The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) said its leaders advanced top federal priorities during the 32nd Canadian Legislative Conference held in Ottawa from Sunday 2 November to Tuesday 4 November 2025.
The organization said delegates focused on deterring violence against on-duty firefighters and paramedics and on strengthening regulations that govern airport firefighting in Canada.
The IAFF said the conference followed the federal election on Monday 28 April 2025 that returned Prime Minister Mark Carney and a Liberal minority government.
The IAFF said delegates pressed for Criminal Code changes that would increase penalties when first responders are assaulted while on duty.
Edward Kelly, General President, said the union remains focused on member health and safety.
Edward Kelly, General President, said: “The people we represent, who take that oath to put their lives on the line, are recognizing the work that we do as a union.”
Edward Kelly, General President, said: “Wherever the fight is, we’re going to go there.
“We’re going to go there unapologetically… that’s what the mission of this IAFF is.”
Frank Líma, General Secretary-Treasurer, said: “People are seeing the value of being in this union.”
The IAFF said Kelly also referenced staffing campaigns including the 4 Firefighters 4 Your Safety initiative launched in Atlantic Canada in July.
The IAFF said members of parliament from four parties addressed the conference.
The organization said Eleanor Olszewski, Federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre in Alberta, thanked firefighters for their service.
Other speakers included Melissa Lantsman, Conservative Party Co-Deputy Leader and MP for Thornhill in Ontario, Don Davies, Interim Party Leader for the New Democratic Party and MP for Vancouver-Kingsway in British Columbia, and Rhéal Éloi Fortin, Bloc Québécois MP and Justice Critic for Rivière du Nord in Quebec.
The IAFF said Senators Leo Housakos and Hassan Yussuff discussed Bill S-233, introduced by Housakos on Monday 23 September 2025, which proposes tougher sentencing when a first responder is the assault victim.
The organization said Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser has introduced Bill C-14 in the House of Commons with similar provisions.
Delegates urged MPs and senators to support swift passage of both bills, the IAFF said.
The IAFF said a panel of Local leaders described incidents where members were assaulted during structure fires or medical calls.
The panel included Katrina Davison, President of Vancouver Local 18, Nick Kasper, President of Winnipeg Local 867, and Joe Triff, Vice President of Halifax Local 268 and President of the Atlantic Provinces Professional Firefighters Association, the organization said.
The IAFF said Triff shared a video of an assault against firefighters that occurred in Halifax in July 2021.
The IAFF said delegates called for stronger regulations governing airport firefighting in Canada.
The organization said James Johnson of Vancouver Local 18, an IAFF Building Codes and Standards Representative, updated attendees on a growing push for single-exit residential buildings promoted by developers in Canada and the US.
The IAFF said Johnson characterized the single-exit concept as dangerous.
The IAFF said Len Garis, an academic and former Surrey Fire Chief, appeared with Statistics Canada representatives to discuss the Canadian Firefighter Cancer Registry.
The organization said funding for the registry is outlined in the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting Act introduced by Montreal-area Liberal MP Sherry Romanado and enacted in June 2023.
The IAFF said the registry aims to define the scope of occupational cancer in the fire service and support research, prevention and decision-making once established.
The IAFF said a Political Pundit Panel with Kathleen Monk, Tim Powers and Carlene Variyan discussed the national political context.
The organization said Danille Campo-McLeod, a decorated Paralympic swimmer and National Ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, addressed delegates.
The IAFF said the conference concluded with a Parliamentary Reception where delegates continued discussions with MPs, senators, staff and guests.
Senior fire officers and union leaders can track the IAFF’s lobbying focus on Criminal Code changes and airport firefighting regulations to align policy engagement with federal timelines.
Airport and mass transit facility managers can note the call for stronger airport firefighting regulations raised by delegates during the Ottawa conference.
Training officers and incident commanders can review the reported rise in on-duty assaults described by Local leaders to inform risk assessments and operational planning.
Fire engineering consultants and building officials can monitor the single-exit residential building debate outlined by the IAFF’s Building Codes and Standards Representative.
Public health agencies and departmental leads can prepare for data requirements associated with the forthcoming Canadian Firefighter Cancer Registry described by speakers at the event.
