Taylor Owen holds the Beaverbrook Chair in Media, Ethics and Communications at McGill University, where he studies the impacts and ethics of Big Tech, social media, and Artificial Intelligence on our public and private lives.

 It’s often said that those who control the media, control the mind. Newspaper barons used to shape the thinking of the masses, but now it’s the algorithms of social media.

 Will Big Tech save humanity or destroy it?

 Professor Owen believes that our future lies somewhere between these two extremes, but just who is regulating these companies?

 Are politicians and bureaucrats acting in the public interest, or have they been captured by Big Tech, too?

 Donald Trump owns a social media platform. So does Elon Musk, who deployed “X” to great effect in the recent U.S. election. Do you see any conflict of interest here?

 As for AI, it’s being introduced into all areas of our lives at breakneck speed. How will it alter our society? Will it leave any room for “humanity”?

 And what about the young people in our lives? Is it just the older members of society who are frightened by the speed and power of “new technology”?

 Are those who’ve grown up with the Internet savvy enough to take care of themselves? Or are they already living in the “Matrix”, a simulated world in which humans fulfil roles that have been predetermined for them by machines?

One thing is certain: Taylor Owen will expand our understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved with Big Tech, social media and AI. Please join us for a great discussion!

Tickets available HERE

Phillip Currie co-founded the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller. Best known for the research demonstrating that birds are descendants of dinosaurs, he brings an infectious curiosity and wealth of knowledge to one of the most fascinating areas of natural history.

As Premier of Alberta, Rachel Notley persuaded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to buy the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Yet today, most of her policies – on the environment, economy, health care, and education – look remarkably progressive compared to her successors Jason Kenney and Danielle Smith.

 Many in BC and Alberta see the two provinces as opposites, with different economies, priorities, and ways of doing things.

 However, the policies of the BC NDP – which moved rightward during the recent election campaign – are not that different from the Alberta NDP.

 And the largest migration flows for both provinces are consistently between each other.

 Is the grass really greener on this side of the mountains? Or do we have more in common with our neighbours than we realize?

 Rachel Notley was a lawyer before entering politics, focusing on labour law, and advocating for the health, safety, and fair compensation of workers.

 She was elected as MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona in 2008 and became party leader in 2014. In 2015, the Alberta NDP won the provincial election, with Notley becoming the first non-Conservative premier of the province in 80 years.

 We are delighted to welcome Rachel Notley to Salt Spring Island.

 Tickets available HERE

Angela Marie MacDougall, Executive Director of Vancouver based Battered Women’s Support Services, joins us for an update on Intimate Partner Violence. She joined the Forum in a recorded zoom discussion during the Covid lockdowns, when she talked about the huge rise in reported, and unreported, cases of IPV as people coped with the stresses and enforced living arrangements of lockdown.

Recent local and global reports suggest that things have not improved for the better since those days. Why? And what can we do to protect the vulnerable?

Alicia Herbert, the Executive Director of IWAV (Islanders Working Against Violence) on Salt Spring, will moderate the discussion.

The Salt Spring Forum , in partnership with the Gulf Islands Driftwood is pleased to host the 2024 BC Provincial Election Candidates Debate.

Rob Botterell-Green Party, Amy Haysom-Independent, Sarah Riddell- NDP and David Busch- Conservative will be present to give statements and answer questions from the public. Only one question per person please, we want to include as many questions as possible.

This event is free of charge and open to all.

Jon Allen

September 28 - 7.30pm

Mahon Hall

Jon Allen was Canada’s ambassador to Israel from 2006 to 2010. He brings a highly informed perspective to the background of the crisis currently engulfing the Middle East - and to possible paths towards peace.

Because of limited seating in Mahon Hall, ticketing will be available for Forum members only.

 
 Rear Admiral Christopher Robinson OMM, CD
  Tickets available HERE
 
 Rear Admiral Christopher Robinson is the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and the most senior military officer in Western Canada. He directs frigates, submarines and Arctic patrol vessels, as well as search and rescue missions and disaster response.
 
The purview of the Canadian Armed Forces is constantly evolving, but are investments in infrastructure, recruitment and training keeping pace?
 
What role does the Canadian military play in deterring Russia in Latvia and China in the South China Sea?                                                           

What role does it play in North America, including on our coasts and in the Arctic?
 
Rear Adm Robinson’s visit to Salt Spring – an island with historic naval connections – will help us understand the responsibilities, challenges and opportunities faced by the Canadian military today.