As reported by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), a petition initiated by the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) President Todd Schierling, along with Burnaby Local 323, New Westminster Local 256, and Coquitlam Local 1782, has gained significant traction.
Launched online and on paper on July 2, and sponsored by New Democratic Party MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, BC), the petition quickly amassed over 1,400 signatures by July 10.
The paper petition also saw success, collecting more than 400 signatures at a Local 323 community event.
A senior staff member in Julian’s Parliament Hill office told the IAFF she had never seen a petition garner so many signatures so quickly.
With the petition certified, Julian can table it in the House of Commons after the fall session begins.
Once tabled, the government will have 45 sitting days to respond, maintaining focus on PFAS, a key legislative priority for the IAFF.
The initiative emerged from discussions between Schierling, BC delegates from Local 323 and Local 256, and Julian about the dangers of PFAS during the IAFF’s Canadian Legislative Conference earlier this year in Ottawa.
Schierling praised Julian’s efforts, saying: “Peter’s unwavering determination truly made a difference.”
This federal petition aligns with ongoing local and provincial efforts to remove PFAS from the fire service.
These efforts include a draft motion by Vancouver City Council urging the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to support a resolution for provincial funding for PFAS-free firefighting gear.
Additionally, the BCPFFA is in continuous discussions with the provincial government about PFAS, highlighted by a July 9 townhall meeting in Surrey with BC Premier David Eby.
Schierling is encouraging Canadian affiliates to circulate the petition at community events to maximize signatures before it closes on October 30.
He stated: “I’d impress upon all local affiliate leaders to educate their city councils, their provincial legislators, and federal MPs as much as possible so we can expedite a ban on PFAS in our workplace.
“Let’s keep pushing the agenda forward on behalf of the IAFF and our members.”
Further information about the initiative, including links to the petition, is available.
The Canadian Government has identified PFAS as “chemicals of interest” under its Chemicals Management Plan and has banned certain uses, but exceptions remain, including firefighter turnout gear.
In April, Canadian Legislative Conference delegates lobbied the government to ban all uses of PFAS and implement various measures, such as identifying PFAS as a full class of chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, specifying requirements for safe reclamation and disposal of firefighting gear and foams containing PFAS, banning incineration and secondary use of PFAS-laden gear, expediting the transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams at federal facilities, and implementing “take-back” grants to assist municipalities in transitioning to safe firefighting gear.
