Whereas municipal governments provide essential services to the residents and businesses in their communities; and,
Whereas the introduction of new provincial policies and programs can have an impact on municipalities; and,
Whereas municipal governments are generally supportive of efforts to modernize and enhance the volunteer and full-time fire services that serve Ontario communities; and,
Whereas the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) believes in principle that fire certification is a step in the right direction, it has not endorsed the draft regulations regarding firefighter certification presented by the Province; and,
Whereas municipalities and AMO are concerned the thirty-day consultation period was insufficient to fully understand the effects such regulations will have on municipal governments and their fire services; and,
Whereas fire chiefs have advised that the Ontario firefighter certification process will create additional training and new costs pressures on fire services; and,
Whereas the Ontario government has not provided any indication they will offer some form of financial support to deliver this service; and,
Whereas AMO, on behalf of municipal governments, in a letter to Solicitor General Jones dated February 25, 2022, made numerous comments and requests to address the shortcomings in the draft regulations.
Now, therefore be it resolved,
- That the Town of Newmarket does hereby support AMO’s recommendations; and,
- That the Town of Newmarket does hereby call on the Solicitor General of Ontario to work with AMO, municipal governments and fire chiefs across Ontario to address the funding concerns raised so that municipalities can continue to offer high quality services to their communities; and,
- That a copy of this Motion be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM), and all Ontario municipalities for their consideration.