(Queen’s Park) – Garfield Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North and P.C. Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, said today that Rural Ontario taxpayers were dealt a serious blow when Minister Kwinter refused to commit to reinstating a moratorium on new charges against full-time fire fighters who also serve as volunteers.

“Today in the House, the Minister responsible for safety in this province ironically put the safety of rural Ontarians further at risk,” said Dunlop. “A moratorium would have protected rural communities from losing even more professional fire fighters.”

Dunlop noted during today’s Question Period that the moratorium put in place by former Public Safety Minister Bob Runciman was lifted shortly after the election of the McGuinty Liberals.

“I’ve asked Minister Kwinter about this issue several times in the House, yet all he talks about is mediation, which clearly didn’t work when Bob Runciman tried it,” said Dunlop. “I just don’t understand why the Minister won’t get on with a legislative solution.”

“Double hatters” are paid fire fighters who serve in their off-duty time as volunteer fire fighters in neighbouring communities. This is prohibited by the constitution of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)