Sessions from 2014

Dr. Hillary Rodrigues

Thursday, December 18, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Those two simple greetings are the subject of much controversy and cause headaches for many at this time of the year. It is difficult enough dealing with the pressures of “getting ready” before relatives and friends arrive in late December, or going over one’s budget spending for presents and the host of other related holiday expenses. But these anxieties are compounded by not knowing how to greet each other at this time of year.

Brain Keating

Thursday, December 11, 2014 12:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

This is a polar celebration of wildlife and adventure to two of our planets last great wilderness areas. Brian Keating’s previous job at the Calgary Zoo was to raise money and then to spend it on environmental projects around the world. Presently, he’s the Zoo’s Honourary Conservation Advisor to their outreach efforts, and a part time Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the U of C. Brian is also the owner of www.

Brian Keating

Thursday, December 11, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planet’s best wilderness locations. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Using humour and personal anecdotes and his own live-narrated video segments, he’ll take you into gin-clear ocean depths with unbelievable creatures, to deserts and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed and amazed. To conclude, he’ll return to our own Canadian backyard, reconfirming the value of our wild spaces.

Dr. Paul Viminitz

Thursday, December 4, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Recently, a gunman attacked Canada’s Parliament shortly after he fatally wounded a soldier at the nearby war memorial. The suspect was eventually killed inside Parliament before harming anyone else. Was he a terrorist or was he just mentally ill and desperate? Should Canada use this attack on Parliament as a pretext for stripping away civil liberties and increasing surveillance on the Canadian people or does history tell us that the worst laws are often made in the heat of the moment?

Imam and Professor Syed Soharwardy

Thursday, November 27, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

In recent months we have watched the “Islamic State”, (ISIS) sweep through Syria and Iraq, terrifying much of the population and enraging people everywhere by beheading several journalists while vowing to bring their war to North America. Reportedly, many Canadian citizens have joined the ISIS forces in fighting a war that arguably is financed mainly by vast revenues from oil that is exported to the industrialized world. The speaker will explore where ISIS fits into the Islamic groups in the Arab World.

Imam and Professor Syed Soharwardy

Thursday, November 27, 2014 12:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

In recent months we have watched the “Islamic State”, (ISIS) sweep through Syria and Iraq, terrifying much of the population and enraging people everywhere by beheading several journalists while vowing to bring their war to North America. Reportedly, many Canadian citizens have joined the ISIS forces in fighting a war that arguably is financed mainly by vast revenues from oil that is exported to the industrialized world. The speaker will explore where ISIS fits into the Islamic groups in the Arab World.

Louise Breadner

Thursday, November 20, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize financial support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers. The Campaign has since evolved into a dynamic and responsive national movement, and currently boasts more than 240 grandmothers groups across Canada.

Carol Williams, Brittney Adams and Shannon Ingram

Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

For the past several decades, conservative forces in the US and Canada have worked to finance and organize Christian fundamentalist sects, the Catholic Church and other organizations to become potentially destabilizing of progressive democratic principles and practices. Powerful interlocking political and corporate forces are seemingly teaming up against women and the disadvantaged in many Southern and Western states and in parts of Canada. These forces have negative effects on women’s ability to control and maintain bodily integrity and health, especially among low income women who often are disproportionately affected by restrictions on abortion services.

Rachel Notley, MLA and Leader of Alberta's NDP Party

Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Alberta’s NDP Party: New Leader, Enhanced Perspective? The new leader of Alberta’s NDP party, Rachel Notley, received 70 per cent of the votes cast on the first ballot, easily defeating two other candidates in the recent NDP leadership race. In her victory speech, Notley promised a viable alternative to the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and Wildrose parties in the next election. The speaker will argue that arrogance, entitlement and the narrow minded vision of days gone by is not the “Alberta Advantage”.

Tim Weis & Rob Harlan

Thursday, November 6, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Alberta’s electricity system is at a cross-roads. Coal, which has been the dominant source of electricity in the province for a generation is slowly being phased out, while industrial growth forecasts mean Alberta’s electricity system will double in size over the next 20 years. Rapid price declines in both wind and more recently solar, as well as technological innovation in integrating these technologies worldwide has meant that wind and solar have the potential to displace vast amount of fossil fuels if Alberta choses to invest in them.

Kent Peacock

Thursday, October 30, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the most remote places of human habitation in the world. It is famed for its iconic statuary and as a tragic example of ecological collapse. This past summer Dr. Kent Peacock travelled to Rapa Nui with his son Evan Peacock and Dillon St. Jean, to photograph, film, and learn as much about the island as a ten-day visit would permit. He’ll recount some of the high (and low) points of the trip, and ask whether it is necessarily the case that planet Earth can be, in the end, nothing more than “Easter Island writ large”.

