For Immediate Release
February 1st 2010

Brampton MPs host roundtable for Canadian Nortel Employees

Brampton- In response to an outcry from former Nortel employees who are at risk of diminished valuation of their private pension plan and disability benefits, Members of Parliament Dr. Ruby Dhalla and Andrew Kania will host a roundtable discussion for Brampton Nortel retirees and former employees on February 4th 2010.

Last fall, both Dhalla and Kania presented over 1400 pages of petitions signed by Canadians concerned about their pensions and their future and joined thousands of former Nortel employees who came to Parliament Hill to urge the Government to take immediate action.

“As Job losses across the country increase and companies close their doors many families are left to worry about their future.  To ensure the hardship endured by Nortel employees is prevented from happening to other hardworking Canadians, tougher legislation is needed to protect the rights of employees whose companies go bankrupt" says Dr. Dhalla.

Many of Nortel’s former employees are advocating for changes to the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act, Bankruptcy Insolvency Act, and Investment Canada Act which would help to protect the rights of all Canadian employees laid off by a company and ensure employees who are receiving pension or long term disability obtain preferred creditor status over other unsecured creditors. 

“This roundtable will ensure the concerns and views of former Nortel employees from Brampton are heard. It’s time for the Harper government to show some leadership on this issue and help these families in need” said Mr. Kania.

The roundtable takes place at the Canadian Autoworker’s Action Centre located at 350 Rutherford Road, (Plaza 1, Suite 6), from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and will feature guest speakers from the Nortel Retirees and Former Employees Protection Canada as well as the Canadian Autoworkers Association.

For More Information Contact:

Office of Dr. Ruby Dhalla, MP
Candice Debi
905 874 6868

Office of Andrew Kania, MP
Paola Cervo
905 846-0076