from the sun travels approximately 150,000,000 km to reach the earth in 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The energy of this sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. Through photovoltaic arrays, this energy can also be easily converted into electricity. Slowly but surely, the world is adopting so called “green energy” as a move towards redu...

The federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31. The Aboriginal Council of Le...

The federal government announced it will consolidate four programs into two on Feb 6, 2013 and provide more support to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) for the delivery of programs. However, local organizations have no idea what those terms and conditions will be, leaving them no time to make the transition when their fiscal year ended on March 31. The Aboriginal Council of Le...

Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers a...

Canadian grain farmers typically battle a range of difficulties from weather related events to escalating input and equipment cost to fluctuations of returns. While the 2013 crop was generally one of the largest on record, concerns are now mounting because of the inability of railways to move grain to customers fast enough. Federal and provincial politicians have been pointing accusatory fingers a...

The Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed. The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most...

The Alberta Liberal Party has since April, 2012 observed Alberta’s Conservative Government struggle through many controversies including the delivery of health care and several other hot button issues including resource management. The speaker will address these important topics and provide some alternatives to the way Alberta is governed. The Alberta Liberals say Budget 2014 is bad news for most...