Southern Alberta’s grasslands are among the most biodiverse and most endangered ecosystems in the world. Yet they are often perceived as familiar, quiet, or even unremarkable. In landscapes like these, ecological change can unfold gradually and largely unnoticed, allowing species and habitats to decline without broad public awareness. This presentation explores how everyday observation plays a critical role in conservation. Using a local example from southern Alberta, the talk introduces the foundations of ecology, the study of living things and their interactions, and demonstrates how small, consistent acts of noticing can reveal meaningful ecological patterns.
Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Eurasia introduced to North America in the late 19th century to serve colonizing families as windbreaks to help stem soil erosion. In the 20th and 21st century, Russian Olive became more valued as an ornamental species, and for game bird sport hunters on otherwise vast treeless prairie areas. While Russian Olive has some traditional medicinal and culinary uses in its native Eurasian range, it is now widely considered an aggressive invasive species, particularly in the Western U.
Evidence indicates that the environmental impacts of coal development are negative and incapable of being effectively dealt with by mitigation, compensation, or reclamation. There are significant legacy issues from the existing footprint of coal development and there is no compelling evidence that future coal development will provide any different outcomes. The speaker will argue that more coal development will create more environmental problems. Avoidance of serious, lingering environmental problems will only be achieved by an end to coal development in the Eastern Slopes.
For the last 50+ years, we’ve been changing our clocks twice a year. While this was originally supposed to save energy, the disruption to our circadian rhythms has led people in countries engaged in this practice to wonder if it is still worth it anymore. While the vast majority of people feel we should “lock our clocks”, deciding on what permanent time to stick with is less clear. Are the choices arbitrary, or are there compelling reasons for one option over the other?
An Alberta farmer represented Canadian agriculture at the World Economic Forum. Chris Perry, a potato farmer from Chin, east of Coaldale, received an invitation from PepsiCo to participate in the January 2026 event in Davos, Switzerland. While in Davos, the fourth-generation farmer participated in two sessions. One was the “Partners in Possibility: Collaborating for Resilient Food Systems” panel, with representatives from PepsiCo, banking, and other industries. That discussion focused on how collaboration among farmers, brands, finance, and policy can move solutions from pilots to true infrastructure.
As of March 2026, the rising tensions between Taiwan and mainland China are arguably a significant cause for international concern, regarded by analysts as a primary flashpoint for potential global conflict. While experts generally stop short of predicting an imminent full-scale invasion, the risk of miscalculation is rising due to increased military activity, “gray-zone” coercion, and strained US-China relations. The US war with Iran could also significantly increase tensions between Taiwan and mainland China, primarily by creating a strategic diversion that may embolden Beijing.
The first hints of spring bring the promise of warmer days with wildflowers and their pollinating co-workers. Here in Alberta, some of the first pollinators to emerge for the year are the charismatic, fuzzy bumble bees that many of us love so dearly. Their cheerful buzzing goes hand-in-hand with the bright green of new leaves and the promise of garden tomatoes soon to come. Insects like bumble bees are at the heart of a functioning environment, enabling many of the processes that keep an ecosystem healthy.
What is the Workers’ Agenda — and why does it matter for Alberta? Developed by labour organizations and community partners, the Workers’ Agenda is a policy platform that focuses on building an economy that works for everyone. It highlights priorities such as good jobs, fair wages, affordable housing, strong public services, workplace safety, and democratic accountability. In this presentation, Gil McGowan, will outline the key ideas behind the Workers’ Agenda and discuss how these proposals aim to address the economic challenges facing working people in Alberta today.
In January Prime Minister Carney spoke at Davos of a rupture in the world order, a transition from rules-based relations to one in which great powers act without constraint against weaker countries. He might have said that the world was now ruled by Mafioso thugs. Canada, particularly, has faced the brunt of Donald Trump’s thuggery. But is the current order that much different than what came before? And if it has changed, why has it changed?
Danielle Smith’s government is undertaking a massive restructuring of health care delivery. From dismantling Alberta Health Services, to major legislative change, including the passing of Bill 11 in December, change is coming at a rapid pace. Yet, reports from the Auditor General and others are making it increasingly clear that these changes aren’t actually improving patient care, saving money, or increasing capacity. Instead, Albertans are seeing a systematic overhaul designed to slowly put an end to single-payer public Medicare and benefit the profits of private health corporations and insurance companies.
Long-term impacts of the possible Alberta separation referendum will shape its future, no matter how a likely (October) Alberta Separation Referendum is worded. A significant “Yes” would arguably, in the long run, mean joining the United States. The speaker will provide context and highlight the many unintended consequences of not only a referendum, but what Albertans would be faced with, should the separatists actually win the vote. The United Farmers of Alberta governed Alberta for 14 years from 1921 to 1935 and even held seats in Parliament.
Since the legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in 2016 and its subsequent expansion in 2021, Canada has been at the forefront of global debates about assisted dying. The most contentious issue at present is the pending inclusion of mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition (MI-SUMC). Now postponed twice, it is set to take effect in March 2027. The decision to delay the expansion of MAID MI-SUMC was framed as a matter of readiness, allowing further consultation and the development of proper safeguards.
Whatever Happened to Good Old-Fashioned Manifest Destiny? Imperialism and Colonialism in Our Modernity asks why ideas we claim to have outgrown continue to surface in today’s political, economic, and business decisions. Drawing on current events—from resource extraction and land disputes to assertions of sovereignty and inevitability—I explore how colonial and imperial logics persist, often unnamed. As a professor of business specializing in Indigenous business and governance and in the structures of colonialism, I approach Manifest Destiny not as history but as a lingering framework.
Why would anyone bother studying bird brains? This is a question that I frequently get from many people. As I will discuss, studying bird brains led to the discovery that adults can add new cells to the brain: this has informed current treatments and experiments in human brains. Birds also provided some of the first evidence that hormones can affect human brain anatomy and function. A lot can also be learned about bird behaviour from studying their brains, which I will illustrate from our own studies of hummingbirds, vultures, and the Dodo.
Communities everywhere are grappling with how best to grow. How to balance opportunity with responsibility, and how to create spaces that support people, businesses, and future generations. The South Campus project sits at the heart of that conversation in Lethbridge. Located west of the Oldman River and south of the University of Lethbridge, these lands offer a rare, once-in-a-generation chance to shape a new kind of neighbourhood. A neighbourhood that reflects community needs, local values, and long-term potential.
The prairie rattlesnake is one of the three species which still remain in Canada, and they are facing unprecedented pressures through road mortality and habitat loss. There is no question that if this iconic species is to persist in Canada’s Wild West, it will require humans to sanction their survival. Join Sheri to unravel how perception and myth can lead to persecution and fear and how we can fight back with truth, compassion and empathy.
Bill 12 introduces the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) to replace Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Many vulnerable Albertans face significant benefit cuts (around $200/month less than AISH), reduced income exemptions, removal of cost-of-living adjustments, and limited appeal rights. The Bill has sparked major concern about increased poverty and vulnerability despite government claims that these changes modernize support. The speakers elaborate on the impacts of Bill 12 and will address concerns about these issues.
This presentation will focus on the changes that have taken place in new media in general and community newspapers specifically over the past 20 years, and what strategies might best help this medium thrive in the future. Speaker: Scott Sakatch Scott Sakatch recently retired after a year as editor of the Lethbridge Herald. Prior to that, he was an editor and reporter at the Herald from 1997-2006. In the interim years, he worked for former Lethbridge West MLA Greg Weadick and ran a communications consulting business.
Privately owned front yards have the potential to be significant community-building spaces that contribute to your neighborhood and to nature. While still being a private space, front-yards arguably are a window into what you value and how you show up for your neighbours. Best Front Forward was a Helen Schuler Nature Centre campaign that ran to resounding success in March-October 2025. This recognition program was designed to both inspire and to thank residents with amazing front yards around the city.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected on a platform of standing up to Donald Trump, after the U.S. president adopted sweeping tariffs and threatened to make Canada the “51st state”. But since the election, Carney has become very deferential to Trump. At what point does deference become subservience? What happens if Trump does something that is truly damaging to Canada? When do the elbows come back up? Speaker: Dr Michael Byers
Discussing, disagreeing, and determining our real thoughts about the evolving role of gender and sexuality in society can be scary—so scary that many people choose not to share their true beliefs for fear of being canceled or saying something politically incorrect. In this talk, the speaker explores the differences between social justice and social change through the case study of the gender and sexual diversity movement, exploring how we can discuss gender and sexuality within a multi-religious and multicultural society (one that includes people you may not agree with!
As what we watch and consume becomes more individualized, how does a mass medium focused on the communal experience stay relevant? The speaker will argue it’s more relevant than ever, and it’s not going anywhere. Radio Content Director and storyteller Andrew Charles Wilcox will discuss the changing landscape of radio in these digital times, what that means for the community, and how it still connects us all. Speaker: Andrew Charles Wilcox
This presentation explores how social connection, play, and lifestyle habits protect brain health and promote wellness in older adults. Through six dimensions of wellness—social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, and physical—the speaker will outline simple, evidence-based strategies such as physical activity, quality nutrition, mindfulness, laughter, and play to strengthen executive functions and support lifelong brain health. The presentation concludes with practical, community-focused approaches from Building Brains Together that foster joy, connection, and purpose in later life.
As the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) celebrates its 50th year, we recognize that the needs and expectations of seniors are evolving like never before. Aging is not simply a matter of years—it is shaped by community, culture, and changing perspectives on what it means to grow older. This presentation explores how seniors’ centres must adapt to support a new generation of older adults who seek purpose, connection, and engagement in diverse ways.
The settlement process for newcomers can pose challenges and barriers that must be overcome in order to achieve eventual and active full participation in the Lethbridge community. “Serving newcomers" refers to providing settlement and support services to new immigrants and refugees, to help them integrate into Canadian society. Services include language training, employment assistance, accommodation assistance, connecting with the community, helping with daily tasks, and connecting with the resources available in Lethbridge.
Lethbridge faces interconnected challenges of increasing homelessness, rising poverty rates, persistent food insecurity, and a significant drug crisis. Recent data shows homelessness rising by 7% annually since 2022, with shelter capacity often exceeded. Over 12% of the population lives below the low-income threshold, with child poverty and Indigenous population rates being particularly high. Speaker: Bill Ginther Bill Ginther is the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, where he is in his 9th year as part of his third post retirement position.
Lethbridge & District Exhibition has officially split into two new not-for-profit organizations, the Lethbridge & District Agricultural Society (LDAS) and Excite Lethbridge. Each entity has its own unique mission, vision and mandate, but will work collaboratively to ensure events, agriculture, community gatherings and the newly-renamed Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre (formerly the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre) are run efficiently and sustainably. This made-in-Lethbridge solution ensures a strong and clear future that puts Lethbridge at the heart of events and agriculture in our region, province and country.
Retirement and especially estate planning are often ignored until late in life and sometimes too late. The speaker will give options on some of the many different scenarios that most of us will experience. Speaker: Susan J Ginther Susan has been a financial advisor and investment & retirement planner for over 32 years. Her passion and focus are relationships and planning. Knowing and understanding clients’ wishes are paramount to her before making plans to achieve their goals.
Alberta’s recent introduction of Bill 54 (The Citizen Initiative Act) which lowers the threshold for citizen-led referendums in the province, has sparked renewed concerns about the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada. The speaker will contend that If Alberta attempted to separate, it could not maintain the treaty relationships established with the Crown. First Nations would have strong constitutional and international law arguments to reject inclusion in an independent Alberta. Under international law, particularly the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they have the right to self-determination, which may mean First Nations could demand autonomy, remain with Canada, or negotiate new terms directly.
Canadians increasingly want produce that is fresh, safe, and grown close to home—but our climate rarely cooperates. Modern controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is changing that equation. This talk explores how energy-efficient greenhouses like Whole Leaf’s 11-acre facility in Coaldale now supply millions of heads of lettuce year-round with 90 percent less water than field production and zero insecticides or herbicides. The speaker will examine: The market shift toward “Made-in-Canada” fresh produce and its economic impact Key technologies—climate control, hydroponics, automation, and combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems—that make northern greenhouses viable and competitive Sustainability gains: Reduced land use, water recirculation, and CO2 utilization How local production shortens supply chains, lowers spoilage, and improves food security for Southern Alberta & Canada.
Moralizing gets a bad rap, but I’ll try to convince you that it (sort of) shouldn’t. I’ll walk through a handful of unusual forms that moralizing can take, like ironically thanking someone or pretending to reprimand someone who isn’t there. I’ll try to show that paying closer attention to these forms of moralizing should change your mind about the function of morality, sanctimoniousness, and whether morality is more a matter of reason or emotion.
The future of downtown Lethbridge is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about people, community, and creating spaces that bring us together. The Civic Common Redevelopment Strategy presents a bold vision to reimagine our city’s core: a vibrant, inclusive precinct that integrates mixed housing, enhances the public realm, and welcomes a new performing arts centre as a cultural anchor. At the heart of this plan is the belief that the Civic Common should be magnetic, green, and walkable—a civic hub where neighbours connect, businesses thrive, and arts and culture flourish.
Exploring the highs of trans joy, the lows of being a scapegoated minority, and the history of reactionary hatred against us to help explain the era of emerging fascism we’re living through. Speaker: Kattie Aurora I was born in Saskatoon where I lived until my family moved to Lethbridge as I was starting high school. After that, I moved to Ottawa to study space systems engineering at Carleton University. I grew up on hopeful sci-fi like Star Trek and Stargate, and my dream was to make these futures a reality.
Dr. Susan Cake will explore the progress made since the federal government’s historic 2021 investment in child care, the challenges Alberta families and educators still face, and why child care remains a cornerstone issue for the future of our province. Speaker: Dr. Susan Cake Dr. Susan Cake is an Assistant Professor in Human Resources and Labour Relations. Dr. Cake has been with Alberta’s Athabasca University since 2020. Susan serves as the Chair of Child Care Now Alberta and is on the board of Child Care Now.
The world of implantable hearing devices - cochlear implants will be explored. How these technologies work, how they have been able to prevent lifelong deafness in children born without hearing, which adults might be a candidate, and what life is like as a cochlear implant user will be detailed. Drawing on clinical experience and fellowship training in cochlear implants, the presenter will demystify the process of assessment, referral, and post-implant care.