Nubia Muñoz MD MPH

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 1:00 PM

Dr. Foster James Penny Building

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.

Joe Anglin MLA

Thursday, October 23, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The federal government recently approved the pending sale of an Alberta utility provider to an American company. Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s application to buy AltaLink in a deal worth $3.2 billion was confirmed by Industry Canada along with several conditions, among them, a commitment to keep the electricity transmission company locally managed with its headquarters in Alberta and to keep a majority of its board of directors Canadians. Critics say the deal is not fair to Albertans as the province’s transmission system should not be an internationally traded commodity when electricity is an essential service.

Thomas King

Monday, October 20, 2014 1:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

Social justice dilemmas are situations in which collective interests are at odds with private interests. Such situations arise when faced with prioritizing either short-term selfish interests or the long-term interests of a group, organization, or society. Many of the most challenging issues, from the interpersonal to the intergroup, are at their core social dilemmas. Conflicts arise when motives concerning the group are overcome by individual motives or vice versa. When this happens in a perfect world, Governments ought to intervene and restore the balance of interest, but is it happening?

Bonnie Farries

Thursday, October 16, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The ability to change and survive under new leaders and different circumstances are the strength of any long-ruling political party. Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Party has successfully rebranded itself in previous years, often using “new leadership” as a strategy. Throwing a former Premier under the proverbial bus seems like a simple solution to dwindling popularity, but have the PC’s used this tactic one too many times for it to be effective this go around?

Michele Montgomery, BSW, RSW

Thursday, October 9, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

This past September, NFL football star for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Price, was suspended indefinitely after a video circulated showing him beating his (now) wife in an elevator. Sports commentators and others rushed to condemn, and it seemed unanimous – beating your wife will not be tolerated. It is clearly not fashionable or “in” to beat your wife. Does this mean the struggle to overcome domestic violence has been won and can we expect to see such violence fade away to a distant memory?

Mayor Chris Spearman

Thursday, October 2, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The current Lethbridge City Council was elected to serve a four-year term in October 2013. Although much of the effort of City Council is focused on day-to-day, week-to-week governance matters, Council also recognizes that they are largely responsible for the direction of development in the community. With the future of Lethbridge citizens and businesses in mind, City Council has prepared a strategic plan. City Council has utilized the framework of the City’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan/Municipal Development Plan (ICSP/MDP) to establish strategic priorities for the next four years.

Dr. Lois Wilson

Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 well, majority provincial agreement would likely be required.

Peter Hourihan

Thursday, September 18, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 provincial government departments, agencies and some professional organizations. The Alberta government may also be credited with blurring the lines of accountability that are so critical to ensuring administrative fairness.

Dr. Trevor Harrison

Thursday, September 11, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 prostitution. Many of these policies have been pursued without large-scale public engagement or support, and have drawn particularly negative comment from academics, arms-length public officials, social critics, and the judiciary, including most recently the Supreme Court.

Jason Donev

Thursday, September 4, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 risks of the entire energy sector.

various

Thursday, June 19, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The Board of Directors invites all members and supporters to the AGM. All paid up members receive a free lunch! Non-members pay $11. 2014 Annual General Meeting of Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs Welcome preceded by two young talents playing music from 11:45 am until noon Approval of agenda and appointment of Secretary Adoption and discussion of Minutes – June 20, 2013 ANNUAL REPORTS: Chairperson Finance Committee (Treasurer’s Report and Budget for 2014-2015)

Greg Clark

Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Alberta has a new political party on Prov. scene. Greg Clark will discuss the history of the modern Alberta Party and talk about how societal changes driven by the rise of social media and legitimate concerns about the environmental impact of our energy industry, including climate change, are altering the expectations of Alberta voters. He will also address the question of whether Alberta’s progressive parties should merge and will give his comments on Alberta’s overall political landscape, and make the case that only a new political party can adapt to the evolving expectations of Alberta voters.

Rep. from Blood Tribe Chief and Council, Lois Frank and Eugene Fox

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 1:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

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 discussion will attempt to shed light from different perspectives on the many issues involved and also touch upon to what degree relationships with previous land renters should be considered in the context of signing new agreements.

Susan McDaniel

Thursday, June 5, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Research indicate there is no evidence of a national labour shortage at present or into the foreseeable future, and furthermore, there are large groups of underutilized populations who could join the workforce or be more fully employed. These are the results from a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Knowledge Synthesis Grant, of which the speaker was the principal investigator. The research literature clearly finds that there are skills shortages in some industries and regions, but the literature points to a mismatch of skills rather than a shortage.

