Baden, ON – Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, and Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge and North Dumfries, hosted a roundtable with the Region of Waterloo townships' fire chiefs and their mayors in Badan's fire station alongside Sherry Romanado, Member of Parliament for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Kings Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness.
During the roundtable discussion, hosted at the Township of Wilmot Fire Station 1 on Foundry Street, the MPs discussed issues important to small-town local firefighting, including the desire to increase the amount of tax credit eligibility for volunteer firefighters.
Notably, there was wide support from the chiefs and mayors in attendance, as well as MP Romanado, for MP Louis and MP May's letter to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters in next month's federal budget. The increased tax credit could help alleviate a real issue for the Region's local townships when trying to retain volunteer firefighters.
Along with the challenges of recruitment and retention, the MPs and attendees discussed the rising cost of firefighting equipment and the health and wellness needs of firefighters, all of which the MPs are keen to partner with other levels of government to solve.
"The message at this roundtable discussion was clear: all levels of government need to work together to do more to help our volunteer firefighters. They put their lives on the line every day and deserve our support. Sitting down with them and our township mayors was key to understanding their needs and ensuring that the support we give volunteer firefighters is the right support. I will never stop fighting for them in Kitchener-Conestoga."
– Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga
"Collaboration between different levels of government, firefighters, and communities is essential for effective fire prevention and response. Listening to the concerns of our township's mayors and firefighters firsthand reinforces the importance of investing in them, their training, equipment, and health. These incredible individuals ensure the safety and well-being of our communities, and I will always stand side by side with them in Cambridge and North Dumfries."
– Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge and North Dumfries
