Learning from the experience of workers and labour leaders (Fredericton, April 25, 2005) – Andy Scott, minister of Indian affairs and Northern development and member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of David L. Emerson, minister of industry, praised New Brunswick researchers and community groups today as he announced nearly $1 million in research funding to study the province’s labour history. This investment will help New Brunswick workers learn from the experiences of other workers and union members over the past century, and further the province’s economic and social development. With funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), a research team led by Dr. David Frank will focus on five key areas: the labour movement’s role in advancing issues such as workers’ compensation and minimum wage; the participation of Acadians in the workforce and the increasing recognition of French in the workplace; the transformation of the forestry sector; the role of women as caregivers, particularly nurses; and the public commemoration of workers with landmarks such as plaques and statues. “New Brunswick has a long and proud history, but there’s been little recognition of the contributions of its workers,” said Minister Scott. “Workers in every corner of New Brunswick have always met the challenges facing them. This research will build pride in these achievements and help prepare future generations to meet the challenges facing them in building a productive economy and sustainable communities.” New Brunswick, like many other Canadian provinces, is faced with an aging workforce and a loss of jobs in traditional resource industries. Many workers, particularly those just entering the workforce, are concerned about the effectiveness of the province’s employment standards, workplace health and safety regulations and pay equity legislation. “With this research, we’re going to tell the story of work and workers in New Brunswick, and how collective efforts helped improve quality of life,” said Dr. Frank, a history professor at the University of New Brunswick. “We want to record the experiences of New Brunswickers who set up the first Acadian unions, talk to nurses who fought for recognition as health care professionals, and hear from foresters who started their careers in small lumber camps and ended them in huge pulp and paper mills. We’re going to make these stories of resiliency and dedication available to the public through museum exhibits, workshops and a Web site.” A century ago, New Brunswick workers had few legislated rights. The researchers will study how private and public sector unions advocated for improvements in working conditions and greater protection for workers. In particular, they will study the initiatives championed by the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, which is approaching its centennial year and is one of Canada’s oldest provincial labour federations. The research team will pay particular attention to the history of workers and unions in Acadian New Brunswick, an area that has been neglected in previous studies of Acadian society. They will also study a more recent development—the emergence of an urban Acadian workforce—and consider its impact on Acadian identity. Professors at the University of New Brunswick and Université de Moncton will carry out the research in partnership with the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, other labour groups, and heritage organizations such as the provincial archives of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Museum and the Centre d’études acadiennes. The research team will also work with the province’s two largest teachers’ associations to incorporate resources about working life in New Brunswick into social studies education. For additional information on this release and other SSHRC research projects, please contact: Doré Dunne Media relations officer Telephone: (613) 992-7302 E-mail: dore.dunne@sshrc.ca
