MPP Arnott reintroduces Private Member’s Bill for Double Hatter fire fighters
90 per cent support Double Hatters in Waterloo-Wellington Questionnaire

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has reintroduced his Private Member’s Bill aimed at protecting Double Hatter fire fighters from union pressure tactics that force them to quit serving as volunteer fire fighters in small-town and rural Ontario.

He reintroduced his Bill in the Ontario Legislature on December 6th, 2005, for the Second Session of the 38th Ontario Parliament.

“My Bill is needed to support Double Hatters like those who were recently forced by their union to stop volunteering in Shakespeare, which is an example I’ve raised in the Legislature,” said Mr. Arnott. “I met last week with senior officials of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, the union, and I was told that they will be continuing their efforts to ‘phase-out’ Double Hatters.”

Mr. Arnott is a key advocate at the Ontario Legislature for Double Hatter fire fighters. He has raised the issue for over three years from both the Government and Opposition benches, and this is the fourth time he has introduced this public safety legislation.

“Given the inaction on this issue by the McGuinty Liberal Government, I’m concerned that the union will ramp-up their efforts and try to eliminate as many Double Hatters as possible before the next Provincial election,” he added.

Mr. Arnott also received extraordinarily high support from his constituents on the Double Hatter issue. He provided a questionnaire through his newsletter earlier this year. 90 per cent of the respondents expressed support for his Double Hatter Bill.

“My constituents were more supportive on this issue than any other in the Waterloo-Wellington questionnaire. I feel compelled to continue to make it a priority and hold the Government’s feet to fire until it’s resolved,” Mr. Arnott concluded.