OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 26, 2015
QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Toby Barrett supported the call for establishing a fund to support the families of first responders, such as firefighters, police officers and paramedics, who are killed in the line of duty.
“The danger is very real for firefighters in the line of service; many of our communities have sadly seen that first hand,” Opposition Leader Patrick Brown said in the Legislature. “Will the Premier support a Hero’s Fund – survivor benefits for the families of first responders who have fallen in the service of our province?”
Brown raised the issue while pushing the premier to fast track NDP MPP Cheri Di Novo’s Private Member’s Bill to lower barriers for first responders in need of post-traumatic stress disorder support and treatment.
“Firefighters, and their paramedic and police officer colleagues, continue to tell me that this government is holding up access to care for post-traumatic stress disorder,” stated Leader Patrick Brown. “It has been 72 days since I first asked the premier to work with me and the NDP to fast track the third party’s bill.”
Brown called on the premier to bring the bill back for third reading.
“This delay in dealing with this legislation is not acceptable,” Barrett agreed. “Our emergency personnel put their lives on the line and we should support them in accessing post-traumatic stress disorder treatment and be there for their families if they die or are injured in the line of duty.”
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org