Join Parkland Institute and Public Interest Alberta for a conversation about the role of civil society in Alberta under the new UCP government.
After four years of an NDP government in Alberta, voters on April 16 elected a United Conservative Party government under Premier Jason Kenney. Alberta’s new premier has promised a "summer of repeal" to roll back many of the progressive programs and legislation introduced by the previous government, including action on climate change, modernized labour laws, education reform, and changes to the provincial taxation system. The UCP platform promised sweeping changes in the province, and many Albertans fear the return of a severe austerity agenda not seen since the Ralph Klein era of the 1990s.
What does this new reality mean for the province, and how can civil society best respond to the challenges posed by an austerity government? Join us for a conversation between Parkland Institute's Ricardo Acuña and long-time Vancouver-based activists Seth Klein and Shannon Daub, who will share experiences and strategies from their years with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-BC Office during the 16-year Campbell/Clark Liberal government in British Columbia.
This free public event is co-sponsored by Parkland Institute and Public Interest Alberta.
About the speakers
Seth Klein is a CCPA-BC research associate and the former CCPA-BC Director. His research deals primarily with welfare policy, poverty, inequality and economic security. A social activist for over 30 years and a former teacher, Seth holds a BA in international relations, a BEd from the University of Toronto and an MA in political science from Simon Fraser University.
Seth is also a past co-chair of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, an advisory board member for the Columbia Institute’s Centre for Civic Governance, and an advisor and instructor for Next Up, a leadership program for young people committed to social and environmental justice.
Shannon Daub is the director of CCPA-BC and co-director of the Corporate Mapping Project. Her research interests include social movements, framing, environmental communication, corporate power, and democratic capacity.
Outside her day-to-day work life at CCPA, Shannon has taught in the School of Communication and Culture at Royal Roads University, and volunteered as a board member with organizations like the Wilderness Committee, CCEC Credit Union, and the Vancouver Public Library.
Ricardo Acuña is the executive director of Parkland Institute, Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, a position he has held since 2002. He has a degree in political science and history from the University of Alberta, and has over 20 years of experience as a volunteer, staffer and consultant for various non-government and non-profit organizations around the province. He has spoken extensively and written on energy policy, democracy, privatization, and the Alberta economy. He is a regular media commentator on public policy issues, and writes a regular column for Daze Magazine in Edmonton.
Getting to ECHA
The Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) is located on the southwest corner of 87 Avenue and 114 Street on the University of Alberta campus (map). ECHA is adjacent to the Jubilee Auditorium.
The building’s north entrance is closest to Room 190.
ECHA is a fully accessible building.
Parking
Parking is available at the Jubilee car park (map) and just across the street on the northeast corner of 87 Avenue and 114 Street the Education car park (map).
Transit
Take the LRT to the Health Sciences Centre Station, which is located just south of ECHA.
Take Edmonton transit to the 114 Street and 89 Avenue stop of the University of Alberta bus loop (map) and walk just south to ECHA.
Cycling
Ample bicycle parking is located near the north entrance of ECHA.