Canadian Leaders Applaud Fire Fighters

From left: Mayor of Toronto David Miller and Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty Jr. spoke to delegates at the 48th IAFF Convention on Monday.

August 28, 2006 - Canadian public officials praised Toronto and Ontario fire fighters during the IAFF 48th Biennial Convention in Toronto.

“We are blessed to have some of the best fire fighters on the continent,” said Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty Jr. McGuinty and Mayor of Toronto David Miller each thanked fire fighters for their response on September 11, 2001.

“I want to thank you for the sacrifices you make…the hardships you endure,” McGuinty said. “It takes a special kind of person to crash through a door…and make the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live.” He added that Canadian officials must provide fire fighters with more resources.

“The more you are able to protect yourselves, the better you’ll be able to protect us,” the premier said. “We can work with you to ensure you have the tools you need to make fire fighters safer.”

In his comments, Miller said fire fighters last week prevented a massive industrial fire from becoming a disaster, praised them for their heroic acts of self-sacrifice and thanked those who assisted in New Orleans last year following Hurricane Katrina.

“Toronto fire fighters are always ready, willing and able to assist,” the mayor said. Miller also noted that the presence of 3,000 fire fighters in the city gives him confidence that “for the next week, Toronto will truly be the safest city in the world.” Continuing, he said, “Cooperation between city officials and Local 3888 in Toronto is crucial.” Miller is the first politician that Local 3888 has endorsed.

Watch David Miller video

Watch Dalton McGuinty video