This six week series will be take place via Zoom Video Link and the cost includes all six sessions. Each session will run from 6:00 to 8:00pm on a Wednesday, starting in February and concluding in April.

You will be provided the zoom link prior to each session. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the VDLC at office@vdlc.ca

Economic Reconstruction after COVID with Jim Stanford

Wednesday February 24, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession have been an unprecedented and devastating shock for Canada's economic and social conditions. This session will discuss:

• The economic impacts of the pandemic, and why they were so severe.
• The unequal incidence of job & income losses, with the biggest losses suffered by people in lower-wage, more insecure jobs.
• Actions required for a full and sustained jobs recovery once the pandemic has runs it course.
• Suggested reading: Ten Ways the COVIC-19 Pandemic Must Change Work for Good (Vancouver: Centre for Future Work, June 2020)

Land Economics with Paul Finch

Wednesday March 10, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - The Housing Crisis in British Columbia has led to renewed interest in land economics, one of the oldest recorded pursuits in history. In the past decade, the aggregate price of land has increased in BC by over $1 trillion, and the price of rent and home ownership are at historic highs. This session will allow the participant to understand the primary causes of the housing crisis, and expand to a broader understanding of land economics by discussing the following:

• The different types of land value and how they operate.
• How land derives its value.
• The intersection of the private and public sectors in ownership of land.
• Some history of land ownership prior to the present day.

The Future of Work: Myth and Reality about Robots, AI and Gigs with Jim Stanford

Wednesday March 24, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - Much popular commentary assumes that the world of work is being fundamentally and dramatically remade by technology: including automation, artificial intelligence, digital platforms (like Uber), and more. But some deep questions need to be considered, before concluding that the world of work is indeed changing that fast - and whether it is truly technology (rather than social relationships) that is driving the change. This session will discuss:

• The nature and speed of technological change: is it truly speeding up?
• How jobs are being changed - and how they are not.
• How workers and unions can act to limit the dangers of new technology, and increase workers' share of the benefits.
• Suggested reading: "Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss," Canadian Dimension, February 2020

Consumer Price Index with Paul Finch

Wednesday April 7, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - The Consumer Price Index or CPI is often used as a measure to determine whether or not our wages are falling behind, or leaping ahead of inflation. Unions will often measure their progress in bargaining against the CPI. The current observer will notice the staggering difference between increases to their personal cost of living, versus increases to the CPI over the same period of time. This session will uncover and provide a forum for discussion on:

• How the CPI is determined and the different variants in use.
• The relationship between the average union member and the CPI.
• A general understanding of the component parts that make up the CPI and their broader implications in the economy.
• A basic introduction to how the value of labour impacts the national economy and international trade.

Climate and Jobs: The False Dichotomy with Jim Stanford

Wednesday April 14, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - The risks of climate change and other environmental challenges are forcing us to re-evaluate all economic decision in light of their impact on greenhouse gas pollution and other environmental impacts. But some business and political leaders claim that limiting fossil fuel use will threaten jobs and livelihoods for many Canadian workers. Is this true? And how can the transition to renewable energy be managed fairly and effectively? This session will discuss:

• The relative importance of fossil fuel employment in BC and Canada.
• Regional and macroeconomic challenges related to phasing out fossil fuels.
• Principles for managing the economic transition and maintaining good labour market outcomes.
• Suggested reading: Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels (Vancouver: Centre for Future Work, January 2021)

Public and Private Debt: A Holistic Perspective with Paul Finch

Wednesday April 28, 2021 - 6:00 to 8:00pm - One of the great debates between the "left" and "right" in modern times revolves around taxation. In its simplest form, this is often construed as a choice between higher taxation and better social programs, versus lower taxation and the individual option to pay for what social programs are needed. This introduction will seek to break apart the perception of that choice, and challenge both the neoliberal stance on lower taxation, as well as the Keynesian approach to restoring the pre-1970 levels of public taxation. This session will explain and discuss:

• The historic origins of public and private sector debt.
• The modern role and function of public taxes and private debt.
• The impact of taxes and debt on the labour market and economy.

Facilitator Bio's:

Paul Finch is the Treasurer (CFO) of the BC Government Service Employees Union (BCGEU), representing over 80,000 members. He specializes in a variety of areas, including pensions, investment management, and real estate economics. He frequently lectures on political economy, and has facilitate Labour Economics for the Canadian Labour Congress.

Jim Stanford is a Canadian Economist and founder and Director of the Progressive Economics Forum. He has authored several books on Economics and is also the founding Director of the Centre for Future Work.