Getting laid off from your job isn’t usually a reason to party down, but when thousands of your co-workers have been similarly affected, you might as well make the best of it.

A group called PinkSlipParty.ca is inviting mid- to senior level professionals who’ve been laid off from Nortel to join former employees from dozens of industries for networking opportunities next month in Toronto and Montreal. This is a first-of-its-kind event in Montreal; it’s been done once before in Toronto.

Don’t worry – your pink slip won’t be checked at the door. HR and executive recruiters will be on hand to help those who could still lose their job in this uncertain economic climate. Taking place at a pair of restaurants, it’s intended to be a low-pressure, social atmosphere where people can share stories and get leads on new jobs.

“After our first pinkslipparty.ca event in Toronto we experienced overwhelming requests from pinkslippers, their friends and executive recruiters for events in cities across Canada and a second event in Toronto,” said Jean Treadwell, volunteer organizer. “We decided that holding the first ever pinkslipparty.ca event in Montreal the same night we held our second event in Toronto was the perfect way to support our professional colleagues in Montreal with the same relaxed environment for mid-senior level professionals to come together and expand their networks and add a little fun to the job hunting process.”

For more information on dates, times and locations, click here.You can also RSVP at the site.