NDP wants help for volunteer firefighters in the budget « Canada’s NDP

March 7, 2024 at 4:00 am  Federal, Politics

OTTAWA— On Wednesday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh toured the Denman Island Volunteer Fire Department on Vancouver Island with NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtney – Alberni).

Singh acknowledged the selfless work of volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers across the country and called for an increase to the tax credit they receive in the upcoming budget.

“Last summer wildfires raged across Canada. Families lost everything and, hundreds of miles away from the fires, it wasn’t safe for kids to play outside because of the smoke,” said Singh. “In the middle of all the chaos, it was often volunteer firefighters that saved peoples’ lives, their homes and our rural communities. These are people who often have other nine-to-five jobs. They’re doing this heroic work in their free time and they deserve some financial help this tax season.”

Johns introduced a private member’s bill that would increase the firefighter and search and rescue volunteers tax credit from $3,000 to $10,000. In addition to giving these volunteers more money in their pockets, it would also help local governments and communities to recruit and retain these vital first-responders.

“We’re asking the federal government to increase the tax credit in the budget so volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personal can get more money back sooner,” said Johns. “These men and women keep our communities safe in the middle of disasters. These are the people who show up when you’re having the worst day imaginable, and your family is at risk of losing everything. The very least the government can do it get them some financial help so that they can keep doing this incredible work for our rural communities.”

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Fri, May 15, 2026 at 12:16 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: The Sound of Music – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, May 14, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Regenerative practices breathe new life into forests
Fri, May 8, 2026 at 12:37 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Want to get involved with Transition Kamloops?
Fri, May 8, 2026 at 12:32 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Your chance to Reimagine Downtown!
Fri, May 8, 2026 at 12:27 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Green Paint Saves Lives: A Small Price for Safety in Kamloops
Fri, May 8, 2026 at 12:22 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: We did it! WILD WOR(L)DS Poetry and Nature-Friendly Yards
Thu, May 7, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Colombia conference carves better climate and trade path
Wed, May 6, 2026 at 6:53 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Win 2 tickets to Mamma Mia! – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: War is the enemy of all mankind
Thu, Apr 23, 2026 at 10:38 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Sunday Classics | Celebrating Mom – The Kamloops Film Society
Full Stream

Upcoming Events

Ivan Decker: Million Dollar Comedy Tour
Saturday Jun 13
All Events