Largest-Ever Canadian Legislative Conference
Generates Commitments on IAFF Issues

May 1, 2009 -- The IAFF is counting numerous commitments to act on fire fighter issues in the wake of the 16th Canadian Legislative Conference, including a concrete commitment from the Liberal Party to enact the top two issues on the IAFF Canadian legislative agenda if it forms the government in the next election.

This year’s conference, which took place April 26-29 in Ottawa, was the largest ever with 140 delegates from across Canada. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger opened the conference by urging delegates not to relent in their pursuit of the IAFF Canadian legislative agenda, even in uncertain economic times.

“This week while you’re here in Ottawa, don’t let the politicians use the economic downturn as an excuse not to act on our priorities. Don’t let them put a price on the public’s safety and, more importantly, the safety of your members,” Schaitberger said, citing the recent legislative success of $2.5 million in funding from the Canadian government to conduct the IAFF Haz-mat and CBRN response training programs in Canada over five years as an example that persistence pays off.

“Now’s not the time to start accepting 'no' for an answer,” he said.

Speaking to delegates during the conference, Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff set the bar high when he committed that his party would establish a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit and create a national office for fire service statistics if elected to government.

The IAFF is also lobbying for amendments to the Canada Pension Plan and National Building Code, as well as the establishment of a mechanism for third-party investigations of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths.

Also speaking during an action-packed session were New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jack Layton, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, Liberal member of Parliament (MP) and former London, ON Local 142 member Glen Pearson and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.

The NDP is a longtime ally of the IAFF and supporter of IAFF issues, and the Green Party, appearing at the Canadian Legislative Conference for the first time, issued a press release April 28 indicating its support for the IAFF’s entire legislative agenda.

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs Vice President Rob Simonds, of Saint John and Canadian Police Association President Charles Momy also addressed delegates. Keynote speaker, Liberal MP and deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, reaffirmed that the IAFF’s non-partisan approach to lobbying works best.

On lobby day, fire fighters met with more than 150 MPs and senators on Parliament Hill, generating a whirlwind of discussion about the issues on the IAFF legislative agenda.

Delegates reported strong support across party lines for a majority of the issues raised, and the IAFF is following up on numerous offers from MPs and senators to help advance the legislative issues. More than 130 MPs and senators attended the IAFF Parliamentary Reception.

Also in attendance during the conference as guests of the IAFF were Michel Crevier, president of the Montreal Firefighters Association, and Executive Board member Chris Ross. The association, which belonged to the IAFF until the 1970s, represents 2,300 fire fighters in Montreal.

Ross updated the conference on an ongoing case that involves a recent ruling that fire fighters won from Quebec’s provincial health and safety authority ordering the city to adhere to NFPA 1710 and staff its ladder trucks and pumpers with four personnel. The city is trying to fight the ruling in court but its latest request for an injunction was denied on April 29.

More hearings in the precedent-setting case are scheduled in the near future, and the IAFF is following the case closely and will report the outcome to affiliates as information becomes available.[to top]