I was more than happy to present a petition initiated by Rita Pynn from Wabush, that I sponsored to the House of Commons on October 31st.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present this petition on behalf of constituents in Labrador, hundreds of people from the town of Wabush and Labrador West, who are calling upon the government today to ensure that pension plans for workers are guaranteed under CCAA, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. As members know, under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, when Cliffs Natural Resources went bankrupt in Wabush, many workers ended up losing a large percentage of their pension plan, and they were not protected under that system. The company itself still earns revenues and profits in the United States even though it does not operate in Canada, yet Canadian workers have been left behind.

The petitioners are asking the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure the protection of these pension funds that they worked hard for.