New Democrat MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) is calling on the government to ensure that Nortel remains a Canadian company.

“All of Nortel, not just a piece of the company, can be saved if the government became a partner in implementing the right strategy” said Dewar.

“From saving high-paying jobs to maintaining Canadian leadership in innovation, Canadians would reap in the benefits of a coordinated action by the government”.

Dewar criticized the loan guarantee that has been offered to a foreign company interested in buying parts of Nortel. He pointed out that foreign takeover of Canadian companies in other sectors have cost massive job losses.

“In the past we've seen Abitibi Bowater and Xstrata taking over Canadian companies and shedding jobs” said Dewar. “In the case of Nortel, we're not only gambling on jobs, but on Canadian research and development”.

Dewar called for a government strategy to:

1. Support Canadian ownership of Nortel,
2. Protect the world-class intellectual property and patents paid for by Canadian tax dollars, and
3. Boost research and development for the new economy by prioritizing investments in innovation.

“We need a Canadian solution for Nortel to protect jobs and pensions, and protect Canadian know-how” concluded Dewar. “This is time for a proactive approach from the government”.