Our Issues: Going Forward!

Arbitration Process for Fire Fighters

The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 introduced a new process for the interest arbitration process resulting in lengthy delays for decisions and significantly rising cost for both the municipality and the local association.

The FPPA introduced conciliation through the Ministry of Labour prior to moving to arbitration. Furthermore the introduction of mediation/arbitration (as opposed to arbitration) has resulted in lengthy delays for decisions and increased costs for all parties.

The OPFFA is seeking to streamline the current process with a goal to return to the arbitration system as previously set out in the Fire Departments Act (repealed for the FPPA). The previous system allowed for a direct step to arbitration and resulted in a much quicker and more efficient process.


Funding for Front-line Staffing

Currently over 80% of the full-time fire departments are operating with understaffed vehicles (less then 4 firefighters per vehicle) and do not meet NFPA standards for staffing and deployment. In many cases these departments cannot even meet the Fire Marshals’ Office guideline of “10 in 10”. In the past the government has made provisions for the funding of front line staff for police and paramedics. While the Fire Services Grant (2005) was welcome funding, it was only a one-time grant.

The OPFFA is seeking a similar funding program (Community Policing Partnerships Program) where the province invested in the hiring on 1,000 additional front-line police officers.


Mandatory Retirement

The Ontario Human Rights Code (“Code”) was amended to allow workers to work beyond age 65 without being forced to retire based solely on age. The “Code” does allow for mandatory retirement based upon a bona-fide occupational retirement (BFOR). Notwithstanding, the BFOR must be proven on an individual or case by case basis.

The OPFFA believes that the BFOR should apply to all fire fighters who engage in suppression or training activities as the effects are similar regardless of location. Currently there are numerous cases moving forward to the Ontario Human Rights Commission on an individual basis. The effect of challenging these claims introduces an enormous financial burden on both the municipality and the local association. Having an “exemption” for fighters identified within the legislation recognizes a BFOR for the occupation and prevents future challenges.


IAFF Logo on Ontario License Plates

The OPFFA is working with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to produce OPFFA graphic license plates with the IAFF logo. These license plates would only be issued to OPFFA active and retired members in good standing.