Canadian Members Raise Three Issues With Federal Government

October 27, 2011 -- The IAFF’s Canadian legislative agenda was laid out before Canada’s newly-elected Conservative majority government October 23-26 during the 18th Canadian Legislative Conference in Ottawa.

A total of 127 IAFF delegates from across Canada conducted close to 120 lobby meetings with Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators in search of support for a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit, priority access to vaccines and antivirals during an influenza pandemic and amendments to the National Building Code.

Delegate responses indicate strong support for the IAFF’s legislative priorities from MPs from all parties, and the IAFF is now following up on a wealth of new leads to advance those issues in the 41st Session of Parliament and to put them on the Conservative Government’s agenda.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger, who was in Ottawa for the Conference, rallied delegates and urged them to fight passionately on behalf of their brothers and sisters at home. He told delegates to remind MPs about the IAFF’s existing partnership with the federal government through its funding of the IAFF Canadian Haz-Mat and CBRNE Training Initiative, and also congratulated the IAFF’s provincial affiliates on recent political action work.

Also addressing the conference were NDP Interim Leader Nycole Turmel (Hull-Aylmer, QC), NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East), Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (Saanich-Gulf Islands, BC) and Liberal Leader Bob Rae (Toronto Centre). The Liberal and NDP Speakers expressed full support for the IAFF’s Canadian legislative agenda. Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs President Rob Simonds and Canadian Police Association President Tom Stamatakis also spoke.

On the IAFF’s Lobby Day, New Democratic Party MP Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster, BC) rose in the House of Commons and urged the Canadian government to once and for all enact a Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit in Canada.

“Today we rise in the House to pay tribute to the fire fighters of Canada for their selflessness and sacrifice.” Julian said. “Today we renew our pledge to work to establish a public safety officer compensation fund for our nation's fire fighters and police officers. Their courage is exemplary. They deserve no less.” Video of Julian’s full statement is available here.

More than 100 MPs and Senators and more than 50 Parliament Hill staffers attended the annual IAFF Parliamentary Reception. Among MPs who attended the reception were Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

In accordance with a resolution adopted unanimously at the IAFF 2009 Biennial Canadian Policy Conference, professional fire fighters from Quebec, who are not affiliated with the IAFF, were invited to participate in the Canadian Legislative Conference at an increased cost, as a way to raise the issues on the Canadian legislative agenda with more Quebec MPs.

Four members of the Montreal Firefighters Association attended the Conference and were welcomed by IAFF delegates. The Montreal fire fighters met with Quebec MPs on lobby day and at the IAFF Parliamentary Reception.

Conservative MP Patrick Brown (Barrie, ON) and Barrie, ON Local 1753 member Kevin White organized the second annual Fire Fighters vs. MPs Charity Hockey Match during the conference. While mixed teams made up of 15 IAFF members and 20 Conservative MPs went head-to-head on the ice, Muscular Dystrophy Canada was the real winner, receiving a donation of $2,600 as a result of the fundraising effort. National Defence Minister Peter MacKay was among the MPs who participated.

The Conference will return to its usual spring timeframe in 2012. Information about the 19th Canadian Legislative Conference will be sent to local presidents and secretaries in the new year.

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