Mr. Speaker, I have just returned from a very successful forum on pension reform, hosted by my hon. colleague from York West.
The topics we discussed were those of the complaints many of us on this side of the House have been hearing from our constituents over the past many months.
Ravi and Harvie are from my riding and they are both former Nortel employees. Since Nortel's bankruptcy, Ravi and Harvie, like thousands of other Canadians, have no pension left to collect.
Those in need are too numerous to name, Nortel and other unsecured pension funds in many industries across our country. It is clear that the government needs to take action. Instead, it leaves pensioners without retirement income that they have worked for.
Today we discussed their concerns and we are committed to improving the quality of life for seniors, providing dignity for seniors and raising seniors out of poverty. The priority of pension funds and bankruptcy and the current unsecured creditors regime, which is a federal not provincial responsibility, must be changed.
We understand that those on long term disability are adversely impacted and they need help too. When can we expect the government to act?