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Mairs Memorial to address Harperism

This is a yearly celebration of organized labour, and particularly to honour Ladysmith’s labour martyr, Joseph Mairs.

The Joseph Mairs Memorial Committee is inviting the public to the 14th Annual Joseph Mairs Memorial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, 1135 4th Ave. in Ladysmith starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24.

This is a yearly celebration of organized labour, and particularly to honour Ladysmith’s labour martyr, Joseph Mairs.

Mairs was a trade unionist and coal miner. He died after being arrested during the two year long coal miners’ strike on Vancouver Island

The general theme for the day is “Our Common Condition” and the guest speaker on this subject is Donald Gutstein. His talk is titled, So Harper’s Gone, But What About Harperism?

Gutstein is an adjunct professor in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University and has written five books on media and politics.

His recent book, Harperism, explains the fundamental transformations which occurred during Stephen Harper’s years as prime minister.

Now that Harper is gone from federal politics, the question Gutstein addresses is how permanently Harperism is entrenched in Canada.