26 March 2009
Miller Demands Action NOW for Laid Off Workers
Calls on McGuinty Liberals to pass Bill 6 to protect severance, vacation pay

QUEEN'S PARK—NDP MPP Paul Miller, demanded that the McGuinty Government stop blaming everyone else and take action NOW to protect laid off workers in Ontario.

Responding to the Government’s excuses for inaction, Miller questioned; “When will this government stop being passive letter-writers, stop blaming everyone else and finally take action to fulfill its responsibility to protect Ontario workers?”

“Writing to the federal government to move amendments to the Bankruptcy and Solvency Act, is no action,” said Miller, “what we need is immediate action on Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Wage Protection”.  The McGuinty Liberals forced Miller’s Bill 6 off the Committee Agenda, from public consultation, ensuring that laid off workers would not have its much needed protection

“On a day when the Liberal Government’s budget will impose increased taxes on all Ontarians, its precious that the Minister of Labour uses increased taxes as an excuse for not moving Bill 6 onto the public agenda,” Miller seethed.  “If this Government had followed through with public consultations, committee deliberations and moving Bill 6 for passage in the Legislature, laid off workers would at least be receiving the pay, severance and holiday pay that they worked so hard to earn, rather than filling out EI and other financial support forms.”

Referring to a rally at Queen’s Park yesterday, Miller said in his question to the Premier; “CAW leader Ken Lewenza, reflecting the opinion of laid-off workers, said it best yesterday, and I believe that many workers would like to see that kiss.”

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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