Marston introduces bill C-487 to protect workers on disability

Speaker : Mr. Marston
Take : 1
Time : 03/12/2009 10:00:52
Context : Introduction of Private Members' Bills
Bill C-487. Introduction and first reading
Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-487, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and another Act in consequence (health-related benefit plans).
He said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Winnipeg North for her dedication to people with disabilities and for her support here today.
As the title of the bill says, this bill proposes to amend the Company Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act so that in the event a company goes into restructuring proceedings or bankruptcy, long-term disability plans as well as other health-related insurance plans go to the head of the line of preferred creditors to be paid out of an employer's assets.
In the debacle that has been Nortel, we have seen that company with assets in the billions of dollars take the decision not to fund the LTD. This is a disgraceful place that we find ourselves in Canada.
The NDP has done the footwork on this bill and we have tabled this bill in the House today to show the way for the government. We call upon the government and all opposition members to stand with us on this bill and do the right thing and move it forward and pass it as soon as possible.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)