The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) endorses Doug Ford and his leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party in the upcoming provincial election. Committed to advocating for the health, safety, and well-being of its members in addition to supporting fire and life safety in communities across Ontario, the OPFFA only supports candidates who share this vision and have consistently taken meaningful action to enhance firefighter and public safety.
Key highlights of Premier Ford’s leadership include:
- Reducing latency periods for esophageal, skin and kidney cancer so firefighters are covered by WSIB earlier in their careers.
- Including thyroid and pancreatic cancer under presumptive legislation, recognizing these common firefighter cancers as consequences of the job.
- Removing the age 61 limitation on colorectal cancer, ensuring firefighters with the longest tenure also get the cancer coverage they need and deserve.
- Investing $208 million to upgrade to a state-of-the-art 9-1-1 emergency response system that safeguards people, families and communities.
- Funding province-wide implementation of Simultaneous Notification to improve response times, ensuring Ontarians receive help quickly in their time of need.
- Implementing province-wide firefighter certification standards.
- Allocating $1.4 million from the Skills Development Fund to fund Fire Ground Survival train-the-trainer courses and training vehicles.
- Strengthening Administrative Monetary Penalties for fire code violations, keeping Ontario citizens safe.
- Establishing a $30 million Fire Protection Grant to support cancer prevention initiatives.
- Significant investments in firefighter mental health through Runnymede's Centre for Post- Traumatic Stress Injury for first responders.
- Launching the Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program to provide specialized services for firefighters.
- Investing $3 million in the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program to provide free rapid bereavement counselling for the families of first responders who die in the line of duty or by suicide.
Greg Horton, President of the OPFFA, commented: “Premier Ford and his government have been steadfast, active partners in addressing firefighter issues. We’ve worked shoulder to shoulder on critical initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of firefighters as well as fire and life safety in communities across Ontario. Their support has been instrumental in securing necessary protections and resources, and we look forward to continuing the work of improving the lives of those who serve and protect our communities. The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association is proud to endorse Doug Ford and his leadership of the Ontario Progressive Party in the upcoming election.”
The OPFFA encourages its 12,000+ members to support this endorsement by voting in the upcoming election, participating in campaign events, and sharing the positive impact this government has had on our profession.