May 14, 2011 - Peter was still in the fight for the Nortel disabled to live in dignity, until the day he passed away at
TRIBUTE TO PETER BURNS Peter Burns, a Dissenting Nortel Disabled Employee, passed away on Saturday morning, May 14th, 2011. He was with his buddies fishing, when he had difficulty breathing. He was rushed to hospital, but didn't make it.
Peter gave testimony to the Nortel bankruptcy court on March 5, 2010 and September 29, 2010. He spoke for the Dissenting Nortel Disabled at the November 18, 2010 Senate Banking Trade and Commerce Committee hearing on Bill S-216 to protect employer sponsored disability insurance at insolvent corporations. Peter was still in the fight for the Nortel disabled to live in dignity, until the day he passed away at age 55. In the words of his friend Mark Christopher, who met with Peter recently, “He seemed in good spirits, although he was extremely disappointed with the inaction of our politicians.” Peter was hoping that the Supreme Court of Canada would grant his group's Leave to Appeal on Nortel's Disability Insurance in its Health and Welfare Trust. The Supreme Court of Canada has not announced a decision yet on whether it will hear this appeal.
We express our sincere condolences to Peter's family and friends. We will cherish the time we had with Peter in his journey to seek a just solution for himself, the 360 Nortel disabled and their 160 dependent children. Peter told the Ottawa Press Gallery on March 12, 2010, "All of the disabled have a gift. They shine light into the darkest corners without fear. Today with the April Fool's settlement and our health in decline, we just hope somebody in charge wants to shine a light into the dark deeds of the junk bond holders, Nortel and the bankruptcy process itself." The Dissenting Nortel Disabled vow to continue to deliver Peter's message in our legislatures and court rooms, until a solution is found for them and for the 1.1 million Canadian employees covered by unsafe employer sponsored disability insurance. Please take the time to hear Peter's presentations to media, the bankruptcy court and government at the following links. Peter Burns Statement on Behalf of Rights for Nortel Disabled Employees March 12, 2010 CTV - Paul Brent Interviews Plante and Burns on Eggleton Bill April 12, 2010 Senate Banking Trade and Commerce - Peter Burns on Bill S-216 Nov. 18, 2010 CBC Ottawa at Six - Carol Sampson and Peter Burns Nov. 26, 2010 AM 920 Talkshow - Senator Art Eggleton, Peter Burns, Josee Marin Dec. 3, 2010 Affidavit of Peter Burns Submitted to Ontario Superior Court of Justice Feb. 28, 2010 Interim Settlement Court Transcript March 3, 4, 5, 2010 [Peter Burns at Page 250] HWT Wind-Up Distribution Court Transcript September 28, 29, Oct. 1, 2010 [Peter Burns at Page 116] Peter Burns Submission to Finance Canada on Employee Life and Health Trusts April 30, 2010 Sincerely
Diane & Hugh Urquhart Mississauga, Ontario Tel: (905) 822-7618 Cell: (647) 980-7618 Email:
[email protected] 