Delegates Advance IAFF Issues at 19th Canadian Legislative Conference

April 27, 2012 – The federal legislative priorities of Canada’s professional fire fighters were at the forefront on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 22-25 in the wake of the 19th Canadian Legislative Conference.

More than 120 delegates from across Canada met with their members of Parliament and senators during the Conference and called for a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit, for priority access to vaccines and antivirals in the event of an influenza pandemic and for amendments to the National Building Code of Canada to enhance fire fighter safety.

Delegates conducted more than 100 lobby meetings on Parliament Hill on Lobby Day, and reported good support on all three issues from all political parties. The IAFF is in the process of poring over delegate response cards and preparing to follow up on numerous leads and offers of assistance from parliamentarians.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, who addressed delegates, said he was proud to be at the Conference for the 19th time. He urged delegates to embrace the IAFF’s gold and black political brand and to lobby hard on the legislative issues while in Ottawa and against an increasing number of attacks on jobs and pensions being experienced by Canadian IAFF affiliates.

Pointing to an ever-increasing aggressiveness in Canada’s political dynamics, and layoffs and attacks being experienced by such Canadian locals as Brandon, MB Local 803, Corner Brook, NF Local 1222, Saint John, NB Local 771, Rocky View County, AB Local 4794 and Toronto, ON Local 3888, Schaitberger pledged that the IAFF will continue to help local affiliates fight back.

“Our job is to stay committed and focused to our model of political action,” Schaitberger said. “The last thing we can do is believe that this is the time we can throw in the towel. This is the time to dig in and go on the offensive.”

Schaitberger also singled out Bill C-377, a federal bill that would impose onerous financial reporting requirements on unions. While broader labour issues, such as C-377 and attacks on labour unions exist at the federal level, Schaitberger urged delegates to focus on fire fighter issues during the Conference. The IAFF is opposing Bill C-377 at a national level in concert with the Canadian Labour Congress and other unions.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews (Provencher, Man.) addressed the Conference for the first time, and brought greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Toews commented on the federal government’s funding of the IAFF Canadian Haz-Mat & CBRNE Training Initiative, as well as the recent decision to set aside broadband spectrum for public safety. Toews also thanked the IAFF for the role its members play.

“Without hesitation, fire fighters often go above and beyond the call of duty to aid others in distress,” he said. “I think it goes without saying there is not a Canadian family whose life has not been touched by the dedication, commitment and courage of the fire fighting community.” General President Schaitberger presented Toews with a framed IAFF photo in recognition of the Canadian government’s funding of the IAFF Haz-mat and CBRNE program.

Newly-elected New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outrement, Quebec) urged delegates not to accept the argument that there are grounds for the government to avoid acting on the PSOC benefit. “All they have to do is make it a priority and that’s what we intend to do if we form a government,” he said, referring to the benefit as a “moral obligation” and a “statement” on the part of the government of Canada.

Liberal Deputy Leader Ralph Goodale (Wascana, Sask.) cited the IAFF lobby as one of the best among all the groups that bring issues to Parliament Hill. “It is professional, it is focused, it is relevant, it is persuasive and it is very well done,” he said, also thanking fire fighters for their roles in society. “You are the nation’s first responders to all manner of emergencies. Fire fighters are typically first on scene. Peoples’ lives depend on how well you do your jobs.”

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, British Columbia.) expressed her strong support for the IAFF’s legislative issues and pledged her assistance in seeing them to fruition, and NDP MP Niki Ashton (Churchill, Man.) told delegates about the importance of her relationship with the Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association and Winnipeg Local 867, which she described as being instrumental in her election to the House of Commons.

Keynote Speaker Evan Soloman, host of CBC TV’s Power & Politics, delivered a fascinating and insightful address on the state of Canadian politics. The Conference also featured the ever-popular IAFF Parliamentary Reception, during which delegates mingled with numerous parliamentarians, including Labour Minister Lisa Raitt. An information session on the IAFF Canadian Political Training Academy was also held.

For the second year, IAFF members were joined in the lobby by fire fighters from the province of Quebec. Five fire fighters from the Montreal and Laval unions attended the Conference and met with Quebec MPs, giving a stronger voice to the IAFF issues and a more national tone to the IAFF lobby.

Conservative MP Patrick Brown (Barrie, Ontario) organized a third annual MP-Firefighter Charity Hockey Game. Mixed teams of IAFF members and MPs faced off at an Ottawa arena on the Monday night of the Conference, raising $2,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. A total of 32 IAFF members and MPs laced up for the event.

Brown also spoke during the Legislative Conference’s Monday session about this close relationship with Barrie Local 1753 and his intention to assist the IAFF with the issues on the Canadian legislative agenda.
Schaitberger, during his address to the Conference, recognized 15th District Vice President Jim Fennell and 13th District Vice President Bruce Carpenter and thanked them for their tremendous dedication and commitment to the International for 29 and 14 years, respectively. Both have announced they are not seeking re-election in 2012.