Class issues/labour and the climate movement
Definitions
Economic imperialism (see imperialism)
Middle class (see class)
Neoliberal policy (see neoliberalism)
The ideas and knowledge shared on this page come from a discussion between these panelists moderated by Jacob Pirro, member of the HUB team.
|
Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood (he/him) is a Senior Fellow at THE Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), a non-partisan, non-profit public policy think tank. Her work examines the social and economic dimensions of Canada's transition to a zero-carbon economy, including the need for a just transition for working people and vulnerable communities across the country. He contributes to CCPA's Trade and Investment Research Project and 'Alternative Federal Budget. Hadrian holds a master's degree in political economy from Carleton University. |
| Cynthia Calderon Gambini (he, iel), originally from the Quechua people of Ayacucho in Peru, is a worker at the Logements de l'Envol and a psychosocial worker at the CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal. He co-founded the Multicultural and Against Exclusion Committee ofMulticultural and Against Exclusion Committee of Cégep Marie-Victorinand continues to be involved in his community, notably through the creation of an Aboriginal space. Within his commitment, he has campaigned for several social causes including climate justice, migration justice, the rights of parents who are students, indigenous struggles as well as the rights of queer people. |
| Jérémie Lamarche (he/him) is a community organizer at RAPSIM, the Support Network for Single and Homeless People in Montreal. The Network defends the rights of people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless and brings together 104 community organizations dealing with issues of social housing, day and evening centres, street resources, food aid and than socio-professional integration. During his studies in social work, Jérémie campaigned with the movement for climate justice as well as for the salary of internships. |
|
Suzanne MacNeil (she/her) is a long-time labor activist based in Kjipuktuk, Unceded Mi'kmaq Territory, also known as Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is currently advocating with Justice for Workers Nova Scotia for a $20 minimum wage and labor standards reforms. Suzanne has held a number of leadership positions, including past chair of the Cape Breton and Halifax-Dartmouth District Labor Councils and as a union training facilitator. |
Defining class and the distinction between classes
When asked about definitions related to class:
- Panelists sense that there is a widespread belief in so-called Canada that we are a classless or largely middle-class society.
- The working class is diversified... We wonder if the middle class exists: who can survive and flourish without selling their labor power in exchange for a salary?
- Social class cannot be reduced to the proletariat/bourgeoisie binary. Homeless people exist, do not sell their labor and are not privileged people.