Canadian Legislative Conference Generates Wave of Support for IAFF Issues 

April 27, 2007 -- The IAFF is tracking a wave of political support for the issues on the Canadian Legislative agenda following the 15th Canadian Legislative Conference, which was held April 22 to 25 in Ottawa.

More than 120 IAFF members from across Canada conducted meetings with more than 170 members of Parliament and senators, raising the need to establish a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit, the need for a national office for fire service statistics and amendments to the Canada Pension Plan for professional fire fighters.

The Conference took place against the backdrop of a recent major legislative victory at the federal level. In March, the federal government approved $1 million to fund the IAFF's haz-mat and CBRN response training programs in Canada.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, who attended the Conference, pointed to that victory, the third in four years at the federal level in Canada, as evidence that the IAFF's lobbying and political action formulas are working.

"Our ongoing contact with MPs all year, our annual legislative conference and our growing visibility as a trusted and respected voice during federal election campaigns have turned our political and lobby operations into well-oiled machines," he said in a rousing speech to delegates.

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion appeared before delegates and praised them for the important role they play in their communities across Canada, and received a standing ovation when he announced that if elected, a Liberal government would establish a national fire advisor responsible for collecting and reporting national fire service statistics.

Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, who also spoke at the Conference, stated that he has heard the IAFF position on the need for national fire statistics loud and clear, and that his office is looking into the issue very closely. Day, who also commented on the CBRN funding, received a standing ovation from delegates.

Also speaking to delegates were New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton and Liberal MP Glen Pearson – who, upon his election, retired from the London, Ontario Fire Department after 29 years as a fire fighter and member of IAFF Local 142.

A record number – more than 200 MPs and senators – attended the IAFF Parliamentary Reception, where they mingled with fire fighters. The number includes several senior politicians and cabinet ministers.

President Schaitberger presented an IAFF Award of Recognition to the Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters Association for achieving 100 percent FIREPAC Canada participation from all 700 members in the SPFFA’s eight member locals. SPFFA President Gerry Huget accepted the award surrounded by all of the Saskatchewan delegates who attended the Conference.