SACPA’s AGM is scheduled immediately following the final 2023 – 2024 session featuring Dr. Duane Bratt. Members in good standing eligible to vote. Date/time: Thursday June 27, 2023, 1:15 pm. Location**:** Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) Dining Room, 500-11 Street S, Lethbridge, AB
This year marks the 24th ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. The speakers will share some of the festival’s early beginnings. What is it about, and how did it start? The abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team has, for 25 years, provided a social and recreational environment that embraces a full and active lifestyle for cancer survivors. An overview of their history and how that helped to inspire the development of the Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival will also be discussed.
An inclusive and engaging journey that brought together all aspects of its internal and external communities has culminated with the recent release of the new strategic plan for University of Lethbridge — a shared vision that addresses the changing landscape of post-secondary education provincially, nationally and globally. The new plan for Iniskim; the Blackfoot name gifted to the University of Lethbridge, defines its values and commitment, and sets the course for the next 10 years.
This talk will give a brief history of Environment Lethbridge, the Living Cities initiative, the Lethbridge Living Cities Pathway (and why we need it), and Environment Lethbridge’s role in pursuing the Pathway through education and engagement with citizens in the community. Speakers: Kathleen Sheppard and Amber Murray Kathleen Sheppard joined Environment Lethbridge as Executive Director in November of 2015. Originally from southern Alberta, Kathleen has more than 25 years experience working for non-profit organizations in BC and Alberta.
Lethbridge and southern Alberta are considered particularly vulnerable to a trade war with the United States, especially due to their strong trade ties with the US, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce identified Lethbridge as the 10th most vulnerable city in Canada to potential U.S. tariffs. To mitigate the negative effects on this region, a Lethbridge Region Economic Resilience Task Force has been established, focusing on developing strategies to support businesses in the region and ensure they can navigate the challenges posed by the tariffs, implemented by US President Donald Trump.
Many Canadians may be seeing red, but nearly as many are seeing blue. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Mark Carney will form a new minority government in Canada after his Liberal Party secured the most seats in parliament in the recent federal election, completing a remarkable political turnaround amid a growing confrontation with President Trump and the United States. Although opposition leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, the Conservatives grew their proportion of the popular vote substantially and made inroads in Ontario with 44 per cent of the vote there.
The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and proclaimed 21 March the annual World Day for Glaciers. Related initiatives are highlighting the importance of glaciers worldwide, including their role in freshwater supplies and sea level rise, and the increasing threats of glacial hazards, while illustrating the impacts of climate change on the critical role that glaciers play in our Earth’s systems. Professor Hester Jiskoot will present the trends and future projections in receding glaciers and ice sheets worldwide and the related implications for humanity.
Tea’s origins are widely believed to be in China, with the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, native to the southwest of the country, particularly the Yunnan province. It’s an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia Sinensis. While tea has been initially considered as a “beverage” it is no longer considered just a “beverage” by itself but rather a drink with medicinal value.
At least one-fifth of all food produced in Canada is (avoidably) lost or wasted during harvesting, packing, storing, handling, transporting and processing. Lethbridge Polytechnic received grants in 2021 from different sources to study the issues and the speaker will provide evidence of promising results. Lethbridge Polytechnic was also on the receiving end of part of a large grant this year that will be applied towards using cellular agricultural research to improve food security across Canada well into the future.
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen (LSK) has been serving meals to the less fortunate for the past 40+ years and will continue to do so as long as there is a need. LSK is blessed to have a great core of volunteers from many churches and service clubs in Lethbridge and surrounding area, many of whom have served for as long as the soup kitchen has been in existence. Upwards of 800 volunteers representing all ages and walks of life are gratefully doing much of the daily work to compliment the many suppliers, who provide most of the supplies needed to prepare the meals that are served three times a day, seven days a week.
This is the Question that inspires Imagine Lethbridge, a grassroots organisation of residents passionate about a prosperous and sustainable future for our community. To answer this question, Imagine Lethbridge centres its thinking, activities, and processes around a unique and fresh perspective on economic activity known as regenerative economics by academics, and affectionately called “Doughnut Economics” by communities worldwide adopting and applying its principles. Our speakers will present the core principles and visual framework of Doughnut Economics, and share perspectives from a global, provincial and municipal viewpoint on practical considerations for ethical community prosperity and sustainability.
The Land Use Bylaw is the rule book that regulates development on private land in the city and the last time it was comprehensively reviewed and rewritten was 1986. The Land Use Bylaw Renewal project is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a city and establish regulations to shape the future of Lethbridge. This presentation will examine how the Land Use Bylaw shapes where we live, work, and play, and how the new Land Use Bylaw will be created.
Friday afternoons in a southern Alberta classroom, youth may be learning how to keep their troubles in check. Leaning over chess boards at the ULethbridge, teens and young adults who are at-risk or have been convicted of various crimes are taught to think, think again, then think some more as they move their pawns, kings, queens and rooks across 64 black and white spaces. The founder of Chess for Life says the program helps them learn how to accomplish short-term goals, like completing community service hours, following a curfew and staying out of trouble.
When we think about how storytelling shapes our understanding of community, we often turn to historians, musicians, and other public commentators to help us make sense of our shared narrative. However, the role of policymakers and journalists in shaping this understanding is often overlooked. This presentation explores how two key institutions—the Lethbridge Herald and Lethbridge City Council—have shaped public discourse about local homelessness. The speaker will explore how their framing of this issue has influenced the community’s ability to respond.
Neighbourhood connections are the foundation of a resilient city. They enhance safety, well-being, and local engagement, strengthening Lethbridge as a whole. This session explores why these connections matter, insights from the Neighbourhood Engagement Project, and the role of neighbourhood associations—like the League of YQL Neighbourhoods—in fostering community. Beyond discussion, this is a call to action: whether by engaging with neighbours, supporting local initiatives, or simply being a friendly presence, small efforts make a big impact.
Sustainable practices, by definition, seek to maintain the same, whereas regenerative practices recognize that natural systems are currently impacted and it applies management techniques to restore the system to improved productivity. Regenerative and sustainable actions can use essentially the same practices, the difference is the application and the management of those tools. Farmers are faced with skyrocketing input costs, declining product efficiency and industry pressure to implement sustainable and regenerative practices.
Building a stronger, more accountable and community-driven police service is paramount to fostering public trust. “Lethbridge Policing: Four Years of Change and Progress” highlights the transformation of the Lethbridge Police Service from late 2020 to today. When Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh was sworn in, LPS faced a series of internal morale issues and significant public scrutiny. His presentation will discuss the reforms that have taken place since that time to change organizational culture, prioritize employee well-being and the journey to rebuild fractured relationships.
Since 2017, the Secure Your Food Program (SYF) has known that food prices will rise due to systemic issues. Other contributing factors such as history, war, climate change, etc., will also keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future. SYF can confidently summarize for you and your family why this is happening and why it’s important to prepare during these volatile times. SYF works at all levels of society to improve food security.
Canada has experienced a disruptive start to 2025, with PM Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, prompting a leadership campaign and a prorogued parliament . With a federal election looming, Canadians, among other problems, are facing affordability issues and to top it off, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada and 10-percent tariffs on oil and gas. Those US tariffs were set to begin Feb 4, but have been delayed by at least 30 days as the countries work together on border security and trade imbalance.
