OPFFA Endorsement Resolution (Carried Unanimously)

RE: OPFFA Endorsement of Premier McGuinty

1. WHEREAS: government relations has become one of the cornerstones of
2. the OPFFA's core service delivery and,
3. WHEREAS: the OPFFA has invested substantial finances and numerous
4. resources including countless hours of dedication by our representatives
5. to establish a professional and respected government relations program
6. and,
7. WHEREAS: the OPFFA has adopted the same government relations
8. philosophy and approach as the IAFF insofar as supporting those who
9. support us and,
10. WHEREAS: the OPFFA is cognizant that locals have relationships with
11. MPPs from all parties and,
12. WHEREAS: the OPFFA continues to strongly encourage locals to engage
13. in political action by supporting a member who has displayed support for
14. our issues regardless of party affiliation and,
15. WHEREAS: the current Premier has exhibited a level of respect and
16. recognition for the OPFFA, professional fire fighters and their families of
17. which we have not witnessed prior in our history and,
18. WHEREAS: this new relationship has created positive results in an
19. unprecedented ten areas of legislation and government announcements
20. including; improvements to our pension plan, presumptive legislation, the
21. $30 million fire services grant, and the creation of the Tribute To The
22. Fallen, and,
23. WHEREAS: these achievements could not have been attained without
24. strong leadership within the government and,
25. WHEREAS: the Premier for the Province of Ontario, the Hon. Dalton
26. McGuinty, has displayed undeniably steadfast leadership with respect to
27. the issues affecting Ontario's professional fire fighters and their families
28. and,
29. WHEREAS: Premier McGuinty has created a constructive working
30. environment with the OPFFA to address our concerns,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
31. That the OPFFA demonstrate its support for Premier McGuinty's
32. leadership on matters affecting Ontario's professional fire fighters and
33. their families through the official endorsement of the Hon Dalton McGuinty
34. as the Premier for the Province of Ontario.

Why Dalton McGuinty?

Backgrounder on the Leadership of Dalton McGuinty...

Under the leadership of Dalton McGuinty, the OPFFA, Ontario's professional fire fighters and their families has received a new level of respect and recognition.

Some examples of McGuinty's leadership on issues affecting our members are as follows:

Presumptive Legislation (Bill 221)

Made introduction of Presumptive Legislation a priority prior to the election
Put Bill in a position to receive 2nd and 3rd Readings and become law
Immediately worked to pass a regulation pertaining to full-time fire fighters

OMERS Autonomy (Bill 206)

Premier McGuinty kept his promise to bring us OMERS Autonomy and in doing so stood up to Sid Ryan, at the risk of an threatened illegal province-wide CUPE strike

Dalton McGuinty also stayed the course despite strong opposition over inflated costings by AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario)

Amendments to the Safe Streets Act (Bill 58)

Allowing fire fighters to take to the streets to raise money for their favourite
charities.

Resulted in fire fighters surpassing the $1 million fundraising mark for MDC
for the first time in over a decade.


Emergency Service Providers Insurance Protection Act (Bill 40)

Providing protection for fire fighters' personal insurance rates while operating fire service vehicles!

Marijuana Grow Labs Act (Bill 128)

Increased protection for Emergency Responders!

Mandatory Blood Testing Act (Bill 28)

Quicker access to medical exposure information!

Volunteer Firefighter Employment Protection Act -
(Bills 30, 130, 52 & 44)

Stood firm as opposition and government despite immense public
pressure both in the house and the media

Stated they would not undercut our collective agreements.

Private Members Bill's (130, 52, & 44) left to die on the order paper -
these Bills never made it passed First Reading

The Ontario Fire Service Grant

$30 Million for Equipment and Training
Every fire service received monies through this program

"Tribute to the Fallen"

Special recognition of those that have lost their lives in the line of duty. A
plaque recognition program, intended build on our fallen memorial service. This was personally initiated by Dalton McGuinty.

Ontario Fire Marshal

OPFFA was consulted and had significant input into the selection of the
new Fire Marshal

While the tangible results we have achieved in legislation under
Dalton McGuinty's leadership are significant, it is the relationship that he has extended to professional fire fighters that can not be overlooked. We have a working relationship, a mutual level of respect and a level of recognition as legitimate stakeholders that fire fighters in this province have not experienced in a long, long time.

This relationship resulted in the government approaching us and allowing us significant input into the selection of the new Fire Marshal.

Contrast this with the fact that under the leadership of the Conservatives we, professional fire fighters in the province of Ontario, spent $563, 735.67 defending our rights against their unfriendly government.

Bill 84 $473,740.67 (FPPA)
Bill 26 $34,859 (Omnibus Bill (Amalgamations))
Bill 30 $55,600 (Special Assessment associated with two-hatter legislation)

We have yet to spend a dollar fighting legislation introduced by Dalton McGuinty.

Therefore!

Points to keep in mind:

1. The endorsement of the leader of a party does not mean a broad endorsement of their party and all the party's candidates.

2. Endorsing a leader does NOT prohibit our members supporting the re-election of MPPs that have been supportive of them regardless of party affiliation.

3. Our members have never experienced such success and achieved such respect as it has with Premier McGuinty.

WE SUPPORT THOSE THAT SUPPORT US!

Should this not hold true when it comes to Premier?

OPFFA Endorses Premier McGuinty !

June 15, 2007 - The OPFFA's 10th Anniversary was celebrated in style on all fronts. OPFFA President Fred LeBlanc stated "you want to recognize important milestones such as a 10th anniversary for your organization with as much class and dignity as possible and I believe we exceeded expectations."

The Kingston Professional Fire Fighters Association L498 were the hosts of this week's event and to a person who attended the convention the Local went over and above with their hospitality and proudly displayed the beautiful City of Kingston and the solidarity of their Local.

It was a week that was filled with exciting announcements and historic decisions. The high point came with the endorsement of Premier Dalton McGuinty. This unanimous decision is most notable as it marks the first time in our history we have formally endorsed a political leader. The evidence is clear and the Premier’s record for fire fighters is strong to warrant such support.