New Fire Services Grant needed because of Government’s refusal to support Double Hatters, says MPP Ted Arnott

The Ontario Government has announced a $30 million Fire Service Grant to assist municipalities with the cost of firefighter training and new equipment.

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott responded by noting that, to a large degree, the training component of the program would not be necessary if the Government would only take steps to protect Double Hatter firefighters.

“While municipalities will no doubt be happy to receive a cheque from the Province to help their fire departments, it would cost the provincial taxpayer nothing if Double Hatters were protected by the passage of my Bill 52,” Mr. Arnott said.

Firefighter training is central to the dispute around Double Hatters, which has been raging in the Ontario Legislature since 2002, when Mr. Arnott first introduced a Private Member’s Bill in support of firefighters’ right to volunteer.

“Having Double Hatters involved with our rural, volunteer fire departments has made our communities safer over the years,” Mr. Arnott said. “I’m told that in many cases, Double Hatters have been the training officers in the volunteer squads, and they pass along their expertise and training to the other volunteers.”

“Unfortunately, we’re losing our Double Hatters because the Government has so far refused to take any steps to protect them from their union,” he said.

The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association continues to push for the “phasing-out” of Double Hatter firefighters. This union has threatened its members with the loss of their full-time positions if they continue to serve as volunteers in their home communities and in their off-hours.

“If the Government thinks this new grant solves the Double Hatter issue, they are mistaken,” Mr. Arnott added. “I intend to continue to raise it, as long as the union continues to undermine safety in our rural communities by forcing Double Hatters to quit as volunteers,” he concluded.