Constitution

ARTICLE 1: NAME OF ORGANIZATION

1.1. The name of the organization shall be the “Canadian Labour Economics Forum (CLEF).”

ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES

2.1. The primary objective of the organization is to connect Canadian academic researchers focused on the analysis of labour markets, such as topics on human capital and skills development, labour shortages, unemployment, and wage differentials between gender, racial, and immigration groups.

2.2. The purpose of the organization is to provide our affiliates with a community to discuss and disseminate their research findings. Dissemination is done through a mailing list of affiliate members, social media, regular webinars and conferences, and a working paper series.

2.3. The organization also seeks to connect affiliates with government policymakers where their research expertise intersects with government policy questions.

2.4. The organization aims to create a diverse and welcoming environment for economic discussion. It promotes equality of opportunity and treatment of participants in all its events and activities, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, health condition, marital status, parental status, or personal connections. Affiliates of the organization and event participants are asked to abide by the Code of Conduct of the Canadian Economics Association.

ARTICLE 3: AFFILIATES  

3.1. Established scholars and promising new researchers with an interest in labour economics are eligible for organization affiliation. Labour economics is broadly defined, and includes scholars and researchers from departments of economics, industrial relations, political science, sociology, history, policy studies, and labour studies.

3.2. The granting of affiliation status is at the Director’s discretion and is obtained by sending an email to the organization’s email address and agreeing to be included in the organization’s email list.  

3.2. The organization is especially interested in connecting with and providing mentorship to young scholars to foster the next generation of Canadian labour economics researchers.

ARTICLE 4: DIRECTOR, STEERING COMMITTEE, AND DUTIES

4.1. The organization will be led by a Director and a Steering Committee comprised of eight (8) individuals.  

4.2. The Director will be selected as follows. Each Steering Committee member will provide up to two (2) nominations, which may include themselves. Once all nominations are collected, the Director will confirm the willingness of each candidate to serve. Once the nomination list is finalized, each member and the Director will rank the candidates and submit their ranking to the Director. The new Director will be the individual who receives the highest average ranking.

4.3. The Director’s term is for four years and a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms can be served. Terms will begin on July 1.

4.4. In the event that the incumbent Director is willing to serve a second term, one of the two most senior Steering Committee members will organize a secret ballot vote. All eight (8) Steering Committee members are eligible to vote. The current Director will be reappointed if five (5) or more members of the Steering Committee support reappointment. If fewer than 5 Steering Committee members support reappointment, the process for identifying and electing a new Director, as described in Article 4.2, must be followed.

4.5. Two (2) Steering Committee members will be replaced with new members every July 1. Each Steering Committee member will provide up to two (2) nominations in the first two (2) weeks of June every year. Once all nominations are collected by the Director, each member and the Director will rank the candidates. The new Steering Committee members will be the two (2) candidates who receive the highest average ranking.

4.6. Steering Committee members will serve for four (4) years and a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms can be served. Terms will begin on July 1.