The former mill employees of AbitibiBowater in Newfoundland met recently to present their petition in relation to pension issues to Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor MP Scott Simms for him to bring back and table in Parliament.

Unfortunately, because of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to prorogue parliament, the House of Commons is essentially on hold. Decisions can't be raised and bills can't be passed or vetoed. And petitions can not be presented to Parliament.

MP Simms said that despite the prorogue, the meeting went well. Most of the discussion was concerning the pension plan, and what the consequences will be for the pensioners with a 30% loss in the pension's value.

"There were a lot of questions and a lot of confusion as to what does this actually mean," he explained. "If the plan was wound up today, the solvency ratio would be around 71 per cent. I suspect it would be actually higher because the markets have gone up."

Read more:
Abitibi workers present petition to MP - Delivery to Parliament expected in spring (Grand Falls Advertiser)