Mr. Speaker, at this very moment, 250 workers at AECL Pinawa are being handed this letter which says “It is with sincere regret that I inform you that your employment with AECL will terminate on March 31, 1998”. This is every worker's worst nightmare. The layoff freeze lifted on Wednesday. On Friday they get their pink slips. On Tuesday another 250 Canadians will be out on the street.
The sale of AECL has been delayed. What is the urgency to dump these workers with one day's notice? What happened to the election promises that Ottawa would take care of these workers? What is the minister doing to help these workers whose lives are being turned upside down by this government's downsizing frenzy?