IAFF Testifies Before Finance Committee On PSOC, Statistics

September, 25, 2009 -- The IAFF has raised a number of key issues from its Canadian legislative agenda before the Standing Committee on Finance, an important federal government forum that makes recommendations about future government spending priorities.

The IAFF’s August 14 submission and September 15 presentation, made as part of the Standing Committee’s annual Pre Budget Consultation exercise, stated the need for a national Public Safety Officer Compensation (PSOC) benefit in Canada, as well as a national office for fire service statistics.

The IAFF submission and presentation also cited the need for the government of Canada to ensure that fire fighters are among the first to receive available anti-virals and vaccines in the event of a flu pandemic.

On the PSOC issue, IAFF Assistant to the General President for Canadian Operations Jim Lee testified that the lack of a national minimum level of compensation for the survivors of fallen fire fighters means that some may risk financial hardship at the same time they are dealing with their grief. He explained that only a handful of Canadian IAFF affiliates have been able to negotiate a line-of-duty death benefit at the local level, and among those who have, the benefit is typically only two years’ continuation of salary and benefits.

“The dignity and financial security of a fallen fire fighter’s family should not depend on the uncertainties of the collective bargaining process, especially at a time when the trend is for employers to attack such benefits, not award them,” Lee testified. “I urge you to recommend that the next budget include funding for a Public Safety Officer Compensation benefit in Canada.”

The IAFF is asking the Canadian government to establish a PSOC benefit in the amount of $300,000 that is paid as a direct, one-time benefit to the family and paid in addition to any other benefits that may be available.

With regard to a national office for fire service statistics, Lee testified that while the Canadian government tracks and reports detailed data and statistics on crime and justice, as well as health issues such as the H1N1 virus, there is virtually nothing in terms of comprehensive and reliable national statistics on fire protection and emergency response issues. This impedes the ability of stakeholders, including the IAFF, to advocate public and fire fighter safety and the ability of authorities to direct public safety resources where they are needed most.

Liberal MP John McCallum (Markham-Unionville, Ontario) expressed strong agreement with the issues raised by the IAFF.

“I'd like to say that in particular I strongly agree with two of your proposals. First is the public safety officer compensation benefit. It's $300,000 and I think it is overdue. I think, in the total scheme of things, it is a relatively low cost,” McCallum told the committee. “I also fully agree with your proposal for a national office for fire service statistics.”

The Standing Committee on Finance is made up of members of Parliament from all political parties. After reading submissions and hearing from stakeholder groups during the Pre Budget Consultation exercise, the Committee authors a report for the federal finance minister containing recommendations for spending areas in the next federal budget, which is usually tabled in the spring.

With Pre Budget consultations underway, the IAFF Canadian Office now recommends that Canadian affiliates take the opportunity to follow up with local members of Parliament with regard to the IAFF Canadian legislative agenda, especially the PSOC benefit and national fire service statistics issues, as well as pandemic preparedness.

In addition to the Standing Committee presentation, IAFF recently submitted a separate comment to the federal Finance Department on proposed changes to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) that were announced in late May. The IAFF submission expressed support for a proposed amendment that would increase CPP benefits for fire fighters by increasing the number of low-income years that can be dropped out of a worker’s benefit calculation, but expressed opposition to a proposal to increase the reduction in CPP benefits for those who apply early, before age 65.

The submission also stated the existing IAFF position that fire fighters, in order to make up for lost retirement income as a result of early retirement, should be eligible for reduced CPP benefits at age 55 and unreduced CPP benefits at age 60, which is five years earlier than other workers.

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