Recently, Mayor Hyggen presented his annual State of the City address for the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and he highlighted our rapid population growth and the challenges and opportunities. What are our current needs? What do we foresee in the near future and beyond? How do we pay for it? Who should pay for it? The speaker will talk about the issues, costs, priorities and realities. Speaker: Blaine Hyggen, Mayor of Lethbridge
Overwhelmed hospitals. Overcrowded schools. Threats from Donald Trump. Coal mines that could contaminate our water supply. If all that wasn’t enough for Albertans to worry about, Alberta wages and living standards are also falling. Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will explain what’s behind the disappearance of the Alberta Advantage – and what we can do about it. Speaker: Gil McGowan Gil McGowan is a passionate labour leader, advocate for workers’ rights, and dedicated champion of social and economic justice.
Community television programming is considered an important source for information and provides a reflection of local realities that few other television services currently showcase. All programming on Rogers TV must be “Community Programming”, which is defined by CRTC regulations as programming that refers directly to the community, which could be defined as the station’s contours, broadcasting distribution undertakings service area, municipality, census metropolitan area or census agglomeration; and is produced by the personnel of the local station, independent local producers or members of the community for the local station.
Lethbridge Polytechnics’s Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) has been embracing Klose’s (2024) re-definition of evidence-based policing approach that entails decision-making, “which integrates the best available evidence, professional judgement and community values, preferences and circumstances”. CPSAR currently supports over 14 different research projects, 15 researchers, 14 student researchers that involve meaningful collaborations with over 28 Canadian policing, public safety, academic, and community partners across five provinces. We hope to share the benefits and potential of using “research-informed, practitioner-centred, and community-oriented” (Klose, 2024) evidence-based policing practices overall.
Our human body comprises 20,000 different essential proteins, each made up of a unique sequence of amino acids, unique in length, composition and three-dimensional structure. If our genome, or epigenome, fails to nourish us with one or more of our own proteins, say insulin, to whom do we turn in order to acquire such essential biomedical proteins or biologics? If our industries require biocatalysts like food processing enzymes or biomaterial proteins such as silk, how easily could our Prairies produce such otherwise expensive and exclusive proteins?
What is the difference between a college and a polytechnic and how long has this change been in the works? How much will this change cost and will it change the funding the institution receives from the Government of Alberta? Other changes at Lethbridge Polytechnic will be addressed by the speaker - among them, what does it mean for applied research and will programs be modified from present teaching methods? For example, will more programs be compatible - and or transferable with the University of Lethbridge?
This talk will focus on who voted and why. It will dispel several interpretations of the outcome. It concludes that the election is best seen as a reflection of a crisis facing the American political and party systems. Speaker: Trevor Harrison Trevor W. Harrison is a retired professor of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He was formerly Director of Parkland Institute (2011-2021) and a member of both the Canadian political science and sociology associations.
Nothing is more important to Albertans than our kids, but too many are struggling. Teachers and parents both know our schools don’t have the support kids need. Alberta’s per-student spending on education is the lowest in the country. Teachers are leaving the profession, kids are falling behind, and parents are worried. We can make things better, by investing in smaller classes, more support in classrooms, and manageable workloads to be able to recruit, retain, and respect professionals in public education.
There has been a recent spike in downtown fires. The speaker will discuss why fire prevention is essential, how we can minimize fire risks and hazards, and the importance of regular checks and maintenance. Speaker: Troy Hicks, Chief Fire Marshal, Lethbridge Fire & Emergency Services Mr Hicks has been with the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Fire Prevention Bureau for 13 years and has been the Chief Fire Marshal since Feb of 2024.
Parents today likely won’t be surprised to know their children have far less freedom to travel in their neighbourhoods than they did. But what they might not know is how that could affect their children’s physical activity and mental health. Most children and adolescents worldwide are not active enough to obtain optimal benefits for health and development. Among the many factors associated with physical activity, children’s independent mobility (CIM), which is their freedom to roam and explore their neighbourhood without adult supervision, is gaining increasing attention.
The Wilson Hutterite Colony has been in existence in its present location since 1918 when the original settlers arrived from North Dakota. Originally they came from Europe where people in parts of Austria speak a language similar to theirs even now. Today there are 128 people residing on the colony, located south of Coaldale. The successful farming operation includes livestock and poultry production as well as beautifully crafted goods for colony use sold both locally and even internationally.
Slogans and populism cliches can become dangerously powerful when not critically examined. Does their persistence, despite lack of merit, speak to their utility for some dominant power? Two examples are: ” There is no such thing as society.” and “The government has no money of its own.” The speaker will explore these examples on their own lack of merit, while touching more broadly on human responsibility for our world today and tomorrow.
This Nov 7 session will be an in-person virtual presentation, including Q & A, shown on the LSCO screens via Zoom. You can also join the session virtually from anywhere via Zoom Meeting ID: 878 8620 0118 Passcode: SACPA The speaker will contend that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are versatile, experienced clinicians with extensive clinical training and graduate level specialization. NPs are completely independent health professionals and require no outside supervision of their practice.
The argumentative exchange of reasons is often seen as the most equality-affirming, respectful way in which parties can engage with each other’s minds. But for argumentation to fulfill this promise, we often have to invest extra effort. One of the places where such extra effort may be required is when we try to understand the reasons that the person we are arguing with is trying to communicate to us. This can be difficult, especially when they are not very good speakers, or when we strongly disagree with their worldview.
Since the May 2023 provincial election, the UCP government has arguably embarked on an ambitious, rapid and multi-faceted policy agenda. The pace and breadth of these changes appears to create a sense of chaos. This chaos may not be a byproduct of their aggressive agenda, but one of its central goals. The rapid-fire announcements, overhaul of key government functions, pursuit of unpopular positions and provocative talk from the Premier can work together to sow a sense of chaos and create cover for a longer term agenda.
The speaker, a game warden with 38 years of experience in Alberta, will share stories about his work in protecting the region’s fish and wildlife. He will highlight the delicate balance between humans and nature, the diverse wildlife in Alberta, and the challenges faced by conservation efforts. This presentation will showcase the dedication required to safeguard these natural resources and provide insight into the tireless work of individuals committed to conservation.
Albertans are no strangers to disruptive restructuring of our health care system. Decades of austerity have left us with reduced services, creeping privatization, and worse care conditions. None of this, however, can fully prepare us for the harm that may be caused by the provincial government’s ongoing dismantling of Alberta Health Services (AHS). Danielle Smith’s government is undertaking a massive restructuring of health care delivery. As the government continues to roll out their plan, it has become increasingly clear that this isn’t actually about improving patient care or local input, but arguably, a systematic overhaul designed to benefit the profits of the government’s private sector friends.
YWCA Lethbridge & District has been rooted in Lethbridge for 75 years, continuously adapting to the needs of the community. In 2024, the organization continues to play a crucial role in addressing the escalating social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable women, children, and youth. With rising housing and rental costs, many families are unable to secure affordable, stable housing, driving them to YWCA services. The rising cost of living further deepens financial instability, leaving individuals at greater risk of homelessness and domestic violence.
There’s a whole new vehicle technology out there - electric vehicles. When you’re in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle a question arises. Is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) right for you? This presentation looks at the pluses and minuses of fully electric vehicles. Amid the flood of information and disinformation out there, we’ll pick out some of the more important things you need to know about BEVs.
