A piece of legislation tabled in the House of Commons could serve as a deterrence to committing violent acts against emergency first responders.
Bill C-345 was tabled by New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian and seconded by Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron. The local MP held a press conference Wednesday, June 28, at Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station No. 1, to talk about the proposed legislation.
The bill, if ratified, would bring more serious charges and stiffer penalties for anyone who assaults or threatens the safety of first responders, including firefighters and paramedics. The intention is to amend the Criminal Code so that the murder of a first responder automatically brings down a first-degree charge, and the bill also calls for increasing the maximum term of imprisonment for assaulting a first responder, and making the assault of a first responder a specific criminal offence.
The bill, which would provide firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians similar protections to peace officers under the Criminal Code, was given first reading in the House of Commons on June 19.
91裸聊视频淒uring the pandemic we all watched as firefighters, paramedics and first responders showed their unwavering commitment to the health of our community, risking their safety and well-being to be of service to Canadians,91裸聊视频� Barron said.
She said communities are now struggling from the impacts of toxic substance use, mental health and affordability crises, which first responders are also contending with. Representatives from Nanaimo Firefighters Association Local 905 met with her in Ottawa earlier this year and impressed upon her the need for all first responders to be protected in the face of increasing assault incidents.
91裸聊视频淯nfortunately, while serving our communities in endless ways, these same first responders also continue to see a striking increase in aggravated assaults against firefighters, paramedics and other first responders 91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 evident that there91裸聊视频檚 a problem when those who chose to serve in our communities 91裸聊视频� many in volunteer capacities 91裸聊视频� are being left without protections91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Barron said. 91裸聊视频淲hen assaults on first responders tragically happen, we need to make it clear the consequences match the seriousness of the crime.91裸聊视频�
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said Bill C-345 is the kind of legislation that should receive unanimous support in Parliament. He said crimes against first responders should be recognized as offences against the collective system of society that ensures citizens91裸聊视频� safety and well-being.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 one thing to engage in a criminal act, as between individuals or a business or whatever. It is a very different thing when you literally assault the community and the collective order and system of justice that is there to protect all of us, and so it91裸聊视频檚 absolutely right and proper,91裸聊视频� Krog said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e recognized before that peace officers 91裸聊视频� are treated differently under the code and that91裸聊视频檚 for that very reason. It91裸聊视频檚 a right, good and just reason and society came to that conclusion a long time ago.91裸聊视频�
Geoff Whiting, Nanaimo Fire Rescue deputy chief, said firefighting is a dangerous job and firefighters are at higher risk than the general population for contracting multiple types of cancer, heart disease and potentially life-altering occupational stress injuries. Firefighters accept a certain level of risk to serve their community and the fire department does what it can to mitigate those ever-present risks.
91裸聊视频淭he key is making sure our people have the skills to de-escalate situations and recognize situations and remove themselves,91裸聊视频� Whiting said. 91裸聊视频淪o we certainly support anything that addresses first responders91裸聊视频� safety.91裸聊视频�
Chad Porter, Nanaimo Firefighters Association Local 905 president, said aggravated assaults and other acts of violence against first responders are on the rise and all workers deserve to come to work and feel safe on the job. He said in the past year there has been a 91裸聊视频渟tark change91裸聊视频� in the frequency of incidents where firefighters have had to remove themselves from incidents to protect their personal safety or wait for the RCMP to ensure emergency scenes are safe for first responders to move in. He said passing the bill will not be a 91裸聊视频渕agic wand91裸聊视频� to solve societal issues, but will help build momentum toward a culture that ensures greater safety for first responders.
91裸聊视频淲e strongly urge all members in Parliament to support this bill and to strengthen one of the fundamental workers91裸聊视频� rights, which is a a safe workplace,91裸聊视频� Porter said.
Barron said she hopes that all MPs will 91裸聊视频渟ign on to get this done91裸聊视频� when Parliament sits in the fall.
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chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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