CNT, MOL and MRQ File Petition to Have IQT Ltée Declared Bankrupt

This is another follow up to a previous Slaw post regarding IQT’s closure. In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL), the Commission des normes du travail (CNT) and Revenu Québec (MRQ) filed a petition at the courthouse in Trois-Rivières to have IQT Ltée declared bankrupt under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. This measure is designed to enable 163 former employees of the call centre in Trois-Rivières, and 400 former employees of the call centre in Oshawa, to avail themselves of the federal Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP). The petition will be heard on December 20, 2011.

In addition to the petition to have IQT Ltée declared bankrupt, the Commission des normes du travail and the Ontario Ministry of Labour are continuing to manage the issue, which includes supporting the employees in their application to the WEPP. Revenue Quebec is trying to recover public funds awarded to IQT under a job creation program and unpaid taxes.

In the event IQT’s bankruptcy is pronounced, the former call centre workers could receive compensation of up to $ 3,400. The compensation would cover the salaries and vacation and termination pay not paid.