Austin Mardon

Thursday, May 29, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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. Typically, a high percentage of a city’s seniors (65 and older) own and live in their own homes.

Michael Stingl

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 1:00 PM

Lethbridge Public Library

SACPA in Partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library presents a SACPA special evening session: Medical Help to Die – The Ethics of Providing Choice for Canadians Public support in Canada for allowing people with terminal illnesses to legally access medical help to die is growing. It’s a topic that many people are not comfortable discussing; however, public debate about the ethics of providing the choice is also growing. Recent developments fueling the discussion include legislation that will be re-introduced by the new government of Quebec, two private members’ bills recently tabled in the House of Commons, and the upcoming Supreme Court of Canada hearing (October 14, 2014).

Alice Hontela

Thursday, May 22, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 risks to our health and the health of the environment. There is substantial evidence that this assumption of low health risk is often false and there are in fact significant risks associated with extensive use of pesticides.

Kenneth Green

Thursday, May 15, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 revenues of $17 billion per year or more according to estimates. That loss affects shareholders, oil-workers, pension plans and government revenues across Canada.

Duane Bratt

Thursday, May 1, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 fair. The Harper Government says it will boost penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud and empower political parties, as opposed to Elections Canada, to drive voter turnout.

Candidates

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:00 PM

Lethbridge Public Library

Due to the untimely death of Councillor Wade Galloway, the City of Lethbridge has scheduled a councillor by-election to be held on Monday, May 12, 2014 SACPA and LPL will host a by-election forum for City Councillor candidates on Wed, April 30, 2014 at the Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery from 7–9 pm Please plan to attend this forum, which will be conducted entertaining both formulated and audience questions. Voice your concerns and help frame the issues for the candidates at this important event.

Mark Goettel

Thursday, April 24, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 reducing use of fossil fuels and mitigating detrimental effects of greenhouse gases.

Linda Many Guns and Jacinda Weiss

Thursday, April 17, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 Lethbridge (ACL) co-ordinates the activities of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Lethbridge and helps various organizations, including school districts and women’s and children’s organizations, access funding.

Gary Stanford

Thursday, April 10, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 at Canada’s railways and suggesting the companies — CN and CP — have not done everything they can to meet the demand for rail cars.

Raj Sherman

Thursday, April 3, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

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 Albertans and municipalities as the Conservatives continue to jack up debt while failing to provide adequate funding for vital programs and services.

Steve Critchley

Thursday, March 27, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Many recent events have brought the issues of Canadian military veterans to public attention. There is concern about suicide and they often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some come home with missing limbs, many are not sure where to fit in, and what their future holds. Most people has little idea what veterans have experienced before they return to civilian life. The speaker works for an organization, CANPRAXIS, which offers programs to Canada’s veterans.

Brenda Gail Fox, Kanakii Mekaisto, Genevieve Bruised Head

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 1:00 PM

Lethbridge Public Library

(Special Session in partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library) Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Main Branch, 810 – 5th Ave. South Free admission, everyone welcome Many First Nations people are reacting with disappointment to the Federal Government’s proposed education legislation for First Nations that was released recently. Under the draft legislation, band councils would be allowed to operate schools directly, as some already do, but also to purchase services from provincial or regional school boards or from the private sector.

Suzanne Doerge

Thursday, March 20, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

In broad terms, diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. It means respect for and appreciation of differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education, and religion. Equality is about creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the same opportunities to fulfil their potential. By eliminating prejudice and discrimination, societies are generally healthier and happier.

Gershon Baskin

Thursday, March 13, 2014 1:00 PM

Country Kitchen

With Iran on the verge of deploying nuclear weapons, the Al-Qaeda global militant Islamist organization becoming more active throughout the region, the ongoing armed conflict in Syria between forces loyal to the Syrian Ba’ath Party government and those seeking to oust it and the ever changing political and security situation in Egypt, the world stands at a critical moment in Middle East affairs. The speaker will discuss the impact of these challenges for the peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the international geopolitical landscape.

Gershon Baskin

Thursday, March 13, 2014 1:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

The peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has taken shape over the years despite the ongoing violence which has prevailed since the beginning of the conflict. Since the 1980?s, Gershon Baskin has been on the forefront of efforts to research and develop the terms upon which a viable peace can be agreed to in both the Palestinian–Israeli conflict and the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. In his dynamic presentation, Gershon focuses on the numerous failures and success of the process, sharing the valuable lessons learned from his years of first-hand experience as the advisor to leaders of both sides of the conflict.

Arden Shibley

Thursday, March 6, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Arden Shibley just returned from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games after spending more than two weeks experiencing Russia’s first attempt at hosting such winter games. In words and pictures, he will speak about and depict the nature of Sochi as a city, and the effects the Olympics had on it. He will also discuss if terrorist threats affected the mood and movement of athletes, tourists and locals alike. Did controversial homophobic laws in Russia affect the games and people?

Paul Chartrand

Thursday, March 6, 2014 12:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

Recent events has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. The speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history, culture and politics and has a keen understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada. As part of the U of L Native Awareness Week, the speaker will explain the many issues involved regarding the Indian Act.

Greg Weadick

Thursday, February 27, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

For the past several months, two “hot button” topics are often leading the headlines in our local media. The proposed move by the province to centralize 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Centres and the planned application by Goldenkey Oil Inc. to drill exploratory wells within municipal boundaries in West Lethbridge are issues that have garnered attention in our community. SACPA will be hosting Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, as he addresses the Government of Alberta’s plans for Lethbridge, including EMS dispatch consolidation and the impact that potential future resource development may have on residential areas.

Claudia Sheedy

Thursday, February 20, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Pesticides have played a great role in the green revolution by improving food production around the world and helping reduce disease transmission by insect vectors. Since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, there has been greater awareness of the fate and transport of pesticides in the environment, and studies on their potential impacts on both human and animal health have led to bans of several chemicals such as organochlorines and DDT.

Courtney Rieger and Abby Morning Bull

Thursday, February 13, 2014 12:00 PM

University of Lethbridge

Freedom of Speech: What does it Mean to You? The fifth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event addressing the question: “Freedom of Speech: What Does it Mean to You? SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Student Union are collaborating to supply financial and promotional support for the Student Speaker Challenge in addition to the encouragement University of Lethbridge provides.

Gary Bikman

Thursday, February 13, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

The official opposition Wildrose Party has, since April 2012, observed Alberta’s provincial government experience many controversies, including oil sands management, resource development, the delivery of health care and Premier Allison Redford’s style of governing. The speaker will discuss some of the urgent issues facing the province of Alberta in 2014 and sketch some alternatives to the direction in which the Progressive Conservative party has chosen to govern. In particular he will speak to examples of red tape and bureaucracy that is presently apparent, while explaining how MLA’s will be better able to serve the interests of their constituents under a Wildrose Government.

Shannon Phillips

Thursday, February 6, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

In the fall of 2013, Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner announced major changes to the pension plans Alberta’s frontline workers in health care, education, emergency services, cities, towns, colleges, and universities pay into. The Labour Coalition on Pensions represents 200,000 frontline workers who pay into Alberta’s public sector pension plans and approximately 90,000 retirees. The Coalition argues that Horner’s proposed changes will slash pension values by more than 25% after 2016 and front-line workers in physically demanding jobs can no longer retire at 60.

Shawn Hass

Thursday, January 30, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

For many people, just having money to set aside for savings or investments is a stretch. Then there’s the issue of what to do if extra funds are available. Some people will put such funds into relatively safe havens such as GIC’s or bonds but are unsure if these will keep up with inflation. Many retirees have most of their assets in Real Estate and are concerned about rising property taxes and other expenses.

Kelsey Prenevost

Thursday, January 23, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

It is largely accepted that our society will have to face the reality of climate change. The repercussions from shifts in our climate arguable include alteration of crop patterns, increasing sea levels and severe weather conditions. The process of global warming is believed to be exacerbated by anthropogenic (human) influence, mainly the combustion of fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when burned. The use of biofuels made from existing biomass are considered to be “carbon neutral”, meaning that unlike their petroleum counterparts, they are not contributing to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since they are made from carbon sources that are cyclically occurring in our ecosystem.

Vaughan Hembroff

Thursday, January 16, 2014 12:00 PM

Lethbridge College

Recent shooting incidents by the Toronto police have highlighted concerns about how our Canadian police use force. Was it for example good judgment when a cop fired multiple shots into a streetcar killing a sole occupant last July and was it an isolated incident or a sign of a disturbing pattern when RCMP officers tasered an unarmed Robert Dziekanski, who later died, in the Vancouver Airport a few year earlier?

Amy von Heyking

Thursday, January 9, 2014 12:00 PM

Country Kitchen

Alberta has one of the most diverse school systems in the world. Its public schools offer a range of specialized alternative programs, from sports academies, to language immersion programs, to faith-based schools. If you are a Christian in this province, you can send your children to fully-funded Catholic schools and in many school districts, you can send your children to equally-funded Logos programs, which use non-denominational Christian curriculum and teach the Christian faith on a daily basis.