Today the Honourable Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour announced that the Presumptive Legislation which was passed in May 2007 will now be extended to all volunteer and part-time firefighters and fire investigators. A copy of the Press Release is attached.

The OAFC would like thank the government for recognizing that the risks and dangers faced by all firefighters and fire investigators in protecting Ontarians are the same and that all firefighters will be treated equally under the Presumptive Legislation.

Over the past 30 months the OAFC and the fire service has lobbied the government to have this legislation apply to all firefighters and fire investigators. The OAFC would like to thank all Fire Chiefs for their help and support.

The OAFC will supply an update and further information on this issue at the Mid Term Meeting on November 18-19.