NORTHERN ONTARIO—New Democrats have announced that after years of pushing the Liberals to act, the NDP has secured an increase to the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel.
“We have so many unsung heroes in Northern Ontario who give their time doing volunteer firefighting,” said NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay). “They deserve to be recognized and supported. This is why New Democrats have led the fight for an increase in the tax credit to volunteer firefighters.”
“I am proud of the work the NDP caucus has done to fight for this increase to give respect to our community members. Rural communities are often ignored by Ottawa, but today that is changing thanks to New Democrats,” said MP Angus.
For years, the NDP has called for increasing the Firefighter Tax Credit to give volunteer firefighters some financial help and additional training. In 2021, NDP MP Gord Johns brought forward a bill to help volunteer firefighters and search and rescue teams with growing costs, measures to encourage hiring and retention by increasing their tax credit.
In February, NDP MP Carol Hughes (Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing) tabled a petition for the tax credit, and on April 10, the NDP delivered.
“Rural communities have always depended upon the selfless work of volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers,” said MP Hughes. “We are so very fortunate to have these individuals who provide essential services while putting their lives on the line to help and protect our communities. It’s a good day for firefighters and search and rescue volunteers. New Democrats will keep fighting to improve the lives of people who do so much for our communities.”
