Mr. Speaker, today the town of Asbestos shut down in support of the 320 workers who lost their jobs following the closing of the Jeffrey asbestos mine. We know that 62% of them are 55 years old or older. Under these circumstances, retraining is not realistic. Only something like the Program for Older Worker Adjustment can help these laid-off workers.
Prior to 1993, when in opposition, the Liberals protested to save the POWA program. Once in power, they eliminated it.
Will the minister be compassionate enough to revive the Program for Older Worker Adjustment?