Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) is back following its summer break, offering an explosive topic discussing the upcoming provincial referendum and talks of separation.

The Fine Print of Alberta Separation?

Albertans have been told that leaving Canada would mean greater freedom, lower taxes, more control and a more prosperous future. It is an appealing promise, especially for a province that has often felt ignored, misunderstood or taken for granted. But what happens after the slogans end?

What currency would Albertans use? What happens to pensions, federal debt, treaty obligations, borders, trade agreements, national parks, airports, water, electricity and access to international markets? How would years of negotiations affect jobs, investment, mortgages, businesses and retirement security? And, most importantly, where is the detailed, independently reviewed plan?

In Before Alberta Takes the Leap, the speaker brings a practical, clear-eyed perspective to one of the most consequential political questions Alberta may ever face. From what started as a post on LinkedIn to what has become a 28-part article series, he examines the promises made by separatist advocates, the realities they often overlook and the enormous difference between expressing frustration and building a country. Written for committed federalists, frustrated Albertans, undecided voters and anyone willing to look beyond political marketing, this series replaces anger with questions, assumptions with evidence and slogans with consequences. Alberta does not have to choose between a strong provincial identity and a strong Canada. It can fight for fairness, demand reform and help shape the country’s future without gambling everything it has already built.

Speaker: Trevor Lewington

With extensive executive leadership experience in the food-processing sector, firsthand insight as a small-business owner, and impactful roles across the public sector, Trevor brings a broad, pragmatic and highly collaborative perspective to advancing economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor serves as Director of Growth and Engagement for Lethbridge County and is an instructor with Economic Developers Alberta, contributing to their award-winning community economic development training program. He is also Board Chair of the University of Lethbridge Business Corporation, overseeing development of the south campus.

Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Change Leadership Certificate, and professional designations including CPHR, CCLMP, ICD.D, PEcD and MCIPD. Deeply engaged in community leadership, Trevor served as Mayor of the Village of Stirling until 2025 and previously sat on the boards of Economic Developers Alberta (including a term as President) and the Economic Developers Association of Canada. He was a founding Director and Corporate Secretary of Ridge Utilities Ltd. Trevor’s contributions have been widely recognized. He received an honorary doctorate from the Claustro Doctoral Iberoamericano, was named 2019 Economic Developer of the Year by Economic Developers Alberta and earned national recognition from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for his international capacity-building work in Belize and Jamaica. He is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Date/Time: Thursday, Sept 10, 2026. The presentation begins at noon & concludes at 1 p.m.

Free to attend: Donations, however, are gratefully accepted.

Location: SACPA sessions are held at Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO), Atrium Dining Room, 500 - 11 Street South, Lethbridge.

Lunch and Refreshments: If you like, please arrive early to patronize the LSCO cafeteria and enjoy its excellent variety of good-value food/drink options in the Atrium Dining Room before/during the session.

For more information on the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, visit the SACPA web page.