The speaker will present the latest strategies for reducing methane emissions in cattle, focusing on how advancements in rumen microbiome research and optimized nutrition can lower environmental impact. He will highlight new data and technologies that improve feed efficiency and sustainability in cattle production. Speaker: Dr. Tim McAllister, Lethbridge Research and Development Research Centre Dr. Tim McAllister is a Principal Research Scientist at AAFC’s Lethbridge Research Centre. His research focuses on microbiology, nutrition and beef production and on food and environmental safety issues related to livestock production, strategies for mitigation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, prion inactivation within the environment, antimicrobial resistance in bacteria in feedlots and investigating the discovery and characterization of fibrolytic enzymes from rumen microbes.
A continued focus on strengthening research partnerships and strong performance in federal grant agency support sees ULethbridge among Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities spurred by a second-place ranking amongst all undergraduate universities in the growth of research income as it relates to industry partnerships. The partnerships forged in recent years highlight the fact that ULethbridge researchers are helping solve important issues facing small and big businesses, industrial partners, agri-food, tech and many other sectors.
SACPA’s AGM is scheduled immediately following the final 2023 – 2024 session featuring Dr. Duane Bratt. Members in good standing eligible to vote. Date/time: Thursday June 27, 2023, 1:15 pm. Location**:** Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) Dining Room, 500-11 Street S, Lethbridge, AB
For the past several months, Kathleen Ganley, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Sarah Hoffman and Naheed Nenshi have been battling it out to see who will replace Rachel Notley as leader of Alberta’s NDP. Each leadership candidate faced an entrance fee of $60,000 and a spending limit of $500,000. Initially, David Shepherd registered his candidacy early, but did not pursue it further. Rakhi Pancholi also announced her candidacy early, but withdrew from the leadership race shortly after Naheed Nenshi entered the race.
The speaker will share his views on Bill 18, which deals with a potential limitation of municipal-federal agreements - an overview of the bill, its intentions, and the potential impacts on municipal autonomy, operations and how this bill could redefine the relationship between municipalities and the federal government, and what this can mean for local governance and decision-making. Regarding Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, the speaker will examine the amendments proposed in this bill, their significance for municipal administration and highlight key changes.
The sense of isolation that Antarctica brings is achieved in part thanks to an international collaboration and treaty that sees Antarctica as an unowned land, open to science and discovery. It is closely and collectively monitored by protocols that visiting parties agree to follow and therefore, it’s a perfect stage for programs focused on leadership and sustainability. Our speaker, who will account her experience, did her homework, and then some, before embarking on her 19-night tour of Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound global leadership initiative for women with a background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).
The session will address the history of CPP, who governs CPP, relationship to QPP, funding methodology for pensions, necessary changes to ensure viability in the 1990s, the unfunded liability, viability of the current plan, fiduciary responsibilities of decision makers, ownership of the assets, who gets the liability on separation, the UCP proposal, gaping holes in their promises, UCP’s ability to manage the referendum, and finally serious questions for Albertans to ponder.
There is a wealth of evidence highlighting the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. This communication highway, facilitated by many pathways, forms the cornerstone of what we now recognize as the gut-brain axis. But why should we care about this intricate web of connections? The answer lies in the profound implications it holds for our overall health and wellness. Research has shown that disruptions in the delicate balance of the gut-brain axis can contribute to a wide array of health issues, ranging from gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to neurological conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Recently, the Alberta government announced an investment of over $200 million to train more physicians for rural areas, with a significant share of that money being invested at ULethbridge for a new rural medical education program training centre, one of two that will be established in the province. ULethbridge will be working with the University of Calgary on the centre here while the University of Alberta will partner with Northwestern Polytechnic to develop one in Grand Prairie.
This talk will outline the brain bases of age-related dementia. Dementias can be reversed or avoided by modifying specific risk factors. Some are only available early in life, while others can be addressed in later years. A current understanding of the full range of risk factors, modifiable and non-modifiable, will be presented. Speaker: Dr. Rob Sutherland Rob Sutherland is Professor & Chair of Neuroscience, Tier 1 Board of Governors Research Chair in Neuroscience, Director of the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, and Director of the Hub for Neuroengineering Solutions.
Please join us for a session that cuts through the confusion surrounding hearing loss and cognitive health with info on: A clear breakdown of the links between hearing loss and cognitive decline. How your brain health could be affected by untreated hearing loss. Strategies to protect your hearing and minimize risks. How to identify misleading marketing and scare tactics being used in the hearing health industry. Speaker: Glenn Hole Glenn is a published researcher interested in psychoacoustics, hearing aid technology, tinnitus, and hyperacusis.
The latest data indicates a concerning increase in drug-related incidents and overdose deaths in Lethbridge. Over the past years, there has been a significant rise in the use of opioids and methamphetamines. The trend mirrors the provincial and national crisis but is exacerbated locally by socio-economic factors unique to Lethbridge. Sergeant Darroch will provide an updated overview of the ongoing drug crisis in Lethbridge. He will explore current trends, the community impact, response efforts, and propose directions for future intervention.
In the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada, the purpose of protecting freedom of expression is to enable “the pursuit of truth, participation in the community, and individual self-fulfillment and human flourishing.” However, expressive freedoms can be and have been subject to limits. Where these limits should be located, and for what purposes, is a matter of near constant debate. The speaker will provide an overview of existing arguments for and against limiting freedom of expression.
Join us for an enlightening presentation by Apooyak’ii / Dr. Tiffany Hind Bull-Prete as she delves into crucial topics surrounding the Stolen Children Era. Discover the origins of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and gain insight into why the Calls to Action are relevant to all of us. This lecture is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of these important issues. Speaker: Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete (nee Hind Bull) is a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) of the Siksikasitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), located in the Treaty 7 area.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is currently a hot topic — some people tout it as the next best thing for increasing productivity and reducing costs while others are concerned robots will be replacing workers. Every day brings a new headline, and the average person may be left to wonder whether AI is a good or bad thing. The speaker will argue that AI is in the midst of a big transition. Companies are looking at how to innovate and deliver more value for shareholders, that is, make more money by automating everything.
Join us for an insightful presentation by Minister Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East and Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities. Minister Neudorf will delve into the details of Alberta’s electricity market providing valuable insights into its current state and discussing key factors impacting electricity affordability. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Alberta’s electricity sector, and discover how government initiatives are working towards ensuring a reliable and affordable electricity grid for all Albertans.
Tourism is vital for the success of many economies around the world. It boosts revenues, creates thousands of jobs, helps to develop infrastructure and plants a sense of cultural exchange between visitors and residents. With four UNESCO World Heritage sites and the largest facilities for Sports and Business Events south of Calgary, opportunities are available to invest, grow and capture additional economic impact. How do we accomplish this and do it in a sustainable way?
The Alberta Government recently announced their intention to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth under the age of 18, despite contemporary research and internationally recognized best practices, as set out by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), agreeing that this could end up hurting many of those vulnerable youth. Additionally proposed measures for transgender minors also includes a ban on puberty blockers and parental consent for pronoun changes. Teachers and health professionals were largely not consulted, but more importantly, trans youth have had their voices completely ignored.
