Notice to the Members

March 23, 2017

From: Alex Forrest, President United Firefighters of Winnipeg and Chair of Negotiating Committee

               Public Safety Officers Compensation/Federal Budget March 22, 2017                

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the United Firefighters of Winnipeg (UFFW) welcomes the announcement in today’s Federal Budget for 2017 of the establishment of a national Community Heroes benefit for the families of fallen fire fighters and other public safety officers.

We Thank Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Ralph Goodale for the work they have done on this issue and they have kept a key promise to Firefighters from the last election.

The benefit, a one-time, tax-free and direct payment to the surviving family of fire fighters, police, paramedics and other public safety officer who die in the line of duty.  This helps ensure that survivors do not have to worry about their immediate financial security as well as dealing with their grief. The budget in 2017 provides $80 million over five years beginning in 2018- 2019 for the benefit and $20 million thereafter.  We believe that the benefit will be in the 250,000.00 to 300,000.00 range for each family of the Fallen Firefighter, Police or Paramedic.

I know I speak on behalf of my whole executive, as we have been campaigning and lobbying for this important acknowledgement for over 21 Years.

On behalf of the 1500 Firefighters and Paramedics of the UFFW, we thank You Prime Minister Trudeau.  NEVER again will one of our members die in the line of duty and not be recognized by the Federal Government for their Ultimate sacrifice.

More Details to follow -Please watch the website

AF/em