There will be no Cinema Politica film this week, due to the Rememberance
Day holiday. But, we are bringing in a speaker on Wednesday. Next week's events are also included at the bottom of this post.
Should Alberta be Kept Free of Nuclear Power?
Speaker: Adele Boucher Rymhs
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: Anderson Hall room AH 116, University of Lethbridge
Cost: Free. Coffee and snacks provided
A special session jointly presented by the Southern Alberta Council on
Public Affairs (SACPA), the U of L Students’ Union and the Lethbridge
Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG).
The wheels have been set in motion to build western Canada’s first nuclear
power plant. Bruce Power Alberta bought the assets of Energy Alberta
Corporation and filed an application with the federal government to build
a nuclear power plant earlier this year.
On the same day, Bruce Power Alberta also filed an application with the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to prepare a site for the construction
of this nuclear power plant. The proposed plant would be built on private
land next to Lac Cardinal Lake, about 30 kilometres west of Peace River
and about 480 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
Bruce Power Alberta is planning to build up to four reactors that could
produce 4,000 megawatts of electricity. Proponents say this could generate
enough “carbon-free” electricity to supply up to two million homes with
power.
Opponents point to a severe risk of radioactive contamination of the
Grimshaw Aquifer, the Peace River water system, and rich agricultural land
of the region. Residents have serious concerns about human and animal
health, and foresee problems with long term storage of nuclear waste.
Speaker: Adele Boucher Rymhs
Adele Boucher Rymhs is a former teacher and businesswoman, and was a
partner in farming and bison ranching for many years. She served on the
Executive of the Peace River Board of Trade, was President of Peace
Country Bison Association, and on the local Museum Board.
Boucher Rymhs ran for election as the NDP candidate in Peace River in the
recent federal election. Her platform strongly supported concerns for the
environment and sustainable alternatives to nuclear power. Adele was also
a candidate in the March 2008 provincial election, carrying the Nuclear
Free banner.
Adele Boucher Rymhs serves as Secretary of “Citizens Against Nuclear
Development” (CAND), a group of over 250 residents near the proposed
nuclear site at Grimshaw, AB. She is also V.P. of “Nuclear Free Alberta”
and a member of the Peace River Environmental Society.
Moderator: Thera Body
The Real Dirt on Farmer John
(Part of the Cinema Politica Film Series)
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Galileo’s Gallery
The Real Dirt on Farmer John will turn every idea you ever had about what it means to be an American farmer, or an American dreamer, on its head.
Why Direct Action?
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Location: Galileo’s Gallery, Students’ Union Building
Cost: Free. Coffee and snacks provided
Mike Hudema, climate and energy campaigner with Greenpeace, Canada will discuss the role of direct action in bringing about social change. He will take us through decades of experience working right here in Alberta and will make the case that direct action is sometimes necessary in working for progressive change.
Mike currently works for Greenpeace, Canada fighting to stop the Athabasca tar sands. He is also a climb trainer with the Ruckus Society and has held activist training camps which teach aspiring activists skills ranging from climbing to blockades.
Direct Action Workshop
Date: Wednesday, November 19th
Time: 7pm to 10pm
Location: Ballroom A, Students’ Union Building
Workshop Facilitator: Mike Hudema, climate and energy campaigner with Greenpeace, Canada
To register for the Direct Action Workshop, please contact Sheila at LPIRG. Space will be limited so register early. Registration deadline is Thursday, November 13th.
pirg@uleth.ca
403-332-5243
SU 242 (2nd floor of the Students’ Union Building, behind the food court)
Mike Hudema has been a longtime dedicated and creative activist in
Edmonton, Alberta. He has participated in a countless direct actions, the
most high-profile of which have included actions in the streets of Quebec
City for the FTAA protests, sleeping on the steps of the Alberta
legislature to protest rising tuition rates, and occupying Deputy Prime
Minister Anne McLellan’s office to defeat Canada’s anti-terrorism
legislation. He has gained his bachelor of education, majoring in drama,
and most recently his law degree, specializing in labour and environmental
law. He co-hosts CJSR’s alternative news program Rise Up: Radio Free
Edmonton, and is the author of “An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism
Away” published by Between the Lines Press.
