©BCWildfireService

As Canada prepares for another “challenging” fire season, provincial wildland and forest firefighters are intensifying their push for federal recognition and respect for the public safety work they already perform. “We know we’re heading into another very dangerous wildfire season, and these firefighters need to head into it knowing that we’ve got their back,” said NDP MP Gord Johns, his party’s emergency preparedness critic. On May 7, Johns tabled his private member’s motion calling for provincial wildland/forest firefighters (WLFF) to be formally recognized as firefighters under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), instead of their current designation as silviculture workers. Johns’ motion argues that WLFFs already perform the same dangerous frontline duties as other firefighters. …The classification that denies forest firefighters the same protections and pension benefits as their urban counterparts will be reviewed, but the focus must stay on preparing for the upcoming fire season, says Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski.