General Meeting for SACPA (Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs)
Thursday, June 27, 2024 1:15 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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
Is Alberta's new NDP leader likely to make substantial changes to NDP policies of the past?
Dr. Duane Bratt
Thursday, June 27, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Local Leadership in a Changing Landscape: How Will the Roles of Bills 18 and 20 Shape Alberta?
Jack van Rijn, Mayor of Coaldale
Thursday, June 20, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Should we be paying more attention to the weather and biodiversity changes in far away Antarctica?
Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Thursday, June 13, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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).
Is the UCP’s Alberta Pension Plan just Pixie Dust and Unicorns?
David Bruce Carpenter, Chartered accountant
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
The gut-brain connection: How can it help us achieve gut and brain health?
Dr. Chelsea Matisz
Thursday, May 30, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
A Rural Medical Education Training Centre at U of L: What are the Benefits and Challenges?
Dr. Jon Doan, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge
Thursday, May 23, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
How can we stem the tide of rising age-related dementia?
Robert Sutherland
Thursday, May 16, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Are you concerned about how hearing loss might impact your memory and thinking as you age?
Glenn Hole
Thursday, May 9, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
What is the current status of the Lethbridge Drug Crisis?
Sergeant Ryan Darroch
Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Why Place Limits on Freedom of Expression?
Dr. Susan Dieleman, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge
Thursday, April 25, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Did you know Indigenous children in Canada endured more than just Indian residential schools during the stolen children era?
Apooyak'ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete, Assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge
Thursday, April 18, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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 — bane or boon to humanity?
Dr. Sidney Shapiro, Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business
Thursday, April 11, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Rethinking Alberta’s Electricity?
Nathan Neudorf, Alberta MLA for Lethbridge East Constituency
Thursday, April 4, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
How Important is Tourism to our Lethbridge and Southern Alberta Region?
Erin Crane, CEO for Tourism Lethbridge
Thursday, March 28, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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?
Are Alberta’s proposed policies for trans youth and parents "rights" based strictly on ideology?
Katie DeLucia-Burk, registered social worker
Thursday, March 21, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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 MPE Link Pathway: Are more active living options important in today's society?
Henry Doeve and Alvin Fritz
Thursday, March 14, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Who, What, Where and Why the ALERT ICE Teams investigates predators in our community and around the world?
Cst. Heather Bangle
Thursday, March 7, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
What is Restorative Justice?
Debbie Melting Tallow, Sherry Tailfeathers and Leon Day Chief
Thursday, February 29, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
After Notley, What is next for Alberta's NDP?
Dr. Trevor Harrison
Thursday, February 22, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Kenneyism? - Jason Kenney's Pursuit of Power
Jeremy Appel
Thursday, February 15, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
ScienceUpFirst: What is Misinformation in the Digital Age?
Amanda Bigford, English Content Creator
Thursday, February 8, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Is anything actually working in public education?
Kristina Larkin
Thursday, February 1, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
How Can We Get More Water?
Kevin van Tighem
Thursday, January 25, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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 what way are Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) experiences different in the context of rural living?
Dr. Julia Brassolotto, Associate Professor at the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences
Thursday, January 18, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now
Belinda Crowson
Thursday, January 11, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.
Indigenous Recovery: building allies in the community
Jacen Aubrey, Director, Urban Indigenous Recovery Coach Program
Thursday, January 4, 2024 12:00 PM
Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization
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.