MAP OF CCIS Plenary Session: Room 1-430 Concurrent Sessions: Rooms 1-140 and 1-160 “The precariat, a class-in-the-making, is the first mass class in history that has systematically been losing rights built up for citizens... As more people come to understand their situation in the precariat, recognition will translate into a common consciousness and become a force for change. Instead of despair, inadequacy or bewilderment, feelings could soon move through the gears, from passivity to resistance to active movement. “ – Guy Standing We would like to thank the generous support of the following sponsors for helping us make this conference possible: PARKLAND INSTITUTE • UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA 1 greetings from Trevor Harrison Dear conference participants, was “increasingly vulnerable Contributing to rising inequality to financial shocks.” Despite has been increasing attacks on Welcome to Parkland’s eighteenth enormous wealth production over the rights of workers and on annual fall conference. The the past thirty years, the situation the capacity of unions to protect institute has long prided itself on of the middle class in Canada and workers. These issues will also be addressing topics that are both elsewhere has scarcely budged. raised during the conference. current and vitally important to Statistics Canada date for Alberta the economic, political, and social shows that, even in Canada’s What is the solution? Increased health of Albertans and Canadians economic heartland, the real government regulation? A shift at large. wages of the bottom 90 percent of in the manner or our concepts of workers has not increased in thirty development? Tax and/or labour The title of this year’s conference, years. reforms? In an attempt to answer “People vs Profiteers: Demanding these questions, Parkland has once Justice and Equity,” deals with the The impact of growing inequality again brought together a stellar growing problem of inequality in and poverty is evidenced in several group of community and academic the world, in Canada, and – to a ways. In 2014, Canadian food experts from within and outside degree too often missed – also in banks assisted on average 850,000 Alberta. Alberta. people each month, of which 36 percent were children and youth. A Ultimately, as with all of our A few quick facts will suffice. report published in 2013 estimates conferences, the biggest question A report prepared for Oxfam that “at least 200,000 Canadians of all is, “What kind of society do earlier this year revealed that the access homeless emergency we want – today and in the future?” wealthiest 85 people in the world services or sleep outside in a given Parkland conferences provide the now possess 50 percent of its year” and that “at least 30,000 are opportunity to meet new people wealth. Since 2007, the number of homeless on a given night.” These and catch up on old friendships. As billionaires in the world has risen are not just statistics, however: they in the past, I hope this conference from 946 to 1,645 today. Of those are real people. billionaires, the number in Canada also informs you and inspires you today stands at 31 – up from 20 in Of course, inequality does not to act. Please renew your Parkland 2009. hit everyone equally. In general, membership, and make a donation, women, youth, and minorities are so Parkland can continue to make At the other end of the spectrum most negatively impacted. There a difference. Parkland relies on are those who are being left out is a common misconception that contributions from you, and people altogether. While families in the those struggling economically are like you, to thrive. Finally, I want to top 20 percent in Canada possess unemployed. But this is far from personally invite you to come speak over 67 percent of the wealth, the case. Around the world, many with me to discuss your concerns families in the bottom 20 percent of the very poorest in fact work. But and insights. in fact hold negative wealth – a the jobs often pay meager wages median income of minus $11,000 with few or no benefits; and also Warm regards to all, in 2012. the jobs are insecure or part-time – a class position, the “precariat,” In between are middle-income Trevor Harrison that is the subject of Parkland’s families, a group an Employment The Director and Co-founder, keynote address this year by Dr. and Social Development report Parkland Institute Guy Standing. in September 2013 stated 2 PEOPLE VS PROFITEERS: DEMANDING JUSTICE AND EQUITY • November 21-23, 2014 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE FRIDAY November 21, 2014 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Doors Open North Lecture Theatres, CCIS Ken Armstrong’s Photo exhibit “A View into the Circle”in the PCL Lounge 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm KEYNOTE 1-430, CCIS GUY STANDING A Precariat Charter: A Progressive Agenda for Today’s Dangerous Class Guy Standing, economist and best-selling author, from the University of London, will be speaking to his theory of the Precariat