 Upcoming AppearancesWe are currently working on new appearances - check back with us soon! Past AppearancesThe Problem of Feedback: The delicate balance between professional autonomy and community expectations David Seymour will address the Public Section of the Saskatchewan School Boards’ Association on the vexed topic of community feedback in education. If Standardised Testing undermines the autonomy and professionalism of teachers, are there alternatives for satisfying community expectations? Reasons to Exist: What should the Saskatchewan Project be about? All places have a reason to exist, which are partly accidental and partly chosen by their inhabitants. Hong Kong has its location, but also its openness to trade. Florida has its beaches, but also its tax and land use policies that attract retirees. Resources are a fixed part of our equation, but what conscious choices does Saskatchewan face and what effects will they have? 4th International Conference on Climate Change
Reasons to Exist: What should the Saskatchewan Project be about? All places have a reason to exist, which are partly accidental and partly chosen by their inhabitants. Hong Kong has its location, but also its openness to trade. Florida has its beaches, but also its tax and land use policies that attract retirees. Resources are a fixed part of our equation, but what conscious choices does Saskatchewan face and what effects will they have? The State of First Nations in Canada Today This free discussion will look at where First Nation communities were 30 years ago and how the industry has evolved to its present state and the paths they must now take if we are to move forward as real players in the economy, with the eventual goal of becoming self sufficient and viable communities. The Politics of Cutting your Losses: Non-viable Reserves and Aboriginal Economic Development For this talk, policy analyst Joseph Quesnel will discuss his recent research paper on relocation of non-viable First Nation reserves. By first defining what characteristics these reserves share, Quesnel will look at options available to First Nation communities who believe they have exhausted all of their economic options. In particular, he will evaluate whether the current treaty land entitlement and specific claims processes can allow for community relocations closer to urban centres. Along the way, this discussion will look at Canada's historic political economy and notions of indigenous identity. The World Cools on Global Warming The public no longer uncritically buys into the human caused global warming theory. A strong public backlash has punished crusading anti-carbon politicians in Australia, France and Britain. An overview of the global warming political juggernaut and why it's sinking so fast. Contact Jim McGregor, Charleswood Rotary Club, 736-4142. How Think Tanks Can Make Alberta a Better Place Alberta has hit a rough-patch recently with a return to deficits, debt and damaged investor confidence. Mr. Holle and the Frontier Centre believe Alberta can not only recover but prosper and lead Canada in sensible policy. It remains the best positioned province to embrace cutting edge public policy thinking that can create new opportunities and improve public services, while lowering their costs. Hosted by the Red Deer Rotary Clubs and Red Deer Chamber of Commerce. For more details contact Danielle Klooster at 403-347-4491 or dklooster@reddeerchamber.com. The Politics of Aboriginal Economic Development Policy analyst Joseph Quesnel will be discussing the two visions of Aboriginal economic developments presented in Canada to senior-level political science and constitutional law courses. He will be mentioning the importance of governance reform as a means of economic development by looking at the Aboriginal Governance Index. He will also look at the idea of relocating non-viable reserves. In the end, the preferred vision will be one of increased fiscal independence. or further information, please contact Prof. Rainer Knopff at(403) 220-5930 or by email at knopff@ucalgary.ca Manitoba Policy Blueprint for the Future Booming Saskatchewan is on the verge of matching Alberta's flat income tax. Beleaguered Ontario is pushing to trim transfer payments. Alberta is under pressure to slash public spending and reform healthcare. Sales tax harmonization is happening in most provinces. How can Manitoba avoid being left in the dust in these turbulent times? Frontier's Peter Holle maps out how western Canada's only "have not" province can pull itself out of the slow lane. For more details contact: Shaila Wise at 786-8854 or swise@winnipegrealtors.ca Organizational Structure & Design HPG A discussion on creating high performance policy by maximizing transparency, neutrality and separation; distinguishing between private and public goods; and locating services at the most appropriate level of government. University grad school lecture, not open to public. Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector - Panel #3 Hosted by the Macdonald-Cartier Society. For more details contact Immanuel Giulea at 514.577.2669 or immanuel@macdonaldcartier.com High Performing First Nations - Measuring Community Health and Governance AFOA 10th Anniversary National Conference The Frontier Centre for Public Policy released its third annual Aboriginal Governance Index (AGI) in the summer of 2009. The AGI is a result of surveys conducted in 98 First Nations across the Prairies with over 5,100 on reserve residents. The Index found that three measurements are the best indicators of the overall health of a band: 1) A trustworthy election process; 2) Transparent government and institutions and 3) Competent band administration. The O’Chiese First Nation in Alberta took the top spot on the Index. At this session there will be a discussion of the measurement/indicators that resulted, common indicators among the top ten reserves and what set those communities apart and contributed to their high ranking. Contact Micheline Belanger for more info Phone: 819.827.5031, Toll Free: 866.775.1817 or Email: Telecommuting: Being There Without Being There Sustainable Saskatchewan Conference Telecommuting is a stealthy alternative to the more conventional transportation solutions which governments often promote. For more details e-mail: alicia.curle@seda.sk.ca A Closer Look at the Idea of Relocating Non-Viable First Nation Reserves Policy analyst Joseph Quesnel will discuss his recent proposal for a voluntary relocation on the part of non-viable First Nation communities. Non-viable communities are those reserves that face tremendous economic disadvantage and have exhausted other economic development options. At the invitation of students enrolled in the Environment, Economy and Aboriginal Peoples course within the Native Studies program at the University of Manitoba, Quesnel will further explain his research findings and proposals to a small group of senior-level students. He will also engage in a question and answer session with the students to aid in their understanding of the recommendations. Address to ACT Party Conference ACT Annual Conference 2010. Contact Margaret Alldred: (09) 523 0470 or email: margaret@act.org.nz What New Zealand can learn from Local Government Amalgamation in Canada At various times in Canada there have been moves to consolidate and amalgamate cities in different regions of the country. The reasons given in support of these policies have centred mostly around achieving greater efficiencies from larger economies of scale. But the experience has mostly been negative to mixed. Costs have increased while democratic accountability has decreased. As suggested by the Tiebout Model from the school of public choice economics larger city units have harmed the citizen customer of public services by removing their ability to vote with their feet when choosing the basket of municipal services offered by their local governments. Peter Holle, the founding President of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, a Western Canada based public policy think tank, will review the Canadian experience and discuss the practical realities of amalgamation in Canada in this seminar at the Law & Economics Association of New Zealand (LEANZ). For more details contact: Phone (09) 916.8800 Climate Crisis or Energy Crisis? A climate change forum, chaired by Kath McCabe, with Peter Holle (President, Frontier Center for Public Policy) and Hon Barry Brill (global warming skeptic and former Minister of Energy). Peter will talk about the politics of climate change from a North American perspective, while Barry will discuss whether we should be thinking less about global warming and more about energy security. 6pm, Monday 15 February Mecca Café, cnr Nuffield St and Remuera Rd Free entry, cash bar available. Everyone welcome! Alberta's fiscal future and why it matters: A more powerful West Manning Centre Conference on Alberta's Future Alberta's government has over-spent, under-saved, and with its hike in resource royalty rates several years back confused investors about the reliability of Alberta as a market-friendly jurisdiction. The Wildrose province needs to get back on track, and not just for fiscal reasons, but because a strong Alberta can and will contribute to a dynamic Western Canada that will increasingly shape the nation's future vis-a-vis central and eastern Canada. The Nisga'a Nation and Aboriginal Property Rights In October 2009, the Nisga'a First Nation government performed a revolutionary act by allowing its members to own their own property in fee simple. The move will allow First Nations the pride of true home ownership, while allowing them to access the modern economy by giving them ownership over assets they can bring to the bank. This presentation will look at what this act can mean for the Nisga'a, as well as all First Nations across Canada. |
