THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS & CANADIAN AUSTERITY PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY

Established in 1977 at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University, Alternate Routes' central mandate has been to create outlets for critical social research and interdisciplinary inquiry. A scholarly peer-reviewed annual, AR works closely with labour and social justice activists to promote the publication of non-traditional, provocative and radical analyses that may not find a forum in conventional academic venues. AR seeks to be a public academic journal and encourages submissions that advance or challenge theoretical, historical and contemporary socio-political, economic and cultural subjects and issues. In addition to full-length articles, we welcome review essays sparked by previously published material, interviews, short commentaries, as well as poetry, drawings and photographic essays.

The Centre for Labour Management Relations is devoted to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of labourmanagement relations, broadly defined and does this by providing financial support for research activities in the realm of labour -management relations, facilitating individual and collective applications for external research funding, providing resources to faculty to improve teaching related opportunities at Ryerson, providing further opportunities for student engagement, experiences and interaction with both faculty members and representatives from external organizations, and hosting events that will bring together leaders from external organizations such as unions, private and public sector employers and government. Located in the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, the CLMR is under the External Direction of Mr. Buzz Hargrove and the Internal Direction of Dr. Maurice Mazerolle. Along with an advisory committee of stakeholders and host of faculty research associates, the CLMR is well-equipped to study the field of labour management relations in the 21st century. For more information, please visit www.ryerson.ca/clmr.

CONFERENCE MARCH 23, 2012 RYERSON UNIVERSITY TORONTO, ONTARIO

Alternate Routes: A Journal of Critical Social Research and The Centre for Labour Management Relations present

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS OF DISCUSSION KEYNOTE SPEAKER

THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS AND CANADIAN AUSTERITY

JIM STANFORD, CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS “The Global Economic Crisis & Canada”

PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY Registration 8:30-9:00 AM Opening Remarks: 9:00-9:10 AM

It is now broadly recognized that the global economic crisis that struck in late 2007 is by far the most significant and wide-ranging since the Depression years of the 1930s. Given fears of an ongoing recession, particularly as a result of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis and a record level U.S. budget deficit, the global recession that struck in 2007 is by no means over.

This conference will examine the full effects of the global economic crisis and its implications for Canada. In what ways has international instability affected Canada? To what extent are such features structurally-induced, the product of contemporary circumstances, the result of specific policies of particular administrations, or some combination of other factors? What are the characteristics, politics and forms of resistance to Canadian versions of austerity? What new challenges and opportunities have been created? How should progressives respond?

Federal, provincial and local governments across the country, regardless of political stripe, are turning to a range of austerity measures that will erode public services and the quality of public sector employment. It is Research presented at this upcoming conferalso being demanded that private sector ence will be published in Alternate Routes: A workers take pay and benefit cuts. Journal of Critical Social Research.

WHEN: MARCH 23, 2012 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM RECEPTION TO FOLLOW, BEGINNING AT 6:30 PM WHERE: CARA COMMONS, TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, RYERSON UNIVERSITY 55 DUNDAS ST. W, TORONTO, ONTARIO COST: THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT

Keynote: 9:10-10:15 AM

Heather Whiteside, Simon Fraser University “Stabilizing Dispossession: How P3 Enabling Fields Help Cushion the Impact of an Economic Crisis on Privatization Policy”

Coffee Break: 10:15-10:25 AM Panel One The “New Age” of Austerity 10:25-11:35 AM Gregory Albo, York University “The State and Exits from the Crisis”

Coffee Break: 1:55-2:05 Panel Three Economic Restructuring and the Politics of Trade Union Organizing 2:05-3:15

Chris Stoney and Tamara Krawchencko, Carleton Christopher Redmond, Ryerson University University “Crisis and Opportunism: Public Finances from Stimulus “A New Wave of Privatization in Ontario: Its Effects on Public Sector Employment and the Response from to Austerity in Canada” Trade Unions” Rob Hebdon, McGill University Mathew Nelson, Carleton University “Public Choice Theory” “Business as Usual: Keynesianism and CUPE Ontario’s Response to the Great Recession” Lunch 11:35-12:35 Herman Rosenfeld, Canadian Auto Workers “CAT Closure: What have we lost? What can we learn?” Panel Two Public Finance, Pensions and P3s Coffee Break: 3:15-3:25 PM 12:35-1:55 PM Hugh Mackenzie, Hugh Mackenzie & Associates “Public Finance and Taxation” Toby Sanger, Canadian Union of Public Employees “’This Time, with Meaning’ or ‘Unfinished Business’: Economic Repercussions of Austerity”

Panel Four Renewing Working Class Politics, Rebuilding Canadian Labour 3:25-5:00 PM Steve Tufts and Mark P. Thomas, York University “Worker Power in an Age of Uneven Austerity”

Joel Harden, Canadian Labour Congress Sam Gindin, Canadian Auto Workers “Transcending Neoliberalism, One Story at a Time: Lessons From the CLC’s ‘Retirement Security for Every- “Beyond Austerity: The Crisis Within Labour” one’ Campaign” Charlotte Yates, McMaster University “TBA”

To register for this event, please visit the website www.canadianausterity.eventbrite.ca