Two-day rally and lobby to focus on changes to Investment Canada Act

    
    WHO:      Members of the United Steelworkers and their supporters

    WHAT:     Two-day Rally and Lobby to support Canadian jobs and reform of
              the Investment Canada Act

    WHEN:     Wednesday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.
              Thursday, May 27, 11:30 a.m.

    WHERE:    Parliament Hill, Ottawa
    

OTTAWA, May 26 /CNW/ - Busloads of members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and their supporters will be in Ottawa Wednesday (May 26) and Thursday (May 27), calling on Canadian Members of Parliament to support changes to the Investment Canada Act aimed at preserving Canadian resources and jobs.

Most of the workers are from Sudbury, where members of USW Local 6500 have been on strike since last July 13th against Vale-Inco, the Brazilian multinational that took over the century-old Canadian nickel giant Inco Ltd. in 2006. The strike against Vale also extends to Port Colborne, ON and Voisey's Bay, NL.

A candlelight vigil on Wellington Street Wednesday night and a rally on Parliament Hill Thursday at 11:30 a.m. will focus on the effects of foreign control of manufacturing, the petroleum industry, chemicals and chemical products, minerals, technology, food processing and packaging, retail and more.

At the same time, a group of rank-and-file lobbyists will take time to speak directly to MPs, asking them to work toward reform of the Investment Canada Act, based on a motion, introduced by Sudbury MP Claude Gravelle (NDP Nickel Belt) and passed by a majority of MPs in the House of Commons in April.

Speakers will include NDP Leader Jack Layton, Canadian Labour Congress Executive Vice President Barbara Byers, Liberal MP Todd Russell (Labrador), Bloc Québécois Labour Critic Luc Desnoyers (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles) and others from industries affected by foreign takeovers that have resulted in lost jobs, damaged labour relations and loss of communities.

For further information: Pat Van Horne, [phone], [phone]