All-Party Committee Calls for Action

An all-party committee of the Nova Scotia Legislature is calling on the federal government to show more flexibility and compassion for Devco workers.

"It's been nearly a year since the federal government announced it was getting out of the coal business and they still have not moved on the issue of helping long-service workers," said Natural Resources Minister Ernest Fage, the chair of the committee. "All three parties strongly believe that there is an urgent need to adjust the early retirement package to include more miners who have worked many years but will not qualify under the present arrangements."

Other committee members include NDP MLA Frank Corbett and Liberal MLA David Wilson.

"It's a matter of social justice and economic reality," said Mr. Corbett. "To get on with the future we must settle up with the past."

The closure of the Phalen mine earlier this week has pointed out the urgency of dealing with the issue of providing a better early retirement package that accommodates more miners. Approximately 230 miners with 25 or more years of service are not eligible for pensions under the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) as it is currently constituted.

The All-Party Committee is continuing to press the federal government to offer a more just and inclusive program.

"In order to turn the page on the island economy, we have to do the right thing for miners who have worked 25 years or more in the coalfields," added Mr. Wilson.