Articles by author: Brock University

• Labour Studies launches partnership with Labour College of Canada

  Tuesday, January 12, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 12 January 2021 – R0004

  A new agreement between Brock University and the Labour College of Canada (LCC) will create a pathway for union leaders and members affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress to pursue an academic degree or certificate in Labour Studies.

  An educational not-for-profit, the LCC has offered post-secondary education to its union leaders and members for more than 50 years.

  Successful completion of approved LCC courses in such areas as Unions in the Political Economy, Labour Leadership and Organizing Change, and Growing the Movement: Inside and Out may be recognized as transfer credits towards a portion of a certificate or undergraduate degree in Labour Studies at Brock.

  “Our department is internationally recognized as an innovative leader in labour studies research, teaching and public engagement,” says Kendra Coulter, Chair of the Department of Labour Studies. “We are delighted to be able to recognize the knowledge and experience of labour activists from across Canada through this partnership and look forward to welcoming them into our classes and academic community.”

  Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Labour Congress President and Chair of the Board for the Labour College of Canada, calls the agreement “an historic moment” for the LLC.

  “We are thrilled to be partnering with such a first-class post-secondary institution as Brock University,” says Yussuff. “The Labour College empowers graduates and equips them to tackle today’s challenges as they take on new leadership roles within the labour movement. This unique opportunity will allow Labour College graduates to further their education in Labour Studies and help shape strong leaders of the future.”

  Canadian Labour Congress Executive Vice-President Larry Rousseau, a Labour College graduate, agrees.

  “The Labour College program has been instrumental in shaping labour leaders across Canada,” says Rousseau. “This partnership will open more doors for graduates by helping them further their post-secondary education in Labour Studies, making their valuable Labour College experience that much more versatile.”

  Ingrid Makus, Dean of Brock’s Faculty of Social Sciences, calls the partnership “a significant opportunity” and is looking forward to welcoming students.

  “This partnership is a great example of how we can combine real-world experience with academic credentialling to create positive change in the world,” says Makus.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Misinformation, prolonged pandemic pose security threat in Canada: Brock experts

  Monday, January 11, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 11 January 2021 – R0003

  The spread of misinformation and a prolonged pandemic threatens Canadian security, warns a defence report released last week.

  Intensified distrust in government, resurgence of populist support and the manifestation of violent extremist organizations are three of the trends identified by the report, says Ibrahim Berrada, an instructor with Brock’s Centre for Canadian Studies and a former Parliament Hill staffer.

  The report, written in October by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), was made public last week. DRDC is an agency of the Department of National Defence.

  The rising levels of extremism in the context of the COVID pandemic fits into a longer history, dating back to antiquity, of increasing social and political unrest during and in the aftermath of natural disasters, says Colin Rose, Assistant Professor with the Department of History.

  “We give up certain rights and freedoms to our governments and in exchange, they protect us from the unpredictable, respond to our needs and help us achieve our wants,” says Rose. “In the midst of a global pandemic, it becomes clearer that the state is unable to meet all these needs and provide these protections.”

  Governments are more vulnerable to criticism from extremist groups and people, whose politics might otherwise be moderate, are drawn to the promises given by the far right. Politics of isolation, “Canada first” rhetoric and racial supremacy serve as a rally point for the dissatisfied, he says.

  To counter this, institutions have to achieve lasting trust and legitimacy with the population, establish firm limits on the scope of acceptable politics and draw as many people as they can into the arena of legitimate politics. Leaders need to be seen to be acting in the best interest of ordinary Canadians and not creating a second set of rules for the elite.

  “Transparency and accountability create legitimacy; when our institutions lose that legitimacy, illegitimate politics take their place,” says Rose. “That’s exactly what we have seen happening in the U.S. for the past decade, and we see it happening here as well.”

  Rose says that providing an open timeline and schedule of COVID-19 vaccinations would allow people to see that institutions are acting, and there may be a solution to our current crisis within sight.

  The proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms poses a disturbing threat to Canadian peace and security, says Berrada

  “Radicalized right-wing populist movements are driven by misinformation, permitting the spread of ethnonationalism, xenophobia, racism, bigotry, misogyny and extremism,” he says. “Moreover, misinformation cultivates a level of distrust in our elected officials problematizing pandemic efforts.”

  Politicians must ensure the dissemination of reliable information, reinforce pandemic measures prioritizing the health of Canadians, and maintain the economy. A prolonged pandemic coupled with lockdown measures and restrictions further exacerbates an already demoralized and COVID-fatigued population.

  “Falsities regarding the dangers of the virus and the importance of the vaccine, the predominance of anti-vaxxer and anti-masker campaigns, and prolonged health measures combine to create the perfect storm for radicalization in Canada,” says Berrada.

  Social media permits the easy transmission of the rhetoric of American radicalized movements to extremist and anti-government organizations already entrenched in Canadian social and political institutes.

  “Disaffected individuals already frustrated by health measures, the precarity of income and the supposed coercion against their rights and freedoms are more susceptible to accepting conspiratorial theories posed by right-wing fringe groups,” says Berrada.

  Conspiracy theories encourage distrust in the government and promote a higher risk of violent, seditious, and anarchist behaviour. The circulation of misinformation requires immediate attention from government officials, defence intelligence, social media giants and public health officials, he says.

  Colin Rose, Assistant Professor with the Department of History, and Ibrahim Berrada, instructor in the Centre for Canadian Studies are available for media interviews.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases