Panel Discussion Rescheduled

Today I received this note from the note from OPSEU Local 240 Political Action Committee regarding their event “Unpacking the People's Party of Canada and Resisting the Far Right” scheduled for September 29th.  It seems that excessive security fees are inhibiting free speech in Hamilton Ontario.

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The Local 240 Political Action Committee sincerely regrets having to cancel our panel discussion for this Sunday, September 29, and to re-schedule it for Tuesday, October 8.

Today Mohawk College indicated that we would have to pay $4,000 in extra security costs due to our event taking place at the same time as the Maxime Bernier and Dave Rubin event.

We have expressed our concern to Mohawk that, while safety at events is important, it is also the case that charging excessive security fees effectively stifles free speech on College and University campuses.

We would like to thank all of our community partners and event participants for being flexible and available for a re-scheduled event.  We hope that the October 8 panel and discussion will provide important analysis and fuel for effective community organizing.  We also hope that anyone planning to attend the panel this Sunday will come to the re-scheduled event.


As an Alternative to the Panel Discussion

As for what to do this Sunday evening in place of the panel discussion, we would suggest peacefully attending the protest that is taking place at Mohawk from 5:30pm to 7:00 pm.

As faculty we value freedom of speech, and protesting is an important way to express this right.

Take care, be safe, and solidarity with all those working to resist the far right...

Unpacking the People's Party of Canada and Resisting the Far Right

Amid controversy, Mohawk College is hosting People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier and infamous alt-right personality Dave Rubin this Sunday.

In response in order to inform public debate, the OPSEU Local 240 Political Action Committee are hosting a panel presentation and facilitated discussion.

The panel will address the far-right agenda behind the People's Party of Canada (PPC) and its relation to islamophobia, climate change denial and corporate interests. The panel will also address the need to confront and resist the rise of the far right, both in Hamilton and across Canada.

The OPSEU event runs

Sunday, September 29th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mohawk College Fennell Campus, room C 233

Speakers will include:

Kevin MacKay

**Kevin MacKay (Liberal Studies professor, Mohawk College)
Just What 'People' Does the People's Party of Canada Represent?
**Tina Fetner (Sociology professor, McMaster University)
**Arun Jacob (Liberal Studies professor, Mohawk College) Populism and the Far Right