Canadian Policy Conference Delegates Adopt Four Resolutions

August 25, 2011 -- Delegates at the Biennial Canadian Policy Conference in Markham, Ontario, August 21-24 adopted four resolutions that will help shape the IAFF’s direction in Canada.

Delegates from 40 Canadian locals adopted a resolution that asks the IAFF to clarify the taxation rules that apply to Canadian members’ travel expenses while on IAFF business, a resolution that supports breast and prostate cancer awareness initiatives and a resolution that specifies a process for determining which legislative issues should be put forward during the annual Canadian Legislative Conference.

The 100 delegates also adopted a resolution to help Ottawa Local 162 investigate the feasibility of seeking an International Year of the Fire Fighter declaration from the United Nations.

IAFF General Secretary Thomas Miller, who was in Markham, greeted delegates on behalf of General President Harold Schaitberger and commended them for taking the time to conduct the important business of the Conference.

Miller also discussed the IAFF budget process, described some advances and improvements planned in the IAFF Convention and credentialing process and other areas of the IAFF’s operations, and talked about the challenges IAFF members across both nations are facing due to the economy and the importance of political action.

“Canadian locals have so far been spared from the kinds of widespread attacks on fire fighters seen in the United States,” Miller said, “but you must be vigilant to ensure the forces that would strive to do so don’t gain a greater foothold.”

The Conference also featured reports from the six provincial affiliate presidents, a report from Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest, a pension seminar, a legal update from Canadian Legal Counsel Sean McManus of McManus-Hubler Lawyers, a Canadian legislative update and a touching presentation from Muscular Dystrophy Canada during which two MDC clients from Ontario shared their stories and thanked fire fighters in person for the hard work they do for MDC in communities across Canada.

Delegates also watched a moving tribute to Jack Jessop, which included a video montage and remarks by 13th District Vice President Emeritus Elliott Hastings. Jessop, who was the IAFF’s first Canadian Director and served in the role from 1969 until his retirement in 1990, died in January at the age of 89. Members of the Jessop family were in attendance during the tribute.

The Conference was hosted by Markham, ON Local 2727, which arranged a number of entertaining social events for delegates and guests. The Canadian Policy Conference takes place every two years, in the years opposite the IAFF Convention. The next edition of the Canadian Policy Conference will be hosted by Halifax, NS Local 268 in 2013.

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