as an emerging social class. This important concept relates to how job insecurity within the globalized system impacts immigrants and migrants, as well as young educated people and society at large. SATURDAY November 22, 2014 8:30 am – 9:00 am Doors Open North Lecture Theatres, CCIS 9:00 am – 10:15 am PLENARY 1-430, CCIS Building Power to Win: Organizing Versus Mobilizing Jane McAlevey, New York Inequality of power is at the base of all other forms, therefore the key to progressive movements is building base from the bottom-up. 10:15 am – 10:45 am BREAK PCL Lounge, CCIS Fairtrade locally roasted coffee and tea from Earth’s General Store and Pastries by Bon Ton Bakery 10:45 am – 12:00 pm CONCURRENT A. 1-140, CCIS On the Fault Lines of Poverty Jordan Hamilton, Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre - Housing in Calgary John Kolkman, Edmonton Social Planning Council - The Intersection of Poverty and Inequality B. 1-160, CCIS Labour and Migrancy in Canada Yasmeen Abu-Laban, University of Alberta International Migrants and Canadian Politics. Gil McGowan, Alberta Federation of Labour Temporary Foreign Workers and Alberta Unions 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm LUNCH Basement of North Catered lunch by Upper Crust for those who have purchased the meal plan Lecture Theatres, CCIS (stamp on nametag indicates meal plan has been purchased) PARKLAND INSTITUTE • UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA 3 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm PLENARY 1-430, CCIS How Alberta’s Tax and Budget Policies Undermine Women’s Equality – Yes, there are other alternatives! Kathleen Lahey – Queens University What factors have led to the current situation, and key steps to realign fiscal fairness overall with democratic principles and Alberta’s unique advantages 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm BREAK PCL Lounge, CCIS Fairtrade locally roasted coffee and tea from Earth’s General Store and Pastries by Bon Ton Bakery 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm CONCURRENT A. 1-140, CCIS Winning the Alberta Tax Debate Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Public Interest Alberta Alberta Could… Advocate for Fair Taxation Shannon Stunden Bower, Parkland Addressing Injustice in Alberta’s Tax System B. 1-160, CCIS The State of the Unions- Alberta David Campanella, Parkland Union Organizing and Impacts in Alberta Heather Smith, President of United Nurses of Alberta Elisabeth Ballermann, Head of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm BREAK PCL Lounge, CCIS 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm PLENARY 1-430, CCIS Fighting Inequality and Sharing the Knowledge of How to Combine Elaine Bernard, Harvard University How can unions work towards greater equality? Why is this right to organize important not only to union members but also to society at large and at the core of our democracy? 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Dewey’s Lounge in the old Powerplant, U of A campus (Doors open at 6pm) CANADIAN PREMIERE! With Q&A session with filmmaker Theo Badashi. Featured at the People’s Climate March in NY in September, this powerful documentary captures the movement across the USA to transition to renewable energy and what everyday people can do to help foster the shift. 4 PEOPLE VS PROFITEERS: DEMANDING JUSTICE AND EQUITY • November 21-23, 2014 CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE SUNDAY November 23, 2014 8:30 am – 9:00 am Doors Open North Lecture Theatres, CCIS 9:00 am – 10:15 am PLENARY 1-430, CCIS Will the Rich Corner Needed Energy Supplies and Leave the Rest Shivering in the Dark? Gordon Laxer Gordon’s talk will address the social justice, equality and human rights issues around an energy constrained future and what citizens can do about it 10:15 am – 10:30 am BREAK PCL Lounge, CCIS Fairtrade locally roasted coffee and tea from Earth’s General Store and Pastries by Bon Ton Bakery 10:30 am – 11:45 am CONCURRENT A. 1-140, CCIS Tar Sands and Indigenous Peoples Crystal Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree - Using a rights-based approach to promote self-determination, land rights, and the rights of Indigenous peoples: Innovative Legal Strategies and the Beaver Lake Cree Nation Eriel Deranger, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations - The corporate onslaught facing First Nations B. 1-160, CCIS Fringe Finance and Fictitious Capital Trevor Harrison, Parkland, University of Lethbridge - The Dead Hand of Finance Capital Rob Aitken, University of Alberta - Capital at its Fringes 11:45 am – 12:00 pm BREAK PCL Lounge, CCIS Fairtrade locally roasted coffee and tea from Earth’s General Store and Pastries by Bon Ton Bakery 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm KEYNOTE 1-430, CCIS STEPHANIE ROSS Class, Inequality and Workers: Labour Movements and the Unfinished Struggle for Democracy In the face of government attacks its organizational power, it’s worth revisiting the role of the labour movement in class-divided societies.