For Immediate Release
November 17, 2004

STANDING UP FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Today, during Question Period, Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Victoria-Brock MPP, asked Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter, if he would support the right of “double hatter” firefighters to volunteer in the communities where they live.

“Double Hatter firefighters are some of my community’s most dedicated volunteers,” Laurie Scott asked. They are protecting their communities, and bringing needed firefighting expertise to largely volunteer fire services.”

Small communities across Ontario are once again threatened by the actions of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association. Until recently the firefighters’ union had a moratorium in effect, and did not actively oppose their members who worked on a part-time basis in their home communities.

The right of full-time firefighters to volunteer their free time in their local communities has recently come under fire from the firefighters union. They have started to circulate letters to these “double hatters” telling them to resign from their volunteer positions with local fire services.

Kawartha Lakes has direct experience with the union’s strong-arm tactics. The last firefighter to have internal union charges laid against him was Tim Lee, a member of the Whitby Local who volunteered with the Kawartha Lakes fire department.

Local municipal councils across Haliburton-Victoria-Brock have been outspoken in their opposition to the union’s attack. They support the right of professional firefighters to volunteer their time helping to protect their neighbour’s houses, farms and businesses.

“Minister Kwinter showed in his response today that he does not understand the realities of living in rural communities today. This is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of safety in small towns that cannot afford to hire more full-time firefighters,” said Laurie Scott after hearing the Minister’s answer. “The union seems to care more about increasing their membership numbers than they do about community safety. It disturbs me that the Minister is not standing up for public safety.”

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