| MPP
Arnott Expresses Hope For Volunteer Fire Fighters Following
Defeat of Bill 30
Although
Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is disappointed that
Bill 30 did not pass its Third Reading vote in the Ontario
Legislature, he expressed hope for “double hatter” fire
fighters.
His
Bill 30, the Volunteer Fire Fighters Employment Protection
Act, was defeated in the Legislature by a vote of 52
to 37 on December 11, 2002. Bill 30 was intended to
protect full time fire fighters who also serve as volunteer
fire fighters in their spare time. The professional
fire fighters union has been threatening double hatters
to force them to quit their volunteer posts.
“Obviously,
I’m disappointed with the outcome. However, I believe
that Bill 30 brought an important issue to light. There
has been a comprehensive discussion of the issue, with
seven hours of debate in House,” said Mr. Arnott.
“Now
that more MPPs are aware of the contribution that double
hatters make, I would encourage the Minister of Public
Safety and Security to continue to work with the stakeholders
involved and protect the right of a professional fire
fighter to volunteer on his or her own free time,” he
added.
“I
thank all of the individuals and organizations who have
been very supportive of the Bill, including the Fire
Fighters Association of Ontario, the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario, The Fire Marshal and the
Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, and the MPPs who
voted in favour of Bill 30,” Mr. Arnott said.
“I
also want to say a special word of thanks to Mr. Tim
Lee. He is a double hatter who was charged and expelled
from his union for being a volunteer. He exemplifies
the sense of honour, courage and service that Bill 30
was intended to protect and support in this province,”
he concluded.
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