November 6, 2008

The Hon. Jack Layton, MP
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Layton,

On behalf of International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger and our 20,500 members across Canada, congratulations on your re-election as MP for Toronto-Danforth and for your party’s tremendous showing in the Oct. 14 federal election.

The increase in House of Commons seats for the NDP is a welcome advance; it is a testament to your leadership and a clear indication that your message and your party’s platform are resonating with Canadians and with Canada’s working families.

As you know, the IAFF conducts a Legislative Affairs program through which we raise issues in the federal jurisdiction that are important to Canada’s professional fire fighters with the federal government and with members of parliament from all parties.

In recent sessions of parliament, members of the NDP caucus have introduced numerous private members’ motions in support of IAFF issues and supported the IAFF’s Canadian Legislative Agenda in many other ways, both inside and outside the House of Commons.

The IAFF is grateful for the support of the NDP and its members, and we look forward to the opportunity to work together in the same fashion in the future in order to advance issues of importance to Canada’s professional fire fighters.

During the 40th Session of Parliament, the IAFF will be asking the federal government to implement a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) Benefit for the families of fire fighters who are killed or permanently injured in the line of duty, to establish a national office for fire service statistics and to amend the Canada Pension Plan to provide fire fighters with earlier access to CPP benefits. The IAFF Legislative Fact Sheets on these issues are enclosed for your information.

We are currently raising these issue with the appropriate government Ministers, and we will also be raising them during our 16th Canadian Legislative Conference in Ottawa in April, when IAFF members from across Canada will be in Ottawa to meet with their members of parliament.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at the IAFF Canadian Office if there is any way I can be of assistance to you during the 40th Session of Parliament or if you would like additional information about the IAFF Legislative Agenda, or any other issue affecting Canada’s professional fire fighters.

In the meantime, congratulations on your re-election and your party’s showing the federal election, thank you again for your support and assistance, and best of luck with your parliamentary duties.

Sincerely yours,

Jim Lee
Assistant to the General President for Canadian Operations