Mental health, Schizophrenia and substance use problems and illnesses affect people from all walks of life – our parents, siblings, children, friends, co-workers, neighbours and often, ourselves. The costs of inadequate planning and inconsistent access to mental health and substance use services are high – both personal and financial. People with mental health and substance use problems and illnesses face stigma and discrimination. They contend with obstacles to completing education, pursuing employment opportunities and obtaining adequate housing.
Ideally, Albertans seek a modern Canadian federated state with collaborative politics, internal free trade and an equal voice for all citizens. Confederation was arguably not built to achieve these objectives when it was born more than 150 years ago and the time may have come to challenge Alberta’s current relationship with Canada. It is like two partners living together, one dissatisfied, one content – should Alberta have a meaningful discussion with Ottawa about their future relationship sooner rather than later?
China is achieving Great Power status based on its economic prowess, its political clout and its increasingly capable military. With the US under President Trump seemingly less willing to lead, China has shown a willingness to take onto itself a much more prominent role. President Xi Jingping and President Trump have, surprisingly, found much common ground, both on trade issues, but also in dealing with the dangerous question of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capability.
Canada’s economy and energy independence relies heavily on the fossil fuels we extract within our own national borders. However, our global environmental reputation has allegedly taken a hit over the past few decades as CO2 emissions per capita have the singular focus for environmentalists. As a result, we have been labeled everything from “corrupt petro state” to “colossal fossil” for our perceived inaction on climate change. Now, the governments of Canada and Alberta have opted for carbon taxation in order to fight climate change embarrassment.
There are two stories from Alberta that illustrate the unintended consequences of utilities trying to beat the returns available from full regulation. One is the story of the phase-out of coal-fired generation. The other is the story of the treatment of regulatory assets that are not used and useful. In both cases, utilities have sought to get better than normal returns but are now paying the price for the chain of events they set in motion.
Governments are taking on assorted policies to reduce carbon emissions including regulations, green subsidies and carbon taxes. Assuming the desirability of reducing GHG emissions, what is Canada’s appropriate policy response? Are governments spending sufficient effort to find least cost effective methods? Dr. Jack Mintz will challenge the current policy framework including that used in Alberta. Speaker: Dr. Jack Mintz Dr. Jack M. Mintz is the President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary as of July 1, 2015 after serving as the Palmer Chair and Director since 2008.
Millions of people around the world are currently infected with the genital human papillomavirus (HPV) and as many as half of these infections are among adolescents and young adults, ages 15 through 24 years of age. HPV is so common that most sexually active adults become infected at some point in their lives, sometime leading to cervical and other forms of cancers. HPV vaccines are now available and the speaker will discuss the reasons why she believe vaccinations are important and as well, outline the efficacy and safety of such vaccines.