The International Association of Fire Firefighters (IAFF) has discussed how Winnipeg, Manitoba Local 867 has issued an urgent plea for government action following a rash of assaults and threats against on-duty firefighter-paramedics.
Local 867 President Nick Kasper cited growing concern for his members’ physical and mental well-being – as well as public safety – as he called on the city and the province to support measures to make their workplace safe.
This includes revival of Bill C-321, federal legislation that would strengthen Criminal Code penalties against those who assault or threaten on-duty firefighters and paramedics.
Kasper said: “It’s having a detrimental impact on our service’s ability to be there for the public when they need us.
“Our members don’t want to come in to work overtime on their days off after they’ve been threatened or attacked and because of that, we’re having trucks struck from duty, stations closed and our response times are only getting worse.”
The IAFF has revealed how on 10 July, a Winnipeg firefighter-paramedic was struck in the face with a pole during a call. Two days later, crews had to disarm and restrain an individual who pulled out a knife.
Other recent incidents included a firefighter-paramedic being hit in the stomach while on duty and crews having to flee a property after someone brandished a knife.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham respond positively to the Local’s request. At a 17 July council meeting, he moved a motion calling on the federal government to strengthen criminal penalties for acts of violence against firefighters and paramedics.
The motion cites 58 reported acts of violence or threats against those personnel in the city so far in 2025.
Winnipeg firefighters are also asking the province to act on the issue by making it a provincial offence to obstruct, harass or threaten public safety personnel.
In a July 24 letter to federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser, Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe also urged the Government of Canada to make the necessary legislative changes to protect firefighters and other emergency responders not covered by existing laws.
Wiebe wrote: “These professionals are routinely placed in dangerous situations to protect the public, and violence against them, must be strongly deterred and denounced.
“These are the individuals we count on to care for us in our most vulnerable moments.”
Local 867’s call for greater protections against workplace violence is backed by the Manitoba Professional Fire Fighters Association and other labour groups, including the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Manitoba Federation of Labour, the Winnipeg Labour Council and the Manitoba Nurses Union.
Kasper said there are increasing calls for some personnel – such as fire prevention officers – to be issued ballistic vests and other protective gear, an idea he believes should be considered.
He said there are other measures the city could take to protect members, including requiring dispatcher to share high-risk addresses with firefighters, as is already done when dispatching police.
He recounted incidents where firefighters responded to structure fires not knowing there were simultaneous 911 calls from the same address for someone barricaded inside with a gun.
Kasper stated: “Our firefighters and paramedics deserve the same protections as other public safety personnel.
“We’re not asking for special treatment, we’re demanding equal recognition under the law. Because the next time this happens, we might not be as fortunate.”
According to the IAFF, the situation in Winnipeg reflects an increasing trend of violence against on-duty fire fighters and paramedics in cities across Canada.
The IAFF said it made the issue a national priority and lobbied the Canadian government to provide tougher penalties for such acts under the Criminal Code.
Introduced in early 2023 by BC Conservative MP Todd Doherty, Bill C-321, proposed language requiring that an assault victim’s status as on on-duty first responder be considered during sentencing – provisions that already exist for peace officers and transit workers.
The IAFF supported Bill C-321 by testifying during committee hearings on Parliament Hill and by urging MPs and Senators to advance the legislation.
While the bill passed third reading in the House of Commons with strong support, it died in the Senate in early 2025 when Parliament was dissolved.
The IAFF also supported Bill C-345, a similar legislative initiative introduced in 2023 by former BC MP Peter Julian, which sought to curb violence against fire fighters and paramedics. That bill, however, did not move forward in the legislative process.
The IAFF has discussed how Winnipeg, Manitoba Local 867 has issued an urgent plea for government action following a rash of assaults and threats against on-duty firefighter-paramedics.
