Dear Stephen,
 

May I express my disappointment and sadness that your well-intentioned remarks before the conclusion of our hearings at the Banking and Commerce Committee, as well as, the following procedure in the Senate Chamber, have not produced, in one way or another, a sensible and fair solution to the problems of the Nortel disabled pensioners.

 May I remind you of the assurances you gave me that the conservative government was going to address the issue submitted in Bill S-216 in a matter of days. We were supposed to see an “imminent” solution that was more “appropriate” than the Bill presented before our committee.

 Christmas has passed and we are moving towards the third week of January and I am still longing to see the “appropriate” solution. There are families and individuals living in fear of losing everything they have, after losing their most precious asset: their health. I share their anguish and I plead with you and your colleagues, as well as our Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper to restore their faith in our system.

 Moreover, may I assure you again that I am prepared to study a legislative solution for their future at the first opportunity, but the Nortel employees cannot and should not be left behind.

 I hope you enjoyed a pleasant Christmas and I look forward to working with you in the best interest of all Canadians.

 Yours very truly,

The Honourable Céline Hervieux-Payette P.C.
Senator