MacKenzie Resurrects Nortel Issue, Vows to find Replacement

OTTAWA -"Thousands of Ottawa West-Nepean former Nortel employees must be amazed at how little attention is paid to their plight in this election", said Green candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean, Mark MacKenzie.

Nortel's disintegration occurred mostly on the Conservatives' watch, but MacKenzie noted the Liberals are also liabel because they held the riding when the descent started.

"The pensioners never expected in their wildest nightmares they would be sitting there with cap in hand asking for public assistance," MacKenzie said. "It might be commonplace for the auto industry. But the proud engineers, managers and other staff of Nortel are disillusioned with the archaic system led by the Conservatives and Liberals that let them down."

Conservative candidate John Baird previously blamed the Liberals for never having raised Nortel during Question Period, he added, as if two wrongs make a right.

The Green Party has elected officials around the world, at all levels of government. MacKenzie insists electing him one of Canada's first Green MPs would ensure local jobs become be the riding's top priority.

"If I'm elected, you would not see Ottawa West-Nepean issues trampled by the backroom pollsters and strategists in the Liberal and Conservative parties," MacKenzie said. "Career politicians are experts at political games. I'm a career business owner, experienced and passionate about creating and re-creating jobs in this riding."

The Conservatives found billions of dollars to bail out the auto industry; it saved Potash Corporation; yet did not step in for Nortel while there was plenty of equity still in the company, despite Baird being highly placed in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government, he added.

MacKenzie, who owns multiple businesses, said he would partner with local businesses and other levels of government to find the best anchor out there for Ottawa's high tech sector.

"My riding would be my caucus."

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for more information or to contact:

Suzanne Legue
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Phone:613-224-0050
Email: info@markmackenzie.ca
Website: http://www.markmackenzie.ca