Discover the Trove: A Free Resource Box for Scholars

Brock University's Archives and Special Collections has recently acquired a significant collection of documents and records from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), courtesy of Andrew Jackson, former Chief Economist and Director of Social and Economic Policy at the CLC. This trove of free resources is expected to be an important asset not only for Niagara but also for scholars across Canada.

According to David Sharron, Head of Archives and Special Collections, Brock has a strong Labour Studies program, and the archives are an essential resource for both faculty and students. The collection includes 30 boxes of material acquired and created by Jackson during his tenure with the CLC between 1989 and 2004, a period marked by significant changes to policy around pensions and unemployment insurance in Canada.

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and other key developments are well-documented in this collection. The papers offer valuable insights into the Canadian labour movement and its impact on national policies.

Andrew Jackson was delighted when Professor Larry Savage from Brock's Department of Labour Studies approached him with the suggestion to house his papers at the university. 'When the Canadian Labour Congress moved offices a number of years ago, there was a real concern that many of its archival materials would be relegated to the literal landfill of history,' says Professor Savage.

The acquisition of these archives is a testament to the importance of preserving labour history in Canada. Public archives often face limited resources to process collections, making it challenging to preserve documents and records related to the labour movement.

With this new collection, scholars can now access valuable information on key issues affecting Canadian workers, including pension plans, unemployment insurance, and trade agreements. The Andrew Jackson fonds is a treasure trove of free resources that will undoubtedly contribute significantly to research in Labour Studies and beyond.

David Sharron welcomes scholars interested in the collection and invites them to visit Brock's Archives and Special Collections to explore this rich resource box. With its unique insights into Canadian labour history, this collection promises to be an invaluable asset for researchers and historians alike.

Trove free resource box