16th Canadian Legislative Conference Takes Place April 26-29

February 5, 2009 -- As the political drama slowly subsides and Canada`s Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators prepare to move forward in the 40th Session of Parliament, the IAFF is preparing to ensure fire fighter issues remain in the forefront with the return of the Canadian Legislative Conference.

The 16th Canadian Legislative Conference takes place April 26 to 29, 2009 at the Delta Ottawa Hotel. Information about conference registration, legislative issues and hotel reservations will be mailed to affiliate presidents and secretaries in the coming weeks.

Already, three legislative motions have been introduced on behalf of the IAFF in the new session of parliament. New Democratic Party (NDP) MP Libby Davies has introduced Motion M-188, which calls on the Canadian government to establish a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit for the families of fallen fire fighters, and NDP MPs Irene Mathyssen and Charlie Angus have each introduced motions calling on the government to establish a national office for fire service statistics.

The need for a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit for the families of fallen fire fighters remains atop the IAFF’s Canadian Legislative Agenda in 2009, along with the need for national fire service statistics and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) reform for professional fire fighters. The IAFF also expects to raise the need for third-party investigations of fire fighter line of duty deaths as well as problems with the National Building Code.

All members of parliament and senators will receive a copy of the IAFF Canada 2009 Legislative Briefing Book in advance of the conference, so that they will be knowledgeable about fire fighter issues in advance of lobby meetings.

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