While many councillors here are ready to support a Kingsville resolution requesting support for firefighters, they want more information before taking a plunge.
Kingsville is asking for provincial support to ensure that volunteer and part time firefighters are defined as “firefighters,” and treated equitably with full time counterparts in accordance with regulations detailed in Bill 221 – An Act to amend The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 with Respect to firefighters and certain related occupations.
Councillor David Turton, chairman of Minto’s fire committee, believes the town should support the recommendation.
Deputy-Mayor Judy Dirksen recommended extra thought before doing that.
She said at a recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario seminar, one of the issues was “the matter of presumptive legislation – which this is.” She cited comments by Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, who talked about that legislation. Since the idea was presented, over 100 municipalities have offered support.
McCallion stated she was appalled so many municipalities would support it blindly, without fully thinking it through.
“I do not think there is any question our firefighters are doing a fabulous job,” Dirksen said. But she believes council should find out more about the Bill which could have retroactive effects back to 1960. As it stands, any illness or injury sustained can be considered to be a result of the job of a firefighter.
“My concern is that if a person’s work consists of removing asbestos all of his life and he develops lung cancer, is the illness because of that job, or as a result of being a firefighter.” She asked what impact it could have on municipalities.
At that point, councillor Rick Hembly, a firefighter, declared a conflict of interest.
Dirksen asked the matter be postponed.
Councillor Larry Agla said, “Our volunteers are more than full-time on the job.” He said full time firefighters work set schedules, while volunteers respond when they are called.
Agla suggested firefighters in small municipalities may respond to a greater variety of fires and dangers. Hembly said there is no real difference between a fire in the city and in rural areas.
Council deferred the issue.
