Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA‪)‬ Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs

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. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Audiology from Bristol University in the UK (2009), an Advanced Studies Certification in Tinnitus and Hyperacusis (2016), and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Audiology from Salus University (2020).
Glenn is undertaking his Doctor of Audiology AuD degree course and will graduate in 2025. Outside work, Glenn enjoys fitness, music, hiking, camping, and spending time with his wife and three young children.

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.
Speaker: Sergeant Ryan Darroch
Sgt. Ryan Darroch is with the Lethbridge Police Service Downtown Policing Unit. He is in 21st year of policing with Lethbridge Police Service with the bulk of his career being in a front line role. He has spent his first 5 years on the street in patrol division, then the Special Operations Unit which morphed into ALERT, patrol again, Intel Section and then into the Downtown Policing Unit in 2017 during the height of the drug crisis.
In 2022, Darroch was moved into the Sergeant role of the Downtown Policing Unit where he currently works. His most important job in life is being a dad of two amazing young ladies and married to a fantastic lady.

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.
Speaker: Dr. Susan Dieleman
In 2023, Dr. Dieleman was named the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lethbridge. Before coming to Lethbridge, she taught at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2018-2023), the University of Saskatchewan (2015-2018) and Dalhousie University (2012-2015).
Dr. Dieleman completed her PhD in Philosophy at York University (2011), an MA in Public Policy and Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University (2012), an MA in Philosophy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (2005) and a BA (Hons) in Philosophy at Wilfrid Laurier University (2002).

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. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her program of work consists of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on the Blood Reserve.
Dr. Prete earned her bachelors of elementary education specializing in math and science, and completed her master of education and doctor of philosophy in education at the University of Alberta. She held both a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship, and was an inaugural recipient of the University of Calgary’s Provost’s postdoctoral award for Indigenous and Black scholars at the University of Calgary.

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. But that can backfire, as has happened with self-checkouts. Overall, AI is just a tool with benefits and drawbacks and the legal system hasn’t caught up with the implications of AI, so it’s unlikely it’ll take over the world anytime soon. A house builder, for example, may find some AI tools helpful with certain aspects of the work, but humans are still needed to build the home.
Until computers get much more powerful, it’s going to be difficult to have AI analyze what people want and possibly transform our lives. Reality is, there’s a lot of hype in AI right now and that hype probably overestimates what we can do with it. AI can certainly be a useful tool, but it doesn’t replace what we can do as people, which is to come up with original ideas. The speaker will elaborate
Speaker: Dr. Sidney Shapiro
Dr. Shapiro is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business. With a decade of experience in data science, he specializes in integrating business intelligence, data engineering, and machine learning. Dr. Shapiro’s academic focus includes teaching data analytics courses and conducting research in AI applications in business.
Prior to his current role, he has led data science teams and contributed to academia as a program coordinator and educator. Dr. Shapiro holds a PhD in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies from Laurentian University focused on social network analytics. He is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the evolving field of data analytics.

oin 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. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay informed and engaged on critical issues shaping our province’s electricity landscape.
Speaker: Nathan Neudorf MLA for Lethbridge East
Nathan Neudorf was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge East on April 16, 2019, and was re-elected on May 29, 2023. Prior to his election, Mr. Neudorf worked in commercial construction. He has his civil and structural engineering diploma and is a red seal journeyman carpenter as well as a gold seal project manager.
An active community volunteer and leader, Mr. Neudorf served as the past president of the Lethbridge Construction Association and on the board of directors for the Alberta Construction Association, Alberta Construction Safety Association, and Worker’s Compensation Board. Nathan Neudorf was sworn in as Minister of Affordability and Utilities and Vice Chair of the Treasury Board on June 9, 2023. He previously served as Deputy Premier and Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Neudorf, his wife Deanne, and their five children live in Lethbridge. In his spare time, he enjoys running with his wife and pet beagle and spending time outdoors.