Kenora-Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton says the McGuinty government has shovelled more than $80-million to the Buchanan Group of Companies while former employees are left with no severance or termination pay.

In recent years, the Buchanan Group has laid-off almost 2,000 forest sector workers across Northwestern Ontario. Under Ontario law, those workers are supposed to receive severance or termination pay.

“Yet, under the McGuinty government, virtually none of those workers have received the severance pay and termination pay that they are entitled to,” Hampton said during today’s Question Period.

“There’s something strange about this, because while almost 2,000 workers have been denied the severance pay and termination pay they’re entitled to under Ontario’s laws, the Buchanan Group of Companies has done very well under the McGuinty Liberals,” he added.

Buchanan pocketed more than $30-million for road building and more than $22-million for its Terrace Bay operations. A further $4.8-million was given to Terrace Bay Pulp, $26-million was awarded in deferred stumpage fees and $600,000 went to Long Lake Forest Products. In all, the McGuinty Liberals have handed out more than $80-million to the Buchanan Group.

“Has the McGuinty government done anything, anything at all, to ensure that these workers receive the severance pay and termination pay they’re entitled to under the laws of Ontario?” Hampton asked.

The Minister of Northern Development, Mike Gravelle, refused to say if his government would force Buchanan to comply with the law and was evasive with his answers to Hampton’s line of questioning.

“When it comes to a choice between enforcing labour rights and lining the pockets of Liberal-friendly companies, the McGuinty Liberals’ position is clear. The company gets the cash, the workers get the shaft,” said Hampton.