TAY REPORT - September 21 for Sept 23 2009

Queen’s Park Report 

I had the opportunity recently along with Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, to question the Minister of Labour’s failed commitment to cover volunteer firefighters with the same presumptive workers’ compensation coverage already in place for full-time firefighters.

In May 2007 the Minister of Labour introduced presumptive legislation that was unanimously passed by all parties, which would give full-time firefighters the protection they requested.  The government committed to include volunteer firefighters in the future.  But now, 30 months later, we are still waiting for the McGuinty Liberals to provide the same protection to volunteer firefighter in rural communities.

Most of the McGuinty Liberals voted down Ted Arnott’s Private Member’s Bill 169. Bill 169 would have covered volunteer firefighters under the presumptive legislation, allowing them to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they were to contract certain cancers or illnesses.

I am appalled that our volunteer firefighters are being discriminated against and treated as second class citizens. Rural Ontario volunteers firefighters and their families deserve the respect and commitment from their government that they have earned by protecting their communities.
 
No More Excuses! When will The Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca keep his promise to volunteer firefighters?

I am deeply concerned that volunteer firefighters are being treated as second class citizens by the McGuinty Liberals.