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Government Relations Week 2022 took place on December 6-7, 2022, the second to last week before the House rose for the holidays. Forty fire chiefs from across the country attended the event, including representatives from most of the National Advisory Council member organizations. 

They brought with them the results of the Great Canadian Fire Census, a study by the CAFC that presents a stark reality facing the future of Canada’s Fire and Emergency services. You can read the press release, asks, Census, illustrated graphic, and media coverage here.  

Ministers, Ministers offices, Members of Parliament from all parties, Senators and Parliamentary Staff made time for the fire chiefs. Santa even showed up at the reception, sponsored by MP Sherry Romanado in the Valour Building. 

Most importantly, in each of the over 40 meetings that the  fire chiefs attended, our officials were genuine, interested and receptive to understanding the fire and emergency management sector, generous with their time and recommendations, and open to helping advance the CAFC’s asks. 

In fact, the Standing Committee on Health held a special meeting to discuss Liberal MP Sherry Romanado’s Bill C-224 before the holidays, supporting a framework for firefighter cancer. Chief Ken McMullen attended the first part of the meeting, Chief Richard Amnotte, the second. 

NDP MP Gord Johns rose in the House during the implementation discussion of the Fall Economic Statement to discuss the importance of retaining volunteer firefighters and re-tabled his Bill to increase the volunteer firefighter tax credit from $3,000 to $10,000. He referenced our Hill Times OpEd. 

There were also some unexpected moments. Speaker of the House MP Anthony Rota welcomed the fire chiefs when they first entered the House and when all MPs "seconded the emotion" in Sherry Romanado’s SO 31 thanking the CAFC and IAFF for the support of her Bill and the work they do throughout the year. 

The event was preceded with CBC radio shows in 19 cities and with CTV, Global and the Hill Times carrying the results of the Great Canadian Fire Census. We thank Elissa Freeman PR and our friends and partners in the media for caring about this issue and sharing it with all Canadians. 

A special thank you to all officials for meeting with us, considering our issues, coming to the reception, reading this update, and thinking about how to advance fire safety in Canada. We’re here for you, as you are here for us.

 

Special thank you to the participants, Grassroots Public Affairs who helped organize the meetings and reception; Elissa Freeman PR our media consultant and trainer, the Board, NAC, Members and Staff. 

 

Below you will find a curated collection of images and video clips from Government Relations Week 2022.
This page is based on photographs that we had available. Any errors or omissions to this webpage are unintentional. The CAFC welcomes any corrections or additions. Special thanks to photographer Fred Chartrand

 

The Chiefs arrived on Monday evening to discuss the expected schedule and review the key messages for Government Relations Week

 

On Tuesday morning, the Fire Chiefs were ready to go.

The Chiefs met with Senator Tony Loffreda, Member of Parliament Dan Bazier, Member of Parliament John Barlow and Member of Parliament Taleeb Noormohamed.

The Chiefs meet with The Honourable Minister Bill Blair, Member of Parliament Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament Yasir Naqvi and Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore.

The Chiefs meet with Senator Pat Bovey, Member of Parliament Dr. Steven Ellis, Member of Parliament Shelby Kramp-Neuman and Member of Parliament Doug Shipley.

The Chiefs met with Member of Parliament Clifford Small, Member of Parliament Bonita Zarrillo and Associate Deputy Minister Mollie Johnson of NRCan.

The Chiefs met with Member of Parliament Michael McLeod and Member of Parliament Vance Badawey

The Chiefs meet with Member of Parliament Richard Bragdon, Member of Parliament Eric Duncan and Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison.

The Chiefs meet with Deputy Minister Sean Tupper and leave behind Asks on behalf of the fire service. The Chiefs prepared to enter the House of Commons for Question Period.

Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado speaks at the CAFC Reception with CAFC President, Red Deer Fire Chief Ken McMullen.

CAFC Fire Chiefs delighted to see The Honourable Minister of Rural Economic Development Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado and Member of Parliament Ruby Sahota, and friend and colleague Sandy Hamoto from the IAFF at the CAFC Reception

CAFC Fire Chiefs meet with Senator Pat Bovey, Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado and Director Catherine Bridgen, Member of Parliament Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament Judy Sgro, and friend and colleague Sandy Hamoto from the IAFF at the CAFC Reception

The Fire Chiefs meet with Honourable Minister of Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Helena Jaczek, Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado and surprise Members of Parliament as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

CAFC Fire Chiefs and Member of Parliament John Barlow, Senator Pat Bovey discuss policy at the CAFC Reception

The CAFC Fire Chiefs come together for photos to commemorate Government Relations Week 2022

CAFC President Red Deer Fire Chief Ken McMullen, Lac St Anne County Fire Chief Randy Schroder and Regina Beach Fire Chief Shayne LaMontagne meet with Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado

The Chiefs meet with staff from the Honourable Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament Peter Fonseca of the Finance Committee to discuss the needs of the Fire Service.

 

Read related media and videos here:

Watch Member of Parliament Sherry Romanado's SO31

recognizing CAFC for support of Bill C-224 Firefighter Cancer Framework

 

In Monday's speech on Fall Economic Statement Implementation, MP Gord Johns cites

the CAFC op-ed in The Hill Times re: Importance of Attracting and Retaining Volunteer Firefighters

 

 

 

The Hill Times: Powerful but Precarious: cracks in the foundation
of fire and emergency services in Canada
Read the article here

 

 

 

Watch Member of Parliament Gord Johns table

Bill to Increase Volunteer Firefighter and Search and Rescue Tax Credit

 

 

 

CAFC speaks at House of Commons

Standing Committee on Health Meeting - December 13, 2022

 

 

 

CTV News: Canadian firefighters call for more support amid shortage
Read the article here