To the Editor:
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other front-line emergency workers carry the serious responsibility of ensuring public safety. They are skilled professionals, trained to cope with life-threatening situations. And by the very nature of their jobs, they put their lives on the line to protect others.
In return, they have the right to expect their national government will stand by them in confronting the risks they have to face. The Harper government talks a good game about public safety, with lots of pictures with people in uniforms, but their record doesn’t “walk the talk”.
For years, public safety officers in Canada have been asking for a national “compensation benefit” to help take care of the families of those who lose their lives or suffer permanent serious disability in the line of duty. They’ve proposed a one-time payment of $300,000. Nothing can make up for the loss of a loved-one, but such a payment would help his/her family cope with their tragedy – a tragedy resulting from that loved-one just doing his/her job to keep the public safe.
Depending on their employer or collective agreement, some public safety officers already have such a benefit. But most don’t, and it shouldn’t depend on who you work for or where you live.
Having heard loud and clear from firefighters and others about this issue, the Liberal Party included the concept of a Public Safety Officer Compensation Benefit in our previous election platforms. We also put a specific Motion before the current Parliament calling on the government to implement the idea. It passed, reflecting the feelings of a strong majority of Canadians and their MPs in all Parties. A new Liberal government will change that. We will introduce a national Public Safety Officer Compensation
In its willy-nilly slashing of federal services – all so it can give large special tax breaks to those among us who are the wealthiest – the Harper government gutted Canada’s “Joint Emergency Planning and Preparedness” (JEPP) system. This was a longstanding arrangement whereby the federal government worked collaboratively with provinces and municipalities to ensure we have the capability at all levels to respond quickly and effectively to large-scale disasters.
JEPP was hugely beneficial over the years, helping citizens and local authorities cope with floods, wildfires, ice storms and other issues like a collapsed shopping mall in Ontario. A key component was a network of emergency workers – known as Heavy Urban Search & Rescue (HUSAR) teams – based at five strategic locations across Canada.
Since Mr. Harper killed their federal funding, these teams are withering away, leaving a big hole in emergency response capacity. A new Liberal government will restore federal support for the HUSAR teams, and work constructively with all provinces and municipalities to bolster life-saving services like these.
Furthermore, we recognize the horrific circumstances that first responders and emergency workers are often called upon to witness in the line of duty. The stress and trauma are, sadly, part of the job. They’re well-trained and highly-skilled, but they’re also human beings who are vulnerable to the impacts of PTSD. When they need help, they should be able to get it promptly.
A new Liberal government will invite the provinces and territories to join in a fully co-ordinated national approach to treating PTSD. The feds can bring to the table many experiences, good and bad, drawn from their handling or mishandling of PTSD in the military, the RCMP and among Veterans. They can also bring the resources of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Mental Health
Other levels of government, academics and health professionals need to be at the table too. And it’s urgent. No emergency worker should be left to suffer alone or in the shadows from the debilitating anguish that all too frequently results from discharging their duties to help others.
When Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made these pledges last week in a meeting with Canada’s professional firefighters, he received three standing ovations. The Canadian Police Association responded quickly too, describing these Liberal platform commitments as “a home run” for first responders.
It’s all about respecting and honouring those who valiantly serve their fellow citizens.
Ralph Goodale
MP Wasacana
