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Thank you for running in this election. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), the national association representing 3200 fire departments either through individual chief fire officers or through its National Advisory Council of all provincial, territorial and national affiliate fire chief related organizations ask election candidates to note:

1. Canada requires a NATIONAL FIRE ADMINISTRATION (NFA)

• Currently, federal policy is developed with fire and life safety implications in a blind spot.
• An NFA is a coordinating office between federal departments and ministries and the existing fire chiefs’ infrastructure. This allows for early and substantive engagement on fire and life safety implications of federal policy proposals. It also prepares fire departments to plan for federal policy intentions.
• Fire and life safety issues involve 14+ federal departments or ministries. NFA coordination is required.
• Examples where it could be used include: wildfire, explosives, housing policy, construction, tariffs, federal response to emergencies, green technologies, marine transportation, clean energy, defense, first responder mental health, training, emergency management, among many others.
• Our discussions over the past 3 years with parliamentarians, staff and media have been supportive. However, three cabinet shuffles, staff turnover, and current events have slowed the process down.
• A NFA is about substantive advice from subject matter experts in fire and life safety. It is not a request for more government, but more coordination. There are no jurisdictional issues in this.
• An efficient and affordable turnkey solution is available leveraging the CAFC infrastructure and willingness of Canada’s fire chiefs from coast to coast. The cost is less than $2.4M per year.
• A NFA would be one of the most consequential policy instruments for fire and life safety in Canadian history. A new Parliament can get this done before the height of wildfire season 2025.

2. Canada needs to restore its cache of FIRE AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

• In 2024, close to 60% of fire departments deferred equipment purchases due to costs. About 20% are using equipment older than industry standards. Aging fire and life safety equipment is a national issue.
  Fire Chiefs estimate that about 90% of fire and emergency equipment is sourced from the US.
• On Monday March 31, 2025, the CAFC and the provincial, territorial and national affiliate organizations of our National Advisory Council hosted a session with at least 30 suppliers of fire and emergency equipment. You can read our letter and submission to the tariff’s consultation here.
• Fire Chiefs are calling on the federal government to create a cost-shared reinvestment in fire and emergency equipment with other levels of government. The NFA could help with specifics.
• While not the federal government’s role to buy local fire department equipment, equipment that doesn’t comply with industry standards impacts fire protection ratings, insurance rates, safety and security.

3.  PREDICTABLE ISSUES IN FIRE, EMERGENCY AND LIFE SAFETY IN EARLY DAYS POST ELECTION

• There are several predictable issues that will arise in media or other pertaining to fire and life safety in the first 30-60 days of a new government.  We remain committed to provide solutions with you.   

For more information: CAFC Leave Behind for Government Relations Week; Great Canadian Fire Census; National Fire Administration; Wildfires, Writs and Caretakers, or contact CAFC’s Executive Dr. Tina Saryeddine tsaryeddine@cafc.ca, 613-324-1078.

Federal Election Updates

Watch the English Federal Leaders Debate here

Read the Liberal Party's Platform here 

Read the Conservative Party's Platform here

Read the NDP's Party's Platform here

Read the Green Party's Platform here

Media

Wildfire season is starting. How Canadian leaders plan to respond (04/21/2025)