An Ottawa MP says he'll make sure the situation facing laid off Nortel workers is brought up when the House of Commons resumes next week.
Ottawa-Centre NDP MP Paul Dewar talked to a small group of mostly laid off Nortel employees Thursday night who said they're struggling to make ends meet after the company decided not to pay them severance.
"This isn't to have a witch hunt here, this is to make sure that we understand to the fullest extent what the potentials are to keep hi-tech healthy in Ottawa -- to keep it in Ottawa -- but also to make sure people fulfill their commitments to their employees," said Dewar.
Many of those in attendance said they don't think the company should be allowed to refuse severance to laid off workers.
"I think when a company has money in the bank and they're not paying severance I don't think that's acceptable," said one former Nortel employee.
Dewar said he wants the company to appear before a parliamentary committee to explain how it's dealing with its financial shortcomings
Nortel was granted bankruptcy protection by an Ontario Superior Court judge from its creditors under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in January. The company also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States.
