IAFF thanks the Government of Canada for following through on its commitment

Budget 2017 announced $80 million over five years to establish the Public Safety Officer Award

OTTAWA, April 11, 2017 /CNW/ - Today the International Association of Fire Fighters thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale for funding a Public Safety Officer Award to support the families of public safety officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

Budget 2017 announced $80 million, starting in 2018-19, and $20 million thereafter, to support the establishment of this tax-free benefit. It fulfills an election promise and the mandate Prime Minister Trudeau assigned Minister Goodale.

General President Harold Schaitberger expressed the IAFF's gratitude at a ceremony today on Parliament Hill, flanked by firefighters and fire trucks. The association advocated for this benefit for over two decades, which was supported in principle by the House of Commons when it passed a motion by Mr. Goodale calling for its establishment in 2012.

Quotes

"Every day, public safety officers put their lives in danger to protect Canadians. They deserve nothing less than the highest level of support from a grateful country. That is why we are proud to establish a tax-free Public Safety Officer Award to support the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

-  The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"The Government stands with the women and men who risk their lives to keep Canadians safe, and with their families when tragedy strikes. The Public Safety Officer Award will recognise the sacrifice of public safety officers who have fallen in the line of duty."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The IAFF commends the Liberal Government for keeping its promise and for establishing a public safety officers benefit in Budget 2017. This benefit will allow a grateful nation to formally recognize the sacrifices made by fallen fire fighters and other public safety officers and will ensure once and for all that their families don't have to worry about their immediate financial security."

- General President Harold Schaitberger, International Association of Fire Fighters

SOURCE International Association of Firefighters

IAFF Canadian Office: Scott Marks, 613-567-8988, [email protected]; PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555; Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada: Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657