Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a session with former MLA and current ULethbridge adjunct faculty member Shannon Phillips as she discusses the current political climate.

With the threat of US Trade Tariffs, are Canada’s political leaders responding effectively?

Canada has experienced a disruptive start to 2025, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, prompting a leadership campaign and a prorogued parliament . With a federal election looming, Canadians are facing, among other problems,  affordability issues and to top it off, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada and 10-percent tariffs on oil and gas.

Those US tariffs were set to begin Feb. 4, but have been delayed by at least 30 days as the countries work together on border security and trade imbalance issues. For many Canadians, the potential for a trade war between two longtime allies continues to fuel anger, despair and confusion over what may be coming next.

The speaker will try to make sense of it all, while analyzing the response from governments and political leaders including Liberal leadership contenders.

Speaker: Shannon Phillips

Shannon brings over two decades of experience in public policy, governance and leadership in energy and the environment to her role as a partner at Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips. Her experience includes serving as the Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office in Rachel Notley’s government, where she was responsible for climate policy, conservation expansion, and Indigenous reconciliation efforts. She also established Alberta’s first standalone Ministry for the Status of Women.

From 2015-19, Shannon was the driving force behind Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan. Phillips led the coal phase-out, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency programs that boosted Alberta’s GDP and created jobs across the province. Shannon also represented Alberta on the national and international stage, including leading delegations to UN climate conferences in Paris and Marrakech. Phillips won three elections as a progressive woman candidate in southern Alberta – an accomplishment most would have dismissed as far-fetched just a decade ago. She is an experienced and successful campaigner, organizer and grassroots leader. She continues to focus on mentorship and training a new generation of activists and candidates.

Shannon is a strong communicator in both of Canada’s official languages, a skill that serves her well in her extensive policy and advocacy work on the national and international stage. Deeply committed to her community, Shannon continues to strengthen her relationship with the Blackfoot people of southern Alberta and is a Blackfoot Headdress holder and recipient of a Blackfoot name. In addition to her work in the community, Shannon serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge and was recognized as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2017. Shannon enjoys spending time with her two sons outdoors, particularly in the Canadian Rockies.

Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. The session begins at noon and concludes at 1 p.m.

Cost is free, donations however, are gratefully accepted.

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

Lunch and Refreshments: Please arrive early to patronize the LSCO cafeteria and enjoy its excellent variety of good-value food options. The Atrium Dining Room is available by 11:15 a.m.

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