With Canada’s election over, the IAFF is preparing to bring its federal legislative priorities forward before a new Prime Minister, a new parliament and a crop of new and returning MPs from across the nation.
“Canadians have spoken, and the IAFF looks forward to ensuring the federal legislative issues that matter most to our members are front and centre when Parliament resumes,” said General President Edward Kelly.
“We’re ready to work with Prime Minister Carney and with MPs from all political parties who are prepared to advance our members’ legislative priorities, as we always have.”
The IAFF’s Canadian Operations staff is already engaging officials on issues, including the elimination of PFAS from fire fighters’ workplaces and strengthening Canada’s airport firefighting regulations.
The IAFF is also advocating for amendments to the Criminal Code to deter assaults against on-duty fire fighters and paramedics. Additionally, it is opposing the unsafe single-exit stairway design in residential buildings, also known as “one way out.”
We’re ready to work with Prime Minister Carney and with MPs from all political parties who are prepared to advance our members’ legislative priorities, as we always have.
General President Edward kelly
The union’s annual Canadian Legislative Conference, which was moved to the fall to accommodate the April election, is set for Nov. 2-4, 2025. Among the most respected grassroots lobbies on Parliament Hill, the annual conference will bring together affiliate leaders and local MPs to seek support for the IAFF’s federal legislative agenda.
Shortly after the election call, the IAFF provided affiliate leaders with an Election Strategy Guide, which contained a host of tools designed to help them engage local candidates on fire fighter and public safety issues. It also outlined each party’s record on fire fighter, public safety and labour issues in the House of Commons while emphasizing the IAFF’s nonpartisan approach to political action.
Many Canadian affiliates endorsed election candidates, while others educated candidates on IAFF issues and our union’s role as a major fire fighter and public safety stakeholder in Canada.