The ability to ride your bike off highway and jog or walk safely along a 15 km paved pathway between Lethbridge and Coaldale is something the LINK Regional Pathway Society is working towards. And they have the support of the City and Lethbridge County, St. Mary Irrigation District (SMRID) and the Town of Coaldale. The society has been working on a vision to connect the Henderson Lake area with the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale using the SMRID canal easement running through irrigated farm land.
ALERT’s (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams) ICE (Internet Child Exploitation) teams investigate a range of criminal offences involving child pornography, any computer-related child sexual abuse, child luring over the internet, voyeurism involving underage victims, and child sex trade/tourism. ICE teams also investigate sextortion involving minors. Intakes and case referrals have nearly tripled over a 6 year period. Since last year, ICE experienced over an 8% increase, in a continued upward trend since the pandemic and continued increase in youth digital dependency.
Through Kainai Peacemaking we continue to strive for quality of life and provide an orderly and acceptable way of conducting our lives within the Kainai community by providing opportunities for individuals to resolve conflicts with the law. Speakers: Debbie Melting Tallow, Sherry Tailfeathers and Leon Day Chief Debbie Melting Tallow is administrative support/Intake worker for the Kainai Peacemaking Program. She was employed as the administrative assistant when the program started 15 years ago and as time went on and referrals increased, she attended Cardston court for such referrals, assisted as a facilitator for peacemaker/elder counseling, wrote completion reports, and updated the Crown, Defence lawyers and Native Counseling regarding the referrals.
In January 2024, Rachel Notley announced that she’s stepping down as leader of the Alberta NDP. Notley, the daughter of former NDP leader Grant Notley, was elected to the Alberta Legislature in 2008, representing Edmonton – Strathcona. She won the provincial party leadership in October 2014 and subsequently served as premier of Alberta from 2015 - 2019 after the NDP won the 2015 provincial election. No matter who follows Notley, her resignation will leave a gaping hole in Alberta politics.
Combining firm ideological commitments with shrewd political tactics, Jason Kenney was a key figure in bringing right-wing populism to the mainstream of Canadian politics, but in doing so he unleashed forces he couldn’t control, which eventually produced his downfall. The speaker will argue that from Jason Kenney’s days as an anti-abortion activist at the University of San Francisco, and through his years as a Canadian Taxpayers Federation lobbyist, Reform MP, top cabinet minister in the Harper government, and Alberta premier, Kenney has been single-mindedly driven to bring his harsh moralistic worldview into the mainstream.
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if what we’re seeing online is true. With so much information coming from countless different sources the internet can be an overwhelming landscape. There are a lot of tactics misinformers can use to catch us off guard and no one is excluded from getting caught up in it from time to time. ScienceUpFirst is an initiative from the Canadian Association of Science Centres. Our mission is to share good science, giving people the tools that they need to spot misinformation for themselves.
There’s no question our communities face major struggles within the K-12 education system in Alberta - unfunded students, overwhelmed staff, crowded classrooms, and insufficient inclusive learning supports. So is anything actually working in education? Here’s the answer key: “Yes”. Creating a vision for a successful learning for every student is a critical part of developing our communities. Kristina Larkin advocates for change and also celebrations, and will explore school and education system successes, promising practices, and the excellent learning that takes place in Alberta schools - and ways to encourage more.
Dams don’t make water. They store it. Water actually comes from the headwaters landscape and we are squandering our future because of a collective failure to see that the most important water management decisions are actually land use decisions. There is more water to be found, but only if we demand changes to how our Eastern Slopes are managed. And time is running out. Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem Kevin has worked in landscape ecology and conservation for four decades, mostly in western Canada’s national parks.
In a 2015 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously voted that the prohibition on assisted death in the Criminal Code was unconstitutional. This led to Parliament passing Bill C-14 in 2016, amending the Criminal Code to allow legal exemptions for MAiD. Since its passage, MAiD usage has increased every year, with a total of 10,064 MAID provisions in 2021 alone, accounting for 3.3% of all deaths in Canada. Public polling suggests that the majority of Canadians support MAiD, but their opinions about the service are nuanced and complex.
The Lethbridge Historical Society (originally the Whoop-Up Chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta) has been publishing occasional papers/books since the 1960s. The Society’s current publication – Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now – is the Society’s 62nd publication. The book is an update of the LHS’ 1980 publication: Reflections: Lethbridge Then and Now, written by Warren Hall and Barb Goodman. The captions in the new book were researched and written by Belinda Crowson, and the new photographs taken by Mike Jensen and Belinda Crowson.
The Indigenous Recovery Program is dedicated to proactively addressing the opioid crisis by implementing a comprehensive and collaborative approach rooted in cultural sensitivity, compassion, and harm reduction. Our mission is to reduce opioid-related deaths, raise awareness about opioid misuse, enhance access to culturally relevant, compassionate, and non-judgmental services, and forge a holistic path forward for First Nations living in urban areas. Goals are to: Foster open dialogue on opioid-related issues to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention.
Pro-Choice YQL’s goal is to empower individuals in Southern Alberta with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed choices about their reproductive health and sexual wellness. We are dedicated to advocating for access to safe and legal abortion services, contraception, and comprehensive sexual education. Our vision is a future where reproductive justice is a reality for all. We firmly believe that every person in Southern Alberta deserves the reproductive care they require, free from judgment, discrimination, and stigma.
While Opioid addictions and overdoses is a crisis across the country and provincially, the statistics are staggering for Southern Alberta. The speaker will provide context and put a face to these statistics. The presentation will address Policies developed to stem the tide of addiction and drug poisonings. Policies purported to assist individuals to treatment and support will be reviewed. The advocacy of “Moms Stop the Harm” and the policies and solutions the group would like to see implemented will be discussed.
Despite its seemingly objective stance towards history, rooted in the analysis of material remains of past societies, archaeological interpretation is often contested and invoked to make arguments about the present. Archaeology acts, in some ways, as a metaphorical fault line in contemporary societies, upon which power and identity is negotiated through reference to past peoples and things. Because of this, how people treat cultural heritage can be used as a barometer for different kinds of political sentiments, from the rights of women and minorities to public mistrust of vaccines.
Gender based violence takes place in ways that are unique & disproportionately high in rural communities, but the needs of families often go unmet. Families experiencing domestic violence & abuse often face complex challenges in rural communities. According to the Learning Network, rates of police reported intimate partner violence experienced by rural women in Canada are 75% higher than those for urban women. Rates of police-reported violent crime are 56% higher for rural women than the national rate.
Energy transition — moving away from fossil fuels toward more renewable sources of energy — is well underway, even in Alberta. For example, Alberta will move completely away from coal-fired electricity by the end of 2023. Despite this, energy transition is sometimes presented as, and for some genuinely perceived as an “existential” threat to economic prosperity, particularly for provinces like Alberta. This presentation outlines public opinion about energy transition; knowing this helps explain and understand how and why energy transition is politicized by elite and partisan political actors.
Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw has served our community since 1986. During this time, several amendments have been undertaken to this Bylaw to address market demands and resident aspirations. However, since its creation almost 40 years ago it has not undergone a comprehensive renewal. The Land Use Bylaw sets out the rules for what kind of building or activity can take place on private property and outlines the process for issuing Development Permits that give approval for new buildings and activities.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Take Back Alberta supporters in the United Conservative Party arguably want to take Albertans out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and substitute an “Alberta Pension Plan” (APP). Given its possible long-term effect on the lives of Albertans, this should have been one of the more important issues in the recent election campaign. Instead, the Premier refused to discuss it at all, and now the provincial government is spending more than 7.
