After focused IAFF lobbying, the Government of Canada has committed to enhancing support for the nation’s fallen fire fighters and their families.
In the federal budget tabled in the House of Commons on Nov. 5, the government committed to enhancing the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders (MGP), which provides a $300,000 payment to the surviving families of fire fighters, paramedics and other public safety personnel who die in the line of duty. Details are expected in a Spring Economic Update early next year.
The announcement reflects the IAFF’s position that, because the MGP payment was not indexed to inflation, its value has fallen below the level of support the government intended for families of fallen fire fighters, paramedics, police officers and corrections workers when it was established in 2018.
Another testament to IAFF political action
In April, delegates at the 33rd Canadian Legislative Conference lobbied MPs and senators on the issue, calling for a 25% increase, to $375,000, to match the approximate rate of inflation since 2018, and annual indexing going forward. During the conference, General President Edward Kelly raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Mark Carney at a meeting on Parliament Hill.
The IAFF will continue advocating with the federal government on the MGP ahead of the Spring Economic Update.
The commitment is another result of the IAFF’s political advocacy and the union’s relationships across government.
“From Prime Minister Carney to MPs and senators, the IAFF made the case for the families of our fallen, and our friends on Parliament Hill heard us and agreed,” General President Edward Kelly said. “This is the right and fair thing to do for the families whose loved one made the ultimate sacrifice.”
This is the right and fair thing to do for the families whose loved one made the ultimate sacrifice.
general president edward kelly
“I appreciate the hard work of our members, who raised this issue during their meetings, and the elected officials who promised to stand with our fallen,” he said. “The IAFF will continue to press the government to follow through on its commitment.”
Established after a 25-year IAFF lobbying effort, the MGP generally accepts provincial worker’s compensation board determinations when assessing for eligibility. The program includes deaths caused by occupational diseases, including cancer, heart disease and post-traumatic stress.
