TORONTO - Demands by the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) to have the Ontario government come up with money to protect pensions affected by a potential bankruptcy at General Motors Canada or Chrysler has drawn fire from Catherine Swift, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

"For the government to provide even more bailout billions for these private sector companies' pensions would be setting a terrible precedent, signaling other companies with pension problems to start lining up seeking similar treatment," said Swift. She added it is indeed unfortunate that retired auto workers would suffer from bankruptcy, but at the same time pointed out it would be unconscionable for beleaguered Canadian taxpayers to ultimately shoulder the costs of yet another bailout. "Management and the unions ran these automotive companies into the ground and bear joint responsibility for the predicament they find themselves in today. Canadian taxpayers are not responsible for their problems, and should not be on the hook for solving their pension problems," stated Swift.

Swift said she is addressing this issue just before CAW's scheduled April 23rd protest at Queen's Park, "because it is high time someone spoke up on behalf of the country's taxpayers".