Oshawa Liberal Candidate James Morton Endorses Benefits for Firefighters, Police and other Public Safety Officers killed in the line of duty

For immediate release

Oshawa, ON (April 2, 2011)

Firefighting is a dangerous profession. Studies confirm that firefighters suffer the highest rate of job related illness and injury of any occupation in Canada. The United States has recognised these risks and has provided a National Public Safety Officer Benefit for fallen firefighters and other public safety officers (police, correctional services and border guards) since 1976. Despite the need there is no national Public Safety Officer Benefit in Canada.

Numerous private member bills have been proposed, and passed, by Parliament, calling for a Public Safety Officer Benefit in Canada to protect the families of firefighters, police and others killed in the line of duty. Despite these private members bills the federal government has not acted in support of Public Safety Officers.

After meeting with representatives of Oshawa Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 465 James Morton, the Liberal Candidate for Oshawa in the upcoming federal election, has committed to urging the federal government, regardless of what Party is elected, to establish a Public Safety Officer Benefit of $300,000, indexed to inflation, payable on the death of any Public Safety Officer in the line of duty. Such benefit has an annual cost of $6 million or less than 25 cents a year for each Canadian; hardly a significant cost to make sure Public Safety Officer's families have some protection in the event of their death.

James Morton has further committed to moving a private member's bill for the speedy passage of a Public Safety Officer Benefit if the federal government does not make such benefit part of the government's agenda.

"Our firefighters, police and border agents risk their lives every day without hesitation. They are there for Canadians seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Many of our firefighters are volunteers. The very least we can do is to ensure the survivors of those killed in the line of duty have some financial cushion after their loss. I cannot understand why this has not been done long ago" said James Morton.

James Morton also committed to urging that the Canada Influenza Pandemic Plan and Guidance on Vaccine Sequencing be amended to provide firefighters and police, as first responders in emergencies, be made a first priority group for available vaccines. He also supported the need to recognise Fire Fighter safety as a core requirement in the National Building Code of Canada.

A press conference with further details will be held at the Liberal Party Campaign Headquarters located at 1 Warren Ave., Unit F, Oshawa on Sunday April 3rd at 1:00 pm.

For further information contact Stuart Smith, at 905-442-2627 or by email at oshawafederalliberal@gmail.com

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