MINTO – Town council here is supporting a resolution calling on the federal government to increase a tax credit for volunteer firefighters.
The resolution, from the Municipality of Wawa, asked the government to increase the tax credit, introduced in 2013, from $3,000 to $10,000.
The Wawa resolution notes many volunteer firefighters “receive some form of pay, on call, an honorarium or are given some funding to cover expenses.
“But they do not draw a living wage from firefighting,” the resolution states.
The resolution notes the current credit only puts about $450 back into a firefighter’s pocket, less if they go over the 200-hour mark.
“These essential volunteers not only put their lives on the line and give their time, training and efforts to Canadians, but they also allow cities and municipalities to keep property taxes lower than if paid services were required,” the resolution states.
“It would also help retain these volunteers in a time when volunteerism is decreasing.”
A motion from councillor Paul Zimmerman to support the resolution was approved unanimously.
