Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton was back on the attack over the province's decision to help prop up Nortel's pension plan.
In the legislature yesterday, Hampton renewed his calls for similar support this time for laid off workers with Buchanan.
"What's striking is, the McGuinty Liberals showed no interest in the retirees or ex-workers of Nortel until a by-election was called in a Liberal riding, said Hampton. "But what's even more outrageous is that over the last three years, the McGuinty Liberals have given over $120 million in grants, loans and other financial benefits to the Buchanan Group of Companies."
"While you were handing out $120 million to the Buchanan Group of Companies, did anybody over there-the Minister of Forestry, the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Natural Resources-say that $30 million of it should go to the workers who were entitled to severance and termination pay under the laws of Ontario? Did anybody speak up for the workers?"
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the province has responded with a variety of programs to help forestry workers.