In October 2022, the Town and MD of Pincher Creek collaborated with the Piikani Nation land department to begin developing a Climate Resiliency and Adaptation plan. This process was enabled due to funding provided by the Municipal Climate Change Action Center. The plan development focused on a stakeholder-driven methodology to identify key climate risks in the region and develop plans to adapt to those risks within a changing environment. The project was led by a team consisting of members from the Town, MD, regional emergency management organization, and Piikani Nation.
Each year the Government of Alberta acknowledges October as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Recently the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre renovated space in downtown Lethbridge to accommodate the needs of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre – a program that provides coordinated, multidisciplinary approach in a safe, comfortable environment to address the needs of abused children, youth and their families. The talk will explore the prevalence of child sexual abuse, long standing implications of abuse when left unaddressed, and why it is important, as a community, to take action.
Interfaith Food Bank is on the front lines of addressing food security issues in our community, and is an organization that has had to grow and adapt to the ever-evolving food security crisis in order to meet community needs. Food banks in Alberta experienced a 73% increase from 2019 – 2022 and in just the last year, local need has increased again by 30%. This presentation will discuss the rise in food insecurity and how community members can lend support by offering food, funds or free time to food security initiatives.
While many have heard of donating blood, donating plasma is still a relatively next concept. Some people still believe that donating blood and plasma are one and the same, and while both have you sitting in a chair hooked up to a machine, they are different processes with different purposes. When people think of blood donation, they are typically thinking of whole blood donation. Whole blood donations include all four blood components–red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma and are used to treat blood loss, typically due to injury or surgery.
For more than 130,000 years, bison roamed the ecosystems of western Canada and US and while doing so, influenced the lives of Indigenous Peoples and every other species they shared space and time with, before they were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s. The speaker will talk about his journey to the Bob Creek Wildlands in Alberta’s foothills and finding evidence of past bison existence there, which led a group of hikers to start investigating the possibility of returning bison to this part of the Eastern slopes.
Most of the global population recognizes we are in an accelerating transition to sustainable societies and environments. But what will that look like? Will life be more challenging; more comfortable; perhaps a combination? Dr. Byrne will discuss the society of the future. What do we have to do with energy and sustainability to achieve reasonably stable regional and global environments. Speaker: James Byrne Moderator: Mark Goettel James Byrne is Professor Emeritus, University of Lethbridge.
Lethbridge & District Exhibition is a pillar in the Lethbridge community. As a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1897, it operates and maintains seventy-two acres of land on the east bank of Henderson Lake and exists to ensure that the people of Lethbridge and district have a community gathering place now and in the future at which to participate in events, conduct business, learn, and be entertained. The new 268,000 square foot Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre, one of the largest development projects in the history of Lethbridge, will serve as an economic driver of growth for Alberta’s agriculture, tourism and agri-food sectors.
Histories of vaccination often begin in the late 18th century, with Dr. Edward Jenner and a milkmaid. But there was an earlier practice (variolation) in which samples of smallpox from (what were believed to be) less deadly outbreaks were used to protect patients against more severe versions of the disease. It involved either scratching material from smallpox ‘pustules’ onto the skin or inhaling it. The speaker will talk about the history of vaccination, the history of resistance to vaccination and the emergence of biological/ biochemical knowledge that has built powerful new tools for building vaccines.
A tribute to a World War I Warrior. The presentation will provide an example of racism that was wrong then and continues to be wrong today …… high and unequivocal praise for Mike Mountain Horse, an inspiring and courageous Warrior who was buried for four days and wounded three times in World War I. After his service, he was elected a minor chief of his tribal Nation and elected a president of a Lethbridge railway union.
In January 2023, I presented the State of The City at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast. At the upcoming SACPA meeting I would like to provide you updates on many of the key topics we identified. There have been great strides forward in some areas, work to be done in others. Topics highlighted will range from homelessness to green bins. We will touch on issues like community safety, the electoral system, third bridge, physician recruitment, taxes, addictions, the intergovernmental health table and much more.
Following the 2019 provincial election win by the United Conservative Party (UCP), leader Jason Kenney, became Premier of Alberta. Since then, the province has arguably been in some kind of crisis mode ranging from financial woes to COVID 19 controversy (“Best Summer Ever”) to fights with doctors, nurses and Ottawa to name a few. Adding fuel to the fire, Alberta went through a leadership change in October 2022, when Danielle Smith won the race to replace Kenney as Premier.
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Carter v. Canada that parts of the Criminal Code would need to change to satisfy the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The parts that prohibited medical assistance in dying would no longer be valid. The Supreme Court gave the government until June 6, 2016, to create a new law. In June 2016, the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation, known as Bill C-14, that allows eligible Canadian adults to request medical assistance in dying.
The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa, in partnership with Lethbridge College, Reconciliation Lethbridge, Lethbridge Historical Society and the City of Lethbridge Indigenous Relations Office, are embarking on a project that will focus on and highlight Niitsitapi knowledge and perspectives of the event. We believe this project will continue efforts toward reconciliation and relationship building by informing residents of the impact the battle had on the development of the Lethbridge. In order to focus on the Niitsitapi voices that have been ignored in the past, the Galt has engaged with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the Blackfoot communities about this specific event.
Concerns have been raised about the fragmentation of the management of Alberta’s fish and wildlife resources to separate departments and non-government agencies. Questions will be raised on how effective fish and wildlife management and conservation will happen, in such a fractured way. Risks to an important resource, a provincial treasure, will be explored. What is happening, how might these changes influence a public resource like fish and wildlife, and why should you care?
Social prescribing is a means for health-care providers to connect patients to a range of non-clinical services in the community, in order to improve their health and well-being. As opposed to simply treating symptoms, social prescribing may help to address the underlying causes of patients’ health and well-being challenges. Ideally, social prescribing is a more holistic approach to health care, which promotes community-based integrated care, and helps to de-medicalize health service provision.
An on-reserve police service presents with many challenges, including funding, staffing, and retention. The First Nation members themselves face particular challenges as well as non-challenges. Non-First Nation officers have their own unique challenges, as well as the “culture shock” that accompanies policing a First Nation area. Our presenters will touch on all of these issues based on their own policing experience. Speakers: Police Chief Grant Buckskin and Inspector Rayan Najjar
A NDP majority was elected in 2015, and then in 2019 enough people voted for the UCP to give them a majority. Elections in different jurisdictions have shown that after each opposite direction election, many voters are left hanging with no home. Recent polls have shown that the UCP is having a hard time keeping voters, but not all are ready to vote NDP, so where do they go? The speaker will contend that at some point, Albertans may become tired of the instability of this back-and-forth undoing what the previous government did, only to have that repeat in the following election.
The City of Lethbridge and Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) signed a Shelter lease agreement starting Jan 1, 2023 at the location of the former Lethbridge Shelter and Stabilization Centre on 2 Avenue North. The speaker will give some background info on how this agreement came to be, followed by an account of the current Shelter situation and the overall continuum of care plan and vision by BTDH on the issue of opioid addiction and recovery.
