Chiarelli on the side of Nortel Pensioners, Retirees

NEPEAN, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - After meeting with a group of Nortel retirees and pensioners earlier this week, Bob Chiarelli , Liberal Candidate in Ottawa West-Nepean, today announced that he will fight to protect their pensions.

Chiarelli is:

    
    -   Calling on the Ontario government to ensure there are sufficient
        funds in the Pension Benefit Guarantee Fund to provide the pension
        top-up to Nortel pensioners;
    -   Supporting legislative action to tighten pension fund rules to avoid
        another Nortel-type situation; and
    -   Calling on the federal government to finally hold a national summit
        on pensions and retirement income.
    

"It's time to act," said Chiarelli. "With Nortel pensioners facing personal and financial distress, it is time for governments - both provincial and federal - to step up and ensure that people can retire comfortably and with dignity."

Chiarelli met with the Nortel Retirees and Former Employees Protection ( Canada ) Association (NRPC) on Thursday. If elected, he would be a strong champion for local seniors including Nortel pensioners and retirees at Queen's Park.

"Nortel may be dead but our pension plan must not suffer the same fate for the sake of our retirees," said Anne Clark-Stewart, pensioner and former Nortel employee. "I'm very pleased to have in Bob Chiarelli an advocate in our fight for justice."

"This is an important issue for the residents of this community," Chiarelli stated. "And I will be a strong and vocal advocate for this at Queen's Park."

For more information, please visit www.bobchiarelli.com.

For further information: Media Contact: Frank Drouin, Bob Chiarelli Campaign, [email protected], [phone]