NDP MPP Paul Miller today blasted the McGuinty government for using its majority to block public hearings of his worker protection bill that had been approved at second reading by the full legislature back in December.

“The government’s actions are an abuse of the democratic process”, said Miller.

“The Committee hearings that normally follow when a bill is approved at second reading do not mean that the bill necessarily becomes law. The government still has the opportunity to vote against it after the hearings are held, but in this case the government is refusing to allow the public to offer their input on this important bill.”

“It is even more shocking that the McGuinty Government is playing games with a bill that would protect the pay, severance and any other monies owed to workers who lose their jobs. This legal protection is long over-due and extremely timely when so many manufacturing jobs are being lost across Ontario,” he said.

Miller added: “The Liberals can continue their shenanigans, but I will continue to fight for the rights of hardworking Ontarians who deserve to have their wages and severance protected.”