Some people may be under the impression that with the Paris Accord of 2015, and subsequent agreements made at a series of “Conference of the Parties” (COP) meetings, the problem of climate change is well on its way to being solved. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth. I will summarize some recent scientific findings that everyone needs to know about and discuss their implications for climate policy. Speaker: **Kent Peacock
Mr. Schow will give some insight into the provincial budget for 2023, and recap important provincial investments over the last 3 years. Speaker: HONOURABLE JOSEPH SCHOW, ECA Minister Without Portfolio, Government House Leader, United Conservative Caucus, MLA for Cardston-Siksika Moderator: Bev Muendel- Atherstone Joseph Schow was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Cardston-Siksika, on April 16, 2019. He was appointed Government House Leader on October 24, 2022.
With an Alberta election on the way this spring, Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP are promising to be a stable, caring, and competent government, focused on addressing the issues that matter to Lethbridge like lowering the cost of living and rebuilding public health care. With Danielle Smith’s government in a state of chaos, MLA Shannon Phillips will provide an alternative vision for a stronger Lethbridge and what she would prefer to see for her constituents and fellow Albertans.
An account of what was learned about city finances and financial oversight during 8 years of service on Lethbridge City Council will be presented. Speaker: Chris Spearman, Former Mayor of Lethbridge Moderator: Mark Goettel Chris Spearman was a Lethbridge resident from 1981 to 2022. He had more than 40 years ofbusiness experience, including 33 years as Manager of Accounting and Administration at the Black Velvet Distilling Company in Lethbridge. Chris served for 18 years on the Holy Spirit School Board and 8 years as the mayor of Lethbridge.
Find out why the Village Stirling embarked on a journey to net zero with the deployment of community-owned solar microgeneration beginning in 2018. More importantly, learn about this southern Alberta community’s plans to continue its leadership in energy sustainability and financial responsibility. The Village of Stirling is one of just three communities in Canada designated as a National Historic Site and is the largest village in Alberta by population with 1,269 residents as of the 2019 municipal census.
Christian churches faced several significant challenges in the Covid-19 pandemic to attend to the spiritual needs of our community, and their post-crisis recovery continues to be very rocky. This discussion will explore the various obstacles faith communities have faced since 2020, how they navigated those obstacles, and new pressures they are now facing. Speaker: **Reverend Taylor Croissant **Moderator: Terry Shillington The Reverend Taylor Croissant is an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada, currently serving at Southminster United Church in downtown Lethbridge.
Lethbridge Housing Authority – building healthy families and sustainable communities with appropriate and affordable homes. Lethbridge Housing Authority (LHA) is a Housing Management body established by Ministerial Order in 1995. Its purpose is to provide affordable housing to seniors, individuals and families through the operations and administration of funding and properties owned by the Province of Alberta. Recognizing that housing is more than just the bricks and mortar of a building, LHA is a respected partner engaged in building vibrant communities through strong partnerships.
Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl will provide an overview of the City of Lethbridge’s heritage program. Why should we protect Lethbridge’s heritage? How does the City’s heritage program work today? And how will the upcoming new Heritage Management Plan change things? Speaker: Ross Kilgour and George Kuhl George Kuhl is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge with professional roots in urban and regional planning. As a planner with the Oldman River Regional Planning Commission, George worked on City of Lethbridge projects and an array of rural and small-town projects for over 21 years providing him with invaluable community development experience.
For nearly 60 years, L’Arche has transformed the lives of people with and without intellectual disabilities around the world. Beginning in France in 1964, at a time when countless people with disabilities in the Western Hemisphere still languished in institutions, separated from their families and cast off from society, L’Arche founders dared to proclaim that people with developmental disabilities had essential gifts to contribute to society. Since then, across Canada and around the world, L’Arche has been creating communities of friendship and belonging, inviting people both with and without intellectual disabilities to live, work, learn, and grow together in homes, day programs and social enterprises.
The speaker will discuss the importance of having this conversation now, while sharing some of her own experience. She will identify some of the statistics (reported cases, non-reported cases, hospitalizations, deaths, affected children) and what research shows would be a huge step to stop domestic violence before it starts – looking at Mental Health and resilience, stable and positive parenting. The speaker will review what warning signs indicate a possible abusive relationship; why someone being victimized by domestic violence finds it difficult or impossible to leave, and what you can do to be part of the solution.
Alona will recount how she escaped Ukraine two weeks after Russia invaded her country. She fled with her two teenage boys from Dnipro to Kyiv where she had to make several arduous trips by train to Poland to arrange for visas under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program which is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study, and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home.
Danielle Smith is the new leader of the United Conservative Party and premier of Alberta. She is a well-known politician and media personality, but who actually is she? How did she become the UCP’s leader? What does she believe? And where are her political beliefs likely to take the province? These are but a few of the questions the talk will attempt to answer. Speaker: Trevor Harrison Moderator: Colleen Quintal
A recent report by SHENLA highlights that child and family poverty is an important issue in Lethbridge and area. This report was funded by the City of Lethbridge and the Government of Canada and prepared by HelpSeeker in collaboration with SHENLA. While rates of poverty have declined somewhat over the last twenty years, children 0-5 years of age continue to experience higher rates of low income across age groups. This presentation will explore which groups of children are differentially affected by poverty in our community, the impacts of poverty, and why action is needed.
Like many other communities across the country, the City of Lethbridge is seeing an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Without adequate shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing in the city, an increase in encampments is being identified throughout the city. Many questions, ideas, concerns, and comments have been provided over the last several months regarding the solution to encampments and homelessness. Homelessness is a complex social issue, which requires collaboration from stakeholders across the city, the province and the country.
Farming Smarter is a policy governed, non-profit organization with by-laws under the Alberta Societies Act. It is also a Canadian Charity registered under the Canada Revenue Agency. Their farming related projects and programs access funds from numerous sources including research grants, foundations, industry, partners, and all levels of government. The speaker will argue, and many people tend to agree, that applied agri-food research is very important. Yet, funding is a big issue.
A coordinated effort of reactionary columnists, conservative politicians, right-wing think tanks and others are lining up to push the narrative that our public health care is “broken”; they predictably go on to conclude that the only solution is to privatize it. But the truth is our system isn’t broken, it’s being intentionally dismantled for the benefit of private profits. There is no doubt that our public health care system is struggling under a series of crises: the ongoing pandemic, a deadly drug poisoning crisis, chronic short staffing and burnout, bed and unit closures, chronic EMS red alerts, the impacts of years of austerity and cuts, and so much more.
The Lethbridge Drug Treatment Court is contained within the criminal justice system and operates within the same legal framework that governs all adult criminal court proceedings in the Provincial Court of Alberta. The drug court operates based on a guilty plea with a delayed sentencing process (s.720 (2) of the Criminal Code) with entry being dependent on the consent of the Crown, Court, and the Accused. The Lethbridge Drug Treatment Court program is founded on national and international principles for drug treatment courts, is committed to community justice and restoration and are a support service program under the direction of McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association.
There are an increasing number of urban jurisdictions that are allowing egg-laying chickens/hens. Arguable, the reasons are clear - chickens provide protein, great fertilizer, pest control and are easy to maintain. But the bigger reason for keeping chickens may be for people to get more control of their food supply, just like growing vegetables etc. Following the past few years of the Covid pandemic, we all know food security should not be taken for granted and urban planning to allow for small scale food production can help many people meet their basic needs.