For Immediate Release
March 31, 2005

Barrett Announces Funding For Local Fire Departments

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett today announced that municipal fire departments in his riding will receive a total of $488,000 to help meet training needs and purchase new equipment.

Of this sum, Norfolk County will receive $178,000; both Haldimand and Brant Counties will receive $155,000. The one-time funding comes from the government’s $30 million Ontario Fire Service Grant announced on March 22. Under this grant, municipalities across Ontario will receive between $50,000 and $1 million based on their population from the 2001 Census.

“This is welcome news to our local fire departments,” Barrett said. “However, the new funding will not resolve the ‘double hatter’ issue that has been particularly tough on smaller, rural fire departments.”

Double hatters are paid fire fighters who serve in their off-duty time as volunteer fire fighters in neighbouring communities. This is prohibited by the constitution of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Ninety-five percent of the fire departments in Ontario are made up of volunteers or have a volunteer component.

Members of the PC caucus have questioned Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter several times in the Ontario Legislature about the double hatter issue; however all he speaks about is mediation. Barrett said that mediation is clearly not the answer and that the Minister should move on with a legislative solution.

- 30 –

For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629